Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (67)
San Marino's economy relies heavily on its tourism and banking industries, as well as on the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food. San Marino boasts the world's longest life expectancy for men with 80 years. The economy benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. San Marino has recently faced increased international pressure to improve cooperation with foreign tax authorities and transparency within its own banking sector, which generates about one-fifth of the country's tax revenues. Italy's implementation in October 2009 of a tax amnesty to repatriate untaxed funds held abroad has resulted in financial outflows from San Marino to Italy worth more than $4.5 billion. Such outflows, combined with a money-laundering scandal at San Marino's largest financial institution and the recent global economic downturn, have contributed to a deep recession and growing budget deficit. However, San Marino has no national debt, and an unemployment rate half the size of Italy's. The San Marino government has adopted measures to counter the downturn, including subsidized credit to businesses. San Marino also continues to work towards harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU members and international standards. In September 2009, the OECD removed San Marino from its list of tax havens that have yet to fully implement global tax standards.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.662 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 191 $850 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.048 billion (2004)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,900 (2007) country comparison to the world: 16
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 46.5%
services: 53.4% (2007)
Labor force:
22,660 (2008) country comparison to the world: 208
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 0.1%
industry: 37.7%
services: 62.2% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate:
3.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 24
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-3.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 1 -1.5% (2006)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% (31 December 2009 est.)
NA% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.326 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of broad money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$4.584 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.875 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 103 $7.511 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Industries:
tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate:
3.1% (2007) country comparison to the world: 101
Exports:
$4.628 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 110 $1.291 billion (2004)
Exports - commodities:
building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics
Imports:
$3.744 billion (2007) country comparison to the world: 130 $2.035 billion (2004)
Imports - commodities:
wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6734 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::San Marino
Telephones - main lines in use:
21,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 191
Telephones - mobile cellular:
24,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity 150 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 378; connected to Italian international network
Broadcast media:
state-owned public broadcaster operates 1 TV station and 2 radio stations; receives radio and TV broadcasts from Italy (2008)
Internet country code:
.sm
Internet hosts:
8,895 (2010) country comparison to the world: 130
Internet users:
17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 195
Transportation ::San Marino
Roadways:
total: 292 km country comparison to the world: 204 paved: 292 km (2006)
Military ::San Marino
Military branches:
no regular military forces; voluntary Military Force (Corpi Militari) performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
16-55 for voluntary service in Voluntary Military Force (2006)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 6,893 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 5,564
females age 16-49: 6,068 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 176
female: 164 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Italy
Transnational Issues ::San Marino
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Sao Tome and Principe (Africa)
Introduction ::Sao Tome and Principe
Background:
Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and two failed coup attempts in 1995 and 2003. The recent discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea promises to attract increased attention to the small island nation.
Geography ::Sao Tome and Principe
Location:
Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 964 sq km country comparison to the world: 184 land: 964 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
209 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain:
volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources:
fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 8.33%
permanent crops: 48.96%
other: 42.71% (2005)
Irrigated land:
100 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous
People ::Sao Tome and Principe
Population:
175,808 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Age structure:
0-14 years: 46.9% (male 50,475/female 49,188)
15-64 years: 49.7% (male 51,325/female 54,289)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 3,335/female 4,067) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.5 years
male: 17 years
female: 17.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.112% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Birth rate:
39.09 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Death rate:
8.45 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Net migration rate:
-9.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214
Urbanization:
urban population: 61% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 54.64 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 42 male: 56.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 52.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 62.73 years country comparison to the world: 176 male: 61.58 years
female: 63.91 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.21 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Sao Tomean(s)
adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups:
mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions:
Catholic 70.3%, Evangelical 3.4%, New Apostolic 2%, Adventist 1.8%, other 3.1%, none 19.4% (2001 census)
Languages:
Portuguese (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 84.9%
male: 92.2%
female: 77.9% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2009)
Education expenditures:
NA
Government ::Sao Tome and Principe
Country name:
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe
local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe
local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Sao Tome
geographic coordinates: 0 12 N, 6 39 E
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome
note: Principe has had self government since 29 April 1995
Independence:
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution:
approved March 1990, effective 10 September 1990
Legal system:
based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Fradique Bandiera Melo DE MENEZES (since 3 September 2001)
head of government: Prime Minister Joachim Rafael BRANCO (since 22 June 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 July 2006 (next to be held in July 2011); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president
election results: Fradique DE MENEZES elected president; percent of vote - Fradique DE MENEZES 60%, Patrice TROVOADA 38.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 August 2010 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ADI 26, MLSTP 21, PCD 7, MDFM 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the National Assembly)
Political parties and leaders:
Force for Change Democratic Movement or MDFM [Tome Soares da VERA CRUZ]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI [Patrice TROVOADA]; Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Rafael BRANCO]; New Way Movement or NR; Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Delfim NEVES]; Ue-Kedadji coalition; other small parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Sao Tome and Principe NGOs or FONG
other: the media
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ovidio PEQUENO
chancery: 1211 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 775-2075, 2076
FAX: [1] (202) 775-2077
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description:
three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; green stands for the country's rich vegetation, red recalls the struggle for independence, and yellow represents cocoa, one of the country's main agricultural products; the two stars symbolize the two main islands
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem:
name: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)
lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA
note: adopted 1975
Economy ::Sao Tome and Principe
Economy - overview:
This small, poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence in 1975. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome and Principe has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a substantial amount of food. Over the years, it has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Sao Tome and Principe benefited from $200 million in debt relief in December 2000 under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, which helped bring down the country's $300 million debt burden. In August 2005, the government signed on to a new 3-year IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) program worth $4.3 million. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. Potential exists for the development of petroleum resources in Sao Tome and Principe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but any actual production is at least several years off. The first production licenses were sold in 2004, though a dispute over licensing with Nigeria delayed the country's receipt of more than $20 million in signing bonuses for almost a year.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$316.9 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 $299 million (2009 est.)
$287.5 million (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$187 million (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 4% (2009 est.)
5.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,800 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193 $1,700 (2009 est.)
$1,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.7%
industry: 22.9%
services: 62.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
52,490 (2007) country comparison to the world: 188
Labor force - by occupation:
note: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing; shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
54% (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
41% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 16.7% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
16% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 4 28% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
32.4% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 32.4% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$17.18 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 187 $19.1 million (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$82.2 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 185 $64.79 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$17.14 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 $16.57 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Industries:
light construction, textiles, soap, beer, fish processing, timber
Industrial production growth rate:
7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - production:
19 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - consumption:
17.67 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Oil - consumption:
1,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Oil - imports:
726 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Current account balance:
-$73 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73 -$49 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$13 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 $10 million (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
cocoa 80%, copra, coffee, palm oil
Exports - partners:
UK 32.99%, Netherlands 26.93%, Belgium 21.04%, Portugal 4.31% (2009)
Imports:
$99 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 $80 million (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Portugal 58.9%, Brazil 6.68%, US 4.71%, Japan 4.49% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$46 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $39 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$318 million (2002) country comparison to the world: 170
Exchange rates:
dobras (STD) per US dollar - 19,641 (2010), 16,000 (2009), 14,900 (2008), 13,700 (2007), 12,050 (2006)
Communications ::Sao Tome and Principe
Telephones - main lines in use:
7,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 205
Telephones - mobile cellular:
64,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 193
Telephone system:
general assessment: local telephone network of adequate quality with most lines connected to digital switches
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 35 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 239; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Broadcast media:
1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.st
Internet hosts:
1,514 (2010) country comparison to the world: 158
Internet users:
26,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 183
Transportation ::Sao Tome and Principe
Airports:
2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 202
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 320 km country comparison to the world: 202 paved: 218 km
unpaved: 102 km (2000)
Merchant marine:
total: 3 country comparison to the world: 137 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 2
foreign-owned: 1 (Greece 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Sao Tome
Military ::Sao Tome and Principe
Military branches:
Armed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.) (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 38,211
females age 16-49: 38,929 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 26,530
females age 16-49: 28,450 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 1,997
female: 1,922 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.8% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 147
Military - note:
Sao Tome and Principe's army is a tiny force with almost no resources at its disposal and would be wholly ineffective operating unilaterally; infantry equipment is considered simple to operate and maintain but may require refurbishment or replacement after 25 years in tropical climates; poor pay, working conditions, and alleged nepotism in the promotion of officers have been problems in the past, as reflected in the 1995 and 2003 coups; these issues are being addressed with foreign assistance aimed at improving the army and its focus on realistic security concerns; command is exercised from the president, through the Minister of Defense, to the Chief of the Armed Forces staff (2005)
Transnational Issues ::Sao Tome and Principe
Disputes - international:
none
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Saudi Arabia (Middle East)
Introduction ::Saudi Arabia
Background:
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. A male descendent of Ibn Saud, his son ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz, rules the country today as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong on-going campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. King ABDALLAH has continued the cautious reform program begun when he was crown prince. To promote increased political participation, the government held elections nationwide from February through April 2005 for half the members of 179 municipal councils. In December 2005, King ABDALLAH completed the process by appointing the remaining members of the advisory municipal councils. The king instituted an Inter-Faith Dialogue initiative in 2008 to encourage religious tolerance on a global level; in February 2009, he reshuffled the cabinet, which led to more moderates holding ministerial and judicial positions, and appointed the first female to the cabinet. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds more than 20% of the world's proven oil reserves. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in December 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the kingdom. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all ongoing governmental concerns.
Geography ::Saudi Arabia
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates:
25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 2,149,690 sq km country comparison to the world: 14 land: 2,149,690 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries:
total: 4,431 km
border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 744 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline:
2,640 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate:
harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Terrain:
mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use:
arable land: 1.67%
permanent crops: 0.09%
other: 98.24% (2005)
Irrigated land:
16,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
2.4 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 17.32 cu km/yr (10%/1%/89%)
per capita: 705 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism: Despite Saudi Arabia's many volcanic formations, there has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar
Environment - current issues:
desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
People ::Saudi Arabia
Population:
25,731,776 country comparison to the world: 46 note: includes 5,576,076 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 38% (male 5,557,453/female 5,340,614)
15-64 years: 59.5% (male 9,608,032/female 7,473,543)
65 years and over: 2.5% (male 363,241/female 343,750) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 24.9 years
male: 26 years
female: 23.4 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.548% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Birth rate:
19.43 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Death rate:
3.34 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Net migration rate:
-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Urbanization:
urban population: 82% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.5% 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: 1.27 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.17 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 16.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 112 male: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.87 years country comparison to the world: 108 male: 71.93 years
female: 75.9 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.35 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.01% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Saudi(s)
adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups:
Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions:
Muslim 100%
Languages:
Arabic (official)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 78.8%
male: 84.7%
female: 70.8% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 13 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.7% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 41
Government ::Saudi Arabia
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
conventional short form: Saudi Arabia
local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Government type:
monarchy
Capital:
name: Riyadh
geographic coordinates: 24 38 N, 46 43 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah (Northern Border), Al Jawf, Al Madinah (Medina), Al Qasim, Ar Riyad (Riyadh), Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah (Mecca), Najran, Tabuk
Independence:
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)
National holiday:
Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution:
governed according to Islamic law; the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was promulgated by royal decree in 1992
Legal system:
based on sharia law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; male
Executive branch:
chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SULTAN bin Abd al- Aziz Al Saud (half brother of the monarch); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; Second Deputy Prime Minister NAYIF bin Abd Al-Aziz Al Saud
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; note - an Allegiance Commission created by royal decree in October 2006 established a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but the system will not take effect until after Crown Prince Sultan becomes king
Legislative branch:
Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch to serve four-year terms); note - though the Council of Ministers announced in October 2003 its intent to introduce elections for a third of the Majlis al-Shura incrementally over a period of four to five years, to date no such elections have been held or announced
Judicial branch:
Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ansar Al Marah (supports women's rights)
other: gas companies; religious groups
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Adil al-Ahmad al-JUBAYR
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3113
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James B. SMITH
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description:
green, a traditional color in Islamic flags, with the Shahada or Muslim creed in large white Arabic script (translated as "There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God") above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); design dates to the early twentieth century and is closely associated with the Al Saud family which established the kingdom in 1932; the flag is manufactured with differing obverse and reverse sides so that the Shahada reads - and the sword points - correctly from right to left on both sides
note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Paraguay
National anthem:
name: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984
Economy ::Saudi Arabia
Economy - overview:
Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 20% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 80% of budget revenues, 45% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Diversification efforts are focusing on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. Almost 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors, while Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population, which generally lacks the education and technical skills the private sector needs. Riyadh has substantially boosted spending on job training and education, most recently with the opening of the King Abdallah University of Science and Technology - Saudi Arabia's first co-educational university. As part of its effort to attract foreign investment, Saudi Arabia acceded to the WTO in December 2005 after many years of negotiations. The government has begun establishing six "economic cities" in different regions of the country to promote foreign investment and plans to spend $373 billion between 2010 and 2014 on social development and infrastructure projects to advance Saudi Arabia's economic development.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$622.5 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $599.7 billion (2009 est.)
$599.1 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$434.4 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 0.1% (2009 est.)
4.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$24,200 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $23,700 (2009 est.)
$24,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.7%
industry: 61.9%
services: 35.4% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
7.337 million country comparison to the world: 62 note: about 80% of the labor force is non-national (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 6.7%
industry: 21.4%
services: 71.9% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 10.5% (2009 est.)
note: data are for Saudi males only (local bank estimates; some estimates range as high as 25%)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
24.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46
Public debt:
16.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 22.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 5.1% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
2.5% (31 December 2008)
NA% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
NA%
Stock of narrow money:
$166.9 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 20 $139.1 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$286.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $274.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$11.24 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $2.248 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$318.8 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 23 $246.3 billion (31 December 2008)
$515.1 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk
Industries:
crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics, metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction
Industrial production growth rate:
3.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102
Electricity - production:
179.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Electricity - consumption:
165.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
9.764 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 2
Oil - consumption:
2.43 million bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Oil - exports:
8.728 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Oil - imports:
79,250 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Oil - proved reserves:
264.6 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1
Natural gas - production:
77.1 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 10
Natural gas - consumption:
77.1 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - proved reserves:
7.461 trillion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Current account balance:
$52.03 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $22.77 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$235.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $192.3 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products 90%
Exports - partners:
Japan 15.33%, South Korea 12.71%, US 12.2%, China 10.38%, India 7.12%, Taiwan 4.54%, Singapore 4.25% (2009)
Imports:
$99.17 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $87.1 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles
Imports - partners:
US 12.32%, China 12.06%, Germany 7.67%, Japan 6.15%, South Korea 5.32%, India 4.99%, UK 4.72%, France 4.05% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$456.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 $410.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$82.92 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $72.77 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$204.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $167 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$18 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 $11.41 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Saudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.75 (2010), 3.75 (2009), 3.75 (2008), 3.745 (2007), 3.745 (2006)
Communications ::Saudi Arabia
Telephones - main lines in use:
4.171 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36
Telephones - mobile cellular:
44.864 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 27
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system including a combination of extensive microwave radio relays, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables
domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing rapidly
international: country code - 966; landing point for the international submarine cable Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and for both the SEA-ME-WE-3 and SEA-ME-WE-4 submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region) (2008)
Broadcast media:
broadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.sa
Internet hosts:
488,598 (2010) country comparison to the world: 51
Internet users:
9.774 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 30
Transportation ::Saudi Arabia
Airports:
217 (2010) country comparison to the world: 27
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 81
over 3,047 m: 33
2,438 to 3,047 m: 15
1,524 to 2,437 m: 27
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 4 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 136
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
1,524 to 2,437 m: 71
914 to 1,523 m: 41
under 914 m: 16 (2010)
Heliports:
9 (2010)
Pipelines:
condensate 212 km; gas 1,880 km; liquid petroleum gas 1,183 km; oil 4,241 km; refined products 1,148 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 1,392 km country comparison to the world: 83 standard gauge: 1,392 km 1.435-m gauge (with branch lines and sidings) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 221,372 km country comparison to the world: 23 paved: 47,529 km (includes 3,891 km of expressways)
unpaved: 173,843 km (2006)
Merchant marine:
total: 74 country comparison to the world: 58 by type: cargo 2, chemical tanker 22, container 4, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 11, petroleum tanker 22, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 8
foreign-owned: 15 (Egypt 1, Greece 4, Kuwait 4, UAE 6)
registered in other countries: 55 (Bahamas 16, Dominica 3, Liberia 24, Norway 3, Panama 8) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jiddah, Yanbu' al Sinaiyah
Military ::Saudi Arabia
Military branches:
Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2004)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 8,752,167
females age 16-49: 6,680,315 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 7,560,216
females age 16-49: 5,773,033 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 280,041
female: 269,580 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Transnational Issues ::Saudi Arabia
Disputes - international:
Saudi Arabia has reinforced its concrete-filled security barrier along sections of the now fully demarcated border with Yemen to stem illegal cross-border activities; Kuwait and Saudi Arabia continue discussions on a maritime boundary with Iran; Saudi Arabia claims Egyptian-administered islands of Tiran and Sanafir
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 240,015 (Palestinian Territories) (2007)
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for workers from South and Southeast Asia who are subjected to conditions that constitute involuntary servitude including being subjected to physical and sexual abuse, non-payment of wages, confinement, and withholding of passports as a restriction on their movement; domestic workers are particularly vulnerable because some are confined to the house in which they work unable to seek help; Saudi Arabia is also a destination country for Nigerian, Yemeni, Pakistani, Afghan, Somali, Malian, and Sudanese children trafficked for forced begging and involuntary servitude as street vendors; some Nigerian women were reportedly trafficked into Saudi Arabia for commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 3 - Saudi Arabia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to lack adequate anti-trafficking laws and, despite evidence of widespread trafficking abuses, did not report any criminal prosecutions, convictions, or prison sentences for trafficking crimes committed against foreign domestic workers (2008)
Illicit drugs:
death penalty for traffickers; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement
page last updated on January 13, 2011
======================================================================
@Senegal (Africa)
Introduction ::Senegal
Background:
The French colonies of Senegal and the French Sudan were merged in 1959 and granted their independence as the Mali Federation in 1960. The union broke up after only a few months. Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia in 1982. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never carried out, and the union was dissolved in 1989. The Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance (MFDC) has led a low-level separatist insurgency in southern Senegal since the 1980s, and several peace deals have failed to resolve the conflict. Nevertheless, Senegal remains one of the most stable democracies in Africa. Senegal was ruled by a Socialist Party for 40 years until current President Abdoulaye WADE was elected in 2000. He was reelected in February 2007 and has amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and to weaken the opposition, part of the President's increasingly autocratic governing style. Senegal has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation.
Geography ::Senegal
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
Geographic coordinates:
14 00 N, 14 00 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 196,722 sq km country comparison to the world: 87 land: 192,530 sq km
water: 4,192 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land boundaries:
total: 2,640 km
border countries: The Gambia 740 km, Guinea 330 km, Guinea-Bissau 338 km, Mali 419 km, Mauritania 813 km
Coastline:
531 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind
Terrain:
generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed elevation southwest of Kedougou 581 m
Natural resources:
fish, phosphates, iron ore
Land use:
arable land: 12.51%
permanent crops: 0.24%
other: 87.25% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,200 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
39.4 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.22 cu km/yr (4%/3%/93%)
per capita: 190 cu m/yr (2002)
Natural hazards:
lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:
wildlife populations threatened by poaching; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal
People ::Senegal
Population:
12,323,252 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Age structure:
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,911,324/female 2,877,804)
15-64 years: 54.8% (male 3,728,664/female 3,786,000)
65 years and over: 3% (male 190,343/female 217,462) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.9 years
male: 17.1 years
female: 18.7 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.579% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Birth rate:
37.27 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Death rate:
9.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Net migration rate:
-1.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Urbanization:
urban population: 42% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 57.7 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 36 male: 64.34 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 50.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 59.38 years country comparison to the world: 189 male: 57.48 years
female: 61.34 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.86 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
67,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, dengue fever, malaria, Rift Valley fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Senegalese (singular and plural)
adjective: Senegalese
Ethnic groups:
Wolof 43.3%, Pular 23.8%, Serer 14.7%, Jola 3.7%, Mandinka 3%, Soninke 1.1%, European and Lebanese 1%, other 9.4%
Religions:
Muslim 94%, Christian 5% (mostly Roman Catholic), indigenous beliefs 1%
Languages:
French (official), Wolof, Pulaar, Jola, Mandinka
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 39.3%
male: 51.1%
female: 29.2% (2002 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 7 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 64
Government ::Senegal
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Senegal
conventional short form: Senegal
local long form: Republique du Senegal
local short form: Senegal
former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Dakar
geographic coordinates: 14 40 N, 17 26 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor
Independence:
4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960
National holiday:
Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
Constitution:
adopted 7 January 2001
Legal system:
based on French civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court; the Council of State audits the government's accounting office; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Abdoulaye WADE (since 1 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Soulayemane Ndene NDIAYE (since 1 May 2009)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) under new constitution; election last held on 25 February 2007 (next to be held in 2012); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Abdoulaye WADE reelected president; percent of vote - Abdoulaye WADE 55.9%, Idrissa SECK 14.9%, Ousmane Tanor DIENG 13.6%, Moustapha NIASSE 5.9%, other 9.7%
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate, reinstituted in 2007, (100 seats; 35 members indirectly elected and 65 members appointed by the president) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (150 seats; 90 members elected by direct popular vote and 60 elected by proportional representation from party lists to serve five-year terms)
elections: Senate - last held on 19 August 2007 (next to be held - NA); National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2007 (next to be held in 2012); note - the National Assembly in December 2005 voted to postpone legislative elections originally scheduled for 2006; legislative elections were first rescheduled to coincide with the 25 February 2007 presidential elections and later for 3 June 2007; the election was boycotted by 12 opposition parties, including the former ruling Socialist Party, which resulted in a record-low 35% voter turnout
election results: Senate results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDS 34, AJ/PADS 1, 65 appointed by the president; National Assembly results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SOPI Coalition 131, other 19
Judicial branch:
Constitutional Court; Council of State; Court of Final Appeals or Cour de Cassation; Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
African Party of Independence [Majhemout DIOP]; Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar [Macky Sall]; Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE]; And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Landing SAVANE]; Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Dr. Abdoulaye BATHILY]; Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE]; Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS]; Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Amath DANSOKHO]; Jef-Jel [Talla SYLLA]; National Democratic Rally or RND [Madior DIOUF]; People's Labor Party or PTP [El Hadji DIOUF]; Reform Party or PR [Abdourahim AGNE]; Rewmi Party [Idrissa Seck]; Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE]; Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG]; SOPI Coalition [Abdoulaye WADE] (a coalition led by the PDS); Union for Democratic Renewal or URD [Djibo Leyti KA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: labor; students; Sufi brotherhoods, including the Mourides and Tidjanes; teachers
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Fatou Danielle DIAGNE
chancery: 2112 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540
FAX: [1] (202) 332-6315
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia S. BERNICAT
embassy: Avenue Jean XXIII at the corner of Rue Kleber, Dakar
mailing address: B. P. 49, Dakar
telephone: [221] 33-829-2100
FAX: [221] 33-822-2991
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; green represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies natural wealth and progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and determination; the star denotes unity and hope
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea
National anthem:
name: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)
lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER
note: adopted 1960; the lyrics were written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal"s first president; the anthem is sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title
Economy ::Senegal
Economy - overview:
Senegal relies heavily on donor assistance. The country's key export industries are phosphate mining, fertilizer production, and commercial fishing. The country is also working on iron ore and oil exploration projects. In January 1994, Senegal undertook a bold and ambitious economic reform program with the support of the international donor community. Government price controls and subsidies have been steadily dismantled. After seeing its economy contract by 2.1% in 1993, Senegal made an important turnaround, thanks to the reform program, with real growth in GDP averaging over 5% annually during 1995-2008. Annual inflation had been pushed down to the single digits. The country was adversely affected by the global economic downturn in 2009 and GDP growth fell below 2%. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Senegal is working toward greater regional integration with a unified external tariff and a more stable monetary policy. High unemployment, however, continues to prompt illegal migrants to flee Senegal in search of better job opportunities in Europe. Under the IMF's Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief program, Senegal benefited from eradication of two-thirds of its bilateral, multilateral, and private-sector debt. In 2007, Senegal and the IMF agreed to a new, non-disbursing, Policy Support Initiative program which was completed in 2010. Senegal received its first disbursement from the $540 million Millennium Challenge Account compact it signed in September 2009 for infrastructure and agriculture development. In 2010, the Senegalese people protested against frequent power cuts. The government pledged to expand capacity by 2012 and to promote renewable energy but until Senegal has more capacity, more protests are likely and economic activity will be hindered. During the year, bakers protested government price controls on bread. Foreign investment in Senegal is constrained by Senegal's business environment, which has slipped in recent years, and by perceptions of corruption.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$23.86 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $22.96 billion (2009 est.)
$22.56 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$12.66 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86 1.8% (2009 est.)
3.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 $1,900 (2009 est.)
$1,900 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
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The 2010 CIA World FactbookChapter M: Major infectious diseases (67)
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