Chapter XLIII: Front Matter (43)

Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 50.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 59.14 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 64.19 years
male: 62.07 years
female: 66.42 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
4.13 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.7% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
17,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
880 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Papua New Guinean(s)
adjective: Papua New Guinean

Ethnic groups:
Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Religions:
Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London
Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant 10%, indigenous beliefs
34%

Languages:
English spoken by 1%-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in
Papua region
note: 715 indigenous languages

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 66%
male: 72.3%
female: 59.3% (2003 est.)

Government Papua New Guinea

Country name:
conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea
conventional short form: Papua New Guinea
abbreviation: PNG
former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea

Government type:
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy

Capital:
Port Moresby

Administrative divisions:
20 provinces; Bougainville, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands,
East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay,
Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, Sandaun, Southern
Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Independence:
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

Constitution:
16 September 1975

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),
represented by Governor General Sir Albert KIPALAN (since 13
November 2003)
head of government: Prime Minister Sir Michael SOMARE (since 2
August 2002); Deputy Prime Minister Andrew BAING (since 15 November
2003)
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor
general on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor general
appointed by the National Executive Council; following legislative
elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the
majority coalition usually is appointed prime minister by the
governor general

Legislative branch:
unicameral National Parliament - sometimes referred to as the House
of Assembly (109 seats, 89 elected from open electorates and 20 from
provincial electorates; members elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: last held 15-29 June 2002 and April and May 2003;
completed in May 2003 (voting in the Southern Highlands was not
completed during the June 2002 election period); next to be held not
later than June 2007
election results: percent of vote by party - PPP 15%, Pangu Pati
14%, NA 14%, PDM 8%, PNC 6%, PAP 5%, UP 3%, NP 1%, PUP 1%,
independents 33%; seats by party - PPP 16, Pangu Pati 15, NA 15, PDM
9, PNC 7, PAP 5, UP 3, NP 1, PUP 1, independents 37; note -
association with political parties is very fluid (2002)

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor
general on the proposal of the National Executive Council after
consultation with the minister responsible for justice; other judges
are appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission)

Political parties and leaders:
Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Bernard NAROKOBI]; National
Alliance or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George MANOA, party
president]; National Front Party [leader NA]; National Party or NP
[leader NA]; Papua New Guinea Revival Party [John PUNDARI]; Papua
New Guinea United Party or Pangu Pati [Pate WAMP, party leader;
Chris HAIVETA, parliamentary leader]; People's Action Party or PAP
[Ted DIRO]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sir Mekere
MORAUTA]; People's Labor Party or PLP [Peter YAMA]; People's
National Congress or PNC [Bill SKATE]; People's Progress Party or
PPP [Michael NALI]; People's Unity Party or PUP [leader NA]; United
Party or UP [Rimbiuk PATO]
note: 43 political parties registered to participate in the June
2002 elections

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ACP, APEC, ARF (dialogue partner), AsDB, ASEAN (associate member),
C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO
(correspondent), ITU, NAM, OPCW, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC
20036
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. Fitts
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State,
Washington DC 20521-4240
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423

Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle
is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower
triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered

Economy Papua New Guinea

Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but
exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost
of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including
oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The
economy has faltered over the past three years but will probably
improve slightly in 2003. Former Prime Minister Mekere MORAUTA had
tried to restore integrity to state institutions, stabilize the
kina, restore stability to the national budget, privatize public
enterprises where appropriate, and ensure ongoing peace on
Bougainville. The government has had considerable success in
attracting international support, specifically gaining the backing
of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development assistance
loans. Significant challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE,
including gaining further investor confidence, continuing efforts to
privatize government assets, and maintaining the support of members
of Parliament.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
-3.1% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 32.1%
industry: 35.8%
services: 32.1% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
37% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.9 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.8% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
2.3 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 85%, industry NA%, services NA%

Unemployment rate:
NA%

Budget:
revenues: $894 million
expenditures: $1.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $344
million (2000 est.)

Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip
production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil
production; construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:
NA

Electricity - production:
1.496 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 54.1%
hydro: 45.9%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
1.391 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
345.2 million bbl (37257)

Natural gas - production:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
385.5 billion cu m (37257)

Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes,
fruit, vegetables; poultry, pork

Exports:
$1.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,
prawns

Exports - partners:
Australia 23.7%, Japan 9.3%, China 5.3% (2002)

Imports:
$1.1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,
chemicals

Imports - partners:
Australia 49.3%, Singapore 18.8%, New Zealand 4.4%, Japan 4.2%
(2002)

Debt - external:
$2.8 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$400 million (1999 est.)

Currency:
kina (PGK)

Currency code:
PGK

Exchange rates:
kina per US dollar - 3.8 (2002), 3.39 (2001), 2.78 (2000), 2.57
(1999), 2.07 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Papua New Guinea

Telephones - main lines in use:
61,152 (1999)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,053 (1996)

Telephone system:
general assessment: services are adequate and being improved;
facilities provide radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio,
aeronautical radio, and international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: submarine cables to Australia and Guam; satellite
earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); international radio
communication service

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)

Radios:
410,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
3 (all in the Port Moresby area)
note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are
planned (2002)

Televisions:
59,841 (1999)

Internet country code:
.pg

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
3 (2000)

Internet users:
135,000 (2001)

Transportation Papua New Guinea

Railways:
0 km

Highways:
total: 19,600 km
paved: 686 km
unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
10,940 km

Pipelines:
oil 264 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:
Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul

Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 45,203 GRT/63,238 DWT
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Singapore 2, UK 7 (2002 est.)
ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination
ore/oil 2, container 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll on/roll off 3

Airports:
491 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
under 914 m: 1 (2002)
914 to 1,523 m: 4

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 470
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 56
under 914 m: 403 (2002)

Heliports:
2 (2002)

Military Papua New Guinea

Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (includes Ground Force, Maritime
Operations Element, and Air Operations Element)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,370,419 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 757,421 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$40.21 million (FY02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea

Disputes - international:
Indonesian secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create
repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

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

@Paracel Islands

Introduction Paracel Islands

Background:
The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds
and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina
annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;
maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has
occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a
South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands
are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

Geography Paracel Islands

Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South
China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the
northern Philippines

Geographic coordinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

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

Area - comparative:
NA

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
518 km

Maritime claims:
NA

Climate:
tropical

Terrain:
mostly low and flat

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
typhoons

Environment - current issues:
NA

Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the
northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group

People Paracel Islands

Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2003 est.)

Government Paracel Islands

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

Economy Paracel Islands

Economy - overview:
China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.

Transportation Paracel Islands

Waterways:
none

Ports and harbors:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
being expanded

Airports:
1 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)

Military Paracel Islands

Military - note:
occupied by China

Transnational Issues Paracel Islands

Disputes - international:
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

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

@Paraguay

Introduction Paraguay

Background:
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay
lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It
stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War
of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from
Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was
overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political
infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential
elections have been held since then.

Geography Paraguay

Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references:
South America

Area:
total: 406,750 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
land: 397,300 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries:
total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern
portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco
region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,
and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Land use:
arable land: 5.54%
permanent crops: 0.21%
other: 94.25% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly
drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal
present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban

Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population
concentrated in southern part of country

People Paraguay

Population:
6,036,900 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.4% (male 1,179,084; female 1,141,420)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 1,721,867; female 1,707,918)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 132,145; female 154,466) (2003 est.)

Median age:
total: 20.9 years
male: 20.7 years
female: 21.2 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
2.54% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
30.14 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 27.71 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 32.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.4 years
male: 71.89 years
female: 77.03 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
4.02 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.11% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
220 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan

Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant

Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)

Government Paraguay

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay

Government type:
constitutional republic

Capital:
Asuncion

Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,
Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,
Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,
Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1811)

Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992

Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial
review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI (since 15 August 2003); note
- the president is both the chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April
2003 (next to be held NA April 2008)
election results: Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS elected president; percent
of vote - Nicanor DUARTE FRUTOS 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO
Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo
SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%

Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators
or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara
de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be
held NA May 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003
(next to be held NA May 2008)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7,
PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, MPQ 10, PPS 2

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges
appointed on the proposal of the Counsel of Magistrates or Consejo
de la Magistratura)

Political parties and leaders:
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Nicanor
DUARTE FRUTOS]; Movimiento Patria Querida or MPQ [Pedro Nicolas
Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union Nacional de Colorados Eticos
or UNACE [Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or
PEN [Diego ABENTE Brun]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA
[Julio Cesar FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto
FILIZZOLA Pallares]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; National Workers Central or CNT;
Paraguayan Workers Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church;
Unitary Workers Central or CUT

International organization participation:
ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MONUC, NAM (observer),
OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UPU,
WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Leila Teresa RACHID COWLES
consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans,
New York
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an
emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem
is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)
bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a
green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within
two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal
of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Economy Paraguay

Economy - overview:
Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector.
The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer
goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of
thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of
the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures
are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population
derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a
subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%
annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and
2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per
capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most
observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to
political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural
reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient
infrastructure.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $25.19 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
-2.7% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,300 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 27%
industry: 27%
services: 46% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
36% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.5%
highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
57.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
10.5% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
2 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%

Unemployment rate:
18.2% (2002 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $1.3 billion
expenditures: $2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700
million (1999 est.)

Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products

Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:
44.89 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 0%
hydro: 99.9%
other: 0.1% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
2.637 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
39.11 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava
(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Exports:
$2 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity

Exports - partners:
Brazil 25.1%, Argentina 23%, Chile 5.5%, Bermuda 4% (2002)

Imports:
$2.4 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,
electrical machinery

Imports - partners:
Brazil 32.7%, Argentina 22.7%, US 18.1%, Hong Kong 4.7% (2002)

Debt - external:
$3.2 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$NA

Currency:
guarani (PYG)

Currency code:
PYG

Exchange rates:
guarani per US dollar - 5,720.44 (2002), 4,105.92 (2001), 3,486.35
(2000), 3,119.07 (1999), 2,726.49 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Paraguay

Telephones - main lines in use:
290,475 (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
510,000 (2001)

Telephone system:
general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Radios:
925,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
4 (2001)

Televisions:
990,000 (2001)

Internet country code:
.py

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
4 (2000)

Internet users:
20,000 (2000)

Transportation Paraguay

Railways:
total: 441 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)

Highways:
total: 29,500 km
paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)

Waterways:
3,100 km

Ports and harbors:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,475 GRT/36,101 DWT
ships by type: cargo 14, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll
on/roll off 3
note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of
convenience: Argentina 2, Japan 1 (2002 est.)

Airports:
879 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 11
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 868
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 323
under 914 m: 518 (2002)

Military Paraguay

Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

Military manpower - military age:
17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,465,781 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,056,437 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 61,706 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$125 million (FY98)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY98)

Transnational Issues Paraguay

Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders
is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking,
and harbors Islamist militants

Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is
consumed in South America; transshipment country for Andean cocaine
headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, Europe, and US;
corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in the
Tri-Border Area

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

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

@Peru

Introduction Peru

Background:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean
civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was
captured by the Spanish conquistadores in 1533. Peruvian
independence was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces
defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru
returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic
problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto
FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic
turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing
guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing
reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late
1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI
won reelection to a third term in the spring of 2000, but
international pressure and corruption scandals led to his ouster by
Congress in November of that year. A caretaker government oversaw
new elections in the spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro
TOLEDO as the new head of government.

Geography Peru

Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between
Chile and Ecuador

Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 76 00 W

Map references:
South America

Area:
total: 1,285,220 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries:
total: 5,536 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km

Coastline:
2,414 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 NM
territorial sea: 200 NM

Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to
frigid in Andes

Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center
(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,
phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Land use:
arable land: 2.85%
permanent crops: 0.38%
other: 96.77% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
11,950 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:
deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of
the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion;
desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and
coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,
with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the
ultimate source of the Amazon River

People Peru

Population:
28,409,897 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33.5% (male 4,828,531; female 4,678,008)
15-64 years: 61.5% (male 8,794,799; female 8,689,072)
65 years and over: 5% (male 652,375; female 767,112) (2003 est.)

Median age:
total: 23.5 years
male: 23.2 years
female: 23.7 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
1.61% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
22.81 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 36.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 31.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 42.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.88 years
male: 68.45 years
female: 73.43 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
2.81 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.4% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
53,000 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,900 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian

Ethnic groups:
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white
15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%

Languages:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.2%
female: 86.8% (2003 est.)

Government Peru

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru

Government type:
constitutional republic

Capital:
Lima

Administrative divisions:
24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas,
Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco,
Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima,
Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin,
Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
note: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1
constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru
is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25
administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental
authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose
their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the
authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet
been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over
the course of several years

Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Constitution:
31 December 1993

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

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the
constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28 July
2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28
July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by
the constitution, First Vice President Raul DIEZ Canseco (since 28
July 2001) and Second Vice President David WAISMAN (since 28 July
2001)
note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003)
does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the
president; note - Beatriz MERINO was asked to resign on 12 December
2003 and was replaced by Carlos FERRERO Costa three days later
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,
with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006
election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected
president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO
Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la
Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%,
APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by
party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others
17
elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are
appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Political parties and leaders:
Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP [Alan GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing
Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA Vega]; National Unity (Unidad
Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano]; Peru Posible or PP [Luis
SOLARI]; Popular Action or AP [Javier DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion
Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP [Alberto ANDRADE]; Union
for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]

International organization participation:
ABEDA, APEC, CAN, ECLAC, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA,
MONUC, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,
UNMEE, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington
(DC)
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John R. DAWSON
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),
APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000
FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037

Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath

Economy Peru

Economy - overview:
Thanks to foreign investment and the cooperation between the
government and the IMF and World Bank, growth was strong in 1994-97
and inflation was brought under control. In 1998, El Nino's impact
on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in
Brazilian markets undercut growth. The following year was again lean
year for Peru, with the aftermath of El Nino and the Asian financial
crisis working its way through the economy. Political instability
resulting from the presidential election and FUJIMORI's subsequent
departure from office limited growth in 2000. The downturn in the
global economy further curtailed growth in 2001. President TOLEDO,
who assumed the presidency in July 2001, has been working to
reinvigorate the economy and reduce unemployment. Economic growth in
2002 is estimated at 4.8%, led by construction in the retail and gas
sectors.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $138.8 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
5.3% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 27%
services: 63% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
50% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.2 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.2% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
7.5 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction,
transport, services

Unemployment rate:
9.4%; widespread underemployment (2002 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $10.4 billion
expenditures: $10.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2002 est.)

Industries:
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food
processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal
fabrication

Industrial production growth rate:
6.5% (2002 est.)

Electricity - production:
20.59 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 14.5%
hydro: 84.7%
other: 0.8% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
19.15 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
614.7 million bbl (37257)

Natural gas - production:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
245.1 billion cu m (37257)

Agriculture - products:
coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains,
coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish

Exports:
$7.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and
byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton

Exports - partners:
US 28.1%, China 10.5%, UK 7%, Switzerland 6.1%, Japan 5.6% (2002)

Imports:
$7.3 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and
steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners:
US 26.1%, Chile 7.9%, Spain 5.1%, Colombia 5%, Brazil 4.7%,
Venezuela 4.7%, Argentina 4.3% (2002)

Debt - external:
$29.2 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$895.1 million (1995)

Currency:
nuevo sol (PEN)

Currency code:
PEN

Exchange rates:
nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.52 (2002), 3.51 (2001), 3.49 (2000),
3.38 (1999), 2.93 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Peru

Telephones - main lines in use:
1.8 million (2000)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
504,995 (1998)

Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic
Ocean); Pan American submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

Radios:
6.65 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:
3.06 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.pe

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
10 (2000)

Internet users:
3 million (2002)

Transportation Peru

Railways:
total: 1,829 km
standard gauge: 1,515 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 314 km 0.914-m gauge (2002)

Highways:
total: 72,900 km
paved: 9,331 km
unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
8,808 km
note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km
of Lago Titicaca

Pipelines:
gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:
Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,
Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches
of the Amazon and its tributaries

Merchant marine:
total: 5 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 29,470 GRT/45,451 DWT
note: includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of
convenience: US 1 (2002 est.)
ships by type: cargo 4, petroleum tanker 1

Airports:
233 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 49
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 184
1,524 to 2,437 m: 23
914 to 1,523 m: 61
under 914 m: 100 (2002)

Military Peru

Military branches:
Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes
Naval Air, Marines, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del
Peru; FAP), National Police (includes General Police, Security
Police, and Technical Police)

Military manpower - military age:
17 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 7,510,882 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 5,045,619 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 281,717 (2003 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$1 billion (FY01)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.8% (FY01)

Transnational Issues Peru

Disputes - international:
Bolivia continues to press Chile and Peru to restore the Atacama
corridor ceded to Chile in 1884

Illicit drugs:
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium
producer; cultivation of coca in Peru increased by 8% to 36,600
hectares between 2001 and the end of 2002; much of the cocaine base
is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,
while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the
international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished
cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in
the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

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

@Philippines

Introduction Philippines

Background:
The Philippines were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 following the
Spanish-American War. They attained independence in 1946 after
Japanese occupation in World War II. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand
MARCOS ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him
into exile. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the
islands. The Philippines has had two electoral presidential
transitions since the removal of MARCOS. In January 2001, the
Supreme Court declared Joseph ESTRADA unable to rule in view of mass
resignations from his government and administered the oath of office
to Vice President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as his constitutional
successor. The government continues to struggle with Muslim
insurgencies in the south.

Geography Philippines

Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
36,289 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 NM from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also
claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 NM in
breadth
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest
monsoon (May to October)

Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Land use:
arable land: 18.45%
permanent crops: 14.76%
other: 66.79% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to
six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:
uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air
and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal
mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds

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, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography - note:
favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main
water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes
Sea, and Luzon Strait

People Philippines

Population:
84,619,974 (July 2003 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 36.2% (male 15,625,480; female 15,028,498)
15-64 years: 59.9% (male 25,206,467; female 25,485,482)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,427,238; female 1,846,809) (2003
est.)

Median age:
total: 21.8 years
male: 21.3 years
female: 22.4 years (2002)

Population growth rate:
1.92% (2003 est.)

Birth rate:
26.3 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate:
5.6 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Net migration rate:
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.29 years
male: 66.44 years
female: 72.28 years (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate:
3.29 children born/woman (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,400 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
720 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

Languages:
two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;
eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 95.9%
male: 96%
female: 95.8% (2003 est.)

Government Philippines

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local short form: Pilipinas
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas

Government type:
republic

Capital:
Manila

Administrative divisions:
73 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte,
Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*,
Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes,
Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan,
Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*,
Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*,
Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*,
Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City*, Davao del Norte,
Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar,
General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La
Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*,
Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao,
Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental,
Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,
Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern
Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*,
Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*,
Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon,
Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in
Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon,
South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*,
Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*,
Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*,
Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur

Independence:
12 June 1898 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day (from Spain), 12 June (1898); note - 12 June 1898
is the date of independence from Spain, 4 July 1946 is the date of
independence from the US

Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January
2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January 2001);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20
January 2001) and Vice President Teofisto GUINGONA (since 20 January
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the
Commission of Appointments
elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets
by popular vote for six-year terms; election last held 11 May 1998
(next to be held 16 May 2004)
election results: results of the last presidential election - Joseph
Ejercito ESTRADA elected president; percent of vote - approximately
40%; Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO elected vice president; percent of vote
- 55%; note - on 20 January 2001, Vice President Gloria
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was sworn in as the constitutional successor to
President Joseph ESTRADA after the Supreme Court declared that
ESTRADA was unable to rule in view of the mass resignations from his
government; according to the Constitution, only in cases of death,
permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the
president, can the vice president serve for the unexpired term

Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24
seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected by
popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (214 seats; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - additional
members may be appointed by the president but the Constitution
prohibits the House of Representatives from having more than 250
members)
elections: Senate - last held 14 May 2001 (next to be held 16 May
2004); House of Representatives - elections last held 14 May 2001
(next to be held 16 May 2004)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Lakas 13, PDP-Laban/LDP 11; House of Representatives -
percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Lakas 86, NPC 51,
LDP 21, LP 20, independents 10, other 26

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70
years of age)

Political parties and leaders:
Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or
LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president, Agapito AQUINO, secretary general];
Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose
DE VENECIA, president]; Liberal Party or LP [Florencio ABAD,
president; Franklin DRILON, chairman]; National People's Coalition
or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN JUAN,
president; Faustino DY, chairman]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL,
chairman; Jejomar BINAY, president]; PMP [Horacio MORALES,
president]; Aksyon Demokratiko Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma
[Renato DE VILLA, chairman]; PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS
(observer), OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISET, UNU,
UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO
consulate(s): San Diego
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 523-1001
FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white
equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the
triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing
three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small
yellow five-pointed star

Economy Philippines

Economy - overview:
In 1998, the Philippine economy - a mixture of agriculture, light
industry, and supporting services - deteriorated as a result of
spillover from the Asian financial crisis and poor weather
conditions. Growth fell to 0.6% in 1998 from 5% in 1997, but
recovered to about 3.3% in 1999, 4.5% in 2000, and 4.5% in 2001. In
2002, the Philippines recorded GDP growth of 4.4% but also incurred
a record budget deficit. As a result, the Philippines is burdened
with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP. Growth
eased to 3.8% in 2003. The government has promised economic reforms
including going forward with privatization, reforming the tax
system, and promoting additional trade integration within its
region. Considerable drive is required to update the educational
system and the road network.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $379.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 15%
industry: 31%
services: 54% (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:
40% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 39.3% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.2 (1997)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.1% (2002 est.)

Labor force:
33.7 million (2002)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
10.2% (2002)

Budget:
revenues: $10.9 billion
expenditures: $15 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2002 est.)

Industries:
textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food
processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:
45.21 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source:
fossil fuel: 55.6%
hydro: 17.5%
other: 26.9% (2001)
nuclear: 0%

Electricity - consumption:
42.04 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
164 million bbl (37257)

Natural gas - production:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
104.6 billion cu m (37257)

Agriculture - products:
rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes;
pork, eggs, beef; fish

Exports:
$35.1 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,
coconut products, chemicals

Exports - partners:
US 26.2%, Japan 14.9%, China 7.4%, Taiwan 5.8%, Singapore 5.7%,
Hong Kong 5.3%, Malaysia 5.3%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 4.6%, South
Korea 4.3% (2002)

Imports:
$33.5 billion f.o.b. (2002)

Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:
Japan 21.6%, US 18.6%, Singapore 7.8%, South Korea 7.5%, China
5.2%, Hong Kong 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2002)

Debt - external:
$60.3 billion (2002)

Economic aid - recipient:
ODA, $1.1 billion (1998)

Currency:
Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code:
PHP

Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos per US dollar - 51.67 (2002), 50.99 (2001), 44.19
(2000), 39.09 (1999), 40.89 (1998)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Philippines

Telephones - main lines in use:
6.98 million (2001)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
11.35 million (2001)

Telephone system:
general assessment: good international radiotelephone and submarine
cable services; domestic and inter-island service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations -
3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to
Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 5
note: each shortwave station operates on multiple frequencies in the
language of the target audience (2002)

Radios:
11.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
75 (2000)

Televisions:
3.7 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.ph

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
33 (2000)

Internet users:
4.5 million (2002)

Transportation Philippines

Railways:
total: 897 km
narrow gauge: 897 km 1.067-m gauge (405 km are not in operation)
(2002)

Highways:
total: 201,994 km
paved: 42,419 km
unpaved: 159,575 km (2000)

Waterways:
3,219 km
note: limited to vessels with a draft of less than 1.5 m