Chapter V (12)

Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 48,730 sq km
land area: 48,380 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire

Land boundaries:
total: 275 km
border country: Haiti 275 km

Coastline: 1,288 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 6 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation;
seasonal variation in rainfall

Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains with fertile valleys
interspersed
lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
highest point: Pico Duarte 3,175 m

Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver

Land use:
arable land: 23%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 43%
forest and woodland: 13%
other: 14%

Irrigated land: 2,250 sq km (1989)

Environment:
current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages
coral reefs; deforestation
natural hazards: occasional hurricanes (July to October)
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea

Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern
two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)

People ------

Population: 8,088,881 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 1,401,322; female 1,355,530)
15-64 years: 62% (male 2,541,356; female 2,460,509)
65 years and over: 4% (male 156,238; female 173,926) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.73% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23.51 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.03 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 47.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.06 years
male: 66.89 years
female: 71.34 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican

Ethnic divisions: white 16%, black 11%, mixed 73%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%

Languages: Spanish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 82.1%
male: 82%
female: 82.2%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: none

Data code: DR

Type of government: republic

Capital: Santo Domingo

Administrative divisions: 29 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia) and 1 district* (distrito); Azua, Baoruco, Barahona,
Dajabon, Distrito Nacional*, Duarte, Elias Pina, El Seibo,
Espaillat, Hato Mayor, Independencia, La Altagracia, La Romana, La
Vega, Maria Trinidad Sanchez, Monsenor Nouel, Monte Cristi, Monte
Plata, Pedernales, Peravia, Puerto Plata, Salcedo, Samana, Sanchez
Ramirez, San Cristobal, San Juan, San Pedro de Macoris, Santiago,
Santiago Rodriguez, Valverde

Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)

Constitution: 28 November 1966

Legal system: based on French civil codes

Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory; married
persons regardless of age
note: members of the armed forces and police cannot vote

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Joaquin BALAGUER
Ricardo (since 16 August 1986, sixth elected term began 16 August
1994); Vice President Jacinto PEYNADO Garrigoza (since 16 August
1994); president is elected for a four-year term by direct vote;
election last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held 16 May 1996);
results - Joaquin BALAGUER (PRSC) 42.6%, Juan BOSCH Gavino (PLD)
13.2%, Jose Francisco PENA Gomez (PRD) 41.9%, Jacobo MAJLUTA (PRI)
2.3%
cabinet: Cabinet was nominated by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado): elections last held 16 May 1994 (next to be held NA
May 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (30 total)
PRSC 15, PLD 1, PRD 14
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held 16
May 1994 (next to be held NA May 1998); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (120 total) PLD 13, PRSC 50, PRD 57

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected
by the Senate

Political parties and leaders:
major parties: Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC), Joaquin
BALAGUER Ricardo; Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), Lidio CADET;
Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD), Jose Franciso PENA Gomez;
Independent Revolutionary Party (PRI), Jacobo MAJLUTA
minor parties: National Veterans and Civilian Party (PNVC), Juan
Rene BEAUCHAMPS Javier; Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic
(PLRD), Andres Van Der HORST; Democratic Quisqueyan Party (PQD),
Elias WESSIN Chavez; National Progressive Force (FNP), Marino
VINICIO Castillo; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Rogelio DELGADO
Bogaert; Dominican Communist Party (PCD), Narciso ISA Conde;
Dominican Workers' Party (PTD), Ivan RODRIGUEZ; Anti-Imperialist
Patriotic Union (UPA), Ignacio RODRIGUEZ Chiappini; Alliance for
Democracy Party (APD), Maximilano Rabelais PUIG Miller, Nelsida
MARMOLEJOS, Vicente BENGOA; Democratic Union (UD), Fernando ALVAREZ
Bogaert
note: in 1983 several leftist parties, including the PCD, joined to
form the Dominican Leftist Front (FID); however, they still retain
individual party structures

Other political or pressure groups: Collective of Popular
Organizations (COP)

International organization participation: ACP, Caricom (observer),
ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU,
LAES, LAIA (observer), NAM (guest), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jose del Carmen ARIZA Gomez
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280
FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Mayaguez (Puerto
Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Charlotte Amalie (Virgin Islands), Detroit, Houston,
Jacksonville, Mobile, and Ponce (Puerto Rico)

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Donna Jean HRINAK
embassy: corner of Calle Cesar Nicolas Penson and Calle Leopoldo
Navarro, Santo Domingo
mailing address: Unit 5500, APO AA 34041
telephone: [1] (809) 221-2171, 221-8100
FAX: [1] (809) 686-7437

Flag: a centered white cross that extends to the edges, divides
the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are blue (hoist side)
and red, the bottom ones are red (hoist side) and blue; a small coat
of arms is at the center of the cross

Economy -------

Economic overview: Economic reforms launched in late 1994
contributed to exchange rate stabilization, reduced inflation, and
relatively strong GDP growth in 1995. Output growth was concentrated
in the tourism and free trade zone (ftz) sectors while sugar and
non-ftz manufacturing declined last year. Drought in early 1995 hurt
agricultural production but favorable world prices for export
commodities helped mitigate the impact. Sugar refining was
devastated by a disastrous harvest resulting from the drought and
ongoing problems at the state-owned sugar company. Unreliable
electric supplies continue to hamper expansion in manufacturing;
small and medium-sized retail firms also suffer due to the dismal
power situation. A presidential election scheduled for May 1996
could lead to increased government spending before and in the
immediate aftermath of the vote, raising the potential for rising
inflation and increased pressure on the Dominican peso.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $26.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $3,400 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 32%
services: 55% (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1995)

Labor force: 2.3 million to 2.6 million
by occupation: agriculture 50%, services and government 32%,
industry 18% (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate: 30% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $1.8 billion
expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994 est.)

Industries: tourism, sugar processing, ferronickel and gold
mining, textiles, cement, tobacco

Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 1,450,000 kW
production: 5.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 651 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, cotton, cocoa, tobacco, rice,
beans, potatoes, corn, bananas; cattle, pigs, dairy products, meat,
eggs

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe

Exports: $837.7 million (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: ferronickel, sugar, gold, coffee, cocoa
partners: US 47.5%, EC 22%, Puerto Rico 8.4%, Asia 6.7% (1994)

Imports: $2.867 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: foodstuffs, petroleum, cotton and fabrics, chemicals
and pharmaceuticals
partners: US 60% (1993)

External debt: $4.6 billion (1994)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $21 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Dominican peso (RD$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (RD$) per US$1 - 13.589 (December
1995), 13.617 (1995), 13.160 (1994), 12.676 (1993), 12.774 (1992),
12.692 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 757 km
standard gauge: 375 km 1.435-m gauge (Central Romana Railroad)
narrow gauge: 142 km 0.762-m gauge (Dominica Government Railway);
240 km operated by sugar companies in various gauges (0.558-m,
0.762-m, 1.067-m gauges) (1995)

Highways:
total: 11,931 km
paved: 5,766 km
unpaved: 6,165 km (1987 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 96 km; petroleum products 8 km

Ports: Barahona, La Romana, Puerto Plata, San Pedro de Macoris,
Santo Domingo

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,587 GRT/1,165 DWT
(1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 31
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 14
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 190,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: relatively efficient system based on islandwide microwave
radio relay network
international: 1 coaxial submarine cable; satellite earth station -
1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 120, FM 0, shortwave 6

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 18 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 728,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,212,012
males fit for military service: 1,391,472
males reach military age (18) annually: 83,611 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $116 million,
1.4% of GDP (1994)

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

@Ecuador -------

Map ---

Location: 2 00 S, 77 30 W -- Western South America, bordering the
Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width),
blue, and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of
the flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does
not bear a coat of arms

Geography ---------

Location: Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at
the Equator, between Colombia and Peru

Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 77 30 W

Map references: South America

Area:
total area: 283,560 sq km
land area: 276,840 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Nevada
note: includes Galapagos Islands

Land boundaries:
total: 2,010 km
border countries: Colombia 590 km, Peru 1,420 km

Coastline: 2,237 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: claims continental shelf between mainland and
Galapagos Islands
territorial sea: 200 nm

International disputes: three sections of the boundary with Peru
are in dispute

Climate: tropical along coast becoming cooler inland

Terrain: coastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands
(sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chimborazo 6,267 m

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, timber

Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 17%
forest and woodland: 51%
other: 23%

Irrigated land: 5,500 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; water
pollution
natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic
activity; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Geographic note: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in
world

People ------

Population: 11,466,291 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 2,062,468; female 1,996,679)
15-64 years: 60% (male 3,403,197; female 3,489,728)
65 years and over: 5% (male 241,217; female 273,002) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.96% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 25.06 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

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

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 34.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.09 years
male: 68.49 years
female: 73.82 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.89 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ecuadorian(s)
adjective: Ecuadorian

Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and Spanish) 55%, Indian
25%, Spanish 10%, black 10%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%

Languages: Spanish (official), Indian languages (especially
Quechua)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 90.1%
male: 92%
female: 88.2%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Ecuador
conventional short form: Ecuador
local long form: Republica del Ecuador
local short form: Ecuador

Data code: EC

Type of government: republic

Capital: Quito

Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Azuay, Bolivar, Canar, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El
Oro, Esmeraldas, Galapagos, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Los Rios,
Manabi, Morona-Santiago, Napo, Pastaza, Pichincha, Sucumbios,
Tungurahua, Zamora-Chinchipe

Independence: 24 May 1822 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 10 August (1809) (independence
of Quito)

Constitution: 10 August 1979

Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal, compulsory for literate
persons ages 18-65, optional for other eligible voters

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN
Cordovez (since 10 August 1992); Vice President Eduardo PENA Trivino
(since 18 October 1995); president and vice president were elected
for four-year terms by universal suffrage; runoff election held 5
July 1992; results - Sixto DURAN-BALLEN elected as president (next
election was held 19 May 1996; no presidential candidate received
more than 50% of the vote; a runoff election between BUCARAM and
NEBOT will be held on 7 July 1996); note - former Vice President
DAHIK resigned 11 October 1995 and left the country to escape arrest
on corruption charges; National Congress chose PENA as his successor
in accordance with the constitution
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held 19 May
1996; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PSC
27, PRE 21, DP 10, Pachakutik Movement 7, ID 5, PLRE 3, MPD 2, APRE
2, CFP 1, independent and other 4

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are elected
by the Chamber of Representatives

Political parties and leaders:
Center-Right parties: Republican Unity Party (PUR); Social Christian
Party (PSC), Jaime NEBOT Saadi, president; Ecuadorian Conservative
Party (PCE), President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN (two parties merged in
1995)
Center-Left parties: Democratic Left (ID), Andres VALLEJO Arcos,
Rodrigo BORJA Cevallos, leaders; Popular Democracy (DP), Rodrigo
PAZ, leader; Ecuadorian Radical Liberal Party (PLRE), Medardo MORA,
leader; Radical Alfarista Front (FRA), Jaime ASPIAZU Seminario,
director
Populist parties: Roldosist Party (PRE), Abdala BUCARAM Ortiz,
director; Concentration of Popular Forces (CFP), Rodolfo BAQUERIZO
Nazur, leader; Popular Revolutionary Action (APRE), Frank VARGAS
Passos, leader
Far-Left parties: Popular Democratic Movement (MPD), Juan Jose
CASTELLO, leader; Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE), Leon ROLDOS,
leader; Broad Leftist Front (FADI), Rene Mauge MOSQUERA, chairman;
Ecuadorian National Liberation (LN), Alfredo CASTILLO, director
Communists: Communist Party of Ecuador (PCE, pro-North Korea), Rene
Mauge MOSQUERA, Secretary General; Communist Party of
Ecuador/Marxist-Leninist (PCMLE, Maoist)

International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11,
G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA,
NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edgar TERAN Teran
chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
consulate(s): Newark

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter F. ROMERO
embassy: Avenida 12 de Octubre y Avenida Patria, Quito
mailing address: APO AA 34039
telephone: [593] (2) 562-890
FAX: [593] (2) 502-052
consulate(s) general: Guayaquil

Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double width), blue,
and red with the coat of arms superimposed at the center of the
flag; similar to the flag of Colombia that is shorter and does not
bear a coat of arms

Economy -------

Economic overview: Ecuador has substantial oil resources and rich
agricultural areas. Growth has been uneven in recent years because
of fluctuations in prices for Ecuador's primary exports - oil and
bananas - as well as because of government policies designed to curb
inflation. President Sixto DURAN-BALLEN launched a series of
macroeconomic reforms when he came into office in August 1992, which
included raising domestic fuel prices and utility rates, eliminating
most subsidies, and bringing the government budget into balance.
These measures helped to reduce inflation from 55% in 1992 to 25% in
1995. DURAN-BALLEN has a much more favorable attitude toward foreign
investment than his predecessor and has supported several laws
designed to encourage foreign investment. Ecuador has implemented
free or complementary trade agreements with Bolivia, Chile,
Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, as well as joined the World Trade
Organization. Growth slowed to 2.3% in 1995 due in part to high
domestic interest rates and shortages of electric power.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $44.6 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $4,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13%
industry: 39%
services: 48% (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 25% (1995)

Labor force: 2.8 million
by occupation: agriculture 35%, manufacturing 21%, commerce 16%,
services and other activities 28% (1982)

Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1994)

Budget:
revenues: $3.3 billion
expenditures: $3.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)

Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work,
paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, lumber

Industrial production growth rate: 6.4% (1993)

Electricity:
capacity: 2,230,000 kW
production: 6.9 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 612 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc,
plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy
products; balsa wood; fish, shrimp

Illicit drugs: significant transit country for derivatives of coca
originating in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru; minor illicit producer
of coca; importer of precursor chemicals used in production of
illicit narcotics; important money-laundering hub

Exports: $4 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: petroleum 39%, bananas 17%, shrimp 16%, cocoa 3%,
coffee 6%
partners: US 42%, Latin America 29%, Caribbean, EU countries 17%

Imports: $3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: transport equipment, consumer goods, vehicles,
machinery, chemicals
partners: US 28%, EU 17%, Latin America 31%, Caribbean, Japan

External debt: $12.6 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $153 million (1993)
note: received $12.7 million from the US and $160 million from other
countries in 1995

Currency: 1 sucre (S/) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: sucres (S/) per US$1 - 2914.8 (31 December 1995),
2,564.5 (1995), 2,196.7 (1994), 1,919.1 (1993), 1,534.0 (1992),
1,046.25 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 965 km (single track)
narrow gauge: 965 km 1.067-m gauge

Highways:
total: 43,709 km
paved: 5,245 km
unpaved: 38,464 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 1,500 km

Pipelines: crude oil 800 km; petroleum products 1,358 km

Ports: Esmeraldas, Guayaquil, La Libertad, Manta, Puerto Bolivar,
San Lorenzo

Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 114,701 GRT/171,240 DWT
ships by type: container 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 12,
passenger 3, refrigerated cargo 1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 188
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 8
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13
with paved runways under 914 m: 121
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 586,300 (1994 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: facilities generally inadequate and unreliable
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 272, FM 0, shortwave 39

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 33

Televisions: 940,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army (Ejercito Ecuatoriano), Navy (Armada Ecuatoriana,
includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana), National
Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,968,361
males fit for military service: 2,006,509
males reach military age (20) annually: 121,241 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $386 million,
2.1% of GDP (1995)

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

@Egypt -----

Map ---

Location: 27 00 N, 30 00 E -- Northern Africa, bordering the
Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and
black with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden
eagle facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the
country in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag
of Yemen, which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of
Syria that has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has
three green stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line
centered in the white band

Geography ---------

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea,
between Libya and the Gaza Strip

Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 1,001,450 sq km
land area: 995,450 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than three times the size of New
Mexico

Land boundaries:
total: 2,689 km
border countries: Gaza Strip 11 km, Israel 255 km, Libya 1,150 km,
Sudan 1,273 km

Coastline: 2,450 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: administrative boundary with Sudan does
not coincide with international boundary creating the "Hala'ib
Triangle," a barren area of 20,580 sq km, tensions over this
disputed area began to escalate in 1992 and remain high

Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters

Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m
highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates,
manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, zinc

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 95%

Irrigated land: 25,850 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and
windblown sands; increasing soil salinization below Aswan High Dam;
desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and
marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides,
raw sewage, and industrial effluents; very limited natural fresh
water resources away from the Nile which is the only perennial water
source; rapid growth in population overstraining natural resources
natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash
floods, landslides, volcanic activity; hot, driving windstorm called
khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Tropical Timber 94

Geographic note: controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge
between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez
Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea;
size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in
Middle Eastern geopolitics

People ------

Population: 63,575,107 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 11,970,197; female 11,462,689)
15-64 years: 60% (male 19,127,696; female 18,738,304)
65 years and over: 3% (male 1,028,916; female 1,247,305) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 1.91% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 28.18 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.35 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: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 72.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 61.43 years
male: 59.51 years
female: 63.46 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.58 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Egyptian(s)
adjective: Egyptian

Ethnic divisions: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and
Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily
Italian and French) 1%

Religions: Muslim (mostly Sunni) 94% (official estimate), Coptic
Christian and other 6% (official estimate)

Languages: Arabic (official), English and French widely understood
by educated classes

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 51.4%
male: 63.6%
female: 38.8%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt
conventional short form: Egypt
local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah
local short form: none
former: United Arab Republic (with Syria)

Data code: EG

Type of government: republic

Capital: Cairo

Administrative divisions: 26 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar, Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum,
Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah, Al Isma'iliyah, Al Jizah, Al
Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah, Al Qalyubiyah, Al Wadi al Jadid,
Ash Sharqiyah, As Suways, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id,
Dumyat, Janub Sina, Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina, Suhaj

Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Revolution, 23 July (1952)

Constitution: 11 September 1971

Legal system: based on English common law, Islamic law, and
Napoleonic codes; judicial review by Supreme Court and Council of
State (oversees validity of administrative decisions); accepts
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK (sworn in as
president 14 October 1981, eight days after the assassination of
President SADAT); national referendum held 4 October 1993 validated
MUBARAK's nomination by the People's Assembly to a third six-year
presidential term; note - the president is nominated by the People's
Assembly and that nomination must then be validated by a national,
popular referendum
head of government: Prime Minister Kamal Ahmed al-GANZOURI (since 4
January 1996) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: bicameral
People's Assembly (Majlis al-Cha'b): elections last held 29 November
1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - NDP 72%, idependents 25%,
opposition 3%; seats - (454 total, 444 elected, 10 appointed by the
president) NDP 317, independents 114, NWP 6, NPUG 5, Nasserist Arab
Democratic Party 1, Liberals 1
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): functions only in a consultative
role; elections last held 7 June 1995 (next to be held NA); results
- NDP 99%, independents 1%; seats - (264 total, 176 elected, 88
appointed by the president) seats by party NA

Judicial branch: Supreme Constitutional Court

Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Party (NDP),
President Mohammed Hosni MUBARAK, leader, is the dominant party;
legal opposition parties are as follows: New Wafd Party (NWP), Fu'ad
SIRAJ AL-DIN; Socialist Labor Party (SLP), Ibrahim SHUKRI; National
Progressive Unionist Grouping (NPUG), Khalid Muhi al-DIN; Socialist
Liberal Party, Mustafa Kamal MURAD; Democratic Unionist Party,
Mohammed 'Abd-al-Mun'im TURK; Umma Party, Ahmad al-SABAHI; Misr
al-Fatah Party (Young Egypt Party), leader NA; Nasserist Arab
Democratic Party, Dia' al-din DAWUD; Democratic Peoples' Party,
Anwar AFIFI; The Greens Party, Kamal KIRAH; Social Justice Party,
Muhammad 'ABD-AL-'AL
note: formation of political parties must be approved by government

Other political or pressure groups: despite a constitutional ban
against religious-based parties, the technically illegal Muslim
Brotherhood constitutes MUBARAK's potentially most significant
political opposition; MUBARAK tolerated limited political activity
by the Brotherhood for his first two terms, but has moved more
aggressively in the past year to block its influence; trade unions
and professional associations are officially sanctioned

International organization participation: ABEDA, ACC, ACCT
(associate), AfDB, AFESD, AG (observer), AL, AMF, BSEC (observer),
CAEU, CCC, EBRD, ECA, ESCWA, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS
(observer), OAU, OIC, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UNRWA,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed Maher El SAYED
chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4319, 5131
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Edward S. WALKER, Jr.
embassy: (North Gate) 8, Kamel El-Din Salah Street, Garden City,
Cairo
mailing address: APO AE 09839-4900, Unit 64900, Cairo
telephone: [20] (2) 3557371
FAX: [20] (2) 3573200
branch office: Alexandria

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
with the national emblem (a shield superimposed on a golden eagle
facing the hoist side above a scroll bearing the name of the country
in Arabic) centered in the white band; similar to the flag of Yemen,
which has a plain white band; also similar to the flag of Syria that
has two green stars and to the flag of Iraq, which has three green
stars (plus an Arabic inscription) in a horizontal line centered in
the white band

Economy -------

Economic overview: Half of Egypt's GDP originates in the public
sector, most industrial plants being owned by the government.
Overregulation holds back technical modernization and foreign
investment. Even so, the economy grew rapidly during the late 1970s
and early 1980s, but in 1986 the collapse of world oil prices and an
increasingly heavy burden of debt servicing led Egypt to begin
negotiations with the IMF for balance-of-payments support. Egypt's
first IMF standby arrangement, concluded in mid-1987, was suspended
in early 1988 because of the government's failure to adopt promised
reforms. Egypt signed a follow-on program with the IMF and also
negotiated a structural adjustment loan with the World Bank in 1991.
In 1991-93 the government made solid progress on administrative
reforms such as liberalizing exchange and interest rates, but
resisted implementing major structural reforms like streamlining the
public sector. As a result, the economy has not gained enough
momentum to tackle the growing problem of unemployment. Egypt made
uneven progress in implementing the successor programs it signed
onto in late 1993 with the IMF and World Bank; currently it is
negotiating another successor program with the IMF. President
MUBARAK has cited population growth as the main cause of the
country's economic troubles. The addition of about 1.2 million
people a year to the already huge population of 63 million exerts
enormous pressure on the 5% of the land area available for
agriculture along the Nile.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $171 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,760 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.4% (yearend 1995)

Labor force: 16 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: government, public sector enterprises, and armed
forces 36%, agriculture 34%, privately owned service and
manufacturing enterprises 20% (1984)
note: shortage of skilled labor; 2.5 million Egyptians work abroad,
mostly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Arab states (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: 20% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $18 billion
expenditures: $19.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.8
billion (FY94/95 est.)

Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals,
petroleum, construction, cement, metals

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 11,830,000 kW
production: 44.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 695 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cotton, rice, corn, wheat, beans, fruits, vegetables;
cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats; annual fish catch about 140,000
metric tons

Illicit drugs: a transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast
Asian heroin and opium moving to Europe and the US; popular transit
stop for Nigerian couriers; large domestic consumption of hashish
from Lebanon and Syria

Exports: $5.4 billion (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton yarn, raw
cotton, textiles, metal products, chemicals
partners: EU, US, Japan

Imports: $15.2 billion (c.i.f., FY94/95 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, foods, fertilizers, wood
products, durable consumer goods, capital goods
partners: US, EU, Japan

External debt: $33.6 billion (FY93/94 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.713 billion (1993)

Currency: 1 Egyptian pound (LE) = 100 piasters

Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (LE) per US$1 - 3.4 (November
1994), 3.369 (November 1993), 3.345 (November 1992), 2.7072 (1990);
market rate: 3.3920 (January 1996), 3.3900 (1995), 3.3910 (1994),
3.3718 (1993), 3.3386 (1992), 3.3322 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

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

Railways:
total: 4,751 km
standard gauge: 4,751 km 1,435-m gauge (42 km electrified; 951 km
double track)

Highways:
total: 47,387 km
paved: 34,593 km
unpaved: 12,794 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 3,500 km (including the Nile, Lake Nasser,
Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in the
delta); Suez Canal, 193.5 km long (including approaches), used by
oceangoing vessels drawing up to 16.1 m of water

Pipelines: crude oil 1,171 km; petroleum products 596 km; natural
gas 460 km

Ports: Alexandria, Al Ghardaqah, Aswan, Asyut, Bur Safajah,
Damietta, Marsa Matruh, Port Said, Suez

Merchant marine:
total: 164 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,187,290
GRT/1,833,108 DWT
ships by type: bulk 22, cargo 74, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker
14, passenger 33, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 15,
short-sea passenger 4 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 80
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 34
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 16
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 9
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 2 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 2.2 million (1993)

Telephone system: large system by Third World standards but
inadequate for present requirements and undergoing extensive
upgrading
domestic: principal centers at Alexandria, Cairo, Al Mansurah,
Ismailia, Suez, and Tanta are connected by coaxial cable and
microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean
and Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat; 5 coaxial submarine
cables; tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to
Israel; participant in Medarabtel

Radio broadcast stations: AM 39, FM 6, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 41

Televisions: 5 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Command

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 16,530,460
males fit for military service: 10,723,011
males reach military age (20) annually: 660,453 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion,
8.2% of GDP (FY94/95 est.)

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

@El Salvador -----------

Map ---

Location: 13 50 N, 88 55 W -- Middle America, bordering the North
Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band;
the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag
of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the
white band - it features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA
DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar
to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X
pattern centered in the white band

Geography ---------

Location: Middle America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between Guatemala and Honduras

Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 21,040 sq km
land area: 20,720 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries:
total: 545 km
border countries: Guatemala 203 km, Honduras 342 km

Coastline: 307 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm

International disputes: land boundary dispute with Honduras mostly
resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice (ICJ)
decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo de
Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras
and Nicaragua likely would be required

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

Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central
plateau
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m

Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum

Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 8%
meadows and pastures: 29%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 30%

Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (1989)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution;
contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes
natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and
sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of the Sea

Geographic note: smallest Central American country and only one
without a coastline on Caribbean Sea

People ------

Population: 5,828,987 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 1,137,804; female 1,097,774)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,627,519; female 1,716,261)
65 years and over: 5% (male 115,973; female 133,656) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.81% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 28.3 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.4 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: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 31.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.88 years
male: 65.44 years
female: 72.5 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Salvadoran(s)
adjective: Salvadoran

Ethnic divisions: mestizo 94%, Indian 5%, white 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 75%
note: there is extensive activity by Protestant groups throughout
the country; by the end of 1992, there were an estimated 1 million
Protestant evangelicals in El Salvador

Languages: Spanish, Nahua (among some Indians)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 71.5%
male: 73.5%
female: 69.8%

Government ----------

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

Data code: ES

Type of government: republic

Capital: San Salvador

Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La
Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, Santa
Ana, San Vicente, Sonsonate, Usulutan

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 20 December 1983

Legal system: based on civil and Roman law, with traces of common
law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Armando CALDERON
Sol (since 1 June 1994) and Vice President Enrique BORGO Bustamante
(since 1 June 1994) were elected for five-year terms by universal
suffrage; election last held 20 March 1994 (next to be held NA March
1999); results - Armando CALDERON SOL (ARENA) 49.03%, Ruben ZAMORA
Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 24.09%, Fidel CHAVEZ Mena (PDC) 16.39%, other
10.49%; because no candidate received a majority, a run-off election
was held 24 April 1994; results - Armando CALDERON SOL (ARENA)
68.35%, Ruben ZAMORA Rivas (CD/FMLN/MNR) 31.65%
cabinet: Council of Ministers

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa): elections last held 20
March 1994 (next to be held NA March 1997); results - ARENA 46.4%,
FMLN 25.0%, PDC 21.4%, PCN 4.8%, other 2.4%; seats - (84 total)
ARENA 39, FMLN 21, PDC 18, PCN 4, other 2

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges are
selected by the Legislative Assembly

Political parties and leaders: National Republican Alliance
(ARENA), Juan Jose DOMENECH, president; Farabundo Marti National
Liberation Front (FMLN), Salvador SANCHEZ Ceren (aka Leonel
GONZALEZ), general coordinator; Christian Democratic Party (PDC),
Ronal UMANA, secretary general; National Conciliation Party (PCN),
Ciro CRUZ Zepeda, secretary general; Democratic Convergence (CD),
Juan Jose MARTEL, secretary general; Unity Movement, Jorge MARTINEZ
Menendez, president
note: newly formed parties not yet officially recognized by the
Supreme Electoral Tribunal: Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Kirio
Waldo SALGADO, founder; Social Democratic Party (breakaway from
FMLN), Joaquin VILLALOBOS, founder; Social Christian Renovation
Movement (MRSC) (breakaway from PDC), Abraham RODRIGUEZ, founder

Other political or pressure groups:
labor organizations: Salvadoran Communal Union (UCS), peasant
association; General Confederation of Workers (CGT), moderate;
United Workers Front (FUT)
business organizations: Productive Alliance (AP), conservative;
National Federation of Salvadoran Small Businessmen (FENAPES),
conservative

International organization participation: 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), MINURSO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ana Cristina SOL
chancery: 2308 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-9671, 9672
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alan H. FLANIGAN
embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Station Antiguo Cuscatlan, San
Salvador
mailing address: Unit 3116, APO AA 34023
telephone: [503] 278-4444
FAX: [503] 278-6011

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat
of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE
EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; similar to the flag of Nicaragua,
which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band - it
features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on
top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; also similar to the flag of
Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band

Economy -------

Economic overview: El Salvador possesses a fast-growing
entrepreneurial economy in which 90% of economic activity is in
private hands, with growth averaging 5% since 1990. Yet, because the
1980s were a decade of civil war and stagnation, per capita GDP has
not regained the level of the late 1970s. The rebound in the 1990s
stems from the government program, in conjunction with the IMF, of
privatization, deregulation, and fiscal stabilization. The economy
now is oriented more toward manufacturing and services compared with
agriculture. The sizable trade deficits are in the main covered by
remittances from the large number of Salvadorans abroad.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $11.4 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6.3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,950 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 11.4% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.7 million (1982 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 40%, commerce 16%, manufacturing 15%,
government 13%, financial services 9%, transportation 6%, other 1%

Unemployment rate: 6.7% (1993)

Budget:
revenues: $846 million
expenditures: $890 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)

Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, tobacco,
chemicals, textiles, furniture

Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1993)

Electricity:
capacity: 750,000 kW
production: 2.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 408 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, sugarcane, corn, rice, beans, oilseed; beef,
dairy products; shrimp

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; marijuana produced
for local consumption

Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: coffee, sugarcane, shrimp
partners: US, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Germany

Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.)
commodities: raw materials, consumer goods, capital goods
partners: US, Guatemala, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany

External debt: $2.6 billion (December 1992)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $777 million (1993)
note: US has committed $250 million in aid to El Salvador for 1992-96

Currency: 1 Salvadoran colon (C) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Salvadoran colones (C) per US$1 - 8.755 (December
1995), 8.755 (1995), 8.750 (1994), 8.670 (1993), 9.170 (1992), 8.080
(1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 602 km (single track; note - some sections abandoned,
unusable, or operating at reduced capacity)
narrow gauge: 602 km 0.914-m gauge

Highways:
total: 12,251 km
paved: 1,740 km (including 107 km of expressways)
unpaved: 10,511 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: Rio Lempa partially navigable

Ports: Acajutla, Puerto Cutuco, La Libertad, La Union, Puerto El
Triunfo

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 73
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 48
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 21 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 116,000 (1984 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System

Radio broadcast stations: AM 77, FM 0, shortwave 2

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 5 (1986 est.)

Televisions: 500,700 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,415,691
males fit for military service: 905,938
males reach military age (18) annually: 78,660 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1%
of GDP (1995)

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

@Equatorial Guinea -----------------

Map ---

Location: 2 00 N, 10 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Cameroon and Gabon

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and
the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has
six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five
offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and
below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,
Peace, Justice)

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Cameroon and Gabon

Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 28,050 sq km
land area: 28,050 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Coastline: 296 km

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

International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon
because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay

Climate: tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are
volcanic
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Malabo 3,008 m

Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits
of gold, manganese, uranium

Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 4%
meadows and pastures: 4%
forest and woodland: 51%
other: 33%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification
natural hazards: violent windstorms
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered
Species, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: insular and continental regions rather widely
separated

People ------

Population: 431,282 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 93,319; female 92,753)
15-64 years: 53% (male 108,706; female 120,129)
65 years and over: 4% (male 7,235; female 9,140) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.58% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 39.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 14.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 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: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 98 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.01 years
male: 50.79 years
female: 55.29 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.17 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Ethnic divisions: Bioko (primarily Bubi, some Fernandinos), Rio
Muni (primarily Fang), Europeans less than 1,000, mostly Spanish

Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic,
pagan practices

Languages: Spanish (official), pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.5%
male: 89.6%
female: 68.1%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial
former: Spanish Guinea

Data code: EK

Type of government: republic in transition to multiparty democracy

Capital: Malabo

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem,
Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Constitution: new constitution 17 November 1991

Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA
MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979) election last held 25 February 1996
(next to be held NA February 2003); results - President OBIANG
NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected to a seven-year term without opposition
head of government: Prime Minister Silvestre SIALE BILEKA (since 17
January 1992); Vice Prime Minister Anatolio NDONG MBA (since
November 1993)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of People's Representatives: (Camara de Representantes del
Pueblo) elections last held 21 November 1993 (next to be held NA);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (82 total) PDGE 72,
various opposition parties 10

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal

Political parties and leaders:
ruling party: Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig.
Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader
opposition parties: Progressive Democratic Alliance (ADP),
Antonio-Ebang Mbele Abang, president; Popular Action of Equatorial
Guinea (APGE),Casiano Masi Edu, leader; Liberal Democratic
Convention (CLD), Alfonso Nsue MIFUMU, president; Convergence for
Social Democracy (CPDS), Santiago Obama Ndong, president; Social
Democratic and Popular Convergence (CSDP), Secundino Oyono Agueng
Ada, general secretary; Party of the Social Democratic Coalition
(PCSD), Buenaventura Moswi M'Asumu, general coordinater; Liberal
Party (PL), Santos PASCUAL; Party of Progress (PP), Severo MOTO Nsa,
president; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Benjamin-Gabriel Balingha
Balinga Alene, general secretary; Socialist Party of Equatorial
Guinea (PSGE), Tomas MICHEBE Fernandez, general secretary; National
Democratic Union (UDENA), Jose MECHEBA Ikaka, president; Democratic
Social Union (UDS), Camelo Modu, general secretary; Popular Union
(UP), Juan Bitui, president

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC,
CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WTrO
(applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pastor Micha ONDO BILE
chancery: (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10553
telephone: [1] (914) 738-9584, 667-6913
FAX: [1] (914) 667-6838

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Equatorial Guinea (embassy closed September 1995); US relations with
Equatorial Guinea are handled through the US Embassy in Yaounde,
Cameroon

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat
of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow
six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore
islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below
which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity,
Peace, Justice)

Economy -------

Economic overview: Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for
about half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence farming
predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on
cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the deterioration of
the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished
potential for agriculture-led growth. A number of aid programs
sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993
because of the government's gross corruption and mismanagement.
Businesses, for the most part, are owned by government officials and
their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include
titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil
exploration, taking place under concessions offered to US, French,
and Spanish firms, has been moderately successful. In 1995, exports
responded to the devaluation of 12 January 1994, apparently
resulting in a sizable surplus and strong GDP growth. Increased
production from recently discovered oil and natural gas fields will
provide a greater share of exports in 1996-97.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $325 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 10% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $800 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 47%
industry: 26%
services: 27% (1993 est.)

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

Labor force: 172,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 23%, industry 11% (1980)
note: labor shortages on plantations

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $32.5 million
expenditures: $35.9 million, including capital expenditures of $3
million (1992 est.)

Industries: fishing, sawmilling

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 23,000 kW
production: 20 million kWh
consumption per capita: 50 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca),
bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc; livestock; timber

Exports: $62 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: coffee, cocoa beans, timber, petroleum
partners: Spain, Nigeria, Cameroon, Japan, Portugal

Imports: $60 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners: Cameroon, Spain, France, US, Italy, Netherlands

External debt: $268 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: 1 April - 31 March

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

Railways:
total: 0 km

Highways:
total: 2,744 km
paved: 330 km
unpaved: 2,414 km (1988 est.)

Ports: Bata, Luba, Malabo

Merchant marine:
total: 2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,412 GRT/6,699 DWT
ships by type: cargo 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 2,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: poor system with adequate government services
domestic: NA
international: international communications from Bata and Malabo to
African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat
(Indian Ocean)

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

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Rapid Intervention Force,
National Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 92,704
males fit for military service: 47,124 (1996 est.)