Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (33)

Transportation ::Greenland

Airports:

15 (2010) country comparison to the world: 145

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Roadways:

note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport takes place either by sea or air (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 159 by type: passenger 1 (2010)

Ports and terminals:

Sisimiut

Military ::Greenland

Military branches:

no regular military forces

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 15,474 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 10,833

females age 16-49: 11,439 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 511

female: 484 (2010 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Transnational Issues ::Greenland

Disputes - international:

managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland

page last updated on January 11, 2011

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

@Grenada (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Grenada

Background:

Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when COLUMBUS discovered the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974 making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. Grenada was seized by a Marxist military council on 19 October 1983. Six days later the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. Free elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since that time. Hurricane Ivan struck Grenada in September of 2004 causing severe damage.

Geography ::Grenada

Location:

Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago

Geographic coordinates:

12 07 N, 61 40 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 344 sq km country comparison to the world: 206 land: 344 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

twice the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds

Terrain:

volcanic in origin with central mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m

Natural resources:

timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors

Land use:

arable land: 5.88%

permanent crops: 29.41%

other: 64.71% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Total renewable water resources:

NA

Natural hazards:

lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November

Environment - current issues:

NA

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

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

People ::Grenada

Population:

107,818 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Age structure:

0-14 years: 32% (male 14,608/female 14,410)

15-64 years: 65.2% (male 31,278/female 27,873)

65 years and over: 2.8% (male 1,268/female 1,302) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 28.2 years

male: 28.2 years

female: 28.2 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.563% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Birth rate:

17.2 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Death rate:

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Net migration rate:

-3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Urbanization:

urban population: 31% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.097 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 11.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 144 male: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.79 years country comparison to the world: 120 male: 70.27 years

female: 75.55 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.21 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Grenadian(s)

adjective: Grenadian

Ethnic groups:

black 82%, mixed black and European 13%, European and East Indian 5%, and trace of Arawak/Carib Amerindian

Religions:

Roman Catholic 53%, Anglican 13.8%, other Protestant 33.2%

Languages:

English (official), French patois

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96%

male: NA

female: NA (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2005)

Education expenditures:

5.2% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 58

Government ::Grenada

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Grenada

Government type:

parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm

Capital:

name: Saint George's

geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick

Independence:

7 February 1974 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 7 February (1974)

Constitution:

19 December 1973

Legal system:

based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Carlyle Arnold GLEAN (since 27 November 2008)

head of government: Prime Minister Tillman THOMAS (since 9 July 2008)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (13 seats, 10 members appointed by the government and 3 by the leader of the opposition) and the House of Representatives (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 8 July 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDC 11, NNP 4

Judicial branch:

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of a court of Appeal and a High Court of Justice (two High Court judges are assigned to and reside in Grenada); Itinerant Court of Appeal three judges; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)

Political parties and leaders:

Grenada United Labor Party or GULP [Gloria Payne BANFIELD]; National Democratic Congress or NDC [Tillman THOMAS]; New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Committee for Human Rights in Grenada or CHRG; New Jewel Movement Support Group; The British Grenada Friendship Society; The New Jewel 19 Committee

International organization participation:

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian M.S. BRISTOL

chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561

FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468

consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada

embassy: Lance-aux-Epines Stretch, Saint George's

mailing address: P. O. Box 54, Saint George's

telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 through 1177

FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820

Flag description:

a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage

National anthem:

name: "Hail Grenada"

lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO

note: adopted 1974

Economy ::Grenada

Economy - overview:

Grenada relies on tourism as its main source of foreign exchange especially since the construction of an international airport in 1985. Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Emily (2005) severely damaged the agricultural sector - particularly nutmeg and cocoa cultivation - which had been a key driver of economic growth. Grenada has rebounded from the devastating effects of the hurricanes but is now saddled with the debt burden from the rebuilding process. Public debt-to-GDP is nearly 110%, leaving the THOMAS administration limited room to engage in public investments and social spending. Strong performances in construction and manufacturing, together with the development of tourism and an offshore financial industry, have also contributed to growth in national output; however, economic growth was stagnant in 2010 after a sizeable contraction in 2009, because of the global economic slowdown's effects on tourism and remittances.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.127 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 $1.118 billion (2009 est.)

$1.211 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$645 million (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 -7.7% (2009 est.)

2.2% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$10,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $10,400 (2009 est.)

$11,400 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5.4%

industry: 18%

services: 76.6% (2003)

Labor force:

42,300 (1996) country comparison to the world: 192

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 24%

industry: 14%

services: 62% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

12.5% (2000) country comparison to the world: 132

Population below poverty line:

32% (2000)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Central bank discount rate:

6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 68 6.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

11.06% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 9.53% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$123.1 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 178 $131.7 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of broad money:

$743.5 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 168 $719.5 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of domestic credit:

$658 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $575.8 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, mace, citrus, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, vegetables

Industries:

food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction

Electricity - production:

178.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity - consumption:

155.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Oil - consumption:

3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Oil - imports:

1,923 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Current account balance:

-$138 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Exports:

$38 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 201

Exports - commodities:

bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace

Exports - partners:

Saint Lucia 19.73%, Antigua and Barbuda 13.41%, US 12.21%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 12.03%, Dominica 12% (2009)

Imports:

$343 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 190

Imports - commodities:

food, manufactured goods, machinery, chemicals, fuel

Imports - partners:

Trinidad and Tobago 39.76%, US 18.11% (2009)

Debt - external:

$347 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 167

Exchange rates:

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003)

Communications ::Grenada

Telephones - main lines in use:

28,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180

Telephones - mobile cellular:

64,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192

Telephone system:

general assessment: automatic, island-wide telephone system

domestic: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links

international: country code - 1-473; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber Optic System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad

Broadcast media:

the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a television station and 2 radio stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is available; a dozen private radio stations also broadcast (2007)

Internet country code:

.gd

Internet hosts:

52 (2010) country comparison to the world: 209

Internet users:

25,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 185

Transportation ::Grenada

Airports:

3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 192

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 1,127 km country comparison to the world: 182 paved: 687 km

unpaved: 440 km (2000)

Ports and terminals:

Saint George's

Military ::Grenada

Military branches:

no regular military forces; Royal Grenada Police Force (includes Coast Guard) (2010)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 27,453 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 22,487

females age 16-49: 22,535 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 987

female: 1,026 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

NA

Transnational Issues ::Grenada

Disputes - international:

none

Illicit drugs:

small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point for marijuana and cocaine to US

page last updated on January 11, 2011

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

@Guam (Australia-Oceania)

Introduction ::Guam

Background:

Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Geography ::Guam

Location:

Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 544 sq km

land: 544 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

125.5 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain:

volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Natural resources:

aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Land use:

arable land: 3.64%

permanent crops: 18.18%

other: 78.18% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June - December)

Environment - current issues:

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geography - note:

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

People ::Guam

Population:

180,865 (July 2010 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 27.8% (male 25,651/female 23,904)

15-64 years: 65.2% (male 59,304/female 56,995)

65 years and over: 7% (male 5,786/female 6,790) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 29.3 years

male: 28.9 years

female: 29.7 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.346% (2010 est.)

Birth rate:

18.1 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate:

4.64 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Urbanization:

urban population: 93% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 1.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female

total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 5.93 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.35 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.18 years

male: 75.14 years

female: 81.41 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.52 children born/woman (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens)

adjective: Guamanian

Ethnic groups:

Chamorro 37.1%, Filipino 26.3%, other Pacific islander 11.3%, white 6.9%, other Asian 6.3%, other ethnic origin or race 2.3%, mixed 9.8% (2000 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 85%, other 15% (1999 est.)

Languages:

English 38.3%, Chamorro 22.2%, Philippine languages 22.2%, other Pacific island languages 6.8%, Asian languages 7%, other languages 3.5% (2000 census)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (1990 est.)

Education expenditures:

NA

Government ::Guam

Country name:

conventional long form: Territory of Guam

conventional short form: Guam

local long form: Guahan

local short form: Guahan

Dependency status:

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type:

NA

Capital:

name: Hagatna (Agana)

geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E

time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

none (territory of the US)

Independence:

none (territory of the US)

National holiday:

Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)

Constitution:

Organic Act of Guam, 1 August 1950

Legal system:

modeled on US; US federal laws apply

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

head of government: Governor Eddie CALVO (since 3 January 2011); Lieutenant Governor Ray TENORIO (since 3 January 2011)

cabinet: heads of executive departments; appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a four-year term (can serve two consecutive terms, then must wait a full term before running again); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)

election results: Eddie CALVO elected governor; percent of vote - 50.6%; Ray TENORIO elected lieutenant governor

Legislative branch:

unicameral Legislature (15 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

elections: last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, Republican Party 6

note: Guam elects one nonvoting delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 1

Judicial branch:

Federal District Court (judge is appointed by the president); Territorial Superior Court (judges appointed for eight-year terms by the governor)

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party [Michael PHILLIPS]; Republican Party [Philip J. FLORES] (controls the legislature)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Guam Federation of Teachers' Union; Guam Waterworks Authority Workers

other: activists; indigenous groups

International organization participation:

IOC, SPC, UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (territory of the US)

Flag description:

territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa or outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Punta Dos Amantes, near the capital, in the background; blue represents the sea and red the blood shed in the struggle against oppression

note: the US flag is the national flag

National anthem:

name: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)

lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN

note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)

Economy ::Guam

Economy - overview:

The economy depends largely on US military spending and tourism. Total US grants, wage payments, and procurement outlays amounted to $1.3 billion in 2004. Over the past 30 years, the tourist industry has grown to become the largest income source following national defense. The Guam economy continues to experience expansion in both its tourism and military sectors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.5 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$2.773 billion (2001)

GDP - real growth rate:

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$15,000 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Labor force:

82,950 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 26%

industry: 10%

services: 64% (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate:

11.4% (2002 est.)

Population below poverty line:

23% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.5% (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef

Industries:

US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles

Industrial production growth rate:

NA%

Electricity - production:

1.767 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - consumption:

1.644 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - consumption:

10,620 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports:

14,230 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Exports:

$45 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities:

transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products

Imports:

$701 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods

Debt - external:

$NA

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications ::Guam

Telephones - main lines in use:

65,500 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

98,000 (2004)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system, integrated with US facilities for direct dialing, including free use of 800 numbers

domestic: digital system, including mobile-cellular service and local access to the Internet

international: country code - 1-671; major landing point for submarine cables between Asia and the US (Guam is a trans-Pacific communications hub for major carriers linking the US and Asia); satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

Broadcast media:

about a dozen TV broadcast channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations broadcasting (2009)

Internet country code:

.gu

Internet hosts:

24 (2010)

Internet users:

90,000 (2009)

Transportation ::Guam

Airports:

5; note - 2 serviceable (2010)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 4

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Roadways:

total: 1,045 km (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Apra Harbor

Military ::Guam

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 37,983

females age 16-49: 36,469 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 1,687

female: 1,597 (2010 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues ::Guam

Disputes - international:

none

page last updated on January 3, 2011

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

@Guatemala (Central America and Caribbean)

Introduction ::Guatemala

Background:

The Mayan civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the conflict, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, some 1 million refugees.

Geography ::Guatemala

Location:

Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize

Geographic coordinates:

15 30 N, 90 15 W

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 108,889 sq km country comparison to the world: 106 land: 107,159 sq km

water: 1,730 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Tennessee

Land boundaries:

total: 1,687 km

border countries: Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km

Coastline:

400 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands

Terrain:

mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: Volcan Tajumulco 4,211 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 13.22%

permanent crops: 5.6%

other: 81.18% (2005)

Irrigated land:

1,300 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

111.3 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 2.01 cu km/yr (6%/13%/80%)

per capita: 160 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms

volcanism: Guatemala experiences significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (elev. 3,772 m, 12,375 ft) has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (elev. 2,552 m, 8,373 ft), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes; the volcano has frequently been in eruption since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana

Environment - current issues:

deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

no natural harbors on west coast

People ::Guatemala

Population:

13,550,440 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Age structure:

0-14 years: 39.4% (male 2,664,058/female 2,573,006)

15-64 years: 56.8% (male 3,655,184/female 3,884,331)

65 years and over: 3.8% (male 231,652/female 268,286) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 19.7 years

male: 19.1 years

female: 20.4 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.019% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Birth rate:

27.4 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Death rate:

5.04 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Net migration rate:

-2.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Urbanization:

urban population: 49% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 3.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 26.91 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 80 male: 29.22 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 24.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 70.59 years country comparison to the world: 142 male: 68.76 years

female: 72.51 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.36 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

59,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

3,900 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: dengue fever and malaria

water contact disease: leptospirosis (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Guatemalan(s)

adjective: Guatemalan

Ethnic groups:

Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) and European 59.4%, K'iche 9.1%, Kaqchikel 8.4%, Mam 7.9%, Q'eqchi 6.3%, other Mayan 8.6%, indigenous non-Mayan 0.2%, other 0.1% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Mayan beliefs

Languages:

Spanish (official) 60%, Amerindian languages 40% (23 officially recognized Amerindian languages, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi, Mam, Garifuna, and Xinca)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 69.1%

male: 75.4%

female: 63.3% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 10 years (2007)

Education expenditures:

3.2% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 143

Government ::Guatemala

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala

conventional short form: Guatemala

local long form: Republica de Guatemala

local short form: Guatemala

Government type:

constitutional democratic republic

Capital:

name: Guatemala City

geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W

time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in April; ends last Friday in September; note - there is no DST planned for 2010

Administrative divisions:

22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa

Independence:

15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution:

31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended 25 May 1993; reinstated 5 June 1993; amended November 1993

Legal system:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

head of government: President Alvaro COLOM Caballeros (since 14 January 2008); Vice President Jose Rafael ESPADA (since 14 January 2008)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 9 September 2007; runoff held on 4 November 2007 (next to be held in September 2011)

election results: Alvaro COLOM Caballeros elected president; percent of vote - Alvaro COLOM Caballeros 52.8%, Otto PEREZ Molina 47.2%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (158 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held on 9 September 2007 (next to be held in September 2011)

election results: percent of vote by party - UNE 30.4%, GANA 23.4%, PP 18.9%, FRG 9.5%, PU 5.1%, other 12.7%; seats by party - UNE 48, GANA 37, PP 30, FRG 15, PU 8, CASA 5, EG 4, PAN 4, UCN 4, URNG 2, UD 1

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad is Guatemala's highest court (five judges are elected by Congress for concurrent five-year terms); Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (13 members are elected by Congress to serve concurrent five-year terms and elect a president of the Court each year from among their number; the president of the Supreme Court of Justice also supervises trial judges around the country, who are named to five-year terms)

Political parties and leaders:

Center of Social Action or CASA [Feliz Adolfo RUANO de Leon]; Democracy Front or FRENTE [Alfonso CABRERA]; Democratic Union or UD [Edwin Armando MARTINEZ Herrera]; Encounter for Guatemala or EG [Nineth MONTENGRO]; Grand National Alliance or GANA [Jaime Antonio MARTINEZ Lohayza]; Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG [Hector Alfredo NUILA Ericastilla]; Guatemalan Republican Front or FRG [Luis Fernando PEREZ]; Independent Bloc Guatemala or BG [Macario Efrain OLIVA Muralles]; Independent Democratic Freedom Renewed or LIDER [Manuel BALDIZON]; National Advancement Party or PAN [Juan GUTIERREZ]; National Unity for Hope or UNE [Roberto KESTLER Velasquez]; Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Mario ESTRADA]; Patriot Party or PP [Ingrid Roxana BALDETTI Elias]; Unionista Party or PU [Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Agrarian Owners Group or UNAGRO; Alliance Against Impunity or AAI; Committee for Campesino Unity or CUC; Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations or CACIF; International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala or CICIG; Mutual Support Group or GAM

International organization participation:

BCIE, CACM, FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, PetroCaribe, RG, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco VILLAGRAN de Leon

chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 745-4952

FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Providence, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Stephen G. MCFARLAND

embassy: 7-01 Avenida Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City

mailing address: APO AA 34024

telephone: [502] 2326-4000

FAX: [502] 2326-4654

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) representing liberty and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands stand for the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and the sea and sky; the white band denotes peace and purity

National anthem:

name: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala)

lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE

note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911

Economy ::Guatemala

Economy - overview:

Guatemala is the most populous of the Central American countries with a GDP per capita roughly one-half that of the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for nearly 15% of GDP and half of the labor force; key agricultural exports include coffee, sugar, and bananas. The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and since then Guatemala has pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) entered into force in July 2006 spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest decile comprising over 40% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line and 15% lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up 38% of the population, averages 76% and extreme poverty rises to 28%. 43% of children under five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. President COLOM entered into office with the promise to increase education, healthcare, and rural development, and in April 2008 he inaugurated a conditional cash transfer program, modeled after programs in Brazil and Mexico, that provide financial incentives for poor families to keep their children in school and get regular health check-ups. Given Guatemala's large expatriate community in the United States, it is the top remittance recipient in Central America, with inflows serving as a primary source of foreign income equivalent to nearly two-thirds of exports. Economic growth fell in 2009 as export demand from US and other Central American markets fell and foreign investment slowed amid the global recession, but the economy recovered gradually in 2010 and will likely return to more normal growth rates by 2012. President COLOM, in his last year in office, will likely face opposition to economic reform, particularly over a long-delayed tax reform and an IMF-recommended reform to strengthen the banking sector. Larger budget deficits and increased debt can be expected in 2011.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$70.31 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $68.8 billion (2009 est.)

$68.39 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$40.77 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 0.6% (2009 est.)

3.3% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$5,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $5,200 (2009 est.)

$5,300 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 13.3%

industry: 24.4%

services: 62.3% (2010 est.)

Labor force:

4.26 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 50%

industry: 15%

services: 35% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate:

3.2% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Population below poverty line:

56.2% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.3%

highest 10%: 42.4% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

55.1 (2007) country comparison to the world: 13 55.8 (1998)

Investment (gross fixed):

13.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Public debt:

29.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 27.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 1.9% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

NA% (31 December 2009)

NA% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

13.85% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 13.39% (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of narrow money:

$6.6 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 79 $6.13 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Stock of broad money:

$25.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $22.9 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit:

$15.58 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $14.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:

sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens

Industries:

sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:

2.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Electricity - production:

8.425 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Electricity - consumption:

7.115 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Electricity - exports:

131.9 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

8.11 million kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:

13,530 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Oil - consumption:

79,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Oil - exports:

21,850 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Oil - imports:

72,440 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Oil - proved reserves:

83.07 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Natural gas - proved reserves:

2.96 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Current account balance:

-$1.345 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 -$267.4 million (2009 est.)

Exports:

$8.47 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $7.214 billion (2009)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, sugar, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom

Exports - partners:

US 40.41%, El Salvador 11.2%, Honduras 8.48%, Mexico 5.86% (2009)

Imports:

$12.65 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $11.52 billion (2009)

Imports - commodities:

fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity

Imports - partners:

US 36.46%, Mexico 10.49%, China 5.88%, El Salvador 5.14% (2009)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$5.709 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 $4.973 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt - external:

$17.47 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $16.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates:

quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 8.0798 (2010), 8.1616 (2009), 7.5895 (2008), 7.6833 (2007), 7.6026 (2006)

Communications ::Guatemala

Telephones - main lines in use:

1.413 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67

Telephones - mobile cellular:

17.308 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 43

Telephone system:

general assessment: fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala

domestic: state-owned telecommunications company privatized in the late 1990s opening the way for competition; fixed-line teledensity roughly 10 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are being concentrated on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 100 per 100 persons

international: country code - 502; landing point for both the Americas Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) and the SAM-1 fiber optic submarine cable system that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Broadcast media:

4 privately-owned national terrestrial TV channels dominate TV broadcasting; multi-channel satellite and cable services are available; 1 government-owned radio station and hundreds of privately-owned radio stations (2007)

Internet country code:

.gt

Internet hosts:

196,870 (2010) country comparison to the world: 65

Internet users:

2.279 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 72

Transportation ::Guatemala

Airports:

372 (2010) country comparison to the world: 21

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 13

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 4

under 914 m: 3 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 359

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 84

under 914 m: 271 (2010)

Pipelines:

oil 480 km (2009)

Railways:

total: 332 km country comparison to the world: 119 narrow gauge: 332 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 14,095 km country comparison to the world: 124 paved: 4,863 km (includes 75 km of expressways)

unpaved: 9,232 km (2000)

Waterways:

990 km (260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season) (2010) country comparison to the world: 66

Ports and terminals:

Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla

Military ::Guatemala

Military branches:

National Army of Guatemala (Ejercito Nacional de Guatemala, ENG), Guatemalan Navy (Marina Nacional, includes Marines), Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca, FAG) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are liable for military service; conscript service obligation varies from 12 to 24 months; women can serve as officers (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 3,062,027

females age 16-49: 3,266,655 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,494,903

females age 16-49: 2,827,208 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 168,959

female: 166,414 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.4% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 166

Transnational Issues ::Guatemala

Disputes - international:

annual ministerial meetings under the OAS-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; the Line of Adjacency created under the 2002 Differendum serves in lieu of the contiguous international boundary to control squatting in the sparsely inhabited rain forests of Belize's border region; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the United States

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: undetermined (the UN does not estimate there are any IDPs, although some NGOs estimate over 200,000 IDPs as a result of over three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996) (2007)

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination country for Guatemalans and Central Americans trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; human trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country; Guatemalan women and children are trafficked within the country for commercial sexual exploitation, primarily to Mexico and the United States; Guatemalan men, women, and children are also trafficked within the country, and to Mexico and the United States, for forced labor

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - for a second consecutive year, Guatemala is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly with respect to ensuring that trafficking offenders are appropriately prosecuted for their crimes; while prosecutors initiated trafficking prosecutions, they continued to face problems in court with application of Guatemala's comprehensive anti-trafficking law; the government made modest improvements to its protection efforts, but assistance remained inadequate overall in 2007 (2008)

Illicit drugs:

major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2005, cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than 1 metric ton of pure heroin; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a serious problem; corruption is a major problem

page last updated on January 20, 2011

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

@Guernsey (Europe)

Introduction ::Guernsey

Background:

Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. Guernsey is a British crown dependency but is not part of the UK or of the European Union. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.

Geography ::Guernsey

Location:

Western Europe, islands in the English Channel, northwest of France

Geographic coordinates:

49 28 N, 2 35 W

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 78 sq km country comparison to the world: 227 land: 78 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands

Area - comparative:

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

50 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 3 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm

Climate:

temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast

Terrain:

mostly level with low hills in southwest

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed elevation on Sark 114 m

Natural resources:

cropland

Land use:

arable land: NA

permanent crops: NA

other: NA

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

NA

Environment - current issues:

NA

Geography - note:

large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

People ::Guernsey

Population:

64,775 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.5% (male 4,799/female 4,673)

15-64 years: 67.9% (male 22,056/female 22,410)

65 years and over: 17.6% (male 5,009/female 6,537) (2010 est.)

Median age:

total: 41.9 years

male: 40.9 years

female: 42.9 years (2010 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.466% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Birth rate:

10.25 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Death rate:

8.35 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Net migration rate:

2.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Urbanization:

urban population: 31% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.049 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 210 male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 82.08 years country comparison to the world: 6 male: 79.43 years

female: 84.87 years (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.53 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Channel Islander(s)

adjective: Channel Islander

Ethnic groups:

British and Norman-French descent with small percentages from other European countries

Religions:

Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist

Languages:

English, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts

Literacy:

NA

Education expenditures:

NA

Government ::Guernsey

Country name:

conventional long form: Bailiwick of Guernsey

conventional short form: Guernsey

Dependency status:

British crown dependency

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

name: Saint Peter Port

geographic coordinates: 49 27 N, 2 32 W

time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 10 parishes including Castel, Forest, Saint Andrew, Saint Martin, Saint Peter Port, Saint Pierre du Bois, Saint Sampson, Saint Saviour, Torteval, Vale

Independence:

none (British crown dependency)

National holiday:

Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)

Constitution:

unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice

Legal system:

the laws of the UK where applicable apply; justice is administered by the Royal Court

Suffrage:

16 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Fabian MALBON (since 28 October 2005)

head of government: Chief Minister Lyndon TROTT (since 1 May 2008); Bailiff Sir Geoffrey ROWLAND (since June 2005)

cabinet: Policy Council elected by the States of Deliberation (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; lieutenant governor appointed by the monarch; chief minister elected by States of Deliberation

election results: Lyndon TROTT elected chief minister, percent of vote of the States of Deliberation NA

Legislative branch:

unicameral States of Deliberation (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); note - Alderney and Sark have parliaments

elections: last held on 23 April 2008 (next to be held in 2012)

election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - all independents

Judicial branch:

Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff)

Political parties and leaders:

none; all independents

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Stop Traffic Endangering Pedestrian Safety or STEPS; No More Masts [Colin FALLAIZE]

International organization participation:

UPU

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (British crown dependency)

Flag description:

white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag and a yellow equal-armed cross of William the Conqueror superimposed on the Saint George cross; the red cross represents the old ties with England and the fact that Guernsey is a British Crown dependency; the gold cross is a replica of the one used by Duke William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings

National anthem:

name: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)

lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO

note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" remains official (see United Kingdom)

Economy ::Guernsey

Economy - overview:

Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance - account for about 23% of employment and about 55% of total income in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, construction, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the environment under which Guernsey operates.