Chapter V (8)

Airports:
total: 1,138
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 17
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 136
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 226
with paved runways under 914 m: 422
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 53
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 269 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 14 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 15.3 million (1990)

Telephone system: excellent service provided by modern technology
domestic: domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations
international: 5 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations
- 5 Intelsat (4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) and 2
Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 900, FM 29, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 70 (repeaters 1,400) (1991)

Televisions: 11.53 million (1983 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Canadian Armed Forces (includes Land Forces Command or
LC, Maritime Command or MC, Air Command or AC, Communications
Command or CC, Training Command or TC), Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 7,645,245
males fit for military service: 6,575,057
males reach military age (17) annually: 197,688 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9.0 billion,
1.6% of GDP (FY95/96)

======================================================================

@Cape Verde ----------

Map ---

Location: 16 00 N, 24 00 W -- Western Africa, group of Islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double
width), white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third),
and light blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered
on the hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and
lower blue bands

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, group of Islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, west of Senegal

Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W

Map references: World

Area:
total area: 4,030 sq km
land area: 4,030 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 965 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and
very erratic

Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico 2,829 m

Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, pozzolana, limestone,
kaolin, fish

Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 85%

Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: overgrazing of livestock and improper land use such
as the cultivation of crops on steep slopes has led to soil erosion;
demand for wood used as fuel has resulted in deforestation;
desertification; environmental damage has threatened several
indigenous species of birds and reptiles; overfishing
natural hazards: prolonged droughts; harmattan wind can obscure
visibility; volcanically and seismically active
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of
Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications
station; important sea and air refueling site

People ------

Population: 449,066 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 50% (male 114,206; female 110,276)
15-64 years: 46% (male 90,593; female 117,485)
65 years and over: 4% (male 6,450; female 10,056) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.93% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 44.31 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.29 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.89 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 54.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.39 years
male: 61.47 years
female: 65.41 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.12 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Cape Verdean(s)
adjective: Cape Verdean

Ethnic divisions: Creole (mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1%

Religions: Roman Catholicism fused with indigenous beliefs

Languages: Portuguese, Crioulo, a blend of Portuguese and West
African words

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.6%
male: 81.4%
female: 63.8%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cape Verde
conventional short form: Cape Verde
local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde
local short form: Cabo Verde

Data code: CV

Type of government: republic

Capital: Praia

Administrative divisions: 14 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Fogo, Maio, Paul, Praia, Porto Novo,
Ribeira Grande, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, Sao Nicolau, Sao
Vicente, Tarrafal

Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975)

Constitution: new constitution came into force 25 September 1992

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Antonio MASCARENHAS Monteiro (since 22
March 1991) elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 18 February 1996 (next to be held NA February
2001); results - Antonio Monteiro MASCARENHAS (independent) received
80.1% of vote
head of government: Prime Minister Carlos Alberto Wahnon de Carvalho
VEIGA (since 13 January 1991) nominated by the People'sNational
Assembly and appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by prime minister from
members of the Peoples National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular): elections
last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - MPD 59%,
PAICV 28%, PCD 6%; seats - (72 total) MPD 50, PAICV 21, PCD 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Supremo Tribunal de
Justia)

Political parties and leaders: Movement for Democracy (MPD), Prime
Minister Carlos VEIGA, founder and chairman; African Party for
Independence of Cape Verde (PAICV), Pedro Verona Rodrigues PIRES,
chairman; Party for Democratic Convergence (PCD)

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM,
OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alberto Santos SILVA-CARLOS
chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820
FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207
consulate(s) general: Boston

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph M. SEGARS
embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 81, Praia
mailing address: C. P. 201, Praia
telephone: [238] 61 56 16
FAX: [238] 61 13 55

Flag: three horizontal bands of light blue (top, double width),
white (with a horizontal red stripe in the middle third), and light
blue; a circle of 10 yellow five-pointed stars is centered on the
hoist end of the red stripe and extends into the upper and lower
blue bands

Economy -------

Economic overview: Cape Verde's low per capita GDP reflects a poor
natural resource base, serious water shortages exacerbated by cycles
of long-term drought, and a high birthrate. The economy is service
oriented, with commerce, transport, and public services accounting
for 60% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural
areas, the share of agriculture in GNP is only 13%, of which fishing
accounts for 4%. About 90% of food must be imported. The fishing
potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Cape
Verde annually runs a high trade deficit, financed by remittances
from emigrants and foreign aid, which form important supplements to
GDP. Economic reforms, launched by the new democratic government in
1991, are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting
foreign investment to diversify the economy. Prospects for 1996
depend heavily on the maintenance of aid flows, remittances, and the
momentum of the government's development program.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $440 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.6% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,040 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 17%
services: 70% (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 102,000 (1985 est.)
by occupation: agriculture (mostly subsistence) 57%, services 29%,
industry 14% (1981)

Unemployment rate: 35% (1994 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $174 million
expenditures: $235 million, including capital expenditures of $165
million (1993 est.)

Industries: fish processing, salt mining, garments, ship repair,
food and beverages

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 15,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 73 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, corn, beans, sweet potatoes, sugarcane,
coffee, peanuts; fish

Illicit drugs: increasingly used as a transshipment point for
illicit drugs moving from Latin America and Africa destined for
Western Europe

Exports: $4.4 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities: fish, bananas
partners: Netherlands, Portugal, Angola, Spain

Imports: $173 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, consumer goods, industrial products,
transport equipment
partners: Portugal, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil, France,
Cote d'Ivoire

External debt: $156 million (1991)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Cape Verdean escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Cape Verdean escudos (CVEsc) per US$1 - 77.860
(December 1995), 76.853 (1995), 81.891 (1994), 80.427 (1993), 68.018
(1992), 71.408 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 680 km
unpaved: 420 km (1992 est.)

Ports: Mindelo, Praia, Tarrafal

Merchant marine: cargo 3, chemical tanker 1 (1995 est.)
total: 4 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,632 GRT/8,872 DWT

Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 5 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1,740 (1987 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: interisland microwave radio relay system
international: 2 coaxial submarine cables; HF radiotelephone to
Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARP; includes Army
and Navy), Security Service

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 84,003
males fit for military service: 48,885 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.4 million, NA%
of GDP (1994)

======================================================================

@Cayman Islands --------------

(dependent territory of the UK)

Map ---

Location: 19 30 N, 80 30 W -- Caribbean, island group in Caribbean
Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

Flag ----

Description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple
and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three
islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly
one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 260 sq km
land area: 260 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 160 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and
cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)

Terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: The Bluff 43 m

Natural resources: fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 23%
other: 69%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: no natural fresh water resources, drinking water
supplies must be met by rainwater catchment
natural hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: important location between Cuba and Central
America

People ------

Population: 34,646 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 4.27% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 14.52 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 33.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US

Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.1 years
male: 75.37 years
female: 78.81 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.4 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Caymanian(s)
adjective: Caymanian

Ethnic divisions: mixed 40%, white 20%, black 20%, expatriates of
various ethnic groups 20%

Religions: United Church (Presbyterian and Congregational),
Anglican, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of God, other Protestant
denominations

Languages: English

Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cayman Islands

Data code: CJ

Type of government: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: George Town

Administrative divisions: 8 districts; Creek, Eastern, Midland,
South Town, Spot Bay, Stake Bay, West End, Western

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Constitution Day (first Monday in July)

Constitution: 1959, revised 1972 and 1992

Legal system: British common law and local statutes

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor and President of the Executive Council
John OWEN (since 15 September 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council - three members are appointed by the
governor, four members are elected by the Legislative Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly: election last held 18 November 1992 (next to
be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (15 total, 12 elected) independents 12

Judicial branch: Grand Court; Cayman Islands Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: no formal political parties

International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), IOC

Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)

US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Caymanian coat of arms on a white disk centered on
the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms includes a pineapple
and turtle above a shield with three stars (representing the three
islands) and a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto HE HATH
FOUNDED IT UPON THE SEAS

Economy -------

Economic overview: With no direct taxation, the Islands are a
thriving offshore financial center. Tourism is also a mainstay,
accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency
earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and
caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals
exceeded one million visitors in 1995 for the first time. About 90%
of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The
Caymanians enjoy one of the highest outputs per capita and one of
the highest standards of living in the world.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $750 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $22,500 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.4%
industry: 3.2%
services: 95.4% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 8,061
by occupation: service workers 18.7%, clerical 18.6%, construction
12.5%, finance and investment 6.7%, directors and business managers
5.9% (1979)

Unemployment rate: 7% (1992)

Budget:
revenues: $141.5 million
expenditures: $160.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1991)

Industries: tourism, banking, insurance and finance, construction,
construction materials, furniture

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 80,000 kW
production: 230 million kWh
consumption per capita: 6,899 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: vegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming

Illicit drugs: a major money-laundering center for illicit drug
profits; transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and
Europe

Exports: $10 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: turtle products, manufactured consumer goods
partners: mostly US

Imports: $312 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: foodstuffs, manufactured goods
partners: US, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, Netherlands Antilles, Japan

External debt: $15 million (1986)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Caymanian dollar (CI$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Caymanian dollars (CI$) per US$1 - 0.83 (18
November 1993), 0.85 (22 November 1993)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 406 km
paved: 304 km
unpaved: 102 km

Ports: Cayman Brac, George Town

Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 283,734 GRT/432,610 DWT
ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 6, chemical tanker 2, container 1, oil
tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4
note: a flag of convenience registry; UK owns 1 ship, India 1,
Norway 1, US 3, Sweden 1, and UAE 1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 21,584 (1993 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine coaxial cable; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: 28,200 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: 6,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

======================================================================

@Central African Republic ------------------------

Map ---

Location: 7 00 N, 21 00 E -- Central Africa, north of Zaire

Flag ----

Description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a
yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

Geography ---------

Location: Central Africa, north of Zaire

Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 622,980 sq km
land area: 622,980 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Texas

Land boundaries:
total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km,
Sudan 1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered
hills in northeast and southwest
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mount Gaou 1,420 m

Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 64%
other: 28%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished
reputation as one of last great wildlife refuges; desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern
areas; floods are common
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

People ------

Population: 3,274,426 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 724,914; female 718,423)
15-64 years: 52% (male 839,118; female 877,069)
65 years and over: 4% (male 53,418; female 61,484) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.08% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 39.97 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 17.64 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 111.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.86 years
male: 45.03 years
female: 46.71 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African

Ethnic divisions: Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%,
Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)

Religions: indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic
25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the
Christian majority

Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national
language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 60%
male: 68.5%
female: 52.4%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR

Data code: CT

Type of government: republic;

Capital: Bangui

Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques,
singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**;
Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto,
Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui, Lobaye, Mbomou,
Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha*,
Vakaga

Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of
the republic)

Constitution: passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7
January 1995

Legal system: based on French law

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ange PATASSE (since 22 October 1993)
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 19 September 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results - PATASSE
received 52.45% of the votes and Abel GOUMBA received 45.62%
head of government: Prime Minister Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE (since 6 June
1996); appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 19
September 1993 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3,
others 22
note: the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional
Council (Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together
they are called the Congress (Congres)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme), judges appointed by
the president; Constitutional Court, judges appointed by the
president

Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Progress
(ADP), Tchapka BREDE; Central African Democratic Assembly (RDC),
Andre KOLINGBA; Civic Forum (FC), Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal
Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON; Movement for the
Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the party of the
president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Movement for Democracy and
Development (MDD), David DACKO; Marginal Movement for Democracy,
Renaissance and Evolution (MDREC), Joseph BENDOUNGA; Patriotic Front
for Progress (FFP), Abel GOUMBA; Social Democratic Party (PSD),
Enoch Derant LAKOUE

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800, 7801
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mosina H. JORDAN
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 02 00, 61 25 78, 61 02 10
FAX: [236] 61 44 94

Flag: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and
yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow
five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band

Economy -------

Economic overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with
forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African
Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in
outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP.
Timber has accounted for about 13% of export earnings and the
diamond industry for nearly 80%. Important constraints to economic
development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor
transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy
of misdirected macroeconomic policies. A major plus is the large
forest reserves, which the government is moving to protect from
overexploitation. The 50% devaluation of the currencies of 14
Francophone African nations on 12 January 1994 had mixed effects on
the CAR's economy. While diamond, timber, coffee, and cotton exports
increased - leading GDP to increase by 5.5% - inflation rose to 45%,
fueled by the rising prices of imports on which the economy depends;
inflation dropped back rapidly in 1995. The CAR's poor resource base
and primitive infrastructure will keep it dependent on multilateral
donors and France for the foreseeable future.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 14%
services: 36% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 45% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 775,413 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry
3%, government 3%
note: about 64,000 salaried workers (1985)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles,
footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 100 million kWh
consumption per capita: 29 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams,
millet, corn, bananas; timber

Exports: $154 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
partners: France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US, Spain, Iran

Imports: $215 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery,
electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
consumer goods, industrial products
partners: France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria, Cameroon,
Namibia

External debt: $904.3 million (1993 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes

Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 23,738 km
paved: 427 km
unpaved: 23,311 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of
shallow-draft dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river

Ports: Bangui, Nola

Airports:
total: 48
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 11
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 16,867 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: fair system
domestic: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and
low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 7,500 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Central African Army (includes Republican Guard), Air
Force, National Gendarmerie, Police Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 737,330
males fit for military service: 384,134 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $30 million, 2.3%
of GDP (1994)

======================================================================

@Chad ----

Map ---

Location: 15 00 N, 19 00 E -- Central Africa, south of Libya

Flag ----

Description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side),
yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the
flag of Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a
quartered shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on
the flag of France

Geography ---------

Location: Central Africa, south of Libya

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 1.284 million sq km
land area: 1,259,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of
California

Land boundaries:
total: 5,968 km
border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197
km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
ruled in February 1994 that the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between
Chad and Libya belongs to Chad and that Libya must withdraw from it
by 31 May 1994; Libya has withdrawn some of its forces in response
to the ICJ ruling, but still maintains part of the airfield and a
small military presence at the airfield's water supply located in
Chad; demarcation of international boundaries in vicinity of Lake
Chad, the lack of which has led to border incidents in the past, is
completed and awaiting ratification by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and
Nigeria

Climate: tropical in south, desert in north

Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains
in northwest, lowlands in south
lowest point: Djourab Depression 175 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m

Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under
way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)

Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 36%
forest and woodland: 11%
other: 51%

Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste
disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution;
desertification
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north;
periodic droughts; locust plagues
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the
Sea, Marine Dumping

Geographic note: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant
water body in the Sahel

People ------

Population: 6,976,845 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,543,688; female 1,535,729)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,807,361; female 1,881,930)
65 years and over: 3% (male 91,998; female 116,139) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.68% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 44.25 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 17.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 120.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.55 years
male: 45.18 years
female: 50.01 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian

Ethnic divisions: nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French
north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko,
Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)
south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang,
Moussei, Massa)

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly
animism) 25%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango
(in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic
(1995 est.)
total population: 48.1%
male: 62.1%
female: 34.7%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad

Data code: CD

Type of government: republic

Capital: N'Djamena

Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi,
Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi,
Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile

Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum

Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian
customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December
1990, after seizing power on 3 December 1990); note - transitional
government's mandate was scheduled to expire in May 1996; the first
round of presidential elections was scheduled for 2 June 1996, with
a runoff on 23 June if necessary
head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April
1995) elected by the Sovereign National Conference
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition:
popular elections to the former National Consultative Council
(Conceil National Consultatif) were last held 8 July 1990; this body
was disbanded on 3 December 1990 by President DEBY and on 8 March
1991 replaced with the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30
members whom he appointed; this body, in turn, was replaced on 6
April 1993 by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil
Superieur de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign
National Conference; popular elections, formerly scheduled for April
1995, were initially postponed by mutual agreement of the parties
concerned until at least May 1996 and subsequently postponed until
after the rainy season (as late as October 1996); note - the name of
the anticipated new legislative body has not been announced

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS),
former dissident group, Idriss DEBY, chairman
note: President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new
constitution, and free elections by April 1994, subsequently twice
postponed these initiatives; there are numerous dissident groups and
at least 45 opposition political parties

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC,
UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Saleh AHMAT
chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence E. POPE II
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] (51) 70-09, (51) 90-52, (51) 92-33
FAX: [235] (51) 56-54

Flag: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and
red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of
Andorra, which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered
shield centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of
France

Economy -------

Economic overview: Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource
endowment, and lack of infrastructure make Chad one of the most
underdeveloped countries in the world. Its economy is hobbled by
political turmoil, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the
economy has shown little progress in recent years in overcoming a
severe setback brought on by civil war in the late 1980s. More than
80% of the work force is involved in subsistence farming and
fishing. Cotton is the major cash crop, accounting for at least half
of exports. Chad is highly dependent on foreign aid, especially food
credits, given chronic shortages in several regions. Of all the
Francophone countries in Africa, Chad has benefited the least from
the 50% devaluation of their currencies on 12 January 1994. Despite
an increase in external financial aid and favorable price increases
for cotton - the primary source of foreign exchange - the corrupt
and enfeebled government bureaucracy continues to postpone payment
of public sector salaries and to dampen economic enterprise by
neglecting payments to domestic suppliers. The devaluation resulted
in stepped-up inflation of 41% in 1994; in contrast to other
Francophone countries, Chad continued to suffer high inflation in
1995 because of the government's lack of financial discipline. Oil
production in the Lake Chad area remains a distant prospect and the
subsistence-driven economy probably will continue to limp along in
the near term.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $3.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $600 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 17%
services: 34%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41% (1994 est.)

Labor force: NA
by occupation: agriculture 85% (subsistence farming, herding, and
fishing)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $120 million
expenditures: $363 million, including capital expenditures of $104
million (1992 est.)

Industries: cotton textiles, meat packing, beer brewing, natron
(sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 40,000 kW
production: 80 million kWh
consumption per capita: 13 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes,
manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Exports: $132 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: cotton, cattle, textiles, fish
partners: France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Zaire, Sudan, Central African
Republic

Imports: $201 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial
goods 20%, petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; textiles; note -
excludes military equipment
partners: US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy, Germany

External debt: $757 million (December 1993 )

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100
centimes

Exchange rates: CFA Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 500.56 (January
1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992),
282.11 (1991)
note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF
100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since
1948

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 31,141 km
paved: 32 km
unpaved: 31,109 km (1987 est.)

Waterways: 2,000 km navigable

Ports: none

Airports:
total: 47
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 11
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 5,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: primitive system
domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1987 est.)
note: limited TV service; many facilities are inoperative

Televisions: 7,000 (1991 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Armed Forces (includes Ground Force, Air Force, and
Gendarmerie), Republican Guard, Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,562,052
males fit for military service: 809,210
males reach military age (20) annually: 63,254 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $74 million,
11.1% of GDP (1994)

======================================================================

@Chile -----

Map ---

Location: 30 00 S, 71 00 W -- Southern South America, bordering
the South Atlantic Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina
and Peru

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red;
there is a blue square the same height as the white band at the
hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white
five-pointed star in the center; design was based on the US flag

Geography ---------

Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic
Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Geographic coordinates: 30 00 S, 71 00 W

Map references: South America

Area:
total area: 756,950 sq km
land area: 748,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
note: includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Land boundaries:
total: 6,171 km
border countries: Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km

Coastline: 6,435 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: short section of the southern boundary
with Argentina is indefinite; Bolivia has wanted a sovereign
corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost
to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia over Rio Lauca water rights;
territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory)
partially overlaps Argentine and British claims

Climate: temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south

Terrain: low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged
Andes in east
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,962 m

Natural resources: copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious
metals, molybdenum

Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 16%
forest and woodland: 21%
other: 56%

Irrigated land: 12,650 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions;
water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation contributing to loss
of biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards: severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: strategic location relative to sea lanes between
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel,
Drake Passage); Atacama Desert is one of world's driest regions

People ------

Population: 14,333,258 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 29% (male 2,071,816; female 2,041,417)
15-64 years: 65% (male 4,599,173; female 4,651,030)
65 years and over: 6% (male 403,019; female 566,803) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.24% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 18.09 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.49 years
male: 71.26 years
female: 77.72 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.23 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Chilean(s)
adjective: Chilean

Ethnic divisions: European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%,
other 2%

Religions: Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish

Languages: Spanish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 95.2%
male: 95.4%
female: 95%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Chile
conventional short form: Chile
local long form: Republica de Chile
local short form: Chile

Data code: CI

Type of government: republic

Capital: Santiago

Administrative divisions: 13 regions (regiones, singular -
region); Aisen del General Carlos Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta,
Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo
O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena, Maule,
Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note: the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Independence: 18 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Constitution: 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended
30 July 1989

Legal system: based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and
subsequent codes influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial
review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; does not accept
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Eduardo FREI
Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) elected for a four-year term by
popular vote; election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held
NA December 1997); results - Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%,
Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other 17.6%
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado): election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be
held NA December 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (46 total, 38 elected) Coalition of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC
13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11,
UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wing independents 10
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): election last held 11
December 1993 (next to be held NA December 1997); results -
Coalition of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS 12.01%,
PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%), Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57% (RN
15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats - (120 total) Coalition of
Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing
independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15,
UCC 2), right-wing independents 3

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are
appointed by the president, the president of the Supreme Court is
elected by the 17-member court

Political parties and leaders: Coalition of Parties for Democracy
(CPD) consists mainly of: Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Alejandro FOXLEY; Socialist Party (PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party for
Democracy (PPD), Jorge SCHAULSOHN, Radical Party (PR); Union for the
Progress of Chile (UPP) consists mainly of three parties: National
Renewal (RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI),
Jovino NOVOA; Center Center Union (UCCP), Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ

Other political or pressure groups: revitalized university student
federations at all major universities; labor - United Labor Central
(CUT) includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor
confederations; Roman Catholic Church

International organization participation: APEC, CCC, ECLAC, FAO,
G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate member), NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA,
RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John BIEHL del Rio
chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746
FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Gabriel GUERRA-MONDRAGON
embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Santiago
mailing address: use street address
telephone: [56] (2) 232-2600
FAX: [56] (2) 330-3710

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is
a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side
end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in
the center; design was based on the US flag

Economy -------

Economic overview: Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market
economy, with the degree of government intervention varying
according to the philosophy of the different regimes. Under the
center-left government of President AYLWIN, which took power in
March 1990, spending on social welfare rose steadily. At the same
time business investment, exports, and consumer spending also grew
substantially. The new president, FREI, who took office in March
1994, has emphasized social spending even more. Growth in real GDP
in 1991-95 has averaged more than 6.5% annually, with an estimated
one million Chileans having moved out of poverty in the last four
years. Copper remains vital to the health of the economy; Chile is
the world's largest producer and exporter of copper. Success in
meeting the government's goal of sustained annual economic growth of
5% depends on world copper prices, the level of confidence of
foreign investors and creditors, and the government's own ability to
maintain a conservative fiscal stance.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $113.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 8.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $8,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7.4%
industry: 36.4%
services: 56.2% (1985)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 4.728 million
by occupation: services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry
and commerce 33.8%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining
2.3%, construction 6.4% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 5.4% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $17 billion
expenditures: $17 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)

Industries: copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing,
iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement,
textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (1993 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 4,810,000 kW
production: 22 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,499 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: wheat, corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes,
fruit; beef, poultry, wool; timber; 1991 fish catch of 6.6 million
metric tons

Illicit drugs: a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined
for the US and Europe; booming economy has made it more attractive
to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits

Exports: $15.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood
products 7.1%, fish and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)
partners: EU 25%, US 15%, Asia 34%, Latin America 20% (1995 est.)

Imports: $14.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials
15.4%, petroleum 10%, foodstuffs 5.7%
partners: EU 18%, US 25%, Asia 16%, Latin America 26% (1995 est.)

External debt: $21.1 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $62 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 408.64 (December
1995), 396.78 (1995), 420.08 (1994), 404.35 (1993), 362.59 (1992),
349.37 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 6,782 km
broad gauge: 3,743 km 1.676-m gauge (1,653 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 116 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,923 km 1.000-m gauge (40 km
electrified) (1995)

Highways:
total: 79,593 km
paved: 10,984 km
unpaved: 68,609 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 725 km

Pipelines: crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural
gas 320 km

Ports: Antofagasta, Arica, Chanarol, Coquimbo, Iquique, Puerto
Montt, Punta Arenas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Talcahuano, Valparaiso

Merchant marine:
total: 37 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 529,512 GRT/925,364 DWT
ships by type: bulk 11, cargo 8, chemical tanker 4, combination
ore/oil 2, container 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 4,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, vehicle carrier 2 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 344
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 17
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 16
with paved runways under 914 m: 220
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 68 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1.5 million (1994 est.)

Telephone system: modern system based on extensive microwave radio
relay facilities
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay links; domestic satellite
system with 3 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 159, FM 0, shortwave 11

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 131

Televisions: 2.85 million (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army of the Nation, National Navy (includes Naval Air,
Coast Guard, and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of
Chile (National Police), Investigations Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,808,655
males fit for military service: 2,832,198
males reach military age (19) annually: 123,443 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $970 million,
2.0% of GDP (1994 est.)

======================================================================

@China -----

(also see separate Taiwan entry)

Map ---

Location: 35 00 N, 105 00 E -- Eastern Asia, bordering the East
China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North
Korea and Vietnam

Flag ----

Description: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four
smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward
the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay,
Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references: Asia

Area:
total area: 9,596,960 sq km
land area: 9,326,410 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than the US

Land boundaries:
total: 22,143.34 km
border countries: Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakstan 1,533 km, North Korea
1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia
4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605
km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km

Coastline: 14,500 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and
Yellow Sea
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: boundary with India in dispute; disputed
sections of the boundary with Russia remain to be settled; boundary
with Tajikistan in dispute; short section of the boundary with North
Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly
Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of
Tonkin; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam
and Taiwan; claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku
Islands/Diaoyu Tai), as does Taiwan

Climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north

Terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains,
deltas, and hills in east
lowest point: Turpan Pendi -154 m
highest point: Mount Everest 8,848 m

Natural resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin,
tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite,
aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)

Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 31%
forest and woodland: 14%
other: 45%

Irrigated land: 478,220 sq km (1991)

Environment:
current issues: air pollution from the overwhelming use of
high-sulfur coal as a fuel, produces acid rain which is damaging
forests; water shortages experienced throughout the country,
particularly in urban areas; future growth in water usage threatens
to outpace supplies; water pollution from industrial effluents; much
of the population does not have access to potable water; less than
10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss of
one-fifth of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion and
economic development; desertification; trade in endangered species
natural hazards: frequent typhoons (about five per year along
southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis;
earthquakes; droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: world's third-largest country (after Russia and
Canada)

People ------

Population: 1,210,004,956 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 26% (male 167,448,148; female 151,601,650)
15-64 years: 67% (male 421,455,418; female 393,913,510)
65 years and over: 7% (male 35,056,409; female 40,529,821) (July
1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.98% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 17.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.92 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.11 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 39.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.62 years
male: 68.33 years
female: 71.06 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.81 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Chinese

Ethnic divisions: Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi,
Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities
8.1%

Religions: Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1%
(est.)
note: officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic

Languages: Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the
Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei
(Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects,
minority languages (see Ethnic divisions entry)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 81.5%
male: 89.9%
female: 72.7%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: People's Republic of China
conventional short form: China
local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form: Zhong Guo
abbreviation: PRC

Data code: CH

Type of government: Communist state

Capital: Beijing

Administrative divisions: 23 provinces (sheng, singular and
plural), 5 autonomous regions* (zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3
municipalities** (shi, singular and plural); Anhui, Beijing**,
Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei,
Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin,
Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong,
Shanghai**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin**, Xinjiang*, Xizang* (Tibet),
Yunnan, Zhejiang
note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province