Chapter V (11)

Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 100% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the
year

Environment--current issues: fresh water resources are limited to
rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs

Environment--international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography--note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut
palms and other vegetation

People

Population: 636 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.21% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

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

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

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

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

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

Ethnic groups: Europeans, Cocos Malays

Religions: Sunni Muslim 57%, Christian 22%, other 21% (1981 est.)

Languages: English, Malay

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands
conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Data code: CK

Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from
Canberra by the Australian Department of the Environment, Sport and
Territories

Government type: NA

Capital: West Island

Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

National holiday: NA

Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955

Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws

Suffrage: NA

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by the Australian governor general
head of government: Administrator (acting) Maureen ELLIS (since NA)
cabinet: NA
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed
by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and
Australia

Legislative branch: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire
Council (NA seats)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: none

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)

Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of
Australia)

Flag description: the flag of Australia is used

Economy

Economy--overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the
sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export
earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food
supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be
imported from Australia.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$NA

GDP--real growth rate: NA%

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$NA

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

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: NA

Labor force--by occupation: the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society
Ltd. employs construction workers, stevedores, and lighterage worker
operations; tourism employs others

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

Industries: copra products and tourism

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity--production: NA kWh

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: NA%
hydro: NA%
nuclear: NA%
other: NA%

Electricity--consumption: NA kWh

Electricity--exports: NA kWh

Electricity--imports: NA kWh

Agriculture--products: vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts

Exports: $NA

Exports--commodities: copra

Exports--partners: Australia

Imports: $NA

Imports--commodities: foodstuffs

Imports--partners: Australia

Debt--external: $NA

Economic aid--recipient: $NA

Currency: 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.5853 (January
1999), 1.5888 (1998), 1.3439 (1997), 1.2773 (1996), 1.3486 (1995),
1.3667 (1994)

Fiscal year: 1 July--30 June

Communications

Telephones: NA

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: telephone, telex, and facsimile communications with
Australia and elsewhere via satellite; 1 satellite earth station of
NA type

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

Radios: 300 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1997)

Televisions: NA

Transportation

Railways: 0 km

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

Ports and harbors: none; lagoon anchorage only

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 1 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1998 est.)

Military

Military--note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: none

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

@Colombia --------

Introduction

Background: Colombia gained its independence from Spain in 1819.
Earlier than most countries in the area, it established traditions
of civilian government with regular, free elections. In recent
years, however, assassinations, widespread guerrilla activities, and
drug trafficking have severely disrupted normal public and private
activities.

Geography

Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea,
between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between Ecuador and Panama

Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W

Map references: South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total: 1,138,910 sq km
land: 1,038,700 sq km
water: 100,210 sq km
note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and
Serranilla Bank

Area--comparative: slightly less than three times the size of
Montana

Land boundaries:
total: 7,408 km
border countries: Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km,
Peru 2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean
1,448 km)

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

Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in
highlands

Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes
Mountains, eastern lowland plains

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado del Huila 5,750 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore,
nickel, gold, copper, emeralds

Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 39%
forests and woodland: 48%
other: 8% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 5,300 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions;
occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts

Environment--current issues: deforestation; soil damage from
overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from
vehicle emissions

Environment--international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping

Geography--note: only South American country with coastlines on
both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

People

Population: 39,309,422 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 6,556,566; female 6,402,115)
15-64 years: 62% (male 11,966,306; female 12,593,685)
65 years and over: 5% (male 807,282; female 983,468) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.85% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 24.45 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 5.59 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 24.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.48 years
male: 66.54 years
female: 74.54 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.87 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Colombian(s)
adjective: Colombian

Ethnic groups: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%,
mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 95%

Languages: Spanish

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.3%
male: 91.2%
female: 91.4% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia
conventional short form: Colombia
local long form: Republica de Colombia
local short form: Colombia

Data code: CO

Government type: republic; executive branch dominates government
structure

Capital: Bogota

Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos,
singular--departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital);
Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas,
Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca,
Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte
de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y
Providencia, Distrito Capital de Santa Fe de Bogota*, Santander,
Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Constitution: 5 July 1991

Legal system: based on Spanish law; a new criminal code modeled
after US procedures was enacted in 1992-93; judicial review of
executive and legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998);
Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note--the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Andres PASTRANA (since 7 August 1998);
Vice President Gustavo BELL (since 7 August 1998); note--the
president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet
elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term;
election last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held NA May 2002); vice
president elected by popular vote for a four-year term in a new
procedure that replaces the traditional designation of vice
presidents by newly elected presidents; election last held 31 May
1998 (next to be held NA May 2002)
election results: no candidate received more than 50% of the total
vote, therefore, a run-off election to select a president from the
two leading candidates was held 21 June 1998; Andres PASTRANA
elected president; percent of vote--NA; Gustavo BELL elected vice
president; percent of vote--NA

Legislative branch: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of
the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Camara
de Representantes (161 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate--last held NA March 1998 (next to be held NA March
2002); House of Representatives--last held NA March 1998 (next to be
held NA March 2002)
election results: Senate--percent of vote by party--PL 50%, PC 24%,
smaller parties (many aligned with conservatives) 26%; seats by
party--PL 51, PC 24, smaller parties 27; House of
Representatives--percent of vote by party--PL 52%, PC 17%, other 31%;
seats by party--NA

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justical), highest court of criminal law, judges are selected from
the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for eight-year terms;
Council of State, highest court of administrative law, judges are
selected from the nominees of the Higher Council of Justice for
eight-year terms; Constitutional Court, guards integrity and
supremacy of the constitution, rules on constitutionality of laws,
amendments to the constitution, and international treaties

Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party or PL [Horaero
AD/M-19 is a coalition of small leftist parties and dissident
legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of

Political pressure groups and leaders: two largest insurgent
groups active in Colombia--Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or
FARC; and National Liberation Army or ELN

International organization participation: BCIE, CAN, Caricom
(observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, G-11, G-24, G-77, IADB,
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO
(pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Alberto MORENO Mejia
chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and
Washington, DC
consulate(s): Atlanta and Tampa

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN
embassy: Calle 22D-BIS, numbers 47-51, Apartado Aereo 3831
mailing address: APO AA 34038

Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top,
double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador, which
is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the
center

Economy

Economy--overview: Colombia ended 1998 in recession with 0.2% GDP
growth due to a combination of low world oil prices, reduced export
demand, guerrilla violence, and diminished investment flows. The
Central Bank resorted to interest rate hikes and tight monetary
policy to defend the peso against pressure from Colombia's worsening
trade and fiscal deficits. President PASTRANA'S well-respected
financial team is working to deal with the myriad economic problems
the country faces, including the highest unemployment level in
decades and a fiscal deficit of close to 5% of GDP in 1998. The
government implemented austerity measures, declared emergency
measures to guard against a potential banking crisis resulting from
the country's economic slowdown, and is seeking international
assistance to fund a peace plan with the guerrillas. Guerrilla
violence and low world oil prices will likely continue to undermine
the economy in 1999.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$254.7 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 0.2% (1998)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$6,600 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 19%
industry: 26%
services: 55% (1996)

Population below poverty line: 17.7% (1992 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 46.9% (1995)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 16.7% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 16.8 million (1997 est.)

Labor force--by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%,
industry 24% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 15.7% (1998 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $26 billion (1996 est.)
expenditures: $30 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1996 est.)

Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and
footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Industrial production growth rate: -1.2% (1996)

Electricity--production: 53.725 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 19.26%
hydro: 80.74%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)

Electricity--consumption: 53.857 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports: 132 million kWh (1996)

Agriculture--products: coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice,
tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; forest
products; shrimp

Exports: $11.3 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports--commodities: petroleum, coffee, coal, gold, bananas, cut
flowers

Exports--partners: US 38%, EU 23%, Andean Community 18%, Japan 3%
(1997)

Imports: $14.4 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports--commodities: industrial equipment, transportation
equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels

Imports--partners: US 42%, EU 23%, Andean Community 14%, Japan 4%
(1997)

Debt--external: $18 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid--recipient: $40.7 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1--1,562.0 (February
1999), 1,426.04 (1998), 1,140.96 (1997), 1,036.69 (1996), 912.83
(1995), 844.84 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones: 1.89 million (1986 est.)

Telephone system: modern system in many respects
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system; domestic
satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations--2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 463, FM 35, shortwave 45 (1998 est.)

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 60 (includes seven low-power
stations) (1997)

Televisions: 5.5 million (1993 est.)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 3,380 km
standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge (connects Cerrejon coal mines
to maritime port at Bahia de Portete)
narrow gauge: 3,230 km 0.914-m gauge (1,830 km in use) (1995)

Highways:
total: 115,564 km
paved: 13,868 km
unpaved: 101,696 km (1997 est.)

Waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats

Pipelines: crude oil 3,585 km; petroleum products 1,350 km;
natural gas 830 km; natural gas liquids 125 km

Ports and harbors: Bahia de Portete, Barranquilla, Buenaventura,
Cartagena, Leticia, Puerto Bolivar, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco,
Turbo

Merchant marine:
total: 14 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,7575 GRT/84,518 DWT
ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, container 1, multifunction
large-load carrier 2, oil tanker 2 (1998 est.)

Airports: 1,120 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways:
total: 89
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 36
914 to 1,523 m: 35
under 914 m: 7 (1998 est.)

Airports--with unpaved runways:
total: 1,031
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 63
914 to 1,523 m: 339
under 914 m: 628 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Army (Ejercito Nacional), Navy (Armada
Nacional, includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
Colombiana), National Police (Policia Nacional)

Military manpower--military age: 18 years of age

Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 10,418,211 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 6,980,700 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--reaching military age annually:
males: 360,820 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures--dollar figure: $4 billion (1998)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.2% (1998)

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela
in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial disputes with Nicaragua over
Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of coca, opium poppies, and
cannabis; cultivation of coca in 1997--79,500 hectares, an 18%
increase over 1996; potential production of cocaine in 1997--125
metric tons, a 14% increase over 1996; cultivation of opium in
1997--6,600 hectares, a 5% increase over 1996; potential production
of opium in 1997--66 metric tons, a 5% increase over 1996; the
world's largest processor of coca derivatives into cocaine; supplier
of cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; active
aerial eradication program seeks to virtually eliminate coca and
opium crops

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

@Comoros -------

Introduction

Background: Comoros has had difficulty in achieving political
stability, having endured 18 coups or attempted coups since
receiving independence from France in 1975. Most recently, in August
1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared their independence
from Comoros. An attempt in September 1997 by the government to
reestablish control over the rebellious islands by force failed, and
presently the Organization of African Unity is brokering
negotiations to effect a reconciliation.

Geography

Location: Southern Africa, group of islands in the Mozambique
Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and
northern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total: 2,170 sq km
land: 2,170 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area--comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of
Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 340 km

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

Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to
low hills

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Le Kartala 2,360 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 35%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 7%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 30% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December
to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano

Environment--current issues: soil degradation and erosion results
from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing;
deforestation

Environment--international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography--note: important location at northern end of Mozambique
Channel

People

Population: 562,723 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 120,397; female 119,945)
15-64 years: 54% (male 150,851; female 154,990)
65 years and over: 3% (male 7,878; female 8,662) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.11% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 40.29 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 9.23 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 81.63 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.85 years
male: 58.39 years
female: 63.38 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Comoran(s)
adjective: Comoran

Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Religions: Sunni Muslim 86%, Roman Catholic 14%

Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Comoran (a blend
of Swahili and Arabic)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.3%
male: 64.2%
female: 50.4% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros
conventional short form: Comoros
local long form: Republique Federale Islamique des Comores
local short form: Comores

Data code: CN

Government type: independent republic

Capital: Moroni

Administrative divisions: three islands; Grande Comore
(Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli (Mwali)
note: there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni,
Moroni, and Moutsamoudou

Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

Constitution: 20 October 1996

Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Interim President TADJIDDINE Ben Said Massounde
(since 6 November 1998); note--President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim died
in office 6 November 1998 and was succeeded by Interim President
MASSOUNDE
head of government: Prime Minister Abbas DJOUSSOUF (since 22
November 1998)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term;
election last held 16 March 1996 (next to be held NA); prime
minister appointed by the president
election results: Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim elected president; percent
of vote--64%
note: the Comoran constitution stipulates that upon the death of the
president, a new president is to be elected within 90 days; however,
Interim President TADJIDDINE has stated that a new election cannot
be held until Anjouan is reunited with the rest of the country

Legislative branch: bicameral legislature consists of the Senate
(15 seats; members selected by regional councils for six-year terms)
and a Federal Assembly or Assemblee Federale (43 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: Federal Assembly--last held 1 and 8 December 1996 (next to
be held NA)
election results: Federal Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA;
seats by party--RND 39, RND candidate running as independent 1, FNJ 3

Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Cour Supremes, two members are
appointed by the president, two members are elected by the Federal
Assembly, one by the Council of each island, and former presidents
of the republic

Political parties and leaders: Rassemblement National pour le
NA]
note: under a new constitution ratified in October 1996, a two-party
system was established; former President Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim
called for all parties to dissolve and join him in creating the RND;
the constitution stipulates that only parties that win six seats in
the Federal Assembly (two from each island) are permitted to be in
opposition, but if no party accomplishes that the second most
successful party will be in opposition; in the elections of December
1996 the FNJ appeared to qualify as opposition

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD,
AL, CCC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS
(associate), ILO, IMF, InOC, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU,
NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO
(applicant)

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Ahmed DJABIR (ambassador to
the US and Canada and permanent representative to the UN)
chancery: (temporary) care of the Permanent Mission of the Federal
and Islamic Republic of the Comoros to the United Nations, 336 East
45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017

Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an
embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to
Comoros

Flag description: green with a white crescent in the center of
the field, its points facing downward; there are four white
five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the
crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional
symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of
the archipelago--Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (a territorial
collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros); the design, the
most recent of several, is described in the constitution approved by
referendum on 7 June 1992

Economy

Economy--overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros
is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation
links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural
resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes
to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and
a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance.
Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, is the
leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to GDP, employs
80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The
country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main
staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government is
struggling to upgrade education and technical training, to privatize
commercial and industrial enterprises, to improve health services,
to diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the high
population growth rate. Continued foreign support is essential if
the goal of 4% annual GDP growth is to be maintained.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$400 million (1997 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 3.5% (1997 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$700 (1997 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 40%
industry: 14%
services: 46% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1997)

Labor force: 144,500 (1996 est.)

Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 80%, government 3%

Unemployment rate: 20% (1996 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $48 million
expenditures: $53 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997)

Industries: tourism, perfume distillation, textiles, furniture,
jewelry, construction materials, soft drinks

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity--production: 15 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 86.67%
hydro: 13.33%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)

Electricity--consumption: 15 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports: 0 kWh (1996)

Agriculture--products: vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, copra,
coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca)

Exports: $11.4 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)

Exports--commodities: vanilla, ylang-ylang, cloves, perfume oil,
copra

Exports--partners: France 43%, US 43%, Germany 7% (1996)

Imports: $70 million (f.o.b., 1996 est.)

Imports--commodities: rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods;
petroleum products, cement, transport equipment

Imports--partners: France 59%, South Africa 15%, Kenya 6% (1996)

Debt--external: $219 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid--recipient: $43.3 million (1995)

Currency: 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1--420.01 (December
1998), 442.46 (1998), 437.75 (1997), 383.66 (1996), 374.36 (1995),
416.40 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones: 4,000 (1993 est.)

Telephone system: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF
radiotelephone communication stations
domestic: HF radiotelephone communications and microwave radio relay
international: HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and
Reunion

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

Radios: 81,000 (1994)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1998)

Televisions: 200 (1994

Transportation

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 880 km
paved: 673 km
unpaved: 207 km (1996 est.)

Ports and harbors: Fomboni, Moroni, Moutsamoudou

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 4 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways:
total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Comoran Security Force

Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 132,969 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 79,224 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures--dollar figure: $3 million (1994 est.)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP: NA%

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: claims French-administered Mayotte; the
islands of Anjouan (Nzwani) and Moheli (Mwali) have moved to secede
from Comoros

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

@Congo, Democratic Republic of the ---------------------------------

Geography

Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola

Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total: 2,345,410 sq km
land: 2,267,600 sq km
water: 77,810 sq km

Area--comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US

Land boundaries:
total: 10,271 km
border countries: Angola 2,511 km, Burundi 233 km, Central African
Republic 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Rwanda 217 km,
Sudan 628 km, Uganda 765 km, Zambia 1,930 km

Coastline: 37 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: boundaries with neighbors
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin;
cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern
highlands; north of Equator--wet season April to October, dry season
December to February; south of Equator--wet season November to March,
dry season April to October

Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in
east

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110
m

Natural resources: cobalt, copper, cadmium, petroleum, industrial
and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, germanium,
uranium, radium, bauxite, iron ore, coal, hydropower potential,
timber

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 7%
forests and woodland: 77%
other: 13% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; volcanic activity

Environment--current issues: poaching threatens wildlife
populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees who arrived in
mid-1994 were responsible for significant deforestation, soil
erosion, and wildlife poaching in the eastern part of the country
(most of those refugees were repatriated in November and December
1996)

Environment--international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear
Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification

Geography--note: straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that
controls the lower Congo river and is only outlet to South Atlantic
Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern
highlands

People

Population: 50,481,305 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 48% (male 12,200,532; female 12,136,372)
15-64 years: 49% (male 12,135,901; female 12,692,057)
65 years and over: 3% (male 564,084; female 752,359) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.96% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 46.37 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 14.99 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)
note: in 1994, about a million refugees fled into Zaire (now called
the Democratic Republic of the Congo or DROC), to escape the
fighting between the Hutus and the Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi; the
outbreak of widespread fighting in the DROC between rebels and
government forces in October 1996 spurred about 875,000 refugees to
return to Rwanda in late 1996 and early 1997; additionally,the DROC
is host to 200,000 Angolan, 110,000 Burundi, 100,000 Sudanese, and
15,000 Ugandan refugees; renewed fighting in the DROC in August 1998
resulted in more internal displacement and refugee outflows

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 99.45 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.44 years
male: 47.28 years
female: 51.67 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.45 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo

Ethnic groups: over 200 African ethnic groups of which the
majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes--Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all
Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the
population

Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 20%, Kimbanguist 10%,
Muslim 10%, other syncretic sects and traditional beliefs 10%

Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade
language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo,
Tshiluba

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala,
Kingwana, or Tshiluba
total population: 77.3%
male: 86.6%
female: 67.7% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire
abbreviation: DROC

Data code: CG

Government type: dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition
to representative government

Capital: Kinshasa

Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (provinces,
singular--province) and one city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo,
Equateur, Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*,
Maniema, Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu

Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

National holiday: anniversary of independence from Belgium, 30
June (1960)

Constitution: 24 June 1967, amended August 1974, revised 15
February 1978, amended April 1990; transitional constitution
promulgated in April 1994; following successful rebellion the new
government announced on 29 May 1997 a program of constitutional
reform and, in November 1998, a draft constitution was approved by
President KABILA and awaits ratification by national referendum

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997); note--the
president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: Laurent Desire KABILA (since 17 May 1997);
note--the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet: National Executive Council, appointed by the president
elections: before Laurent Desire KABILA seized power, the president
was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last
held 29 July 1984 (next was to be held in May 1997); formerly, the
prime minister was elected by the High Council of the Republic;
note--the term of the former government expired in 1991, elections
were not held, and former president MOBUTU continued in office until
his government was militarily defeated by KABILA on 17 May 1997
election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga
reelected president in 1984 without opposition
note: Marshal MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga was
president from 24 November 1965 until forced into exile on 16 May
1997 when his government was overturned militarily by Laurent Desire
KABILA, who immediately assumed governing authority; in his 29 May
1997 inaugural address, President KABILA announced a two-year time
table for political reform leading to elections by April 1999;
subsequently, in December 1998, President KABILA announced that
elections would be postponed until all foreign military forces
attempting his overthrow had withdrawn from the country

Legislative branch: legislative activity has been suspended
pending the establishment of KABILA's promised constitutional
reforms and the elections to be held by April 1999 (now postponed
indefinitely)
elections: the country's first multi-party presidential and
legislative elections had been scheduled for May 1997 but were not
held; instead KABILA overthrew the MOBUTU government and seized
control of the country

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: sole legal party until January
parties include Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS
note: President KABILA, who has banned political party activity
indefinitely, currently leads the Alliance of Democratic Forces for
the Liberation of Congo-Zaire or AFDL

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol,
IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Faida MITIFU
chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828

Flag description: light blue with a large yellow five-pointed
star in the center and a columnar arrangement of six small yellow
five-pointed stars along the hoist side

Economy

Economy--overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the
Congo--a nation endowed with vast potential wealth--has declined
significantly since the mid-1980s. The new government instituted a
tight fiscal policy that initially curbed inflation and currency
depreciation, but these small gains were quickly reversed when the
foreign-backed rebellion in the eastern part of the country began in
August 1998. The war has dramatically reduced government revenue,
and increased external debt. Foreign businesses have curtailed
operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict and
because of increased government harassment and restrictions. Poor
infrastructure, an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and lack
of transparency in government economic policy remain a brake on
investment and growth. A number of IMF and World Bank missions have
met with the new government to help it develop a coherent economic
plan but associated reforms are on hold.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$34.9 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: -3.5% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$710 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 59%
industry: 15%
services: 26% (1995 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 147% (1998 est.)

Labor force: 14.51 million (1993 est.)

Labor force--by occupation: agriculture 65%, industry 16%,
services 19% (1991 est.)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $269 million
expenditures: $244 million, including capital expenditures of $24
million (1996 est.)

Industries: mining, mineral processing, consumer products
(including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and
beverages), cement, diamonds

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity--production: 6.4 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 6.25%
hydro: 93.75%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)

Electricity--consumption: 6.265 billion kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports: 195 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports: 60 million kWh (1996)

Agriculture--products: coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea,
quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn,
fruits; wood products

Exports: $1.6 billion (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports--commodities: diamonds, copper, coffee, cobalt, crude oil

Exports--partners: Benelux 43%, US 22%, South Africa 8%, France,
Germany, Italy, UK, Japan (1997)

Imports: $819 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports--commodities: consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining and other
machinery, transport equipment, fuels

Imports--partners: South Africa 21%, Benelux 14%, China 8%,
Netherlands, US, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK (1997)

Debt--external: $15 billion (1997 est.)

Economic aid--recipient: $195.3 million (1995)

Currency: Congolese franc (CF)

Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CF) per US$1--2.5 (January
1999); new zaires (Z) per US$1--115,000 (January 1998), 83,764
(October 1996), 7,024 (1995), 1,194 (1994)
note: on 30 June 1998 the Congolese franc (CF) was introduced,
replacing the new zaire; 1 Congolese franc (CF)=100,000 new zaires

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones: 34,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: barely adequate wire and microwave radio relay service in
and between urban areas; domestic satellite system with 14 earth
stations
international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: 3.87 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 18 (1997)

Televisions: 55,000 (1992 est.)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 5,138 km (1995); note--severely reduced route-distance in use
because of damage to facilities by civil strife
narrow gauge: 3,987 km 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified); 125 km
1.000-m gauge; 1,026 km 0.600-m gauge

Highways:
total: 145,000 km
paved: 2,500 km
unpaved: 142,500 km (1993 est.)

Waterways: 15,000 km including the Congo, its tributaries, and
unconnected lakes

Pipelines: petroleum products 390 km

Ports and harbors: Banana, Boma, Bukavu, Bumba, Goma, Kalemie,
Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka

Merchant marine: none

Airports: 233 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1998 est.)

Airports--with unpaved runways:
total: 210
1,524 to 2,437 m: 21
914 to 1,523 m: 95
under 914 m: 94 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Security
Group, Gendarmerie

Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 10,874,744 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 5,536,277 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures--dollar figure: $250 million (1997)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 4.6% (1997)

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: the Democratic Republic of the Congo is
in the grip of a civil war that has drawn in military forces from
neighboring states, with Uganda and Rwanda supporting the rebel
movement which occupies much of the eastern portion of the state;
most of the Congo River boundary with the Republic of the Congo is
indefinite (no agreement has been reached on the division of the
river or its islands, except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area)

Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for domestic
consumption

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

@Congo, Republic of the ----------------------

Geography

Location: Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean,
between Angola and Gabon

Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km

Area--comparative: slightly smaller than Montana

Land boundaries:
total: 5,504 km
border countries: Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African
Republic 467 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,410 km, Gabon
1,903 km

Coastline: 169 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm

Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June
to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly
enervating climate astride the Equator

Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern
basin

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Berongou 903 m

Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc,
uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 29%
forests and woodland: 62%
other: 9% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: seasonal flooding

Environment--current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions;
water pollution from the dumping of raw sewage; tap water is not
potable; deforestation

Environment--international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geography--note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville,
Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them

People

Population: 2,716,814 (July 1999 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 42% (male 579,940; female 573,847)
15-64 years: 54% (male 718,820; female 751,911)
65 years and over: 4% (male 36,987; female 55,309) (1999 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.16% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 37.96 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 16.33 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 100.58 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.14 years
male: 45.42 years
female: 48.92 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.89 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo

Ethnic groups: Kongo 48%, Sangha 20%, M'Bochi 12%, Teke 17%,
Europeans NA%; note--Europeans estimated at 8,500, mostly French,
before the 1997 civil war; may be half of that in 1998, following
the widespread destruction of foreign businesses in 1997

Religions: Christian 50%, animist 48%, Muslim 2%

Languages: French (official), Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua
franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which
Kikongo has the most users)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 74.9%
male: 83.1%
female: 67.2% (1995 est.)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Congo/Brazzaville, Congo

Data code: CF

Government type: republic

Capital: Brazzaville

Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular--region)
and 1 commune*; Bouenza, Brazzaville*, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou,
Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha

Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Congolese National Day, 15 August (1960)

Constitution: new constitution approved by referendum March 1992
but is now being redrafted by President SASSOU-NGUESSO

Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 25 October
1997, following the civil war in which he toppled elected president
Pascal LISSOUBA); note--the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
head of government: normally the prime minister, appointed from the
majority party by the president; however, since his inauguration,
President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO has been both chief of state and head
of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held 16 August 1992 (next was to be held 27 July 1997
but will be delayed for several years pending the drafting of a new
constitution)
election results: Pascal LISSOUBA elected president in 1992; percent
of vote--Pascal LISSOUBA 61%, Bernard KOLELAS 39%; note--LISSOUBA was
deposed in 1997, replaced by Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO

Legislative branch: unicameral National Transitional Council (75
seats, members elected by reconciliation forum of 1,420 delegates;
note--the National Transitioanl Council replaced the bicameral
Paarliament in mid-1997
elections: National Transitional Council--last held NA January 1998
(next to be held NA 2001); note--at that election the National
Transitional Council is to be replaced by a bicameral assembly
election results: National Transitional Council--percent of vote by
party--NA; seats by party--NA

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders: the most important of the many
SASSOU-NGUESSO, president]; Association for Democracy and
TCHICAYA, president]; Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral
BOKAMBA-YANGOUMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders: Union of Congolese
Socialist Youth or UJSC; Congolese Trade Union Congress or CSC;
Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women or URFC; General Union of
Congolese Pupils and Students or UGEEC

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

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Serge
MOMBOULI
chancery: 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Aubrey HOOKS
embassy: Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville
mailing address: B. P. 1015, Brazzaville
note: the embassy is temporarily collocated with the US Embassy in
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US Embassy Kinshasa, 310
Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa)

Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by
a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the
lower triangle is red; uses the popular pan-African colors of
Ethiopia

Economy

Economy--overview: The economy is a mixture of village agriculture
and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on oil, support
services, and a government characterized by budget problems and
overstaffing. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the
economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports.
In the early 1980s, rapidly rising oil revenues enabled the
government to finance large-scale development projects with GDP
growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa.
Subsequently, falling oil prices cut GDP growth by half. Moreover,
the government has mortgaged a substantial portion of its oil
earnings, contributing to the government's shortage of revenues. The
12 January 1994 devaluation of Franc Zone currencies by 50% resulted
in inflation of 61% in 1994 but inflation has subsided since.
Economic reform efforts continued with the support of international
organizations, notably the World Bank and the IMF. The reform
program came to a halt in June 1997 when civil war erupted. Denis
SASSOU-NGUESSO, who returned to power when the war ended in October
1997, publicly expressed interest in moving forward on economic
reforms and privatization and in renewing cooperation with
international financial institutions. However, economic progress was
badly hurt by slumping oil prices in 1998, which worsened the
Republic of the Congo's budget deficit. A second blow was the
resumption of armed conflict in December 1998.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$3.9 billion (1998 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: 2.5% (1998 est.)

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$1,500 (1998 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 59%
services: 31% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line: NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1997 est.)

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $870 million
expenditures: $970 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1997 est.)

Industries: petroleum extraction, cement kilning, lumbering,
brewing, sugar milling, palm oil, soap, cigarette making

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity--production: 438 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--production by source:
fossil fuel: 0.68%
hydro: 99.32%
nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (1996)

Electricity--consumption: 553 million kWh (1996)

Electricity--exports: 0 kWh (1996)

Electricity--imports: 115 million kWh (1996)

Agriculture--products: cassava (tapioca), sugar, rice, corn,
peanuts, vegetables, coffee, cocoa; forest products

Exports: $1.7 billion (f.o.b., 1997)

Exports--commodities: petroleum 50%, lumber, plywood, sugar,
cocoa, coffee, diamonds

Exports--partners: US 37%, Belgium-Luxembourg 34%, Taiwan, China
(1997 est.)

Imports: $803 million (f.o.b. 1997)

Imports--commodities: intermediate manufactures, capital
equipment, construction materials, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Imports--partners: France 22%, Italy 16%, US 9%, UK 6% (1997 est.)

Debt--external: $6 billion (1996)

Economic aid--recipient: $159.1 million (1995)

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

Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per
US$1--550 (January 1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55
(1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

Communications

Telephones: 18,000 (1983 est.)

Telephone system: services barely adequate for government use;
key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo;
inter-city lines frequently out-of-order
domestic: primary network consists of microwave radio relay and
coaxial cable
international: satellite earth station--1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

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

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)

Televisions: 8,500 (1993 est.)

Transportation

Railways:
total: 795 km (includes 285 km private track)
narrow gauge: 795 km 1.067-m gauge (1995 est.)

Highways:
total: 12,800 km
paved: 1,242 km
unpaved: 11,558 km (1996 est.)

Waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120
km of commercially navigable water transport; other rivers are used
for local traffic only

Pipelines: crude oil 25 km

Ports and harbors: Brazzaville, Impfondo, Ouesso, Oyo,
Pointe-Noire

Airports: 36 (1998 est.)

Airports--with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (1998 est.)

Airports--with unpaved runways:
total: 32
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 14
under 914 m: 10 (1998 est.)

Military

Military branches: NA

Military manpower--military age: 20 years of age

Military manpower--availability:
males age 15-49: 641,543 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 326,834 (1999 est.)

Military manpower--reaching military age annually:
males: 28,976 (1999 est.)

Military expenditures--dollar figure: $110 million (1993)

Military expenditures--percent of GDP: 3.8% (1993)

Transnational Issues

Disputes--international: most of the Congo River boundary with the
Democratic Republic of the Congo is indefinite (no agreement has
been reached on the division of the river or its islands, except in
the Stanley Pool/Pool Malebo area)

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

@Cook Islands ------------

Introduction

Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770,
the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900,
administrative control was transferred to New Zealand. Residents
chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in
1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large
numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits
are continuing problems.

Geography

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

Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total: 240 sq km
land: 240 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area--comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 120 km

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

Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds

Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in
south

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Te Manga 652 m

Natural resources: NEGL

Land use:
arable land: 9%
permanent crops: 13%
permanent pastures: NA%
forests and woodland: NA%
other: 78% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: typhoons (November to March)

Environment--current issues: NA

Environment--international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertication, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

People

Population: 20,200 (July 1999 est.)

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

Population growth rate: 1.04% (1999 est.)

Birth rate: 22.35 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Net migration rate: -6.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.14 years
male: 69.2 years
female: 73.1 years (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.17 children born/woman (1999 est.)

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

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

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

Languages: English (official), Maori

Literacy: NA

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Cook Islands

Data code: CW

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

Government type: self-governing parliamentary democracy

Capital: Avarua

Administrative divisions: none

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

National holiday: Constitution Day, 4 August

Constitution: 4 August 1965

Legal system: based on New Zealand law and English common law

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Apenera SHORT (since NA); New Zealand High
Commissioner Jon JONESSEN (since NA January 1998), representative of
New Zealand
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey A. HENRY (since 1
February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since 1
February 1989)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister; collectively
responsible to Parliament
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the UK representative is
appointed by the monarch; the New Zealand high commissioner is
appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative
elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats usually
becomes prime minister

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

Judicial branch: High Court

Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party [Sir Geoffrey

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

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

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

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

Economy

Economy--overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations,
the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation
of the country from foreign markets, lack of natural resources,
periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate
infrastructure. Agriculture provides the economic base with major
exports made up of copra and citrus fruit. Manufacturing activities
are limited to fruit-processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade
deficits are made up for by remittances from emigrants and by
foreign aid, overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In 1996, the
government declared bankruptcy, citing a $120 million public debt.
Efforts to exploit tourism potential and expanding the mining and
fishing industries have not been enough to adequately deal with the
financial crisis. In an effort to stem further erosion of the
economy, the government slashed public service salaries by 50%,
condensed the number of government ministries from 52 to 22, reduced
the number of civil servants by more than half, began selling
government assets, and closed all overseas diplomatic posts except
for the one in New Zealand.

GDP: purchasing power parity--$79 million (1994 est.)

GDP--real growth rate: NA%

GDP--per capita: purchasing power parity?$4,000 (1994 est.)

GDP--composition by sector:
agriculture: 17%
industry: 6%
services: 77% (FY90/91)

Population below poverty line: NA%