Part 6 out of 27Legal system: a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law; rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law National holiday: National Day, 1 October (1949) Executive branch: president, vice president, premier, three vice premiers, State Council, Central Military Commission (de facto) Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Congress (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government (de facto)--DENG Xiaoping (since mid-1977); Chief of State--President YANG Shangkun (since 8 April 1988); Vice President WANG Zhen (since 8 April 1988); Head of Government--Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November 1987, Premier since 9 April 1988); Vice Premier YAO Yilin (since 2 July 1979); Vice Premier TIAN Jiyun (since 20 June 1983); Vice Premier WU Xueqian (since 12 April 1988) Political parties and leaders: only party--Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Jiang Zemin, general secretary of the Central Committee Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 8 April 1988 (next to be held March 1993); Yang Shangkun was elected by the Seventh National People's Congress; National People's Congress--last held NA March 1988 (next to be held March 1993); results--CCP is the only party; seats--(2,970 total) CCP 2,970 (indirectly elected) Communists: about 45,000,000 party members (1986) Other political or pressure groups: such meaningful opposition as exists consists of loose coalitions, usually within the party and government organization, that vary by issue Member of: ADB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, ITU, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador ZHU Qizhen; Chancery at 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 328-2500 through 2502; there are Chinese Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, New York, and San Francisco; US--Ambassador James R. LILLEY; Embassy at Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing (mailing address is FPO San Francisco 96655); telephone p86o (1) 532-3831; there are US Consulates General in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang Flag: red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner - Economy Overview: Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy to a more productive and flexible economy with market elements--but still within the framework of monolithic Communist control. To this end the authorities have switched to a system of household responsibility in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light manufacturing, and opened the foreign economic sector to increased trade and joint ventures. The most gratifying result has been a strong spurt in production, particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Otherwise, the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals and thereby undermining the credibility of the reform process. Open inflation and excess demand continue to plague the economy, and political repression, following the crackdown at Tiananmen in mid-1989, has curtailed tourism, foreign aid, and new investment by foreign firms. Popular resistance and changes in central policy have weakened China's population control program, which is essential to the nation's long-term economic viability. GNP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate 4% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 19.5% (1989) Unemployment rate: 3.0% in urban areas (1989) Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $52.5 billion (f.o.b., 1989); commodities--manufactured goods, agricultural products, oilseeds, grain (rice and corn), oil, minerals; partners--Hong Kong, US, Japan, USSR, Singapore, FRG (1989) Imports: $59.1 billion (c.i.f., 1989); commodities--grain (mostly wheat), chemical fertilizer, steel, industrial raw materials, machinery, equipment; partners--Hong Kong, Japan, US, FRG, USSR (1989) External debt: $51 billion (1989 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 8.0% (1989) Electricity: 110,000,000 kW capacity; 560,000 million kWh produced, 500 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: iron, steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles, petroleum Agriculture: accounts for 26% of GNP; among the world's largest producers of rice, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, and pork; commercial crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds; produces variety of livestock products; basically self-sufficient in food; fish catch of 8 million metric tons in 1986 Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $11.1 billion Currency: yuan (plural--yuan); 1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao Exchange rates: yuan (Y) per US$1--4.7221 (January 1990), 3.7651 (1989), 3.7221 (1988), 3.7221 (1987), 3.4528 (1986), 2.9367 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: total about 54,000 km common carrier lines; 53,400 km 1.435-meter standard gauge; 600 km 1.000-meter gauge; all single track except 11,200 km double track on standard-gauge lines; 6,500 km electrified; 10,000 km industrial lines (gauges range from 0.762 to 1.067 meters) Highways: about 980,000 km all types roads; 162,000 km paved roads, 617,200 km gravel/improved earth roads, 200,800 km unimproved natural earth roads and tracks Inland waterways: 138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable Pipelines: crude, 6,500 km; refined products, 1,100 km; natural gas, 6,200 km Ports: Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Xingang, Zhanjiang, Ningbo Merchant marine: 1,373 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 13,303,685 GRT/ 20,092,833 DWT; includes 25 passenger, 41 short-sea passenger, 17 passenger-cargo, 7 cargo/training, 766 cargo, 10 refrigerated cargo, 65 container, 17 roll-on/roll-off cargo, 3 multifunction barge carriers, 173 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 9 chemical tanker, 237 bulk, 2 vehicle carrier, 1 liquefied gas; note--China beneficially owns an additional 175 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling approximately 5,380,415 DWT that operate under the registry of Panama, UK, Hong Kong, Liberia, and Malta Airports: 330 total, 330 usable; 260 with permanent-surface runways; fewer than 10 with runways over 3,500 m; 90 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 200 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: domestic and international services are increasingly available for private use; unevenly distributed internal system serves principal cities, industrial centers, and most townships; 11,000,000 telephones (December 1989); stations--274 AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050 relays) TV; more than 215 million radio receivers; 75 million TVs; satellite earth stations--4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, and 55 domestic - Defense Forces Branches: Chinese People's Liberation Army (CPLA), CPLA Navy (including Marines), CPLA Air Force Military manpower: males 15-49, 330,353,665; 184,515,412 fit for military service; 11,594,366 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: $5.28 billion (1988) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Christmas Island (territory of Australia) - Geography Total area: 135 km2; land area: 135 km2 Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Natural resources: phosphate Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: almost completely surrounded by a reef Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean - People Population: 2,278 (July 1990), growth rate 0.0% (1990) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Christmas Islander(s), adjective--Christmas Island Ethnic divisions: 61% Chinese, 25% Malay, 11% European, 3% other; no indigenous population Religion: NA Language: English Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA; all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island, Ltd. Organized labor: NA - Government Long-form name: Territory of Christmas Island Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, Advisory Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Administrator A. D. TAYLOR (since NA) Communists: none Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used - Economy Overview: Phosphate mining is the only significant economic activity, but in November 1987 the Australian Government announced that the mine would be closed because of labor unrest. Plans are under way to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism. GDP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 0% Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA; commodities--phosphate; partners--Australia, NZ Imports: $NA; commodities--NA; partners--NA External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 11,000 kW capacity; 38 million kWh produced, 16,680 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: phosphate extraction (near depletion) Agriculture: NA Aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January 1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June - Communications Ports: Flying Fish Cove Airports: 1 usable with permanent-surface runway 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: 4,000 radios (1982) - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Clipperton Island (French possession) - Geography Total area: undetermined Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: coral atoll Natural resources: none Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other (coral) Environment: reef about 8 km in circumference Note: located 1,120 km southwest of Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean - People Population: uninhabited - Government Long-form name: none Type: French possession administered by High Commissioner of the Republic Jean MONTPEZAT, resident in French Polynesia - Economy Overview: no economic activity - Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorage only - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Cocos (Keeling) Islands (territory of Australia) - Geography Total area: 14 km2; land area: 14 km2; main islands are West Island and Home Island Comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 42.6 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other Environment: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation Note: located 1,070 km southwest of Sumatra (Indonesia) in the Indian Ocean about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka - People Population: 670 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NA migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: NA years male, NA years female (1990) Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Cocos Islander(s); adjective--Cocos Islander(s) Ethnic divisions: mostly Europeans on West Island and Cocos Malays on Home Island Religion: NA Language: English Literacy: NA% Labor force: NA Organized labor: none - Government Long-form name: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands Type: territory of Australia Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, governor general of Australia, administrator, chairman of the Islands Council Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Head of Government--Administrator D. LAWRIE (since NA 1989); Chairman of the Islands Council Parson Bin YAPAT (since NA) Suffrage: NA Elections: NA Diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used - Economy Overview: Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. GNP: $NA, per capita $NA; real growth rate NA% Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment: NA Budget: revenues $NA; expenditures $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $NA; commodities--copra; partners--Australia Imports: $NA; commodities--foodstuffs; partners--Australia External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: NA kW capacity; NA million kWh produced, NA kWh per capita Industries: copra products Agriculture: gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts Aid: none Currency: Australian dollar (plural--dollars); 1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Australian dollars ($A) per US$1--1.2784 (January 1990), 1.2618 (1989), 1.2752 (1988), 1.4267 (1987), 1.4905 (1986), 1.4269 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 July-30 June - Communications Ports: none; lagoon anchorage only Airports: 1 airfield with permanent-surface runway, 2,440-3,659 m; airport on West Island is a link in service between Australia and South Africa Telecommunications: 250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile communications via satellite with Australia; stations--1 AM, no FM, no TV - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Colombia - Geography Total area: 1,138,910 km2; land area: 1,038,700 km2; includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla Bank Comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: 7,408 km total; Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 2,900, Venezuela 2,050 km Coastline: 3,208 km total (1,448 km North Pacific Ocean; 1,760 Caribbean Sea) Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specified; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela; territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: mixture of flat coastal lowlands, plains in east, central highlands, some high mountains Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds Land use: 4% arable land; 2% permanent crops; 29% meadows and pastures; 49% forest and woodland; 16% other; includes NEGL% irrigated Environment: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides; periodic droughts Note: only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea - People Population: 33,076,188 (July 1990), growth rate 2.1% (1990) Birth rate: 27 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: NEGL migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 38 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 68 years male, 73 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 2.9 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Colombian(s); adjective--Colombian Ethnic divisions: 58% mestizo, 20% white, 14% mulatto, 4% black, 3% mixed black-Indian, 1% Indian Religion: 95% Roman Catholic Language: Spanish Literacy: 88% (1987 est.), Indians about 40% Labor force: 11,000,000 (1986); 53% services, 26% agriculture, 21% industry (1981) Organized labor: 1,400,000 members (1987), about 12% of labor force; the Communist-backed Unitary Workers Central or CUT is the largest labor organization, with about 725,000 members (including all affiliate unions) - Government Long-form name: Republic of Colombia Type: republic; executive branch dominates government structure Capital: Bogota Administrative divisions: 23 departments (departamentos, singular--departamento), 5 commissariats* (comisarias, singular--comisaria), and 4 intendancies** (intendencias, singular--intendencia); Amazonas*, Antioquia, Arauca**, Atlantico, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare**, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia*, Guaviare*, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo**, Quindio, Risaralda, San Andres y Providencia**, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes*, Vichada*; note--there may be a new special district (distrito especial) named Bogota Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) Constitution: 4 August 1886, with amendments codified in 1946 and 1968 Legal system: based on Spanish law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Executive branch: president, presidential designate, cabinet Legislative branch: bicameral Congress (Congreso) consists of an upper chamber or Senate (Senado) and a lower chamber or Chamber of Representatives (Camara de Representantes) Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--Virgilio BARCO Vargas (since 7 August 1986; term ends August 1990); Presidential Designate Victor MOSQUERA Chaux (since 13 October 1986); President-elect Cesar GAVIRIA Trujillo (since 27 May 1990, takes office 7 August 1990) Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party--Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, Virgilio Barco Vargas, Alfonso Lopez Michelson, Julio Cesar Turbay; Conservative Party--Misael Pastrana Borrero, Alvaro Gomez Hurtado; Patriotic Union (UP), is a legal political party formed by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Bernardo Jaramillo Ossa; 19th of April Movement (M-19), Rodrigo Lloreda Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 27 May 1990 (next to be held May 1994); results--Cesar Gaviria Trujillo (Liberal) 47%, Alvaro Gomez Hurtado (Conservative) 24%, Antonio Novarro Wolff (Conservative) 13%, Rodrigo Lloreda (M-19) 12%; Senate--last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(114 total) Liberal 68, Conservative 45, UP 1; House of Representatives last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(199 total) Liberal 107, Conservative 82, UP 10 Communists: 18,000 members (est.), including Communist Party Youth Organization (JUCO) Other political or pressure groups: Colombian Communist Party (PCC), Gilberto Vieira White; Communist Party/Marxist-Leninist (PCC/ML), Chinese-line Communist Party; Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC); National Liberation Army (ELN); People's Liberation Army (EPL) Member of: FAO, G-77, GATT, Group of Eight, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAC, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IRC, ISO, ITU, LAIA, NAM, OAS, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Victor MOSQUERA; Chancery at 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington DC 20008; telephone (202) 387-8338; there are Colombian Consulates General in Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Tampa; US--Ambassador Thomas E. McNAMARA; Embassy at Calle 38, No.8-61, Bogota (mailing address is APO Miami 34038); telephone p57o (1) 285-1300 or 1688; there is a US Consulate in Barranquilla Flag: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; similar to the flag of Ecuador which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center - Economy Overview: Economic activity has slowed gradually since 1986, but growth rates remain high by Latin American standards. Conservative economic policies have encouraged investment and kept inflation and unemployment under 30% and 10%, respectively. The rapid development of oil, coal, and other nontraditional industries over the past four years has helped to offset the decline in coffee prices--Colombia's major export. The collapse of the International Coffee Agreement in the summer of 1989, a troublesome rural insurgency, and drug-related violence dampen prospects for future growth. GDP: $35.4 billion, per capita $1,110; real growth rate 3.7% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 27% (1989 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.0% (1989 est.) Budget: revenues $4.39 billion; current expenditures $3.93 billion, capital expenditures $l.03 billion (1989 est.) Exports: $5.76 billion (f.o.b., 1989 est.); commodities--coffee 30%, petroleum 24%, coal, bananas, fresh cut flowers; partners--US 36%, EC 21%, Japan 5%, Netherlands 4%, Sweden 3% Imports: $5.02 billion (c.i.f., 1989 est.); commodities--industrial equipment, transportation equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, paper products; partners--US 34%, EC 16%, Brazil 4%, Venezuela 3%, Japan 3% External debt: $17.5 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 2.0% (1989 est.) Electricity: 9,250,000 kW capacity; 35,364 million kWh produced, 1,110 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, metal products, cement; mining--gold, coal, emeralds, iron, nickel, silver, salt Agriculture: accounts for 22% of GDP; crops make up two-thirds and livestock one-third of agricultural output; climate and soils permit a wide variety of crops, such as coffee, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseeds, vegetables; forest products and shrimp farming are becoming more important Illicit drugs: major illicit producer of cannabis and coca for the international drug trade; key supplier of marijuana and cocaine to the US and other international drug markets; drug production and trafficking accounts for an estimated 4% of GDP and 28% of foreign exchange earnings Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.9 billion; Communist countries (1970-88), $399 million Currency: Colombian peso (plural--pesos); 1 Colombian peso (Col$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (Col$) per US$1--439.68 (January 1990), 382.57 (1989), 299.17 (1988), 242.61 (1987), 194.26 (1986), 142.31 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: 3,563 km, all 0.914-meter gauge, single track Highways: 75,450 km total; 9,350 km paved, 66,100 km earth and gravel surfaces Inland waterways: 14,300 km, navigable by river boats Pipelines: crude oil, 3,585 km; refined products, 1,350 km; natural gas, 830 km; natural gas liquids, 125 km Ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, San Andres, Santa Marta, Tumaco Merchant marine: 34 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 334,854 GRT/487,438 DWT; includes 23 cargo, 1 chemical tanker, 1 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 9 bulk Civil air: 106 major transport aircraft Airports: 673 total, 622 usable; 66 with permanent-surface runways; 1 with runways over 3,659 m; 10 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 124 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: nationwide radio relay system; 1,890,000 telephones; stations--413 AM, no FM, 33 TV, 28 shortwave 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations with 2 antennas and 11 domestic satellite stations - Defense Forces Branches: armed forces include Police (Policia Nacional) and military--Army (Ejercito Nacional), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia), Navy (Armada Nacional) Military manpower: males 15-49, 8,768,072; 5,953,729 fit for military service; 354,742 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: 1.9% of GDP, or $700 million (1990 est.) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Comoros - Geography Total area: 2,170 km2; land area: 2,170 km2 Comparative area: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: claims French-administered Mayotte Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Natural resources: negligible Land use: 35% arable land; 8% permanent crops; 7% meadows and pastures; 16% forest and woodland; 34% other Environment: soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; cyclones possible during rainy season Note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel - People Population: 460,188 (July 1990), growth rate 3.5% (1990) Birth rate: 48 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 12 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 89 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years male, 58 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 7.0 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Comoran(s); adjective--Comoran Ethnic divisions: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religion: 86% Sunni Muslim, 14% Roman Catholic Language: Shaafi Islam (a Swahili dialect), Malagasy, French Literacy: 15% Labor force: 140,000 (1982); 80% agriculture, 3% government; 51% of population of working age (1985) Organized labor: NA - Government Long-form name: Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros Type: independent republic Capital: Moroni Administrative divisions: 3 islands; Anjouan, Grande Comore, Moheli; note--there may also be 4 municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and Mutsamudu Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) Constitution: 1 October 1978, amended October 1982 and January 1985 Legal system: French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Executive branch: president, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Said Mohamed DJOHAR (since 11 March 1990) Political parties: Comoran Union for Progress (Udzima), Said Mohamed Djohar, president; National Union for Democracy (UNDC), Mohamed Taki Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1996); results--Said Mohamed Djohar (Udzima) 55%; Mohamed Taki Abdulkarim (UNDC) 45%; Federal Assembly--last held 22 March 1987 (next to be held March 1992); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(42 total) Udzima 42 Member of: ACP, AfDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IDB--Islamic Development Bank, IFAD, ILO, IMF, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN; Chancery (temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East 45th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 972-8010; US--Ambassador Howard K. WALKER, resides in Antananarivo (Madagascar); Embassy at address NA, Moroni (mailing address B. P. 1318, Moroni); telephone 73-12-03 Flag: green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side of the crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag); there are four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago--Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (which is a territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by the Comoros) - Economy Overview: One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a low level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes about 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During the period 1982-86 the industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its contribution to GDP was less than 4% in 1986. Despite major investment in the tourist industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated since 1983. GDP: $207 million, per capita $475; real growth rate 0.1% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.3% (1986) Unemployment rate: over 16% (1988 est.) Budget: revenues $75.2 million; expenditures $77.9 million, including capital expenditures of $4.8 million (1988 est.) Exports: $12 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--vanilla, cloves, perfume oil, copra; partners--US 53%, France 41%, Africa 4%, FRG 2% Imports: $52 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--rice and other foodstuffs, cement, petroleum products, consumer goods; partners--Europe 62% (France 22%, other 40%), Africa 5%, Pakistan, China External debt: $238 million (December 1988) Industrial production: growth rate 3.4% (1988 est.) Electricity: 16,000 kW capacity; 24 million kWh produced, 55 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: perfume distillation Agriculture: accounts for 40% of GDP; most of population works in subsistence agriculture and fishing; plantations produce cash crops for export--vanilla, cloves, perfume essences, and copra; principal food crops--coconuts, bananas, cassava; world's leading producer of essence of ylang-ylang (for perfumes) and second-largest producer of vanilla; large net food importer Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY80-88), $9 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $371 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $22 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $18 million Currency: Comoran franc (plural--francs); 1 Comoran franc (CF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Comoran francs (CF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985); note--linked to the French franc at 50 to 1 French franc Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Highways: 750 km total; about 210 km bituminous, remainder crushed stone or gravel Ports: Mutsamudu, Moroni Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 4 total, 4 usable; 4 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: sparse system of radio relay and high-frequency radio communication stations for interisland and external communications to Madagascar and Reunion; over 1,800 telephones; stations--2 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV - Defense Forces Branches: Army, Presidential Guard, Gendarmerie Military manpower: males 15-49, 97,504; 58,274 fit for military service Defense expenditures: 3% of GDP (1981) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Congo - Geography Total area: 342,000 km2; land area: 341,500 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: 5,504 km total; Angola 201 km, Cameroon 523 km, Central African Republic 467 km, Gabon 1,903 km, Zaire 2,410 km Coastline: 169 km Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 200 nm Disputes: long section with Zaire along the Congo River is indefinite (no division of the river or its islands has been made) Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); constantly high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, natural gas Land use: 2% arable land; NEGL% permanent crops; 29% meadows and pastures; 62% forest and woodland; 7% other Environment: deforestation; about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe Noire, or along the railroad between them - People Population: 2,242,274 (July 1990), growth rate 3.0% (1990) Birth rate: 43 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 14 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 110 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 52 years male, 55 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Congolese (sing., pl.); adjective--Congolese or Congo Ethnic divisions: about 15 ethnic groups divided into some 75 tribes, almost all Bantu; most important ethnic groups are Kongo (48%) in the south, Sangha (20%) and M'Bochi (12%) in the north, Teke (17%) in the center; about 8,500 Europeans, mostly French Religion: 50% Christian, 48% animist, 2% Muslim Language: French (official); many African languages with Lingala and Kikongo most widely used Literacy: 62.9% Labor force: 79,100 wage earners; 75% agriculture, 25% commerce, industry, and government; 51% of population of working age; 40% of population economically active (1985) Organized labor: 20% of labor force (1979 est.) - Government Long-form name: People's Republic of the Congo Type: people's republic Capital: Brazzaville Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regions, singular--region); Bouenza, Cuvette, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pool, Sangha; note--there may be a new capital district of Brazzaville Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France; formerly Congo/Brazzaville) Constitution: 8 July 1979 Legal system: based on French civil law system and customary law National holiday: National Day, 15 August (1960) Executive branch: president, prime minister, Council of Ministers (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Cour Supreme) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO (since 8 February 1979); Prime Minister Alphonse POATY-SOUCHLATY (since 6 August 1989) Political parties and leaders: only party--Congolese Labor Party (PCT), President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, leader Suffrage: universal at age 18 Elections: President--last held 26-31 July 1989 (next to be held July 1993); results--President Sassou-Nguesso unanimously reelected leader of the PCT by the Party Congress, which automatically makes him president; People's National Assembly--last held 24 September 1989 (next to be held 1993); results--PCT is the only party; seats--(153 total) single list of candidates nominated by the PCT Communists: unknown number of Communists and sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: Union of Congolese Socialist Youth (UJSC), Congolese Trade Union Congress (CSC), Revolutionary Union of Congolese Women (URFC), General Union of Congolese Pupils and Students (UGEEC) Member of: ACP, AfDB, CCC, Conference of East and Central African States, EAMA, ECA, EIB (associate), FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, ITU, NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UEAC, UN, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Benjamin BOUNKOULOU; Chancery at 4891 Colorado Avenue NW, Washington DC 20011; telephone (202) 726-5500; US--Ambassador-designate James Daniel PHILLIPS; Embassy at Avenue Amilcar Cabral, Brazzaville (mailing address is B. P. 1015, Brazzaville, or Box C, APO New York 09662-0006); telephone 83-20-70 or 83-26-24 Flag: red with the national emblem in the upper hoist-side corner; the emblem includes a yellow five-pointed star above a crossed hoe and hammer (like the hammer and sickle design) in yellow, flanked by two curved green palm branches; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia - Economy Overview: Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing about two-thirds of government revenues and exports. In the early 1980s rapidly rising oil revenues enabled Congo to finance large-scale development projects with growth averaging 5% annually, one of the highest rates in Africa. The world decline in oil prices, however, has forced the government to launch an austerity program to cope with declining receipts and mounting foreign debts. GDP: $2.2 billion, per capita $1,000; real growth rate - 3% (1988 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $382 million; expenditures $575 million, including capital expenditures of $118 million (1988) Exports: $912 million (f.o.b., 1987); commodities--crude petroleum 72%, lumber, plywood, coffee, cocoa, sugar, diamonds; partners--US, France, other EC Imports: $494.4 million (c.i.f., 1987); commodities--foodstuffs, consumer goods, intermediate manufactures, capital equipment; partners--France, Italy, other EC, US, FRG, Spain, Japan, Brazil External debt: $4.5 billion (December 1988) Industrial production: growth rate - 5.9% (1987) Electricity: 133,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 130 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: crude oil, cement, sawmills, brewery, sugar mill, palm oil, soap, cigarettes Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); cassava accounts for 90% of food output; other crops--rice, corn, peanuts, vegetables; cash crops include coffee and cocoa; forest products important export earner; imports over 90% of food needs Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $56 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $2.1 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $15 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $338 million Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural--francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1--287.99 (January 1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987), 346.30 (1986), 449.26 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: 797 km, 1.067-meter gauge, single track (includes 285 km that are privately owned) Highways: 12,000 km total; 560 km bituminous surface treated; 850 km gravel, laterite; 5,350 km improved earth; 5,240 km unimproved roads Inland waterways: the Congo and Ubangi (Oubangui) Rivers provide 1,120 km of commercially navigable water transport; the rest are used for local traffic only Pipelines: crude oil 25 km Ports: Pointe-Noire (ocean port), Brazzaville (river port) Civil air: 4 major transport aircraft Airports: 51 total, 46 usable; 5 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: services adequate for government use; primary network is composed of radio relay routes and coaxial cables; key centers are Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; 18,100 telephones; stations--3 AM, 1 FM, 4 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean satellite station - Defense Forces Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary National People's Militia Military manpower: males 15-49, 492,419; 250,478 fit for military service; 23,622 reach military age (20) annually Defense expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (1987) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Cook Islands (free association with New Zealand) - Geography Total area: 240 km2; land area: 240 km2 Comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: none Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 meters or edge of continental margin; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Natural resources: negligible Land use: 4% arable land; 22% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 74% other Environment: subject to typhoons from November to March Note: located 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean - People Population: 18,187 (July 1990), growth rate 0.5% (1990) Birth rate: 22 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 24 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 66 years male, 72 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.5 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Cook Islander(s); adjective--Cook Islander Ethnic divisions: 81.3% Polynesian (full blood), 7.7% Polynesian and European, 7.7% Polynesian and other, 2.4% European, 0.9% other Religion: Christian, majority of populace members of Cook Islands Christian Church Language: English Literacy: NA% Labor force: 5,810; agriculture 29%, government 27%, services 25%, industry 15%, and other 4% (1981) Organized labor: NA - Government Long-form name: none Type: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs, in consultation with the Cook Islands Capital: Avarua Administrative divisions: none Independence: became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action Constitution: 4 August 1965 National holiday: NA Executive branch: British monarch, representative of the UK, representative of New Zealand, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament; note--the unicameral House of Arikis (chiefs) advises on traditional matters, but has no legislative powers Judicial branch: High Court Leaders: Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Representative of the UK Sir Tangaroa TANGAROA (since NA); Representative of New Zealand Adrian SINCOCK (since NA); Head of Government--Prime Minister Geoffrey HENRY (since NA February 1989); Deputy Prime Minister Inatio AKARURU (since NA) Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party, Geoffrey Henry; Democratic Tumu Party, Vincent Ingram; Democratic Party, Dr. Vincent Pupuke Robati; Cook Islands Labor Party, Rena Jonassen; Cook Islands People's Party, Sadaraka Sadaraka Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Elections: Parliament--last held 19 January 1989 (next to be held by January 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(24 total) Cook Islands Party 12, Democratic Tumu Party 2, opposition coalition (including Democratic Party) 9, independent 1 Member of: ADB, ESCAP (associate member), IDA, IFC, IMF, SPEC, SPF Diplomatic representation: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag - Economy Overview: Agriculture provides the economic base. The major export earners are fruit, copra, and clothing. Manufacturing activities are limited to a fruit-processing plant and several clothing factories. Economic development is hindered by the isolation of the islands from foreign markets and a lack of natural resources and good transportation links. A large trade deficit is annually made up for by remittances from emigrants and from foreign aid. Current economic development plans call for exploiting the tourism potential and expanding the fishing industry. GDP: $40.0 million, per capita $2,200 (1988 est.); real growth rate 5.3% (1986-88 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.0% (1988) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues $33.8 million; expenditures $34.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) Exports: $4.0 million (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--copra, fresh and canned fruit, clothing; partners--NZ 80%, Japan Imports: $38.7 million (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--foodstuffs, textiles, fuels, timber; partners--NZ 49%, Japan, Australia, US External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: 4,800 kW capacity; 15 million kWh produced, 830 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: fruit processing, tourism Agriculture: export crops--copra, citrus fruits, pineapples, tomatoes, bananas; subsistence crops--yams, taro Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $128 million Currency: New Zealand dollar (plural--dollars); 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1--1.6581 (January 1990), 1.6708 (1989), 1.5244 (1988), 1.6886 (1987), 1.9088 (1986), 2.0064 (1985) Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March - Communications Highways: 187 km total (1980); 35 km paved, 35 km gravel, 84 km improved earth, 33 km unimproved earth Ports: Avatiu Civil air: no major transport aircraft Airports: 7 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: stations--2 AM, no FM, no TV; 10,000 radio receivers; 2,052 telephones; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Coral Sea Islands (territory of Australia) - Geography Total area: undetermined; includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 1 million km2, with Willis Islets the most important Comparative area: undetermined Land boundaries: none Coastline: 3,095 km Maritime claims: Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation; Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: sand and coral reefs and islands (or cays) Natural resources: negligible Land use: 0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 0% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 100% other, mostly grass or scrub cover; Lihou Reef Reserve and Coringa-Herald Reserve were declared National Nature Reserves on 3 August 1982 Environment: subject to occasional tropical cyclones; no permanent fresh water; important nesting area for birds and turtles Note: the islands are located just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea - People Population: 3 meteorologists - Government Long-form name: Coral Sea Islands Territory Type: territory of Australia administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism, and Territories Graham Richardson Flag: the flag of Australia is used - Economy Overview: no economic activity - Communications Ports: none; offshore anchorages only - Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy; Australia has control over the activities of visitors ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Costa Rica - Geography Total area: 51,100 km2; land area: 50,660 km2; includes Isla del Coco Comparative area: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: 639 km total; Nicaragua 309 km, Panama 330 km Coastline: 1,290 km Maritime claims: Continental shelf: 200 nm; Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November) Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains Natural resources: hydropower potential Land use: 6% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 45% meadows and pastures; 34% forest and woodland; 8% other; includes 1% irrigated Environment: subject to occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season; active volcanoes; deforestation; soil erosion - People Population: 3,032,795 (July 1990), growth rate 2.6% (1990) Birth rate: 28 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 4 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: 2 migrants/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 3.3 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Costa Rican(s); adjective--Costa Rican Ethnic divisions: 96% white (including mestizo), 2% black, 1% Indian, 1% Chinese Religion: 95% Roman Catholic Language: Spanish (official), English spoken around Puerto Limon Literacy: 93% Labor force: 868,300; industry and commerce 35.1%, government and services 33%, agriculture 27%, other 4.9% (1985 est.) Organized labor: 15.1% of labor force - Government Long-form name: Republic of Costa Rica Type: democratic republic Capital: San Jose Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular--provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) Constitution: 9 November 1949 Legal system: based on Spanish civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Executive branch: president, two vice presidents, Cabinet Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly (Asamblea Legislativa) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema) Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President Rafael Angel CALDERON Fournier (since 8 May 1990); First Vice President German SERRANO Pinto (since 8 May 1990); Second Vice President Arnoldo LOPEZ Echandi (since 8 May 1990) Political parties and leaders: National Liberation Party (PLN), Carlos Manuel Castillo; Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), Rafael Angel Calderon Fournier; Marxist Popular Vanguard Party (PVP), Humberto Vargas Carbonell; New Republic Movement (MNR), Sergio Erick Ardon; Progressive Party (PP), Javier Solis; People's Party of Costa Rica (PPC), Lenin Chacon Vargas; Radical Democratic Party (PRD), Juan Jose Echeverria Brealey Suffrage: universal and compulsory at age 18 Elections: President--last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results--Rafael Calderon Fournier 51%, Carlos Manuel Castillo 47%; Legislative Assembly--last held 4 February 1990 (next to be held February 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(57 total) PUSC 29, PLN 25, PVP/PPC 1, regional parties 2 Communists: 7,500 members and sympathizers Other political or pressure groups: Costa Rican Confederation of Democratic Workers (CCTD; Liberation Party affiliate), Confederated Union of Workers (CUT; Communist Party affiliate), Authentic Confederation of Democratic Workers (CATD; Communist Party affiliate), Chamber of Coffee Growers, National Association for Economic Development (ANFE), Free Costa Rica Movement (MCRL; rightwing militants), National Association of Educators (ANDE) Member of: CACM, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICO, IDA, IDB--Inter-American Development Bank, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IPU, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, OAS, ODECA, PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UPEB, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Danilo JIMENEZ; Chancery at Suite 211, 1825 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 234-2945 through 2947; there are Costa Rican Consulates General at Albuquerque, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and Tampa, and Consulates in Austin, Buffalo, Honolulu, and Raleigh; US--Ambassador (vacant); Embassy at Pavas Road, San Jose (mailing address is APO Miami 34020); telephone p506o 33-11-55 Flag: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue with the coat of arms in a white disk on the hoist side of the red band - Economy Overview: In 1988 the economy grew at a 3.8% rate, a drop from the 5.1% of the previous year. Gains in agricultural production (on the strength of good coffee and banana crops) and in construction, were partially offset by declines in the rates of growth for the industry and commerce sectors. In 1988 consumer prices rose by nearly 21% followed by a 10% rise in 1989. Unemployment is officially reported at about 6%, but much underemployment remains. External debt, on a per capita basis, is among the world's highest. GDP: $4.7 billion, per capita $1,630; real growth rate 3.8% (1988) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1989) Unemployment rate: 5.5% (March 1989) Budget: revenues $719 million; expenditures $808 million, including capital expenditures of $103 million (1988) Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--coffee, bananas, textiles, sugar; partners--US 75%, FRG, Guatemala, Netherlands, UK, Japan Imports: $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--petroleum, machinery, consumer durables, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs; partners--US 35%, Japan, Guatemala, FRG External debt: $4.5 billion (1989) Industrial production: growth rate 2.1% (1988) Electricity: 909,000 kW capacity; 2,928 million kWh produced, 990 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer Agriculture: accounts for 20-25% of GDP and 70% of exports; cash commodities--coffee, beef, bananas, sugar; other food crops include corn, rice, beans, potatotes; normally self-sufficient in food except for grain; depletion of forest resources resulting in lower timber output Illicit drugs: illicit production of cannabis on small scattered plots; transshipment country for cocaine from South America Aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $1.3 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $706 million; Communist countries (1971-88), $27 million Currency: Costa Rican colon (plural--colones); 1 Costa Rican colon (C) = 100 centimos Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (C) per US$1--84.689 (January 1990), 81.504 (1989), 75.805 (1988), 62.776 (1987), 55.986 (1986), 50.453 (1985) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: 950 km total, all 1.067-meter gauge; 260 km electrified Highways: 15,400 km total; 7,030 km paved, 7,010 km gravel, 1,360 km unimproved earth Inland waterways: about 730 km, seasonally navigable Pipelines: refined products, 176 km Ports: Puerto Limon, Caldera, Golfito, Moin, Puntarenas Merchant marine: 2 cargo ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,279 GRT/6,602 DWT Civil air: 9 major transport aircraft Airports: 193 total, 177 usable; 25 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 11 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: very good domestic telephone service; 292,000 telephones; connection into Central American Microwave System; stations--71 AM, no FM, 18 TV, 13 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station - Defense Forces Branches: Civil Guard, Rural Assistance Guard; note--Constitution prohibits armed forces Military manpower: males 15-49, 785,429; 530,986 fit for military service; 31,899 reach military age (18) annually Defense expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (1987) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Cuba - Geography Total area: 110,860 km2; land area: 110,860 km2 Comparative area: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundary: 29.1 km with US Naval Base at Guantanamo; note--Guantanamo is leased and as such remains part of Cuba Coastline: 3,735 km Maritime claims: Extended economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm Disputes: US Naval Base at Guantanamo is leased to US and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica Land use: 23% arable land; 6% permanent crops; 23% meadows and pastures; 17% forest and woodland; 31% other; includes 10% irrigated Environment: averages one hurricane every other year Note: largest country in Caribbean; 145 km south of Florida - People Population: 10,620,099 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990) Birth rate: 18 births/1,000 population (1990) Death rate: 7 deaths/1,000 population (1990) Net migration rate: - 1 migrant/1,000 population (1990) Infant mortality rate: 12 deaths/1,000 live births (1990) Life expectancy at birth: 73 years male, 78 years female (1990) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (1990) Nationality: noun--Cuban(s); adjective--Cuban Ethnic divisions: 51% mulatto, 37% white, 11% black, 1% Chinese Religion: at least 85% nominally Roman Catholic before Castro assumed power Language: Spanish Literacy: 98.5% Labor force: 3,400,000 in state sector; 30% services and government, 22% industry, 20% agriculture, 11% commerce, 10% construction, 7% transportation and communications (1988); economically active population 4,500,000 (1987) Organized labor: Workers Central Union of Cuba (CTC), only labor federation approved by government; 2,910,000 members; the CTC is an umbrella organization composed of 17 member unions - Government Long-form name: Republic of Cuba Type: Communist state Capital: Havana Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (provincias, singular--provincia) and 1 special municipality* (municipio especial); Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Cienfuegos, Ciudad de La Habana, Granma, Guantanamo, Holguin, Isla de la Juventud*, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, Pinar del Rio, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Villa Clara Independence: 20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the US from 1898 to 1902) Constitution: 24 February 1976 Legal system: based on Spanish and American law, with large elements of Communist legal theory; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction National holiday: Revolution Day, 1 January (1959) Executive branch: president of the Council of State, first vice president of the Council of State, Council of State, president of the Council of Ministers, first vice president of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly of the People's Power (Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular) Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court Leaders: Chief of State and Head of Government--President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Fidel CASTRO Ruz (became Prime Minister in January 1959 and President since 2 December 1976); First Vice President of the Council of State and First Vice President of the Council of Ministers Gen. Raul CASTRO Ruz (since 2 December 1976) Political parties and leaders: only party--Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Fidel Castro Ruz, first secretary Suffrage: universal at age 16 Elections: National Assembly of the People's Power--last held NA December 1986 (next to be held December 1991); results--PCC is the only party; seats--(510 total) PCC 510 (indirectly elected) Communists: about 600,000 full and candidate members Member of: CEMA, ECLA, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB (nonparticipant), IAEA, IBEC, ICAO, IFAD, ICO, IHO, ILO, IMO, IRC, ISO, ITU, IWC--International Wheat Council, NAM, OAS (nonparticipant), PAHO, SELA, UN, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WSG, WTO Diplomatic representation: none; protecting power in the US is Czechoslovakia--Cuban Interests Section; Counselor Jose Antonio Arbesu FRAGA; 2630 and 2639 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20009; telephone (202) 797-8518 or 8519, 8520, 8609, 8610; US--protecting power in Cuba is Switzerland--US Interests Section; Principal Officer John J. TAYLOR; Calzada entre L y M, Vedado Seccion, Havana; telephone 320551 or 320543 Flag: five equal horizontal bands of blue (top and bottom) alternating with white; a red equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bears a white five-pointed star in the center - Economy Overview: The Soviet-style economy, centrally planned and largely state owned, is highly dependent on the agricultural sector and foreign trade. Sugar provides about 75% of export revenues and is mostly exported to the USSR and other CEMA countries. The economy has stagnated since 1985 under a program that has deemphasized material incentives in the workplace, abolished farmers' informal produce markets, and raised prices of government-supplied goods and services. Castro has complained that the ongoing CEMA reform process has interfered with the regular flow of goods to Cuba. Recently the government has been trying to increase trade with Latin America and China. Cuba has had difficulty servicing its foreign debt since 1982. The government currently is encouraging foreign investment in tourist facilities. Other investment priorities include sugar, basic foods, and nickel. The annual $4 billion Soviet subsidy, a main prop to Cuba's threadbare economy, may be cut in view of the USSR's mounting economic problems. GNP: $20.9 billion, per capita $2,000; real growth rate - 1% (1989 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment: 6% overall, 10% for women (1989) Budget: revenues $11.7 billion; expenditures $13.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989 est.) Exports: $5.5 billion (f.o.b., 1988); commodities--sugar, nickel, shellfish, citrus, tobacco, coffee; partners--USSR 67%, GDR 6%, China 4% (1988) Imports: $7.6 billion (c.i.f., 1988); commodities--capital goods, industrial raw materials, food, petroleum; partners--USSR 71%, other Communist countries 15% (1988) External debt: $6.8 billion (convertible currency, July 1989) Industrial production: 3% (1988) Electricity: 3,991,000 kW capacity; 14,972 million kWh produced, 1,425 kWh per capita (1989) Industries: sugar milling, petroleum refining, food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, paper and wood products, metals (particularly nickel), cement, fertilizers, consumer goods, agricultural machinery Agriculture: accounts for 11% of GNP (including fishing and forestry); key commercial crops--sugarcane, tobacco, and citrus fruits; other products--coffee, rice, potatoes, meat, beans; world's largest sugar exporter; not self-sufficient in food Aid: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $657.5 million; Communist countries (1970-88), $13.5 billion Currency: Cuban peso (plural--pesos); 1 Cuban peso (Cu$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: Cuban pesos (Cu$) per US$1--1.0000 (linked to the US dollar) Fiscal year: calendar year - Communications Railroads: 14,925 km total; Cuban National Railways operates 5,295 km of 1.435-meter gauge track; 199 km electrified; 9,630 km of sugar plantation lines of 0.914-1.435-meter gauge Highways: about 21,000 km total; 9,000 km paved, 12,000 km gravel and earth surfaced Inland waterways: 240 km Ports: Cienfuegos, Havana, Mariel, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba; 7 secondary, 35 minor Merchant marine: 91 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 701,418 GRT/1,014,014 DWT; includes 62 cargo, 7 refrigerated cargo, 3 cargo/training, 10 petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL) tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 liquefied gas, 6 bulk; note--Cuba beneficially owns an additional 34 ships (1,000 GRT and over) totaling 475,864 DWT under the registry of Panama, Cyprus, and Malta Civil air: 59 major transport aircraft Airports: 197 total, 168 usable; 72 with permanent-surface runways; 2 with runways over 3,659 m; 14 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 17 with runways 1,220-2,439 m Telecommunications: stations--150 AM, 5 FM, 58 TV; 1,530,000 TV sets; 2,140,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station - Defense Forces Branches: Revolutionary Armed Forces (Ground Forces, Revolutionary Navy, Air and Air Defense Force), Ministry of Interior Special Troops, Border Guard Troops, Territorial Militia Troops, Youth Labor Army Military manpower: eligible 15-49, 6,027,131; of the 3,024,385 males 15-49, 1,897,175 are fit for military service; of the 3,002,746 females 15-49, 1,879,471 are fit for military service; 96,319 males and 92,765 females reach military age (17) annually Defense expenditures: about 6% of GNP, or $1.2-$1.4 billion (1989 est.) ---------------------------------------------------- Country: Cyprus - Geography Total area: 9,250 km2; land area: 9,240 km2 Comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries: none
Back to Full Books |