Chapter V (10)

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total area: 240 sq km
land area: 240 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than one times the size of
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 120 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Natural resources: negligible

Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 22%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 74%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea

People ------

Population: 19,561 (July 1996 est.)

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

Population growth rate: 1.11% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 22.87 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

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: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
male: 69.2 years
female: 73.1 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Cook Islander(s)
adjective: Cook Islander

Ethnic divisions: Polynesian (full blood) 81.3%, Polynesian and
European 7.7%, Polynesian and non-European 7.7%, European 2.4%,
other 0.9%

Religions: Christian (majority of populace members of Cook Islands
Christian Church)

Languages: English (official), Maori

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

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

Data code: CW

Type of government: self-governing parliamentary government in
free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible
for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for
external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands

Capital: Avarua

Administrative divisions: none

Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with
New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move
to full independence by unilateral action)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August

Constitution: 4 August 1965

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), a hereditary monarch, is represented by Apenera
SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High Commissioner Darryl DUNN (since
NA 1994), representative of New Zealand was appointed by the New
Zealand Government
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1
February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1
February 1989)
cabinet: Cabinet; collectively responsible to Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament: elections last held 6 March 1994 (next to be held NA
1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (25 total)
Cook Islands Party 20, Democratic Party 3, Democratic Alliance Party
2
note: the House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters,
but has no legislative powers

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey HENRY;
Democratic Party, Sir Thomas DAVIS; Democratic Alliance Party,
Norman GEORGE

International organization participation: AsDB, ESCAP (associate),
ICAO, ICFTU, IFAD, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, Sparteca, SPC,
SPF, UNESCO, WHO

Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)

US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free
association with New Zealand)

Flag: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for
every island) centered in the outer half of the flag

Economy -------

Economic overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The
major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing
activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several
clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the
isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural
resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is
annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and by foreign
aid, largely from New Zealand. Current economic development plans
call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the mining
and fishing industries. Despite these plans, the Cook Islands will
continue to face severe financial problems.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $57 million (1993 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.2% (1990)

Labor force: 5,810
by occupation: agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%,
industry 15%, other 4% (1981)

Unemployment rate: NA%

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

Industries: fruit processing, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 14,000 kW
production: 21 million kWh
consumption per capita: 741 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: copra, citrus, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, yams,
taro

Exports: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities: copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing
partners: NZ 80%, Japan

Imports: $50 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities: foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber
partners: NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US

External debt: $160 million (1994)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: in 1994, Cook Islands received $5.4 million in budget support
and $3.3 million in project aid from New Zealand, the country's
largest source of aid

Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.5138
(January 1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584
(1992), 1.7265 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 187 km
paved: 35 km
unpaved: 152 km (1980 est.)

Ports: Avarua, Avatiu

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,464 GRT/2,181 DWT
(1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 4,180 (1994)

Telephone system:
domestic: the individual islands are connected by a combination of
satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF
radiotelephone; within the islands, service is provided by small
exchanges connected to subscribers by open wire, cable, and
fiber-optic cable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

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

Radios: 13,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 studio and 8 low-powered
repeaters to achieve good coverage on the island of Rarotonga

Televisions: 3,500 (1995 est.)

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

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

@Coral Sea Islands -----------------

(territory of Australia)

Map ---

Location: 18 00 S, 152 00 E -- Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea,
northeast of Australia

Flag ----

Description: the flag of Australia is used

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia

Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 152 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total area: less than 3 sq km
land area: less than 3 sq km
comparative area: NA
note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea
area of about 1 million sq km, with Willis Islets the most important

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3,095 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical

Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 6 m

Natural resources: negligible

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100% (mostly grass or scrub cover)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Environment:
current issues: no permanent fresh water resources
natural hazards: occasional, tropical cyclones
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: important nesting area for birds and turtles

People ------

Population: no indigenous inhabitants; note - there are three
meteorologists

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory
conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands

Data code: CR

Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories

Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

Flag: the flag of Australia is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: no economic activity

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

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited
regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over
the activities of visitors

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

@Costa Rica ----------

Map ---

Location: 10 00 N, 84 00 W -- Middle America, bordering both the
Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and
Panama

Flag ----

Description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red
(double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white
disk on the hoist side of the red band

Geography ---------

Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the
North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 51,100 sq km
land area: 50,660 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia
note: includes Isla del Coco

Land boundaries:
total: 639 km
border countries: Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km

Coastline: 1,290 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season
(May to November)

Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,810 m

Natural resources: hydropower potential

Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 45%
forest and woodland: 34%
other: 8%

Irrigated land: 1,180 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation, largely a result of the clearing of
land for cattle ranching; soil erosion
natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic
coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season;
active volcanoes
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation

People ------

Population: 3,463,083 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 612,624; female 582,566)
15-64 years: 61% (male 1,061,703; female 1,038,403)
65 years and over: 4% (male 77,773; female 90,014) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.06% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23.84 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 13.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.72 years
male: 73.31 years
female: 78.24 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Costa Rican(s)
adjective: Costa Rican

Ethnic divisions: white (including mestizo) 96%, black 2%, Indian
1%, Chinese 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%

Languages: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 94.8%
male: 94.7%
female: 95%

Government ----------

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

Data code: CS

Type of government: democratic republic

Capital: San Jose

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon,
Puntarenas, San Jose

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 9 November 1949

Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review
of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Jose Maria FIGUERES
Olsen (since 8 May 1994), First Vice President Rodrigo OREAMUNO
Blanco (since 8 May 1994), Second Vice President Rebeca GRYNSPAN
Mayufis (since 8 May 1994) were elected for four-year terms by
universal suffrage; election last held 6 February 1994 (next to be
held NA February 1998); results - President FIGUERES (PLN) 49.7%,
Miquel Angel RODRIGUEZ (PUSC) 47.5%
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): elections last held 6
February 1994 (next to be held NA February 1998); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (61 total) PLN 28, PUSC 29, minority
parties 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), justices are
elected for eight-year terms by the Legislative Assembly

Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN),
Rolando ARAYA; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel
CALDERON Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto
VARGAS Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick ARDON
Ramirez; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin CHACON Vargas;
Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose ECHEVERRIA Brealey;
Democratic Force Party (FD), Isaac Felipe AZOFEIFA Bolanos

Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation of
Democratic Workers (CCTD), Liberation Party affiliate; Confederated
Union of Workers (CUT), Communist Party affiliate; Authentic
Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD), Communist Party
affiliate; Chamber of Coffee Growers; National Association for
Economic Development (ANFE); Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL),
rightwing militants; National Association of Educators (ANDE);
Federation of Public Service Workers (FTSP)

International organization participation: AG (observer), BCIE,
CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia PICADO
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2945
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
consulate(s) general: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Chicago, Durham,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia,
San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Austin

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter Jon DE VOS
embassy: Pavas Road, San Jose
mailing address: APO AA 34020
telephone: [506] 220-3939
FAX: [506] 220-2305

Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double
width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white disk on
the hoist side of the red band

Economy -------

Economic overview: Costa Rica's basically stable and progressive
economy depends especially on tourism and the export of bananas,
coffee, and other agricultural products. Recent trends have been
disappointing. Economic growth slipped from 4.3% in 1994 to 2.5% in
1995, the lowest rate of growth since 1991's 2.1%. Inflation rose
dramatically to 22.5% from 13.5% in 1994, well above the
government's own projection of 18%. Unemployment rose from 4.0% in
1994 to 5.2% in 1995, and substantial underemployment continues.
These economic woes are likely to be exacerbated in 1996 by a
standby arrangement reached with the IMF on 29 November 1995. To
restore fiscal balance, the government agreed to curb inflation,
reduce the fiscal deficit, increase domestic savings, and improve
public sector efficiency while increasing the role of the private
sector. Costa Rica signed a free trade agreement with Mexico in 1994.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,400 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22.5% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 868,300
by occupation: industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services
33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.)

Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1995 est.); much underemployment

Budget:
revenues: $1.1 billion
expenditures: $1.34 billion, including capital expenditures of $110
million (1991 est.)

Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construction
materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (1992)

Electricity:
capacity: 1,040,000 kW
production: 4.1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,164 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes;
beef; timber (depletion of forest resources has resulted in
declining timber output)

Illicit drugs: transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from
South America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered
plots

Exports: $2.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar
partners: US, Germany, Italy, Guatemala, El Salvador, Netherlands,
UK, France

Imports: $3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital equipment,
petroleum
partners: US, Japan, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Germany

External debt: $4 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos

Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1 - 193.93
(December 1995), 179.73 (1995), 157.07 (1994), 142.17 (1993), 134.51
(1992), 122.43 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 950 km
narrow gauge: 950 km 1.067-m gauge (260 km electrified)
note: the entire system was scheduled to be shut down on 31 June
1995 because of insolvency

Highways:
total: 35,560 km
paved: 5,608 km
unpaved: 29,952 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable

Pipelines: petroleum products 176 km

Ports: Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puerto Limon, Puerto Quepos,
Puntarenas

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 145
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 16
with paved runways under 914 m: 97
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 281,042 (1983 est.)

Telephone system: very good domestic telephone service
domestic: NA
international: connected to Central American Microwave System;
satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 18

Televisions: 340,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Civil Guard, Coast Guard, Air Section, Rural Assistance
Guard; note - the Constitution prohibits armed forces

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 917,566
males fit for military service: 616,420
males reach military age (18) annually: 33,504 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 2.0%
of GDP (1995)

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

@Cote d'Ivoire -------------

(also known as Ivory Coast)

Map ---

Location: 8 00 N, 5 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia

Flag ----

Description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side),
white, and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer
and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange;
also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side),
white, and red; design was based on the flag of France

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Ghana and Liberia

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 322,460 sq km
land area: 318,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Mexico

Land boundaries:
total: 3,110 km
border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km,
Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km

Coastline: 515 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three
seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to
May), hot and wet (June to October)

Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Natural resources: petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore,
cobalt, bauxite, copper

Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 9%
forest and woodland: 26%
other: 52%

Irrigated land: 620 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once
the largest in West Africa - have been cleared by the timber
industry); water pollution from sewage and industrial and
agricultural effluents
natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during
the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83; signed, but not ratified - Desertification

People ------

Population: 14,762,445 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 3,552,270; female 3,462,462)
15-64 years: 50% (male 3,828,538; female 3,599,920)
65 years and over: 2% (male 164,358; female 154,897) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.92% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 42.48 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: since 1989, over 350,000 refugees have fled to Cote d'Ivoire
to escape the civil war in Liberia

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.04 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 82.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.73 years
male: 46.23 years
female: 47.25 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.15 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ivorian(s)
adjective: Ivorian

Ethnic divisions: Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%,
Agni, foreign Africans (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3
million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and
Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000)

Religions: indigenous 25%, Muslim 60%, Christian 12%

Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the
most widely spoken

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 40.1%
male: 49.9%
female: 30%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire
conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire
local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire
local short form: Cote d'Ivoire
former: Ivory Coast

Data code: IV

Type of government: republic; multiparty presidential regime
established 1960

Capital: Yamoussoukro
note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan
remains the administrative center; foreign governments, including
the US, maintain official presences in Abidjan

Administrative divisions: 50 departments (departements, singular -
departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville,
Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou,
Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro,
Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou,
Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro,
Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra,
Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua,
Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula

Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 7 August

Constitution: 3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times,
last time November 1990

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law;
judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Henri Konan BEDIE (since 7 December 1993)
served the remainder of the term of former President Felix
HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, who died in office after continuous service from
November 1960; President BEDIE was elected with 96% of the vote at
the last election on 22 October 1995 (next election October 2000);
the president is elected for a five-year term by popular vote
head of government: Prime Minister Daniel Kablan DUNCAN (since 10
December 1993), appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers, appointed by the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): elections last held 27
November 1995 (next to be held November 2000); results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (175 total) PDCI 147, RDR 14, FPI 10,
unfilled 4; note - of the unfilled seats, elections for 3 were
postponed because of violence in the electoral districts and 1 seat
remains contested

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Cote
d'Ivoire (PDCI), Henri Konan BEDIE; Rally of the Republicans (RDR),
Djeny KOBINA; Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), Laurent GBAGBO; Ivorian
Worker's Party (PIT), Francis WODIE; Ivorian Socialist Party (PSI),
Morifere BAMBA; over 20 smaller parties

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WADB, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Moise KOUMOUE-KOFFI
chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lannon WALKER
embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan
mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan
telephone: [225] 21 09 79
FAX: [225] 22 32 59

Flag: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white,
and green; similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has
the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also
similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white,
and red; design was based on the flag of France

Economy -------

Economic overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest
producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm-kernel oil.
Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in
international prices for coffee and cocoa and to weather conditions.
Despite attempts by the government to diversify, the economy is
still largely dependent on agriculture and related industries. After
several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a
comeback in 1994, due to improved prices for cocoa and coffee,
growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and
rubber, trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas
discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling
by multilateral lenders and France. The 50% devaluation of Franc
Zone currencies on 12 January 1994 caused a one-time jump in the
inflation rate to 32% for 1994, but this rate fell to perhaps 10% in
1995, in part as the economy adjusted to the devaluation. Moreover,
government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a budget
surplus in 1994. Real growth of GDP in 1994 was 1.7%, a significant
improvement following several years of negative growth. In 1995
growth picked up to 5%.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.9 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,500 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 37%
industry: 24%
services: 39% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 5.718 million
by occupation: over 85% of population engaged in agriculture,
forestry, livestock raising; about 11% of labor force are wage
earners, nearly half in agriculture and the remainder in government,
industry, commerce, and professions

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $1.9 billion
expenditures: $3.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $408
million (1993)

Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining,
automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials,
electricity

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 1,170,000 kW
production: 1.8 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 123 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn,
rice, manioc, sweet potatoes, sugar; cotton, rubber; timber

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis; mostly for local
consumption; some international drug trade; transshipment point for
Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to
the US

Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cocoa 55%, coffee 12%, tropical woods 11%, petroleum,
cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish
partners: France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Burkina Faso, US, UK

Imports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: food, capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners: France, Nigeria, Japan, Netherlands, US, Italy

External debt: $19 billion (1993)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $552 million (1993)

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:
total: 660 km (1995 est.)
narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track

Highways:
total: 46,331 km
paved: 3,579 km
unpaved: 42,752 km (1984 est.)

Waterways: 980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal
lagoons

Ports: Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro

Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 27,726 GRT/34,711 DWT
ships by type: container 2, oil tanker 1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 35
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 10
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 87,700 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: well-developed by African standards but
operating well below capacity
domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations: AM 71, FM 0, shortwave 13

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 18

Televisions: 810,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie,
Presidential Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,386,638
males fit for military service: 1,762,412
males reach military age (18) annually: 157,712 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million,
1.4% of GDP (1993)

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

@Croatia -------

Map ---

Location: 45 10 N, 15 30 E -- Southeastern Europe, bordering the
Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

Flag ----

Description: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian
coat of arms (red and white checkered)

Geography ---------

Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia

Geographic coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 56,538 sq km
land area: 56,410 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries:
total: 2,073 km
border countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina 932 km, Hungary 329 km,
Serbia and Montenegro 266 km (241 km with Serbia; 25 km with
Montenego), Slovenia 546 km

Coastline: 5,790 km (mainland 1,778 km, islands 4,012 km)

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

International disputes: Eastern Slavonia, which was held by ethnic
Serbs during the war, is currently being overseen by the UN
Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia; reintegration of
Eastern Slavonia into Croatia will occur in 1997; although Croatia
does not recognize the "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia," both
countries have agreed to open consular sections in each other's
capitals; Croatia and Italy have not resolved a bilateral issue
dating from WWII over property and ethnic minority rights; a border
dispute with Slovenia is unresolved

Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate
predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry
summers along coast

Terrain: geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian
border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coast, coastline,
and islands
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
highest point: Dinara 1,830 m

Natural resources: oil, some coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore,
calcium, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt

Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 15%
other: 15%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: air pollution (from metallurgical plants) and
resulting acid rain is damaging the forests; coastal pollution from
industrial and domestic waste; widespread casualties and destruction
of infrastructure in border areas affected by civil strife
natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Hazardous
Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,
Law of the Sea

Geographic note: controls most land routes from Western Europe to
Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits

People ------

Population: 5,004,112 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 453,142; female 431,118)
15-64 years: 69% (male 1,731,200; female 1,716,824)
65 years and over: 13% (male 252,897; female 418,931) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 0.58% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 9.83 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 11.33 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 7.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.81 years
male: 69.13 years
female: 76.72 years (1996 est.)

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

Nationality:
noun: Croat(s)
adjective: Croatian

Ethnic divisions: Croat 78%, Serb 12%, Muslim 0.9%, Hungarian
0.5%, Slovenian 0.5%, others 8.1% (1991)

Religions: Catholic 76.5%, Orthodox 11.1%, Slavic Muslim 1.2%,
Protestant 0.4%, others and unknown 10.8%

Languages: Serbo-Croatian 96%, other 4% (including Italian,
Hungarian, Czechoslovak, and German)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 95%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Croatia
conventional short form: Croatia
local long form: Republika Hrvatska
local short form: Hrvatska

Data code: HR

Type of government: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Zagreb

Administrative divisions: 21 counties (zupanijas, zupanija -
singular): Bjelovar-Bilogora, City of Zagreb, Dubrovnik-Neretva,
Istra, Karlovac, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Krapina-Zagorje, Lika-Senj,
Medimurje, Osijek-Baranja, Pozega-Slavonija, Primorje-Gorski Kotar,
Sibenik, Sisak-Moslavina, Slavonski Brod-Posavina, Split-Dalmatia,
Varazdin, Virovitica-Podravina, Vukovar-Srijem, Zadar-Knin, Zagreb

Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

National holiday: Statehood Day, 30 May (1990)

Constitution: adopted on 22 December 1990

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (16 years of age, if employed)

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Franjo TUDJMAN (since 30 May 1990) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 4 August 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - Franjo
TUDJMAN reelected with about 56% of the vote; his opponent Dobroslav
PARAGA received 5% of the vote
head of government: Prime Minister Zlatko MATESA (since NA November
1995) and Deputy Prime Ministers Mate GRANIC (since 8 September
1992), Ivica KOSTOVIC (since 14 October 1993), Jure RADIC (since NA
October 1994), Borislav SKEGRO (since 3 April 1993), and Ljerka
MINTAS-HODAS (since November 1995) were appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral parliament Assembly (Sabor)
House of Districts (Zupanije Dom): elections last held 7 and 21
February 1993 (next to be held NA February 1997); results - percent
of vote by party NA; seats - (68 total; 63 elected, 5 presidentially
appointed) HDZ 37, HSLS 16, HSS 5, Istrian Democratic Assembly 3,
SPH-SDP 1, HNS 1
House of Representatives (Zastupnicki Dom): elections last held 29
October 1995 (next to be held NA 1999); results - HDZ 45.23%,
HSS/IDS/HNS/HKDU/SBHS 18.26%, HSLS 11.55%, SDP 8.93%, HSP 5.01%;
seats - (127 total) HDZ 75, HSLS 12, HSS 10, SDP 10, IDS 4, HSP 4,
HNS 2, SNS 2, HND 1, ASH 1, HKDU 1, SBHS 1, independents 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges appointed for eight-year
terms by the Judicial Council of the Republic, which is elected by
the Chamber of Representatives; Constitutional Court, judges
appointed for eight-year terms by the Judicial Council of the
Republic, which is elected by the Chamber of Representatives

Political parties and leaders: Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ),
Franjo TUDJMAN, president; Croatian Democratic Independents (HND),
Stjepan MESIC, president; Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS),
Vlado GOTOVAC, president; Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP),
Ivica RACAN; Croatian Party of Rights (HSP), Ante DAPIC; Croatian
Peasants' Party (HSS), Josip PANKRETIC; Croatian People's Party
(HNS), Radimir CACIC, president; Serbian National Party (SNS), Milan
DJUKIC; Action of the Social Democrats of Croatia (ASH), Miko
TRIPALO; Croatian Christian Democratic Union (HKDU), Marko VASELICA,
president; Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Ivan JACKOVIC;
Slanvonsko-Baranja Croatian Party (SBHS)

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: CCC, CE (guest), CEI,
EBRD, ECE, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM
(observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Miomir ZUZUL
chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899
FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter W. GALBRAITH
embassy: Andrije Hebranga 2, Zagreb
mailing address: US Embassy, Zagreb, Unit 1345, APO AE 09213-1345
telephone: [385] (41) 455-55-00
FAX: [385] (41) 455-85-85

Flag: red, white, and blue horizontal bands with Croatian coat of
arms (red and white checkered)

Economy -------

Economic overview: Before the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the
Republic of Croatia, after Slovenia, was the most prosperous and
industrialized area, with a per capita output perhaps one-third
above the Yugoslav average. Croatia faces considerable economic
problems stemming from: the legacy of longtime communist
mismanagement of the economy; large foreign debt; damage during the
internecine fighting to bridges, factories, power lines, buildings,
and houses; the large refugee population, both Croatian and Bosnian;
and the disruption of economic ties to Serbia and the other former
Yugoslav republics, as well as within its own territory. Western aid
and investment, especially in the tourist and oil industries, would
help restore the economy. The government has been successful in some
reform efforts including stabilization policies and has normalized
relations with creditors. Yet it still is struggling with
privatization of large state enterprises and with bank reform. The
draft 1996 budget, which had raised concerns about inflation,
capitalizes on the "peace dividend" to boost expenditures on the
repair and upgrading of infrastructure.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.1 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $4,300 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.7%
industry: 30.6%
services: 56.7% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1995)

Labor force: 1.444 million (1995)
by occupation: industry and mining 31.1%, agriculture 4.3%,
government 19.1% (including education and health), other 45.5% (1993)

Unemployment rate: 18.1% (January 1996)

Budget:
revenues: $3.86 billion
expenditures: $3.72 billion, including capital expenditures of $320
million (1994 est.)

Industries: chemicals and plastics, machine tools, fabricated
metal, electronics, pig iron and rolled steel products, aluminum,
paper, wood products, construction materials, textiles,
shipbuilding, petroleum and petroleum refining, food and beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 3,630,000 kW
production: 11.234 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,000 kWh (1993 est.)

Agriculture: wheat, corn, sugar beets, sunflower seed, alfalfa,
clover, olives, citrus, grapes, vegetables; livestock breeding,
dairy farming

Illicit drugs: transit point for Southwest Asian heroin to Western
Europe

Exports: $4.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 13.6%, miscellaneous
manufactures 27.6%, chemicals 14.2%, food and live animals 12.2%,
raw materials 6.1%, fuels and lubricants 9.4%, beverages and tobacco
2.7% (1993)
partners: Germany 22.9%, Italy 21.2%, Slovenia 18.3% (1993)

Imports: $5.2 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 23.1%, fuels and
lubricants 8.8%, food and live animals 9.0%, chemicals 14.2%,
miscellaneous manufactured articles 16.0%, raw materials 3.5%,
beverages and tobacco 1.4% (1993)
partners: Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Iran

External debt: $3.15 billion (September 1995)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: IMF has given Croatia $192 million; World Bank has given
Croatia $100 million

Currency: 1 Croatian kuna (HRK) = 100 paras

Exchange rates: Croatian kuna per US$1 - 5.405 (January 1996),
5.230 (1995), 5.996 (1994), 3.577 (1993)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 2,699 km
standard gauge: 2,699 km 1.435-m gauge (1213 km electrified)
note: disrupted by territorial dispute with Serbia (1994)

Highways:
total: 27,378 km
paved: 22,176 km (including 302 km of expressways)
unpaved: 5,202 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 785 km perennially navigable

Pipelines: crude oil 670 km; petroleum products 20 km; natural gas
310 km (1992); note - under repair following territorial dispute

Ports: Dubrovnik, Omisalj, Ploce, Pula, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split,
Zadar

Merchant marine:
total: 39 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 203,495 GRT/252,818 DWT
ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 23, chemical tanker 1, container 3, oil
tanker 1, passenger 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo
2, short-sea passenger 4
note: Croatia owns an additional 140 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 3,368,035 DWT operating under the registries of Malta,
Liberia, Cyprus, Panama, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, and Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 68
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 6
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 47
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 7 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 1.216 million (1993 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: no satellite earth stations

Radio broadcast stations: AM 14, FM 8, shortwave 0

Radios: 1.1 million

Television broadcast stations: 12 (repeaters 2)

Televisions: 1.52 million (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Ground Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces,
Frontier Guard, Home Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,314,718
males fit for military service: 1,046,490
males reach military age (19) annually: 34,914 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 337 billion to 393 billion dinars, NA% of
GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US
dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading
results

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

@Cuba ----

Map ---

Location: 21 30 N, 80 00 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida

Flag ----

Description: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida

Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 110,860 sq km
land area: 110,860 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:
total: 29 km
border country: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains
part of Cuba

Coastline: 3,735 km

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

International disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased
to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can
terminate the lease

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November
to April); rainy season (May to October)

Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and
mountains in the southeast
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese,
salt, timber, silica, petroleum

Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 23%
forest and woodland: 17%
other: 31%

Irrigated land: 8,960 sq km (1989)

Environment:
current issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation
natural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August
to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane
every other year); droughts are common
international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Marine Life
Conservation

Geographic note: largest country in Caribbean

People ------

Population: 10,951,334 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 1,256,674; female 1,191,652)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,753,343; female 3,736,043)
65 years and over: 10% (male 478,630; female 534,992) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 0.44% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 13.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.05 years
male: 72.71 years
female: 77.54 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.52 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Cuban(s)
adjective: Cuban

Ethnic divisions: mulatto 51%, white 37%, black 11%, Chinese 1%

Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 85% prior to CASTRO assuming
power; Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jews, and Santeria are also
represented

Languages: Spanish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 95.7%
male: 96.2%
female: 95.3%

Government ----------

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

Data code: CU

Type of government: Communist state

Capital: Havana

Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial);
Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma,
Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas,
Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa
Clara

Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898;
administered by the US from 1898 to 1902)

National holiday: Rebellion Day, 26 July (1953); Liberation Day, 1
January (1959)

Constitution: 24 February 1976

Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large
elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President of the Council of
State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz
(prime minister from February 1959 until 24 February 1976 when
office was abolished; president since 2 December 1976) and First
Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of
the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December
1976) were elected by the National Assembly
cabinet: Council of Ministers were proposed by the president of the
Council of State, appointed by the National Assembly
Council of State: members elected by the National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly of People's Power (Asemblea Nacional del P:
elections last held NA February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998);
seats - 589 total, elected directly from slates approved by special
candidacy commissions

Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo
Popular), president, vice president, and other judges are elected by
the National Assembly

Political parties and leaders: only party - Cuban Communist Party
(PCC), Fidel CASTRO Ruz, first secretary

International organization participation: CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77,
IAEA, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US: none; note - Cuba has an
Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer
Fernando REMIREZ DE ESTENOZ; address: Cuban Interests Section, Swiss
Embassy, 2639 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009; telephone: [1]
(202) 797-8518 through 8520

US diplomatic representation: none; note - the US does have an
Interests Section in the Swiss Embassy, headed by Principal Officer
Joseph G. SULLIVAN; address: USINT, Swiss Embassy, Calzada Entre L Y
M, Vedado Seccion, Havana; telephone: 33-3551 through 3559, 33-3543
through 3547 (operator assistance required); FAX: 33-3700;
protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland

Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom)
alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the
hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center

Economy -------

Economic overview: The state retains a primary role in the economy
and controls practically all foreign trade. The government has
undertaken several reforms in recent years designed to stem excess
liquidity, raise labor incentives, and increase the availability of
food, consumer goods, and services from depressed levels. The
liberalized agricultural markets introduced in October 1994, where
state and private farms are authorized to sell any above-quota
production at unrestricted prices, have broadened legal consumption
alternatives and reduced black market prices. The government's
efforts to reduce subsidies to loss-making enterprises and shrink
the money supply caused the black market exchange rate to move from
a peak of 120 pesos to the dollar in the summer of 1994 to 25-30
pesos to the dollar at yearend 1995. The number of self-employed
workers licensed by the government increased more slowly in 1995,
from 160,000 at yearend 1994 to 190,000 in July 1995 and to about
210,000 in January 1996. Discussions continue within the leadership
over the relative affluence of self-employed workers and the growing
inequality of income in what has historically been a strictly
egalitarian society. The government released new economic data in
1995 which showed a 35% decline in GDP during 1989-1993, a drop
precipitated by the withdrawal of massive Soviet aid and prolonged
by Cuba's own economic inefficiencies. The decline in GDP apparently
was halted in 1994, and government officials claim that GDP
increased by 2.5% in 1995. Export earnings rose by 20% in 1995 to
$1.6 billion, largely on the strength of higher world prices for key
commodities and increased production of nickel through joint
ventures with a Canadian firm. Higher export revenues and new
credits from European firms and Mexico enabled Havana to increase
its imports for the first time in six years. Imports rose 21% to
almost $2.4 billion, or 30% of the 1989 level. Officials have
sharply criticized provisions of legislation under consideration in
the US Congress, which aims to curtail third-country investment in
expropriated US properties in Cuba and deny official assistance to
Havana.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,300 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 30%
services: 63% (1994)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 4.71 million economically active population (1989);
3,527,000 employed in state civilian sector (1989)
by occupation: services and government 30%, industry 22%,
agriculture 20%, commerce 11%, construction 10%, transportation and
communications 7% (June 1990)

Unemployment rate: NA%

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

Industries: sugar, petroleum, food, tobacco, textiles, chemicals,
paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement,
fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery

Industrial production growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 3,990,000 kW
production: 12 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,022 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugarcane, tobacco, citrus, coffee, rice, potatoes
and other tubers, beans; livestock

Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: sugar, nickel, shellfish, tobacco, medical products,
citrus, coffee
partners: Canada 15%, China 15%, Russia 15% (1995 est.)

Imports: $2.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: petroleum, food, machinery, chemicals
partners: Spain 15%, Mexico 15%, Russia 10%, (1995 est.)

External debt: $9.1 billion (convertible currency,1995); another
$20 billion owed to Russia (1995)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1 - 1.0000
(non-convertible, official rate, linked to the US dollar)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 4,677 km
standard gauge: 4,677 km 1.435-m gauge (132 km electrified)
note: a large amount of track is in private use by sugar plantations

Highways:
total: 26,500 km
paved: 14,575 km
unpaved: 11,925 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: 240 km

Ports: Cienfuegos, La Habana, Manzanillo, Mariel, Matanzas,
Nuevitas, Santiago de Cuba

Merchant marine:
total: 41 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 220,870 GRT/310,169 DWT
ships by type: cargo 17, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas tanker 4,
oil tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 9
note: Cuba owns an additional 47 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
462,517 DWT operating under the registries of Panama, Cyprus, Malta,
Belize, and Mauritius (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 156
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 14
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9
with paved runways under 914 m: 87
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 31 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 430,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: among the world's least developed telephone
systems
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic
Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 150, FM 5, shortwave 0

Radios: 2.14 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 58

Televisions: 2.5 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) includes ground forces,
Revolutionary Navy (MGR), Air and Air Defense Force (DAAFAR),
Territorial Troops Militia (MTT), and Youth Labor Army (EJT);
Interior Ministry Border Guards (TGF)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 3,053,431
females age 15-49: 3,009,852
males fit for military service: 1,898,644
females fit for military service: 1,866,313
males reach military age (17) annually: 65,182
females reach military age (17) annually: 61,960 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $NA, roughly 4%
of GDP (1995 est.)

Defense note: Moscow, for decades the key military supporter and
supplier of Cuba, cut off almost all military aid by 1993

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

@Cyprus ------

Map ---

Location: 35 00 N, 33 00 E -- Middle East, island in the
Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey

Flag ----

Description: white with a copper-colored silhouette of the island
(the name Cyprus is derived from the Greek word for copper) above
two green crossed olive branches in the center of the flag; the
branches symbolize the hope for peace and reconciliation between the
Greek and Turkish communities

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of
Turkey

Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area:
total area: 9,250 sq km (note - 3,355 sq km are in the Turkish area)
land area: 9,240 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 648 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: 1974 hostilities divided the island into
two de facto autonomous areas, a Greek area controlled by the
Cypriot Government (59% of the island's land area) and a
Turkish-Cypriot area (37% of the island), that are separated by a UN
buffer zone (4% of the island); there are two UK sovereign base
areas within the Greek Cypriot portion of the island

Climate: temperate, Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool,
wet winters

Terrain: central plain with mountains to north and south;
scattered but significant plains along southern coast
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Olympus 1,952 m

Natural resources: copper, pyrites, asbestos, gypsum, timber,
salt, marble, clay earth pigment

Land use:
arable land: 40%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 10%
forest and woodland: 18%
other: 25%

Irrigated land: 350 sq km (1989)