Chapter V (32)

Telephone system: good international radiotelephone and submarine
cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore,
Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian
Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 261, FM 55, shortwave 0

Radios: 9.03 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 29

Televisions: 7 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air
Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 18,722,509
males fit for military service: 13,221,513
males reach military age (20) annually: 767,056 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 1.4%
of GDP (1995)

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

@Pitcairn Islands ----------------

(dependent territory of the UK)

Map ---

Location: 25 04 S, 130 06 W -- Oceania, islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Peru to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the
outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light
blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Geography ---------

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

Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total area: 47 sq km
land area: 47 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 51 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds;
rainy season (November to March)

Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m

Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish

Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original
forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement)
natural hazards: typhoons (especially November to March)
international agreements: NA

People ------

Population: 56 (July 1996 est.)

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

Population growth rate: 0% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

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: NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

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

Ethnic divisions: descendants of the Bounty mutineers

Religions: Seventh-Day Adventist 100%

Languages: English (official), Tahitian/English dialect

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands
conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands

Data code: PC

Type of government: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Adamstown

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second
Saturday in June)

Constitution: Local Government Ordinance of 1964

Legal system: local island by-laws

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952) is a hereditary monarch, represented by UK High
Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the
Pitcairn Islands Robert John ALSTON (since NA August 1994);
Commissioner (non-resident) G. D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liaison
person between the governor and the Island Council)
head of government: Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island
Council Jay WARREN (since NA); the island magistrate is elected
every three years

Legislative branch: unicameral
Island Council: elections take place each December; election last
held NA December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1996); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (11 total, 5 elected) all independents

Judicial branch: Island Court, island magistrate presides over the
court and is elected every three years

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: NA

International organization participation: SPC

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

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

Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the
outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light
blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor

Economy -------

Economic overview: The inhabitants exist on fishing and
subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide
variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane,
watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important
part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of
postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing
ships.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $NA

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 14 able-bodied men (1993)
by occupation: no business community in the usual sense; some public
works; subsistence farming and fishing

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $588,000
expenditures: $583,000, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993/94 est.)

Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 110 kW
production: 300,000 kWh
consumption per capita: 5,360 kWh (1990)

Agriculture: wide variety of fruits and vegetables

Exports: $NA
commodities: fruits, vegetables, curios
partners: NA

Imports: $NA
commodities: fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar,
other foodstuffs
partners: NA

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000

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: 6.4 km
paved: 0 km
unpaved: 6.4 km

Ports: Bounty Bay

Merchant marine: none

Airports: none

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

Telephones: 24

Telephone system: party line telephone service on the island
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone

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

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

@Poland ------

Map ---

Location: 52 00 N, 20 00 E -- Central Europe, east of Germany

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red;
similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and
white

Geography ---------

Location: Central Europe, east of Germany

Geographic coordinates: 52 00 N, 20 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 312,683 sq km
land area: 304,510 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Mexico

Land boundaries:
total: 2,888 km
border countries: Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456
km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Slovakia
444 km, Ukraine 428 km

Coastline: 491 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters
with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and
thundershowers

Terrain: mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border
lowest point: Raczki Elblaskie -2 m
highest point: Rysy 2,499 m

Natural resources: coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver,
lead, salt

Land use:
arable land: 48%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 29%
other: 10% (1992)

Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: situation has improved since 1989 due to decline in
heavy industry and increased environmental concern by postcommunist
governments; air pollution nonetheless remains serious because of
sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants, and the
resulting acid rain has caused forest damage; water pollution from
industrial and municipal sources is also a problem, as is disposal
of hazardous wastes
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution,
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air
Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity,
Law of the Sea

Geographic note: historically, an area of conflict because of flat
terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

People ------

Population: 38,642,565 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 22% (male 4,399,649; female 4,188,824)
15-64 years: 66% (male 12,754,272; female 12,930,275)
65 years and over: 12% (male 1,654,526; female 2,715,019) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 0.14% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 11.92 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 10.08 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.4 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: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.1 years
male: 68.02 years
female: 76.41 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Pole(s)
adjective: Polish

Ethnic divisions: Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%,
Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)

Religions: Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern
Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%

Languages: Polish

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1978 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 98%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Poland
conventional short form: Poland
local long form: Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form: Polska

Data code: PL

Type of government: democratic state

Capital: Warsaw

Administrative divisions: 49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular -
wojewodztwo); Biala Podlaska, Bialystok, Bielsko Biala, Bydgoszcz,
Chelm, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora,
Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica,
Leszno, Lodz, Lomza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroleka,
Pila, Piotrkow, Plock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce,
Sieradz, Skierniewice, Slupsk, Suwalki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg,
Tarnow, Torun, Walbrzych, Warszawa, Wloclawek, Wroclaw, Zamosc,
Zielona Gora

Independence: 11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)

National holiday: Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)

Constitution: interim "small constitution" came into effect in
December 1992 replacing the communist-imposed constitution of 22
July 1952; new democratic constitution being drafted

Legal system: mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and
holdover communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced
as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review
of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI (since 23 December
1995) was elected for a five-year term by popular vote; election
first round held 5 November 1995, second round held 19 November 1995
(next to be held NA November 2000); results - second round
Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI 51.7%, Lech WALESA 48.3%
head of government: Prime Minister Wlodimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (since 7
February 1996), Deputy Prime Ministers Roman JAGIELINSKI (since NA),
Grzegorz KOLODKO (since NA), and Miroslaw PIETRIEWICZ (since NA)
were appointed by the Sejm
cabinet: Council of Ministers is responsible to the president and
the Sejm; the prime minister appointed and the Sejm approved the
Council of Ministers

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Zgromadzenie
Narodowe) post-communist parties (PSL 34, SLD 37), post-Solidarity
parties (UW 6, NSZZ 12, BBWR 2), non-communist, non-Solidarity
(independents 7, unaffiliated 1, vacant 1) post-communist parties
(SLD 171, PSL 132), post-Solidarity parties (UW 74, UP 41, BBWR 16),
non-communist, non-Solidarity (KPN 22)
note: four seats are constitutionally assigned to ethnic German
parties
Sejm: elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held no
later than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (460 total)
Senate (Senat): elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be
held no later than 19 September 1997); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (100 total)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
president on the recommendation of the National Council of Judiciary

Political parties and leaders:
post-Communist: Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) (Social Democracy of
Poland), Jozef OLEKSY; Polish Peasant Party (PSL), Waldemar PAWLAK
post-Solidarity parties: Freedom Union (UW; Democratic Union and
Liberal Democratic Congress merged to form Freedom Union), Leszek
BALCEROWICZ; Christian-National Union (ZCHN), Marian PILKA; Center
Alliance Party (PC), Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; Peasant Alliance (PL),
Gabriel JANOWSKI; Solidarity Caucus (NSZZ), Marian KRZAKLEWSKI;
Union of Labor (UP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party
(PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Conservative Party, Aleksander HALL;
Nonparty Reform Bloc (BBWR)
non-Communist non-Solidarity: Confederation for an Independent
Poland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; German Minority (MN), Georg PORYLKA;
Union of Real Politics (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party
(SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ

Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic
Church; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance
(OPZZ), trade union

International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS,
BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EU
(applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarset, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU,
MINURSO, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM,
UNMOT, UNOMIG, UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU (associate
partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX: [1] (202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas Andrew REY
embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw
mailing address: American Embassy Warsaw, Unit 1340, APO AE
09213-1340
telephone: [48] (2) 628-30-41
FAX: [48] (2) 628-82-98
consulate(s) general: Krakow

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar
to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white

Economy -------

Economic overview: In 1995, Poland continued to make good progress
in the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1
January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted "shock
therapy" by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and
drastically reducing import barriers. Although real GDP fell sharply
in 1990 and 1991, in 1992 Poland became the first country in the
region to resume economic growth with a 2.6% increase. Growth
advanced to 3.8% in 1993, 5.2% in 1994, and 6.5% in 1995. Most of
the growth since 1991 had come from the booming private sector,
which now accounts for about 60% of GDP, due in large part to the
creation of new private firms. The slow pace of privatization picked
up somewhat in 1995, as 512 smaller state enterprises were
transferred to private National Investment Funds under the Mass
Privatization Program, but large-scale industry remains largely in
state hands. Industrial production increased 10.2% in 1995,
following a 13.2% rise in 1994, yet remains about 13% below the 1989
level. Inflation, which had approached 1,200% annually in early
1990, fell to 21.6% in December 1995, as the government held the
1995 budget deficit to less than 3% of GDP. After peaking at 16.9%
in July 1994, unemployment gradually fell to 14.9% in December 1995
- although the rate still approaches 30% in some regions. The trade
and current account balances officially are in deficit but in fact
both have comfortable surpluses because of large, unrecorded sales
to cross-border visitors. Prospects for 1996 are good, with the
government promising to push privatization and social welfare
reform. Economic growth should remain above 5%, with inflation
dropping below 20% by yearend 1996 and unemployment continuing its
slow decline. As for external debt, the burden was sharply reduced
by reschedulings and write-offs of both private and official debt
during 1991-94.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $226.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,800 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 7%
industry: 38%
services: 55% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21.6% (December 1995)

Labor force: 17.743 million (1994 annual average)
by occupation: industry and construction 32.0%, agriculture 27.6%,
trade, transport, and communications 14.7%, government and other
25.7% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 14.9% (December 1995)

Budget:
revenues: $34.5 billion
expenditures: $37.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: machine building, iron and steel, coal mining,
chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles

Industrial production growth rate: 10.2% (1995)

Electricity:
capacity: 31,120,000 kW
production: 133.7 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,000 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: potatoes, milk, fruits, vegetables, wheat; poultry
and eggs; pork, beef

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium for domestic consumption
and amphetamines for the international market; transshipment point
for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe;
producer of precursor chemicals

Exports: $22.2 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: intermediate goods 27.5%, machinery and transport
equipment 19.8%, miscellaneous manufactures 20.5%, foodstuffs 11.6%,
fuels 9.1% (1994)
partners: Germany 35.7%, Netherlands 5.9%, Russia 5.4%, Italy 4.9%
(1994)

Imports: $23.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 28.9%, intermediate
goods 20.2%, chemicals 14.7%, fuels 10.4%, miscellaneous
manufactures 9.9%
partners: Germany 27.5%, Italy 8.4%, Russia 6.8%, UK 5.3% (1994)

External debt: $42.1 billion (yearend 1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: Western governments and institutions pledged $22 billion
in grants and loans during 1990-94, but much of the money has not
been disbursed

Currency: 1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy

Exchange rates: zlotych (Zl) per US$1 - 2.55 (January 1996) 2.4250
(1995); note - a currency reform on 1 January 1995 replaced 10,000
old zlotys with 1 new zloty; 22,723 (1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626
(1992), 10,576 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 25,166 km
broad gauge: 656 km 1.520-m gauge
standard gauge: 22,655 km 1.435-m gauge (11,496 km electrified;
8,978 km double track)
narrow gauge: 1,855 km various gauges including 1.000-m, 0.785-m,
0.750-m, and 0.600-m (1995)

Highways:
total: 367,000 km (excluding farm, factory, and forest roads)
paved: 235,247 km (including 257 km of expressways)
unpaved: 131,753 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1991)

Pipelines: crude oil 1,986 km; petroleum products 360 km; natural
gas 4,600 km (1992)

Ports: Gdansk, Gdynia, Gliwice, Kolobrzeg, Szczecin, Swinoujscie,
Ustka, Warsaw, Wrocaw

Merchant marine:
total: 131 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,093,491
GRT/3,167,660 DWT
ships by type: bulk 73, cargo 36, chemical tanker 4, container 7,
oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea
passenger 5
note: Poland owns an additional 18 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 179,913 DWT operating under the registries of The Bahamas,
Liberia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Vanuatu, and Cyprus (1995
est.)

Airports:
total: 134
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 30
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 27
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 10
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 32
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 18 (1994 est.)

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

Telephones: 5 million (1994)

Telephone system: underdeveloped and outmoded system; government
aims to have 10 million phones in service by the year 2000
domestic: cable, open wire, and microwave radio relay
international: satellite earth stations - NA Intelsat, NA Eutelsat,
1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions), and 1 Intersputnik
(Atlantic Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 27, FM 27, shortwave 0

Radios: 10.9 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 40 (Russian repeaters 5)

Televisions: 9.6 million

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 10,267,551
males fit for military service: 7,994,460
males reach military age (19) annually: 324,960 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.4 billion,
2.4% of GDP (1995)

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

@Portugal --------

Map ---

Location: 39 30 N, 8 00 W -- Southwestern Europe, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain

Flag ----

Description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths)
and red (three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on
the dividing line

Geography ---------

Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of Spain

Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 92,080 sq km
land area: 91,640 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Indiana
note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands

Land boundaries:
total: 1,214 km
border country: Spain 1,214 km

Coastline: 1,793 km

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

International disputes: sovereignty over Timor Timur (East Timor
Province) disputed with Indonesia and not recognized by the UN

Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and
drier in south

Terrain: mountainous north of the Tagus, rolling plains in south
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Ponta do Pico in Azores 2,351 m

Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), tungsten, iron ore,
uranium ore, marble

Land use:
arable land: 32%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 16%

Irrigated land: 6,340 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and
vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas
natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakes
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Desertification,
Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic
locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

People ------

Population: 9,865,114 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 18% (male 888,157; female 843,309)
15-64 years: 68% (male 3,249,973; female 3,414,793)
65 years and over: 14% (male 601,913; female 866,969) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 0.02% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 10.53 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 10.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.18 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: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.92 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.31 years
male: 71.52 years
female: 79.31 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.36 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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

Ethnic divisions: homogeneous Mediterranean stock in mainland,
Azores, Madeira Islands; citizens of black African descent who
immigrated to mainland during decolonization number less than 100,000

Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant denominations 1%, other
2%

Languages: Portuguese

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population: 85%
male: 89%
female: 82%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Portuguese Republic
conventional short form: Portugal
local long form: Republica Portuguesa
local short form: Portugal

Data code: PO

Type of government: republic

Capital: Lisbon

Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular -
distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular -
regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca,
Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa,
Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo,
Vila Real, Viseu

Dependent areas: Macau (scheduled to become a Special
Administrative Region of China on 20 December 1999)

Independence: 1140 (independent republic proclaimed 5 October 1910)

National holiday: Day of Portugal, 10 June (1580)

Constitution: 25 April 1976, revised 30 October 1982 and 1 June
1989

Legal system: civil law system; the Constitutional Tribunal
reviews the constitutionality of legislation; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Jorge SAMPAIO (since 9 March 1996) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 14 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 2001); results -
Jorge SAMPAIO (Socialist) 53.8%, Anibal CAVACO SILVA (Conservative)
46.2%
head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Manuel de Oliviera
GUTERRES (since 28 October 1995) was appointed by the president
following the October 1995 legislative elections
Council of State: acts as a consultative body to the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da Republica): elections last
held 1 October 1995 (next to be held NA October 1999); results - PSD
34.0%, PS 43.8%, CDU 8.6%, CDS/PP 9.1%; seats - (230 total) PSD 88,
PS 112, CDU 15, CDS/PP 15

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Supremo Tribunal de Justica),
judges appointed for life by the Conselho Superior da Magistratura

Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (PSD),
Marcelo Rebelo DE SOUSA; Portuguese Socialist Party (PS), Antonio
GUTERRES; Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), Pedro CANAVARRO;
Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), Carlos CARVALHAS; Social
Democratic Center (CDS), Manuel MONTEIRO; National Solidarity Party
(PSN), Manuel SERGIO; Center Democratic Party (CDS); United
Democratic Coalition (CDU; communists)

International organization participation: AfDB, Australia Group,
BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, ECLAC, EIB, EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAIA
(observer), MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNPREDEP, UNPROFOR, UPU, WCL, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO,
ZC

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Antonio de Lacerda ANDRESEN
GUIMARAES
chancery: 2125 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-8610
FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726
consulate(s) general: Boston, New York, Newark (New Jersey), and San
Francisco
consulate(s): Los Angeles, New Bedford (Massachusetts), Providence
(Rhode Island)

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley BAGLEY
embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600 Lisbon
mailing address: PSC 83, APO AE 09726
telephone: [351] (1) 7266600, 7266659, 7268670, 7268880
FAX: [351] (1) 7269109
consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)

Flag: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red
(three-fifths) with the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the
dividing line

Economy -------

Economic overview: Portugal's short-term economic fundamentals are
strong - the economy grew by 2.8% in 1995, with similar growth
expected in 1996 and 1997, and unemployment is among the lowest in
the EU. The Socialist government has pledged its dedication both to
meeting the Maastricht monetary convergence criteria and to
increasing social spending, including provision of a guaranteed
minimum income. The government's 1996 budget, passed in March 1996,
includes a budget deficit target of 4.2%, to be attained largely
through cuts in non-social-service government spending and income
from an ambitious privatization program. As for the long run,
Portugal hopes for a steady modernization of its capital plant, its
work force, and its infrastructure in order to catch up with the
productivity and income levels of the Big Four economies of Western
Europe.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $116.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.8% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $11,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6%
industry: 35.8%
services: 58.2% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 4.24 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: services 54.5%, manufacturing 24.4%, agriculture,
forestry, fisheries 11.2%, construction 8.3%, utilities 1.0%, mining
0.5% (1992)

Unemployment rate: 7.1% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $31 billion
expenditures: $41 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)

Industries: textiles and footwear; wood pulp, paper, and cork;
metalworking; oil refining; chemicals; fish canning; wine; tourism

Industrial production growth rate: 2.1% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 8,220,000 kW
production: 29.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,642 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: grain, potatoes, olives, grapes; sheep, cattle,
goats, poultry, meat, dairy products

Illicit drugs: important gateway country for Latin American
cocaine entering the European market; transshipment point for
hashish from North Africa to Europe

Exports: $18.9 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: clothing and footwear, machinery, cork and paper
products, hides
partners: EU 75.1%, other developed countries 12.4% (US 5.2%) (1995)

Imports: $24.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, agricultural
products, chemicals, petroleum, textiles
partners: EU 71%, other developed countries 10.9% (US 2.5%), less
developed countries 12.9% (1995)

External debt: $11.8 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
donor: ODA, $248 million (1993)
recipient: ODA, $70 million (1993)

Currency: 1 Portuguese escudo (Esc) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Portuguese escudos (Esc) per US$1 - 151.61
(January 1996), 149.97 (1995), 165.99 (1994), 160.80 (1993), 135.00
(1992), 144.48 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 3,068 km
broad gauge: 2,761 km 1.668-m gauge (464 km electrified; 426 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 307 km 1.000-m gauge
note: in 1992, Portugal had 3,588 km of track of which 464 km were
electrified

Highways:
total: 70,176 km (statistics for continental Portugal only)
paved: 60,351 km (including 519 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,825 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: 820 km navigable; relatively unimportant to national
economy, used by shallow-draft craft limited to 300 metric-ton cargo
capacity

Pipelines: crude oil 22 km; petroleum products 58 km

Ports: Aveiro, Funchal (Madeira Islands), Horta (Azores), Leixoes,
Lisbon, Porto, Ponta Delgada (Azores), Praia da Vitoria (Azores),
Setubal, Viana do Castelo

Merchant marine:
total: 72 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 795,725 GRT/1,418,538
DWT
ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 35, chemical tanker 5, container 5,
liquefied gas tanker 4, oil tanker 12, passenger-cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note: Portugal has created a captive register on Madeira for
Portuguese-owned ships; ships on the Madeira Register (MAR) will
have taxation and crewing benefits of a flag of convenience;
Portugal owns an additional 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling
155,776 DWT operating under the registries of Panama and Malta (1995
est.)

Airports:
total: 67
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 8
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 18
with paved runways under 914 m: 30
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 2,236,411 (1993 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: generally adequate integrated network of coaxial cables,
open wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth
stations
international: 6 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat;
tropospheric scatter to Azores; note - an earth station for Inmarsat
(Atlantic Ocean Region) is planned

Radio broadcast stations: AM 57, FM 66 (repeaters 22), shortwave 0

Radios: 2.2 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 66 (repeaters 23)

Televisions: 2,970,892 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, National
Republican Guard, Fiscal Guard, Public Security Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 2,498,965
males fit for military service: 2,014,653
males reach military age (20) annually: 83,427 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $1.9 billion,
2.4% of GDP (1995)

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

@Puerto Rico -----------

(commonwealth associated with the US)

Map ---

Location: 18 15 N, 66 30 W -- Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican
Republic

Flag ----

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

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the
North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 9,104 sq km
land area: 8,959 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Rhode
Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 501 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical marine, mild, little seasonal temperature
variation

Terrain: mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north;
mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most
coastal areas
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Natural resources: some copper and nickel, potential for onshore
and offshore oil

Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 9%
meadows and pastures: 41%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 22%

Irrigated land: 390 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: the recent drought has caused water levels in
reservoirs to drop and prompted water rationing for more than
one-half of the population
natural hazards: periodic droughts
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: important location along the Mona Passage - a key
shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest
and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and
high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast
relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north

People ------

Population: 3,819,023 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 484,038; female 461,175)
15-64 years: 65% (male 1,201,841; female 1,279,707)
65 years and over: 10% (male 174,274; female 217,988) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 0.18% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 15.56 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 7.46 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.35 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: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.38 years
male: 71.13 years
female: 79.89 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.94 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Puerto Rican(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Puerto Rican

Ethnic divisions: Hispanic

Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant denominations and other
15%

Languages: Spanish, English

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 89%
male: 90%
female: 88%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
conventional short form: Puerto Rico

Data code: RQ

Type of government: commonwealth associated with the US

Capital: San Juan

Administrative divisions: none (commonwealth associated with the
US); note - there are 78 municipalities

Independence: none (commonwealth associated with the US)

National holiday: US Independence Day, 4 July (1776)

Constitution: ratified 3 March 1952; approved by US Congress 3
July 1952; effective 25 July 1952

Legal system: based on Spanish civil code

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are
US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON
(since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20
January 1993)
head of government: Governor Pedro ROSSELLO (since 2 January 1993)
was elected for a four-year term by direct suffrage; election last
held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5 November 1996); results -
Pedro ROSSELLO (PNP) 50%, Victoria MUNOZ (PPD) 46%, Fernando MARTIN
(PIP) 4%

Legislative branch: bicameral Legislative Assembly
Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 5
November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (29
total) PNP 20, PPD 8, PIP 1
House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next
to be held NA November 1996); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (53 total) PNP 36, PPD 16, PIP 1
US House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992
(next to be held 5 November 1996); results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - (1 total) PNP 1 (Carlos Romero BARCELO); note -
Puerto Rico elects one representative to the US House of
Representatives

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices appointed by the governor
with the consent of the Senate; Superior Courts, justices appointed
by the governor with the consent of the Senate; Municipal Courts,
justices appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate

Political parties and leaders: National Republican Party of Puerto
Rico, Luis FERRE; Popular Democratic Party (PPD), Hector ACEVEDO;
New Progressive Party (PNP), Pedro ROSSELLO; Puerto Rican Socialist
Party (PSP) has been disbanded (1994); Puerto Rican Independence
Party (PIP), Ruben BERRIOS Martinez; Puerto Rican Communist Party
(PCP), leader(s) unknown

Other political or pressure groups: Armed Forces for National
Liberation (FALN); Volunteers of the Puerto Rican Revolution;
Boricua Popular Army (also known as the Macheteros); Armed Forces of
Popular Resistance

International organization participation: Caricom (observer),
ECLAC (associate), FAO (associate), ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau),
IOC, WCL, WFTU, WHO (associate), WToO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in US: none (commonwealth associated
with the US)

US diplomatic representation: none (commonwealth associated with
the US)

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

Economy -------

Economic overview: Puerto Rico has one of the most dynamic
economies in the Caribbean region. Industry has surpassed
agriculture as the primary sector of economic activity and income.
Encouraged by duty-free access to the US and by tax incentives, US
firms have invested heavily in Puerto Rico since the 1950s. US
minimum wage laws apply. Important industries include
pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles, petrochemicals, and
processed foods. Sugar production has lost out to dairy production
and other livestock products as the main source of income in the
agricultural sector. Tourism has traditionally been an important
source of income for the island, with estimated arrivals of nearly
3.9 million tourists in 1993.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $29.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3.3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $7,800 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1994)

Labor force: 1.2 million (1993)
by occupation: government 22%, manufacturing 17%, trade 20%,
construction 6%, communications and transportation 5%, other 30%
(1993)

Unemployment rate: 16% (1994)

Budget:
revenues: $5.1 billion
expenditures: $5.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)

Industries: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, food products,
instruments, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: 5% (1994 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 4.230,000 kW
production: 15.6 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 3,819 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugarcane, coffee, pineapples, plantains, bananas;
cattle, chickens

Exports: $21.8 billion (1994)
commodities: pharmaceuticals, electronics, apparel, canned tuna,
rum, beverage concentrates, medical equipment, instruments
partners: US 86.2% (1993)

Imports: $16.7 billion (1994)
commodities: chemicals, clothing, food, fish, petroleum products
partners: US 69.2% (1993)

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: none

Currency: 1 US dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

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

Railways:
total: 96 km
narrow gauge: 96 km 1.000-m gauge, rural, narrow-gauge system for
hauling sugarcane; no passenger service

Highways:
total: NA km
paved: 13,762 km (1982 est.)
unpaved: NA km

Ports: Guanica, Guayanilla, Guayama, Playa de Ponce, San Juan

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 23
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 8
with paved runways under 914 m: 7
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 1,166,231 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: modern system, integrated with that of the US by
high-capacity submarine cable and Intelsat with high-speed data
capability
domestic: digital telephone system with about 1 million lines (1990
est.); cellular telephone service
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat; submarine cable
to US

Radio broadcast stations: AM 50, FM 63, shortwave 0

Radios: 2.565 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 9
note: cable television available with US programs (1990 est.)

Televisions: 952,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: paramilitary National Guard, Police Force

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the US

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

@Qatar -----

Map ---

Location: 25 30 N, 51 15 E -- Middle East, peninsula bordering the
Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Flag ----

Description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white
points) on the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and
Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references: Middle East

Area:
total area: 11,000 sq km
land area: 11,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:
total: 60 km
border country: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline: 563 km

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

International disputes: territorial dispute with Bahrain over the
Hawar Islands; maritime boundary with Bahrain; 1965 boundary with
Saudi Arabia, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not official
depiction

Climate: desert; hot, dry; humid and sultry in summer

Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and
gravel
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Qurayn Aba al Bawl 103 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 95%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources are increasing
dependence on large-scale desalination facilities
natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: strategic location in central Persian Gulf near
major petroleum deposits

People ------

Population: 547,761 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 30% (male 82,147; female 83,552)
15-64 years: 68% (male 263,107; female 109,177)
65 years and over: 2% (male 6,609; female 3,169) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.39% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 21.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 3.6 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 6.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.96 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.41 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 2.09 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.8 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.35 years
male: 70.75 years
female: 75.84 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.28 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Qatari(s)
adjective: Qatari

Ethnic divisions: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian
10%, other 14%

Religions: Muslim 95%

Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second
language

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 79.4%
male: 79.2%
female: 79.9%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Qatar
conventional short form: Qatar
local long form: Dawlat Qatar
local short form: Qatar
note: pronounced gutter

Data code: QA

Type of government: traditional monarchy

Capital: Doha

Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (baladiyat, singular -
baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al
Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batnah, Ash Shamal, Umm Salal

Independence: 3 September 1971 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 3 September (1971)

Constitution: provisional constitution enacted 2 April 1970

Legal system: discretionary system of law controlled by the amir,
although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law is
significant in personal matters

Suffrage: none

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Amir and Prime Minister HAMAD
bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as crown prince, he
ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad Al Thani, in a bloodless
coup) is an absolute monarch; Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin
Khalifa Al Thani (since NA July 1995); note - Amir HAMAD who also
holds the positions of minister of defense and commander-in-chief of
the armed forces, has not yet selected a new crown prince
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the amir

Legislative branch: unicameral
Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura): the constitution calls for
elections for part of this consultative body, but no elections have
been held since 1970, when there were partial elections to the body;
Council members have had their terms extended every four years
since; seats - (30 total)

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFAD,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador ABD AL-RAHMAN bin Saud bin Fahd Al Thani
chancery: Suite 1180, 600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC
20037
telephone: [1] (202) 338-0111

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick N. THEROS
embassy: 149 Armed Bin Ali St., Fariq Bin Omran (opposite the
television station), Doha
mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha
telephone: [974] 864701 through 864703
FAX: [974] 861669

Flag: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points)
on the hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: Oil is the backbone of the economy and accounts
for more than 30% of GDP, roughly 75% of export earnings, and 70% of
government revenues. Proved oil reserves of 3.3 billion barrels
should ensure continued output at current levels for about 25 years.
Oil has given Qatar a per capita GDP comparable to the leading West
European industrial countries. Production and export of natural gas
are becoming increasingly important. Long-term goals feature the
development of off-shore petroleum and the diversification of the
economy.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.7 billion (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -1% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $20,820 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 50%
services: 49% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (1993 est.)

Labor force: 233,000 (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $2.5 billion
expenditures: $3.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96)

Industries: crude oil production and refining, fertilizers,
petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 1,520,000 kW
production: 4.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 8,415 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef;
fish (all on small scale)

Exports: $2.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products 75%, steel, fertilizers
partners: Japan 61%, Australia 5%, UAE 4%, Singapore 4% (1994)

Imports: $2 billion (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemicals
partners: Germany 14%, Japan 12%, UK 11%, US 9%, Italy 5% (1994)

External debt: $1.5 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 Qatari riyal (QR) = 100 dirhams

Exchange rates: Qatari riyals (QR) per US$1 - 3.6400 riyals (fixed
rate)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 1,191 km
paved: 1,028 km
unpaved: 163 km (1988 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 235 km; natural gas 400 km

Ports: Doha, Halul Island, Umm Sa'id

Merchant marine:
total: 19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 467,447 GRT/771,483 DWT
ships by type: combination ore/oil 2, container 3, cargo 11, oil
tanker 3 (1995 est.)

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

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 160,717 (1992 est.)

Telephone system: modern system centered in Doha
domestic: NA
international: tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio
relay to Saudi Arabia and UAE; submarine cable to Bahrain and UAE;
satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian
Ocean) and 1 Arabsat

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 201,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (1988 est.)

Televisions: 205,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Public Security

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 220,635
males fit for military service: 115,403
males reach military age (18) annually: 4,115 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Reunion -------

(overseas department of France)

Map ---

Location: 21 06 S, 55 36 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Flag ----

Description: the flag of France is used

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Madagascar

Geographic coordinates: 21 06 S, 55 36 E

Map references: World

Area:
total area: 2,510 sq km
land area: 2,500 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 201 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical, but moderates with elevation; cool and dry from
May to November, hot and rainy from November to April

Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along
coast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m

Natural resources: fish, arable land

Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 3%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 35%
other: 41% (1993)

Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April);
Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
international agreements: NA

People ------

Population: 679,198 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 32% (male 112,413; female 107,187)
15-64 years: 62% (male 207,386; female 214,308)
65 years and over: 6% (male 15,610; female 22,294) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.93% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 24.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 4.75 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: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.77 years
male: 71.71 years
female: 77.98 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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

Ethnic divisions: French, African, Malagasy, Chinese, Pakistani,
Indian

Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, Hindu, Islam, Buddhist

Languages: French (official), Creole widely used

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 79%
male: 76%
female: 80%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Department of Reunion
conventional short form: Reunion
local long form: none
local short form: Ile de la Reunion

Data code: RE

Type of government: overseas department of France

Capital: Saint-Denis

Administrative divisions: overseas department of France; there are
no first-order divisions as defined by the US Government but there
are four arrondissements, 24 communes, and 47 cantons

Independence: none (overseas department of France)

National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July
(1789)

Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution)

Legal system: French law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of France) Jacques CHIRAC (since 17 May
1995) represented by Prefect Pierre STEINMETZ (since NA) who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Christophe
PAYET (since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral General Council and unicameral
Regional Council
General Council: elections last held NA March 1994 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) PCR
12, PS 12, UDF 11, RPR 5, others 7
Regional Council: elections last held 25 June 1993 (next to be held
NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (45 total) UPF
17, Free-Dom Movement 13, PCR 9, PS 6
French Senate: elections last held 24 September 1992 (next to be
held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (3 total)
RPR 1, FRA 1, independent 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (5 total) PS 1, PCR 1, UPF 1, RPR 1, UDF-CDS 1

Judicial branch: Court of Appeals (Cour d'Appel)

Political parties and leaders: Rally for the Republic (RPR), Alain
DEFAUD; Union for French Democracy (UDF), Gilbert GERARD; Communist
Party of Reunion (PCR), Elie HOARAU; France-Reunion Future (FRA),
Andre THIEN AH KOON; Socialist Party (PS), Jean-Claude FRUTEAU;
Social Democrats (CDS), leader NA; Union for France (UPF - includes
RPR and UDF); Free-Dom Movement, Marguerite SUDRE

International organization participation: FZ, IOC, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in US: none (overseas department of
France)

US diplomatic representation: none (overseas department of France)

Flag: the flag of France is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy has traditionally been based on
agriculture. Sugarcane has been the primary crop for more than a
century, and in some years it accounts for 85% of exports. The
government has been pushing the development of a tourist industry to
relieve high unemployment, which recently amounted to one-third of
the labor force. The gap in Reunion between the well-off and the
poor is extraordinary and accounts for the persistent social
tensions. The white and Indian communities are substantially better
off than other segments of the population, often approaching
European standards, whereas indigenous groups suffer the poverty and
unemployment typical of the poorer nations of the African continent.
The outbreak of severe rioting in February 1991 illustrates the
seriousness of socioeconomic tensions. The economic well-being of
Reunion depends heavily on continued financial assistance from
France.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $2.9 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)

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

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 242,169 (1993)
by occupation: agriculture 30%, industry 21%, services 49% (1981)

Unemployment rate: 35% (February 1991)

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA

Industries: sugar, rum, cigarettes, handicraft items

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 1 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,454 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugarcane, vanilla, tobacco, tropical fruits,
vegetables, corn

Exports: $174 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: sugar 63%, rum and molasses 4%, perfume essences 2%,
lobster 3%, (1993)
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar

Imports: $2.08 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities: manufactured goods, food, beverages, tobacco, machinery
and transportation equipment, raw materials, and petroleum products
partners: France, Mauritius, Bahrain, South Africa, Italy, Madagascar

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: substantial annual subsidies from France

Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.5520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 2,784 km
paved: 2,187 km
unpaved: 597 km (1987 est.)

Ports: Le Port, Pointe des Galets

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 191,647 (1993 est.)