Chapter V (34)

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 3 July 1995 (next to be held
by July 2000); results - SKLNP 58%, PAM 41%; seats - (14 total, 11
elected) SKNLP 7, PAM 1, NRP 1, CCM 2

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia)

Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr.
Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr.
Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Joseph PARRY;
Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, IMF,
Interpol, IOC, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Erstein Mallet EDWARDS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636
FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Kitts and Nevis; US interests are monitored by the embassy in
Bridgetown, Barbados

Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad
black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is
edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is
red

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy has traditionally depended on the
growing and processing of sugarcane; decreasing world prices have
hurt the industry in recent years. Tourism and export-oriented
manufacturing have begun to assume larger roles. Most food is
imported. The newly elected government has undertaken a program
designed to revitalize the faltering sugar sector. It is also
working to improve revenue collection in order to better fund social
programs.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $220 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,380 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 6.2%
industry: 35.7%
services: 58.1% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.9% (1995)

Labor force: 18,172 (June 1995); by occupation - services 69%,
manufacturing 31%

Unemployment rate: 4.3% (May 1995)

Budget:
revenues: $100.2 million
expenditures: $100.1 million, including capital expenditures of
$41.4 million (1996 est.)

Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra,
clothing, footwear, beverages

Industrial production growth rate: 5.9% (1992 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 15,800 kW
production: 45 million kWh
consumption per capita: 990 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugarcane, rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing
potential not fully exploited

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

Exports: $35.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, food, electronics, beverages and tobacco
partners: US 46.6%, UK 26.4%, Caricom nations 9.8% (1994)

Imports: $112.4 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery, manufactures, food, fuels
partners: US 45%, Caricom nations 18.8%, UK 12.5%, Canada 4.2%,
Japan 4.2%, (1994)

External debt: $45.3 million (1994 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

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

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 58 km
narrow gauge: 58 km 0.762-m gauge on Saint Kitts to serve sugarcane
plantations (1995)

Highways:
total: 300 km
paved: 125 km
unpaved: 175 km

Ports: Basseterre, Charlestown

Merchant marine: none

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

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

Telephones: 3,800 (1986 est.)

Telephone system: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone
connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint
Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
domestic: interisland links are handled by VHF/UHF/SHF radiotelephone
international: international calls are carried by radiotelephone to
Antigua and Barbuda and from there switched to submarine cable or to
Intelsat, or carried to Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands
Antilles) by radiotelephone and switched to Intelsat

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

Radios: 25,000 (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 4

Televisions: 9,500 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Saint Lucia -----------

Map ---

Location: 13 53 N, 60 68 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Flag ----

Description: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black
arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 68 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 620 sq km
land area: 610 sq km
comparative area: 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 158 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental
margin
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season
from January to April, rainy season from May to August

Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice),
mineral springs, geothermal potential

Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 5%
forest and woodland: 13%
other: 54%

Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the
northern region
natural hazards: hurricanes and volcanic activity
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

People ------

Population: 157,862 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 34% (male 27,068; female 26,491)
15-64 years: 61% (male 47,470; female 48,612)
65 years and over: 5% (male 3,136; female 5,085) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.14% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 22.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.09 years
male: 66.52 years
female: 73.91 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.31 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian

Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian
3.2%, white 0.8%

Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3%

Languages: English (official), French patois

Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1980 est.)
total population: 67%
male: 65%
female: 69%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia

Data code: ST

Type of government: parliamentary democracy

Capital: Castries

Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries,
Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin,
Soufriere, Vieux Fort

Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)

Constitution: 22 February 1979

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor General Sir
Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988)
head of government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since
3 May 1982) was appointed by the governor general
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on advice of
the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: consists of an 11-member body, six appointed on the advice
of the prime minister, three on the advice of the leader of the
opposition, and two after consultation with religious, economic, and
social groups
House of Assembly: elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be
held by April 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, jurisdiction
extends to Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin
Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint
Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), Vaughn
LEWIS; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive
Labor Party (PLP), Jon ODLUM; Citizen's Democratic Party (CDP)
Calixte GEORGE

International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,
C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user),
Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 through 6795
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6728
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Lucia; the Ambassador to Saint Lucia resides in Bridgetown
(Barbados)

Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead;
the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border

Economy -------

Economic overview: Though foreign investment in manufacturing and
information processing in recent years has increased Saint Lucia's
industrial base, the economy remains vulnerable due to its heavy
dependence on banana production, which is subject to periodic
droughts and tropical storms. Indeed, the destructive effect of
Tropical Storm Iris in mid-1995 caused the loss of 20% of the year's
banana crop. Increased competition from Latin American bananas will
probably further reduce market prices, exacerbating Saint Lucia's
need to diversify its economy in coming years, e.g., by expanding
tourism, manufacturing, and construction.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $640 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $4,080 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 13.8%
industry: 17.4%
services: 68.8% (1992 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.8% (1993)

Labor force: 43,800
by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and
commerce 17.7% (1983 est.)

Unemployment rate: 25% (1993 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $121 million
expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $104
million (1992 est.)

Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components,
beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing,
coconut processing

Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1990 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 20,000 kW
production: 112 million kWh
consumption per capita: 693 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus, root crops,
cocoa

Illicit drugs: transit country for South American drugs destined
for the US and Europe

Exports: $122.8 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: bananas 60%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits,
coconut oil
partners: UK 56%, US 22%, Caricom countries19% (1991)

Imports: $276 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation
equipment 21%, food and live animals, chemicals, fuels
partners: US 34%, Caricom countries 17%, UK 14%, Japan 7%, Canada 4%
(1991)

External debt: $222.7 million (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

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

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 760 km
paved: 500 km
unpaved: 260 km

Ports: Castries, Vieux Fort

Merchant marine: none

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: 26,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: system is automatically switched
international: direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados;
international calls beyond these countries are carried by Intelsat
from Martinique

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: 104,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 cable

Televisions: 26,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5.0 million,
2.0% of GDP (1991); note - for police forces

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

@Saint Pierre and Miquelon -------------------------

(territorial collectivity of France)

Map ---

Location: 46 50 N, 56 20 E -- Northern North America, islands in
the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)

Flag ----

Description: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background
with a black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical
band is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green
diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross
dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on
top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Geography ---------

Location: Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic
Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)

Geographic coordinates: 46 50 N, 56 20 E

Map references: North America

Area:
total area: 242 sq km
land area: 242 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the
Miquelon groups

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 120 km

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

International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between
Canada and France; in 1992 an arbitration panel awarded the islands
an exclusive economic zone area of 12,348 sq km to settle the dispute

Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn
are windy

Terrain: mostly barren rock
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports

Land use:
arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 83%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: persistent fog throughout the year can be a
maritime hazard
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: vegetation scanty

People ------

Population: 6,809 (July 1996 est.)

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

Population growth rate: 0.77% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 12.82 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

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

Infant mortality rate: 9.95 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 76.34 years
male: 74.76 years
female: 78.25 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women)
adjective: French

Ethnic divisions: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen)

Religions: Roman Catholic 99%

Languages: French

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982 est.)
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and
Miquelon
conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon

Data code: SB

Type of government: territorial collectivity of France

Capital: Saint-Pierre

Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France)

Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been
under French control since 1763)

National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July

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 Rene MAURICE (since NA) who was
appointed by the French Ministry of the Interior
head of government: President of the General Council Gerard GRIGNON
(since NA)

Legislative branch: unicameral
General Council: elections last held NA April 1994 (next to be held
NA April 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19
total, 15 from Saint Pierre, 4 from Miquelon) Socialist Party (PS)
holds majority of seats
French Senate: elections last held NA September 1995 (next to be
held NA September 2004); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (1 total) RPR 1
French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993
(next to be held NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (1 total) UDF 1

Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur
d'Appel)

Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS); Rassemblement
pour la Republique (RPR); Union pour la Democratie Francaise (UDF)

International organization participation: FZ, WFTU

Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of
France)

US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of
France)

Flag: a yellow sailing ship rides on a dark blue background with a
black wave line under the ship; on the hoist side, a vertical band
is divided into three parts: the top part is red with a green
diagonal cross extending to the corners overlaid by a white cross
dividing the square into four sections; the middle part has a white
background with an ermine pattern; the third part has a red
background with two stylized yellow lions outlined in black, one on
top of the other; the flag of France is used for official occasions

Economy -------

Economic overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their
livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off
the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however,
because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped
steadily over the years. In 1992, an arbitration panel awarded the
islands an exclusive economic zone of 12,348 sq km to settle a
longstanding territorial dispute with Canada, although it represents
only 25% of what France had sought. The islands are heavily
subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $68 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $10,000 (1994 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 2,980 (1994)
by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1994)

Budget:
revenues: $28 million
expenditures: $28 million, including capital expenditures of $7.8
million (1992 est.)

Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets;
tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 10,000 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 6,013 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs; fish catch of 20,500
metric tons (1989)

Exports: $13.74 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts
partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal (1990)

Imports: $42 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery,
building materials
partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.0056 (January
1996), 4.9915 (1995), 5.520 (1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992),
5.6421 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 120 km
paved: 60 km
unpaved: 60 km (1985 est.)

Ports: Saint Pierre

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
note: new airport to open June 1996 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 3,300 (1992 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in
the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 6,300 (1990 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: 2,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

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

@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines --------------------------------

Map ---

Location: 13 15 N, 61 12 W -- Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean
Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Flag ----

Description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold
(double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds
arranged in a V pattern

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north of
Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 340 sq km
land area: 340 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 84 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy
season (May to November)

Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 38%
permanent crops: 12%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 41%
other: 3%

Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from
discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas
pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of
Saint Vincent is a constant threat
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the
Sea, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified -
Desertification

Geographic note: the administration of the islands of the
Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
and Grenada

People ------

Population: 118,344 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 19,742; female 19,106)
15-64 years: 62% (male 36,576; female 36,381)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,702; female 3,837) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.64% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 19.36 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.4 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -7.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.94 years
male: 71.43 years
female: 74.49 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.04 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)
adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian

Ethnic divisions: African descent, white, East Indian, Carib Indian

Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day
Adventist

Languages: English, French patois

Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1970 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 96%
female: 96%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Data code: VC

Type of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital: Kingstown

Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick

Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)

Constitution: 27 October 1979

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), a
hereditary monarch, represented by Governor General David JACK
(since 29 September 1989)
head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July
1984); the governor general appoints the leader of the majority
party to the position of prime minister; Deputy Prime Minister
Carlyle DOUGAN (since 17 September 1995) was appointed by the
governor general on the advice of the prime minister
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the governor general on the advice
of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be
held NA July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats -
(21 total, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP
12, ULP 3

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia)

Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James
F. MITCHELL; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS;
National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL; Unity Labor Party
(ULP),Vincent BEACHE - formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent
Labor Party (SVLP) and the Movement for National Unity (MNU)

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB,
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS,
OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE
chancery: 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC
20036
telephone: [1] (202) 462-7806, 7846
FAX: [1] (202) 462-7807

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the Ambassador to Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines resides in Bridgetown (Barbados)

Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double
width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged
in a V pattern

Economy -------

Economic overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is
the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based
mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The
government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new
industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. The
continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest
obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out
substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $240 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 0.4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,060 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 33.1%
services: 42.9% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (1995)

Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)
by occupation: agriculture, industry, services, other (1980 est.)

Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1994 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $80 million
expenditures: $118 million, including capital expenditures of $39
million (1996 est.)

Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 16,600 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 436 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small
numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; small fish catch used locally

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

Exports: $57.1 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch,
tennis racquets
partners: UK 54%, Caricom countries 34%, US 10%

Imports: $134.6 million (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and
fertilizers, minerals and fuels
partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 21%, UK 18%, Trinidad and Tobago
13%

External debt: $74.9 million (1993)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

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

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000
(fixed rate since 1976)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 1,100 km
paved: 330 km
unpaved: 770 km

Ports: Kingstown

Merchant marine:
total: 611 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,690,104
GRT/9,367,014 DWT
ships by type: bulk 106, cargo 305, chemical tanker 20, combination
bulk 9, combination ore/oil 4, container 33, liquefied gas tanker 4,
livestock carrier 5, oil tanker 58, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1,
refrigerated cargo 35, roll-on/roll-off cargo 25, short-sea
passenger 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 2
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 24
countries among which are Croatia 42, Russia 14, Slovenia 9, China
9, Germany 2, Serbia 2, Hong Kong 2, Latvia 1, Ukraine 1, and Poland
1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 6
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 2
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 6,189 (1983 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF
radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the
Grenadines
international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to
Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia;
access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia

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

Radios: 76,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 cable

Televisions: 20,600 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force,
Coast Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@San Marino ----------

Map ---

Location: 43 46 N, 12 25 E -- Southern Europe, an enclave in
central Italy

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light
blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the
coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks)
flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the
word LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy

Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 60 sq km
land area: 60 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
total: 39 km
border country: Italy 39 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: none

Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers

Terrain: rugged mountains
lowest point: Fiume Ausa 55 m
highest point: Monte Titano 749 m

Natural resources: building stone

Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 83%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution

Geographic note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe
after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines

People ------

Population: 24,521 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 16% (male 1,978; female 1,967)
15-64 years: 68% (male 8,401; female 8,249)
65 years and over: 16% (male 1,648; female 2,278) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.82% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 7.79 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 5.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.32 years
male: 77.34 years
female: 85.3 years (1996 est.)

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

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

Ethnic divisions: Sammarinese, Italian

Religions: Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian

Literacy: age 10 and over can read and write (1976 est.)
total population: 96%
male: 97%
female: 95%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of San Marino
conventional short form: San Marino
local long form: Repubblica di San Marino
local short form: San Marino

Data code: SM

Type of government: republic

Capital: San Marino

Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular -
castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano,
Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle

Independence: 301 AD (by tradition)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3
September

Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of
the functions of a constitution

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
co-chiefs of state: Captain Regent Piero Paolo GASPERONI and Captain
Regent Pietro BUGLI (for the period 1 April-30 September 1996) were
elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term
head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political
Affairs Gabriele GATTI (since NA July 1986) was elected for a
five-year term by the Great and General Council; election last held
NA 1993 (next to be held NA 1998)
cabinet: Congress of State was elected for a five-year term by the
Great and General Council
note: the popularly elected parliament (Great and General Council)
selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent
(Co-Chiefs of State) for a six-month period; they preside over
meetings of the Great and General Council and its cabinet (Congress
of State) which has ten other members, all selected by the Great and
General Council; assisting the Captains Regent are three Secretaries
of State - Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Finance - and
several additional secretaries; the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs has assumed many of the prerogatives of a prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
Great and General Council: (Consiglio Grande e Generale) elections
last held 30 May 1993 (next to be held by NA May 1998); results -
PDCS 41.4%, PSS 23.7%, PDP 18.6%, AP 7.7%, MD 5.3%, RC 3.3%; seats -
(60 total) PDCS 26, PSS 14, PDP 11, AP 4, MD 3, RC 2

Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII)

Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party (PDCS),
Cesare GASPERONI, secretary general; Democratic Progressive Party
(PDP - formerly San Marino Communist Party (PSS)), Stefano MACINA,
secretary general; San Marino Socialist Party (PSS), Maurizio
RATTINI, secretary general; Democratic Movement (MD), Massimo TONTI;
Popular Alliance (AP), Tito MASI; Communist Refoundation (RC), Paolo
GIOVAGNOLI

International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OSCE,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US: San Marino does not have an
embassy in the US
honorary consulate(s) general: Washington and New York
honorary consulate(s): Detroit

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
San Marino; the US Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited
to San Marino

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue
with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat
of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked
by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word
LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Economy -------

Economic overview: The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP.
In 1993 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key
industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics.
Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita
level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of
Italy, which supplies much of its food.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $380 million (1993 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.4% (1993 est.)

GDP per capita: $15,800 (1993 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.5% (1993)

Labor force: 14,874 (1993 est.)
by occupation: industry 40%, agriculture 2%

Unemployment rate: 4.9% (December 1993)

Budget:
revenues: $320 million
expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: tourism, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity: supplied by Italy

Agriculture: wheat, grapes, maize, olives; cattle, pigs, horses,
meat, cheese, hides

Exports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy;
commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine,
baked goods, hides, and ceramics

Imports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy;
commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Italian lire (Lit) = 100 centesimi; note - also mints
its own coins

Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January
1996), 1,629.2 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4
(1992), 1,240.6 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways: 0 km; note - there is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting
the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore

Highways:
total: 220 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km

Ports: none

Airports: none

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

Telephones: 22,300 (1992 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into
Italian system
international: microwave radio relay and cable connections to
Italian network; no satellite earth stations

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA (1 private
radio broadcast station)

Radios: 12,535 (1991 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1991 est.)
note: receives broadcasts from Italy

Televisions: 7,500 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Voluntary Military Force, Police Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $3.7 million (1% of GDP) (1992 est.)

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

@Sao Tome and Principe ---------------------

Map ---

Location: 1 00 N, 7 00 E -- Western Africa, island in the Atlantic
Ocean, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double
width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by
side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle
based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, island in the Atlantic Ocean, straddling
the Equator, west of Gabon

Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 960 sq km
land area: 960 sq km
comparative area: more than five times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 209 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)

Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 20%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 75%
other: 3%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification, Law
of the Sea; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification

People ------

Population: 144,128 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 40% (male 29,103; female 28,633)
15-64 years: 55% (male 39,749; female 39,960)
65 years and over: 5% (male 2,973; female 3,710) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.58% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 34.39 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.55 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: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.99 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 61.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.87 years
male: 61.95 years
female: 65.83 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.33 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean

Ethnic divisions: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan
slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract
laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children
of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)

Religions: Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant, Seventh-Day
Adventist

Languages: Portuguese (official)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 73%
male: 85%
female: 62%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe

Data code: TP

Type of government: republic

Capital: Sao Tome

Administrative divisions: 2 districts (concelhos, singular -
concelho); Principe, Sao Tome

Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)

Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990

Legal system: based on Portuguese law system and customary law;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) was
elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage; election last
held 3 March 1991 (next to be held 30 June 1996); results - Miguel
TROVOADA was elected without opposition in Sao Tome's first
multiparty presidential election
head of government: Prime Minister Armindo UAZ de ALMEIDA (since 29
December 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
proposal of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Popular Nacional) parliament
dissolved by President TROVOADA in July 1994; early elections held 2
October 1994 (next to be held NA); results - MLSTP 27%, PCD-GR
25.5%, ADI 25.5%; seats - (55 total) MLSTP 27, PCD-GR 14, ADI 14

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the
National Peoples Assembly

Political parties and leaders: Party for Democratic
Convergence-Reflection Group (PCD-GR), Daniel Lima Dos Santos DAIO,
secretary general; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and
Principe (MLSTP), Carlos da GRACA; Christian Democratic Front (FDC),
Alphonse Dos SANTOS; Democratic Opposition Coalition (CODO), leader
NA; Independent Democratic Action (ADI), Patrice TROVOADA; other
small parties

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

Diplomatic representation in US: Sao Tome and Principe does not
have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the
UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos AUGUSTO Ferreira, located at
122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone [1]
(212) 697-4211

US diplomatic representation: the US does not have an embassy in
Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao
Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits
to the islands

Flag: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double
width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by
side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle
based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

Economy -------

Economic overview: This small poor island economy has remained
dependent on cocoa since independence 20 years ago. Since then,
however, cocoa production has gradually declined because of drought
and mismanagement, so that by 1987 annual output had fallen from
10,000 tons to 3,900 tons. As a result, a shortage of cocoa for
export has created a serious balance-of-payments problem. Production
of less important crops, such as coffee, copra, and palm kernels,
has also declined. The value of imports generally exceeds that of
exports by a ratio of 3 to 1 or more. The emphasis on cocoa
production at the expense of other food crops has meant that Sao
Tome has to import 90% of food needs. It also has to import all
fuels and most manufactured goods. Over the years, Sao Tome has been
unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on
concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Considerable potential
exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has
taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government
also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies and to
encourage market-based mechanisms, e.g., to facilitate the
distribution of imported food. Annual GDP growth has hovered around
1.5% since 1991.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $138 million (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 1.5% (1994 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,000 (1994 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 28%
industry: 14%
services: 58% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 38% (1994 est.)

Labor force: most of population mainly engaged in subsistence
agriculture and fishing; shortages of plantation labor and of
skilled workers

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $58 million
expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54
million (1993 est.)

Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish
processing; timber

Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1991)

Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 105 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon,
pepper, coffee, bananas, papaya, beans; poultry; fish

Exports: $7.1 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: cocoa 85%-90%, copra, coffee, palm oil
partners: Netherlands, Germany, China, Portugal

Imports: $23.8 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products,
petroleum
partners: France, Belgium, Japan, Angola, Italy, US

External debt: $250 million (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos

Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 1,610 (May 1995), 129.59 (1
July 1993), 230 (1992), 260.0 (November 1991), 122.48 (December
1988), 72.827 (1987)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 298 km
paved: 198 km
unpaved: 100 km (1987 est.)
note: roads on Principe are mostly unpaved and in need of repair

Ports: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,096 GRT/1,105 DWT
(1995 est.)

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

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

Telephones: 2,200 (1986 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: minimal system
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

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

Radios: 33,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1992 est.)

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Security Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 34,986
males fit for military service: 18,343 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Saudi Arabia ------------

Map ---

Location: 25 00 N, 45 00 E -- Middle East, bordering the Persian
Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen

Flag ----

Description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be
translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of
God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist
side); green is the traditional color of Islam

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea,
north of Yemen

Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area:
total area: 1,960,582 sq km
land area: 1,960,582 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Land boundaries:
total: 4,415 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman
676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km

Coastline: 2,640 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: large section of boundary with Yemen not
defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final,
defacto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh
and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; 1965
boundary with Qatar, renegotiated and revised in 1992, but not
official depiction

Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature

Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper

Land use:
arable land: 1%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 39%
forest and woodland: 1%
other: 59%

Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water
resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies
has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination
facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Hazardous
Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Law of
the Sea

Geographic note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea
provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through
Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

People ------

Population: 19,409,058 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 4,228,660; female 4,103,622)
15-64 years: 55% (male 6,393,384; female 4,240,535)
65 years and over: 2% (male 227,789; female 215,068) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.45% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 38.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 1.55 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: 1.51 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.06 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.27 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 46.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69 years
male: 67.25 years
female: 70.84 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.45 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian

Ethnic divisions: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions: Muslim 100%

Languages: Arabic

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 62.8%
male: 71.5%
female: 50.2%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah

Data code: SA

Type of government: monarchy

Capital: Riyadh

Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqah, singular -
mintaqat); Al Bahah, Al Hudud Ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah,
Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Hail,
Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification)

National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

Constitution: none; governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law)

Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have
been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: none

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD
bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982) is an absolute monarch;
Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd
al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the king, heir to the throne since
13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996)
cabinet: Council of Ministers is dominated by royal family members
appointed by the king

Legislative branch: a consultative council composed of 60 members
and a chairman who are appointed by the king for a term of four years

Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice

Political parties and leaders: none allowed

International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond E. MABUS, Jr.
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy-Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE
09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated
as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above
a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green
is the traditional color of Islam

Economy -------

Economic overview: This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with
strong government controls over major economic activities. About 40%
of GDP comes from the private sector. Economic (as well as
political) ties with the US are especially strong. The petroleum
sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and
90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of
petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the
largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For
the 1990s the government intends to bring its budget, which has been
in deficit since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private
economic activity. Roughly four million foreign workers play an
important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and
banking sectors. For over a decade, Saudi Arabia's domestic and
international outlays have outstripped its income, and the
government has cut its foreign assistance and is beginning to rein
in domestic programs. For 1996, the country looks to its policies of
maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending,
and encouraging non-oil exports.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $189.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $10,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 50%
services: 41% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 6 million-7 million
by occupation: government 40%, industry, construction, and oil 25%,
services 30%, agriculture 5%

Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1992 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $35.1 billion
expenditures: $40 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)

Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic
petrochemicals, cement, two small steel-rolling mills, construction,
fertilizer, plastics

Industrial production growth rate: 17% (1994 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 17,550,000 kW
production: 46 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,430 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus;
mutton, chickens, eggs, milk

Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; increasing
consumption of heroin and cocaine

Exports: $41.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90%
partners: US 17%, Japan 17%, South Korea 8%, Singapore 7%, France 5%
(1994)

Imports: $21.3 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, motor
vehicles, textiles
partners: US 21%, Japan 12%, UK 8%, Germany 8%, Italy 5% (1994)

External debt: $18.9 billion (December 1989 est., includes
short-term trade credits)

Economic aid:
donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon

Currency: 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah

Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate
since late 1986)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 1,390 km
standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)

Highways:
total: 151,532 km
paved: 60,613 km
unpaved: 90,919 km (1992 est.)

Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural
gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)

Ports: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al
Khafji, Al Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah

Merchant marine:
total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 944,946 GRT/1,322,167
DWT
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 13, chemical tanker 5, container 3,
liquefied gas tanker 1, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 22,
passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 13,
short-sea passenger 9 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 175
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 30
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 11
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 22
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with paved runways under 914 m: 13
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 66
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 24 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 4 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 1.46 million (1993)

Telephone system: modern system
domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and
fiber-optic cable systems
international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait,
Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan;
submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth
stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1
Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 13, shortwave 0

Radios: 5 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 80

Televisions: 4.5 million (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force,
National Guard, Coast Guard, Frontier Forces, Public Security Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 5,405,828
males fit for military service: 3,005,900
males reach military age (18) annually: 165,010 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $12.1 billion,
8.5% of GDP (1996)

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@Senegal -------

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