The 1994 Edition of the CIA World FactbookPart 32 out of 46
well-educated population, and a diverse industrial base, continues to experience severe difficulties in moving from its old centrally planned economy to a modern market economy. President YEL'TSIN's government has made some progress toward a market economy by freeing most prices, slashing defense spending, unifying foreign exchange rates, and launching an ambitious privatization program. Yet much of the old order persists and YEL'TSIN faces formidable opposition to further measures such as the reduction of subsidies to old-line industries. Output continues to fall although the mix is gradually becoming more responsive to Russia's needs. According to Russian official data, GDP declined by 12% in 1993 compared with 19% in 1992. Industrial output in 1993 fell 16% with all major sectors taking a hit. Agricultural production, meanwhile, was down 6%. The grain harvest totalled 99 million tons - some 8 million tons less than in 1992. Unemployment climbed in 1993 but remained low by Western standards. The official number of unemployed rose from 578,000 at the beginning of 1993 to about 1 million - or roughly 1.4% of the work force - by yearend. According to the Russian labor minister, the actual number of unemployed probably was closer to 4 million. Government fears of large-scale unemployment continued to hamper industrial restructuring efforts. According to official statistics, average real wages remained flat. Nonetheless, a substantial portion of the population, particularly the elderly and people in remote areas, finds its well-being steadily shrinking. The disparity in incomes between the rich and poor continued to rise in 1993, primarily reflecting the high earnings of enterprise managers and persons employed in the emerging private sector. The government tried to narrow the income gap by raising the wages of budget-funded workers - mainly teachers and health care specialists. Official data may overstate hardships, because many Russians supplement their income by moonlighting or by bartering goods and services, activities that often go unreported. Russia made good progress on privatization in 1993 despite active opposition from key cabinet members, hard-line legislators, and antireform regional leaders. By yearend, for example, roughly 35% of Russia's medium and large state enterprises had been auctioned, while the number of private farms in Russia increased by 86,000, reaching a total of 170,000. As a result, about 6% of agricultural land now has been privatized. Financial stabilization continued to remain a challenge for the government. Moscow tightened financial policies in early 1993 - including postponing planned budget spending - and succeeded in reducing monthly inflation from 27% in January to 20% in May and June. In the summer, however, the government relaxed austerity measures in the face of mounting pressure from industry and agriculture, sparking a new round of inflation; the monthly inflation rate jumped to 25% in August. In response, Moscow announced a package of measures designed to curb government spending and inflation. It included eliminating bread subsidies, delaying payment obligations, raising interest rates, and phasing out concessionary Central Bank credits to enterprises and regions. The measures met with some success; the monthly inflation rate declined to 13% in December. According to official statistics, Russia's 1993 trade with nations outside the former Soviet Union produced a $16 billion surplus, up from $6 billion in 1992. Moscow arrested the steep drop in exports that it had been suffering as a result of ruptured ties with former trading partners, output declines, and erratic efforts to move to world prices. Foreign sales - comprised largely of oil, natural gas, and other raw materials - grew slightly. Imports were down by 15% or so as a result of new import taxes and Moscow's reluctance to increase its debt burden by purchasing grain and other goods with foreign credits. Russian trade with other former Soviet republics continued to decline and yielded a surplus of some $5 billion. At the same time, Russia paid only a fraction of the roughly $20 billion in debt coming due in 1993, and by mid-year, Russia's foreign debt had amounted to $81.5 billion. While Moscow reached agreement to restructure debts with Paris Club official creditors in April 1993, Moscow's refusal to waive its right to sovereign immunity kept Russia and its bank creditors from agreeing to restructure Moscow's commercial loans. Capital flight continued to be a serious problem in 1993, with billions of dollars in assets owned by Russians being parked abroad at yearend. Russia's capital stock continues to deteriorate because of insufficient maintenance and new construction. The capital stock on average is twice the age of capital stock in the West. Many years will pass before Russia can take full advantage of its natural resources and its human assets. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $775.4 billion (1993 estimate from the UN International Comparison Program, as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated to 1993 using official Russian statistics, which are very uncertain because of major economic changes since 1990) National product real growth rate: -12% (1993 est.) National product per capita: $5,190 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 21% per month (average 1993); 13% per month (December 1993) Unemployment rate: 1.4% (1 January 1994; official data) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports: $43 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, wood and wood products, metals, chemicals, and a wide variety of civilian and military manufactures partners: Europe, North America, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba Imports: $27 billion (f.o.b., 1993) commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, consumer goods, grain, meat, sugar, semifinished metal products partners: Europe, North America, Japan, Third World countries, Cuba External debt: $81.5 billion (mid-year 1993 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -16% (1993 est.) Electricity: capacity: 213,000,000 KW production: 956 billion kWh consumption per capita: 6,782 kWh (1 January 1992) Industries: complete range of mining and extractive industries producing coal, oil, gas, chemicals, and metals; all forms of machine building from rolling mills to high-performance aircraft and space vehicles; ship- building; road and rail transportation equipment; communications equipment; agricultural machinery, tractors, and construction equipment; electric power generating and transmitting equipment; medical and scientific instruments; consumer durables Agriculture: grain, sugar beet, sunflower seeds, meat, milk, vegetables, fruits; because of its northern location does not grow citrus, cotton, tea, and other warm climate products Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy; mostly for domestic consumption; government has active eradication program; used as transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe and Latin America Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (1990-93), $13 billion; other countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1988-93), $115 billion Currency: 1 ruble (R) = 100 kopeks Exchange rates: rubles per US$1 - 1,247 (27 December 1993), 415 (24 December 1992); nominal exchange rate still deteriorating but real exchange rate strengthening Fiscal year: calendar year @Russia, Communications Railroads: 158,100 km all 1.520-meter broad gauge; 86,800 km in common carrier service, of which 48,900 km are diesel traction and 37,900 km are electric traction; 71,300 km serves specific industry and is not available for common carrier use (30 June 1993) Highways: total: 893,000 km paved and gravel: 677,000 km unpaved: 216,000 km Inland waterways: total navigable routes in general use 100,000 km; routes with navigation guides serving the Russian River Fleet 95,900 km; of which routes with night navigational aids 60,400 km; man-made navigable routes 16,900 km (30 June 1993) Pipelines: crude oil 48,000 km; petroleum products 15,000 km; natural gas 140,000 km (30 June 1993) Ports: coastal - St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Murmansk, Petropavlovsk, Arkhangel'sk, Novorossiysk, Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Kholmsk, Korsakov, Magadan, Tiksi, Tuapse, Vanino, Vostochnyy, Vyborg; inland - Astrakhan', Nizhniy Novgorod, Kazan', Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Samara, Moscow, Rostov, Volgograd Merchant marine: 867 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,084,988 GRT/11,124,929 DWT, barge carrier 2, bulk cargo 26, cargo 454, chemical tanker 9, combination bulk 28, combination ore/oil 16, container 82, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil tanker 125, passenger 6, passenger cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 74, short-sea passenger 18, specialized tanker 2 Airports: total: 2,550 usable: 964 with permanent-surface runways: 565 with runways over 3,659 m: 19 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 275 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 426 Telecommunications: Russia is enlisting foreign help, by means of joint ventures, to speed up the modernization of its telecommunications system; NMT-450 analog cellular telephone networks are operational and growing in Moscow and St. Petersburg; expanded access to international E-mail service available via Sprint network; intercity fiberoptic cable installation remains limited; the inadequacy of Russian telecommunications is a severe handicap to the economy, especially with respect to international connections; total installed telephones 24,400,000, of which in urban areas 20,900,000 and in rural areas 3,500,000; of these, total installed in homes 15,400,000; total pay phones for long distant calls 34,100; telephone density is about 164 telephones per 1,000 persons (in 1992, only 661,000 new telephones were installed compared with 855,000 in 1991 and in 1992 the number of unsatisfied applications for telephones reached 11,000,000); international traffic is handled by an inadequate system of satellites, land lines, microwave radio relay and outdated submarine cables; this traffic passes through the international gateway switch in Moscow which carries most of the international traffic for the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States; a new Russian Raduga satellite will link Moscow and St. Petersburg with Rome from whence calls will be relayed to destinations in Europe and overseas; satellite ground stations - INTELSAT, Intersputnik, Eutelsat (Moscow), INMARSAT, Orbita; broadcast stations - 1,050 AM/FM/SW (reach 98.6% of population), 7,183 TV; receiving sets - 54,200,000 TVs, 48,800,000 radio receivers, 74,300,000 radio receivers with multiple speaker systems for program diffusion @Russia, Defense Forces Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air Forces, Air Defense Forces, Strategic Rocket Forces, Command and General Support, Security Forces Manpower availability: males age 15-49 37,706,825; fit for military service 29,623,429; reach military age (18) annually 1,098,307 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP @Rwanda, Geography Location: Central Africa, between Tanzania and Zaire Map references: Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 26,340 sq km land area: 24,950 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total 893 km, Burundi 290 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km, Zaire 217 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none; landlocked International disputes: none Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; mountains in west Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), natural gas, hydropower Land use: arable land: 29% permanent crops: 11% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 10% other: 32% Irrigated land: 40 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion natural hazards: periodic droughts international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note: landlocked; predominantly rural population @Rwanda, People Population: 8,373,963 (July 1994 est.) note: the demographic estimates were prepared before civil strife, starting in April 1994, set in motion substantial and continuing population changes Population growth rate: 2.78% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 49.17 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 21.35 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 118.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 40.25 years male: 39.33 years female: 41.21 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 8.19 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan Ethnic divisions: Hutu 90%, Tutsi 9%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 65%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 1%, indigenous beliefs and other 25% Languages: Kinyarwanda (official), French (official), Kiswahili used in commercial centers Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 50% male: 64% female: 37% Labor force: 3.6 million by occupation: agriculture 93%, government and services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: 49% of population of working age (1985) @Rwanda, Government Names: conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda Digraph: RW Type: republic; presidential system note: a new, interim government formed in August 1992 to last until peace accord; political parties are working to form a multiethical broad-based transitonal government to lead them to elections in 1995 Capital: Kigali Administrative divisions: 10 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture in French; plural - NA, singular - prefegitura in Kinyarwanda); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali, Ruhengeri Independence: 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Constitution: 18 June 1991 Legal system: based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: chief of state: Interim President Dr. Theodore SINDIKUBWABO (since 8 April 1994, following the death of President Juvenal HABYARIMANA on 6 April 1994) the last election was held 19 December 1988 (next planned for 1995); results - the late President Juvenal HABYARIMANA was reelected head of government: Prime Minister Jean KAMBANDA, appointed by President SINDIKUBWABWO 8 April 1994 following the assassination of Agatha UWILINGIYIMANA on 7 April 1994 cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch: unicameral National Development Council: (Conseil National de Developpement) elections last held 19 December 1988 (new elections to be held in 1995); results - MRND was the only party; seats - (70 total) MRND 70 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session) Political parties and leaders: Republican National Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND); significant independent parties include: Democratic Republican Movement (MDR); Liberal Party (PL); Democratic and Socialist Party (PSD); Coalition for the Defense of the Republic (CDR); Party for Democracy in Rwanda (PADER); Christian Democratic Party (PDL) note: formerly a one-party state, Rwanda legalized independent parties in mid-1991; since then, at least 10 new political parties have registered Other political or pressure groups: Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Alexis KANYARENGWE, Chairman (since 1990); Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), the RPF military wing, Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME, commander Member of: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Aloys UWIMANA chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 232-2882 FAX: (202) 232-4544 US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: (vacant) embassy: Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali mailing address: B. P. 28, Kigali telephone: [250] 75601 through 75603 FAX: [250] 72128 note: embassy closed on 10 April 1994 and personnel withdrawn because of severe civil strife and consequent danger for foreign nationals Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band @Rwanda, Economy Overview: Almost 50% of GDP comes from the agricultural sector; coffee and tea make up 80-90% of total exports. The amount of fertile land is limited, however, and deforestation and soil erosion have created problems. The industrial sector in Rwanda is small, contributing only 17% to GDP. Manufacturing focuses mainly on the processing of agricultural products. The Rwandan economy remains dependent on coffee/tea exports and foreign aid. Weak international prices since 1986 have caused the economy to contract and per capita GDP to decline. A structural adjustment program with the World Bank began in October 1990. Ethnic-based insurgency in 1990-93 devastated wide areas of the north and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. A peace accord in mid-1993 temporarily ended most of the fighting, but massive resumption of civil warfare in April 1994 in the capital city Kigali has been taking thousands of lives and severely damaging short-term economic prospects National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 1.3% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $800 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.5% (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $350 million expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (1992 est.) Exports: $66.6 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: coffee 63%, tea, cassiterite, wolframite, pyrethrum partners: Germany, Belgium, Italy, Uganda, UK, France, US Imports: $259.5 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: textiles, foodstuffs, machines and equipment, capital goods, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material partners: US, Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Japan External debt: $845 million (1991 est.) Industrial production: growth rate -2.2% (1991); accounts for 17% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 30,000 kW production: 130 million kWh consumption per capita: 15 kWh (1991) Industries: mining of cassiterite (tin ore) and wolframite (tungsten ore), tin, cement, agricultural processing, small-scale beverage production, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes Agriculture: accounts for almost 50% of GDP and about 90% of the labor force; cash crops - coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums); main food crops - bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; stock raising; self-sufficiency declining; country imports foodstuffs as farm production fails to keep up with a 2.8% annual growth in population Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $128 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $2 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $45 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $58 million note: in October 1990 Rwanda launched a Structural Adjustment Program with the IMF; since September 1991, the EC has given $46 million and the US $25 million in support of this program (1993) Currency: 1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1 - 145.45 (December 1993), 133.35 (1992), 125.14 (1991), 82.60 (1990), 79.98 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @Rwanda, Communications Highways: total: 4,885 km paved: 460 km unpaved: gravel, improved earth 1,725 km; unimproved earth 2,700 km Inland waterways: Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft Airports: total: 8 usable: 7 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 2 Telecommunications: telephone system does not provide service to the general public but is intended for business and government use; the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay; the remainder of the network depends on wire and high frequency radio; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 SYMPHONIE station in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service); broadcast stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV @Rwanda, Defense Forces Branches: Army (including Air Wing), Gendarmerie note: Rwanda plans to demobilize and reorganize with RPF elements during 1994 Manpower availability: males age 15-49 1,733,246; fit for military service 883,291 Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $37 million, 1.6% of GDP (1988 est.) @Saint Helena Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK) @Saint Helena, Geography Location: Southern Africa, in the South Atlantic Ocean, 1,920 km west of Angola, about two-thirds of the way between South America and Africa Map references: Africa Area: total area: 410 sq km land area: 410 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 2.3 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes Ascension, Gough Island, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, and Tristan da Cunha Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 60 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; marine; mild, tempered by trade winds Terrain: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains Natural resources: fish; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns, no minerals Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 7% forest and woodland: 3% other: 83% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha international agreements: NA Note: Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial (the remains were taken to Paris in 1840); harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world @Saint Helena, People Population: 6,741 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.31% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 9.64 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.55 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37.24 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.75 years male: 72.68 years female: 76.58 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.14 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Saint Helenian(s) adjective: Saint Helenian Ethnic divisions: NA Religions: Anglican (majority), Baptist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1987) total population: 98% male: 97% female: 98% Labor force: 2,516 by occupation: professional, technical, and related workers 8.7%, managerial, administrative, and clerical 12.8%, sales people 8.1%, farmer, fishermen, etc. 5.4%, craftspersons, production process workers 14.7%, others 50.3% (1987) @Saint Helena, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Helena Digraph: SH Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Jamestown Administrative divisions: 1 administrative area and 2 dependencies*; Ascension*, Saint Helena, Tristan da Cunha* Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen, 10 June 1989 (second Saturday in June) Constitution: 1 January 1989 Legal system: NA Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor A. N. HOOLE (since NA) cabinet: Executive Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: elections last held October 1984 (next to be held NA); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total, 12 elected) number of seats by party NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Saint Helena Labor Party; Saint Helena Progressive Party note: both political parties inactive since 1976 Member of: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Saint Helenian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield features a rocky coastline and three-masted sailing ship @Saint Helena, Economy Overview: The economy depends primarily on financial assistance from the UK. The local population earns some income from fishing, the raising of livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, a large proportion of the work force has left to seek employment overseas. National product: GDP $NA National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $NA Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (1986) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $3.2 million expenditures: $2.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1984 est.) Exports: $23,900 (f.o.b., 1984) commodities: fish (frozen and salt-dried skipjack, tuna), handicrafts partners: South Africa, UK Imports: $2.4 million (c.i.f., 1984) commodities: food, beverages, tobacco, fuel oils, animal feed, building materials, motor vehicles and parts, machinery and parts partners: UK, South Africa External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 9,800 kW production: 10 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,390 kWh (1989) Industries: crafts (furniture, lacework, fancy woodwork), fishing Agriculture: maize, potatoes, vegetables; timber production being developed; crawfishing on Tristan da Cunha Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1992-93), $13.5 million Currency: 1 Saint Helenian pound (#S) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Saint Helenian pounds (#S) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6033 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the Saint Helenian pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Saint Helena, Communications Highways: total: NA (mainland 107 km, Ascension NA, Tristan da Cunha NA) paved: 169.7 km (mainland 87 km, Ascension 80 km, Tristan da Cunha 2.70 km) unpaved: NA (mainland 20 km earth roads, Ascension NA, Tristan da Cunha NA) Ports: Jamestown (Saint Helena), Georgetown (Ascension) Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: 1,500 radio receivers; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, no TV; 550 telephones in automatic network; HF radio links to Ascension, then into worldwide submarine cable and satellite networks; major coaxial submarine cable relay point between South Africa, Portugal, and UK at Ascension; 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth stations @Saint Helena, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK @Saint Kitts and Nevis, Geography Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 269 sq km land area: 269 sq km comparative area: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 135 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 22% permanent crops: 17% meadows and pastures: 3% forest and woodland: 17% other: 41% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes (July to October) international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection @Saint Kitts and Nevis, People Population: 40,671 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.72% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 23.7 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -6.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.11 years male: 63.14 years female: 69.27 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Kittsian(s), Nevisian(s) adjective: Kittsian, Nevisian Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Anglican, other Protestant sects, Roman Catholic Languages: English Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 20,000 (1981) @Saint Kitts and Nevis, Government Names: conventional long form: Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis conventional short form: Saint Kitts and Nevis former: Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Digraph: SC Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Basseterre Administrative divisions: 14 parishs; Christ Church Nichola Town, Saint Anne Sandy Point, Saint George Basseterre, Saint George Gingerland, Saint James Windward, Saint John Capesterre, Saint John Figtree, Saint Mary Cayon, Saint Paul Capesterre, Saint Paul Charlestown, Saint Peter Basseterre, Saint Thomas Lowland, Saint Thomas Middle Island, Trinity Palmetto Point Independence: 19 September 1983 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 19 September (1983) Constitution: 19 September 1983 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: universal adult at age NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Clement Athelston ARRINDELL (since 19 September 1983, previously Governor General of the Associated State since NA November 1981) head of government: Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Alphonse SIMMONDS (since 19 September 1983, previously Premier of the Associated State since NA February 1980); Deputy Prime Minister Sydney Earl MORRIS (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general in consultation with the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 29 November 1993 (next to be held by 21 March 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (14 total, 11 elected) PAM 4, SKNLP 4, NRP 1, CCM 2 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: People's Action Movement (PAM), Dr. Kennedy SIMMONDS; Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party (SKNLP), Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS; Nevis Reformation Party (NRP), Simeon DANIEL; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), Vance AMORY Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTERPOL, LORCS, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: (vacant); Minister-Counselor (Deputy Chief of Mission), Charge d'Affaires ad interim Aubrey Eric HART chancery: Suite 608, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: (202) 833-3550 FAX: (202) 833-3553 US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Charge d'Affaires resides in Saint John's (Antigua and Barbuda) Flag: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a broad black band bearing two white five-pointed stars; the black band is edged in yellow; the upper triangle is green, the lower triangle is red @Saint Kitts and Nevis, Economy Overview: The economy has historically depended on the growing and processing of sugarcane and on remittances from overseas workers. In recent years, tourism and export-oriented manufacturing have assumed larger roles. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $163 million (1992) National product real growth rate: 4.1% (1992) National product per capita: $4,000 (1992) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (1992) Unemployment rate: 12.2% (1990) Budget: revenues: $85.7 million expenditures: $85.8 million, including capital expenditures of $42.4 million (1993 est.) Exports: $32.4 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: sugar, clothing, electronics, postage stamps partners: US 53%, UK 22%, Trinidad and Tobago 5%, OECS 5% (1988) Imports: $100 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, intermediate manufactures, machinery, fuels partners: US 36%, UK 17%, Trinidad and Tobago 6%, Canada 3%, Japan 3%, OECS 4% (1988) External debt: $43.3 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 11.8% (1988 est.); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 15,800 kW production: 45 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,120 kWh (1992) Industries: sugar processing, tourism, cotton, salt, copra, clothing, footwear, beverages Agriculture: accounts for 7% of GDP; cash crop - sugarcane; subsistence crops - rice, yams, vegetables, bananas; fishing potential not fully exploited; most food imported Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY85-88), $10.7 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $67 million Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year @Saint Kitts and Nevis, Communications Railroads: 58 km 0.760-meter gauge on Saint Kitts for sugarcane Highways: total: 300 km paved: 125 km unpaved: otherwise improved 125 km; unimproved earth 50 km Ports: Basseterre (Saint Kitts), Charlestown (Nevis) Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: good interisland VHF/UHF/SHF radio connections and international link via Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Martin; 2,400 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 4 TV @Saint Kitts and Nevis, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Kitts and Nevis Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP @Saint Lucia, Geography Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about two-thirds of the way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 620 sq km land area: 610 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 158 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 20% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 13% other: 54% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: deforestation; soil erosion natural hazards: subject to hurricanes and volcanic activity international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling @Saint Lucia, People Population: 145,090 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.52% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 23.12 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -12.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.36 years male: 67.06 years female: 71.83 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.5 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s) adjective: Saint Lucian Ethnic divisions: African descent 90.3%, mixed 5.5%, East Indian 3.2%, Caucasian 0.8% Religions: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 7%, Anglican 3% Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1980) total population: 67% male: 65% female: 69% Labor force: 43,800 by occupation: agriculture 43.4%, services 38.9%, industry and commerce 17.7% (1983 est.) @Saint Lucia, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Lucia Digraph: ST Type: parliamentary democracy Capital: Castries Administrative divisions: 11 quarters; Anse La Raye, Castries, Choiseul, Dauphin, Dennery, Gros Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Praslin, Soufriere, Vieux Fort Independence: 22 February 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979) Constitution: 22 February 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Stanislaus Anthony JAMES (since 10 October 1988) head of government: Prime Minister John George Melvin COMPTON (since 3 May 1982); Vice President George MALLET (since NA) cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament Senate: consists of an 11-member body, 6 appointed on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 after consultation with religious, economic, and social groups House of Assembly: elections last held 27 April 1992 (next to be held by April 1997); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17 total) UWP 11, SLP 6 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Workers' Party (UWP), John COMPTON; Saint Lucia Labor Party (SLP), Julian HUNTE; Progressive Labor Party (PLP), George ODLUM Member of: ACCT (associate), ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Joseph Edsel EDMUNDS chancery: Suite 309, 2100 M Street NW, Washington, DC 30037 telephone: (202) 463-7378 or 7379 FAX: (202) 887-5746 consulate(s) general: New York US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border @Saint Lucia, Economy Overview: Since 1983 the economy has shown an impressive average annual growth rate of almost 5% because of strong agricultural and tourist sectors. Saint Lucia also possesses an expanding industrial base supported by foreign investment in manufacturing and other activities, such as data processing. The economy, however, remains vulnerable because the important agricultural sector is dominated by banana production, which is subject to periodic droughts and tropical storms. The economy exhibited relatively strong growth in 1992-93 based on a recovery of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors and continued growth in construction and tourism. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $433 million (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.6% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $3,000 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (1992) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $121 million expenditures: $127 million, including capital expenditures of $104 million (1992 est.) Exports: $122.8 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: bananas 60%, clothing, cocoa, vegetables, fruits, coconut oil partners: UK 56%, US 22%, CARICOM 19% (1991) Imports: $276 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: manufactured goods 21%, machinery and transportation equipment 21%, food and live animals, chemicals, fuels partners: US 34%, CARICOM 17%, UK 14%, Japan 7%, Canada 4% (1991) External debt: $96.4 million (1992 est.) Industrial production: growth rate 3.5% (1990 est.); accounts for 12% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 32,500 kW production: 112 million kWh consumption per capita: 740 kWh (1992) Industries: clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, tourism, lime processing, coconut processing Agriculture: accounts for 14% of GDP and 43% of labor force; crops - bananas, coconuts, vegetables, citrus fruit, root crops, cocoa; imports food for the tourist industry Illicit drugs: transit country for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $120 million Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) @Saint Lucia, Communications Highways: total: 760 km paved: 500 km unpaved: otherwise improved 260 km Ports: Castries, Vieux Fort Airports: total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: fully automatic telephone system; 9,500 telephones; direct microwave link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; interisland troposcatter link to Barbados; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV (cable) @Saint Lucia, Defense Forces Branches: Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP @Saint Pierre and Miquelon Header Affiliation: (territorial collectivity of France) @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Geography Location: Northern North America, in the North Atlantic Ocean, 25 km south of Newfoundland (Canada) Map references: North America Area: total area: 242 sq km land area: 242 sq km comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: focus of maritime boundary dispute between Canada and France Climate: cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy Terrain: mostly barren rock Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 4% other: 83% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: vegetation scanty @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, People Population: 6,704 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.78% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.23 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.98 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 11.72 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.6 years male: 73.99 years female: 77.55 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic divisions: Basques and Bretons (French fishermen) Religions: Roman Catholic 98% Languages: French Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% Labor force: 2,850 (1988) by occupation: NA @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Government Names: conventional long form: Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon conventional short form: Saint Pierre and Miquelon local long form: Departement de Saint-Pierre et Miquelon local short form: Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Digraph: SB Type: territorial collectivity of France Capital: Saint-Pierre Administrative divisions: none (territorial collectivity of France) Independence: none (territorial collectivity of France; has been under French control since 1763) National holiday: National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July Constitution: 28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system: French law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government: Commissioner of the Republic Yves HENRY (since NA December 1993); President of the General Council Marc PLANTE-GENEST (since NA) cabinet: Council of Ministers Legislative branch: unicameral General Council: elections last held September-October 1988 (next to be held NA September 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (19 total) Socialist and other left-wing parties 13, UDF and right-wing parties 6 French Senate: elections last held NA September 1986 (next to be held NA September 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) PS 1 French National Assembly: elections last held 21 and 28 March 1993 (next to be held NA June 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (1 total) UDF 1; note - Saint Pierre and Miquelon elects 1 member each to the French Senate and the French National Assembly who are voting members Judicial branch: Superior Tribunal of Appeals (Tribunal Superieur d'Appel) Political parties and leaders: Socialist Party (PS), Albert PEN; Union for French Democracy (UDF/CDS), Gerard GRIGNON Member of: FZ, WFTU Diplomatic representation in US: none (territorial collectivity of France) US diplomatic representation: none (territorial collectivity of France) Flag: the flag of France is used @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Economy Overview: The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre has dropped steadily over the years. In March 1989, an agreement between France and Canada set fish quotas for Saint Pierre's trawlers fishing in Canadian and Canadian-claimed waters for three years. The agreement settles a longstanding dispute that had virtually brought fish exports to a halt. The islands are heavily subsidized by France. Imports come primarily from Canada and France. National product: GDP - exchange rate conversion - $65 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: NA% National product per capita: $10,000 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA% Unemployment rate: 9.6% (1990) Budget: revenues: $18.3 million expenditures: $18.3 million, including capital expenditures of $5.5 million (1989 est.) Exports: $30 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: fish and fish products, fox and mink pelts partners: US 58%, France 17%, UK 11%, Canada, Portugal (1990) Imports: $82 million (c.i.f., 1991 est.) commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK External debt: $NA Industrial production: growth rate NA% Electricity: capacity: 10,000 kW production: 25 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,840 kWh (1992) Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism Agriculture: vegetables, cattle, sheep, pigs for local consumption; fish catch of 20,500 metric tons (1989) Economic aid: recipient: Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $500 million Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year: calendar year @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Communications Highways: total: 120 km paved: 60 km unpaved: earth 60 km (1985) Ports: Saint Pierre Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: 3,601 telephones; broadcast stations - 1 AM, 3 FM, no TV; radio communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system @Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of France @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Geography Location: Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea about three-fourths of the way between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 340 sq km land area: 340 sq km comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 84 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Terrain: volcanic, mountainous; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 38% permanent crops: 12% meadows and pastures: 6% forest and woodland: 41% other: 3% Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents natural hazards: subject to hurricanes; Soufriere volcano is a constant threat international agreements: party to - Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution, Whaling Note: some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, People Population: 115,437 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 20.27 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -7.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.28 years male: 70.77 years female: 73.84 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.08 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian Ethnic divisions: black African descent, white, East Indian, Carib Indian Religions: Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English, French patois Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.) by occupation: NA @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Digraph: VC Type: constitutional monarchy Capital: Kingstown Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979) Constitution: 27 October 1979 Legal system: based on English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General David JACK (since 29 September 1989) head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984); Deputy Prime Minister Allan C. CRUICKSHANK (since NA); note - governor general appoints leader of the majority party to position of prime minister cabinet: Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly: elections last held 21 February 1994 (next to be held NA July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total; 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators) NDP 10, MNU 2, SVLP 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party (NDP), James (Son) MITCHELL; Saint Vincent Labor Party (SVLP), Stanley JOHN; United People's Movement (UPM), Adrian SAUNDERS; Movement for National Unity (MNU), Ralph GONSALVES; National Reform Party (NRP), Joel MIGUEL Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C.A. LAYNE chancery: 1717 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 102, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: (202) 462-7806 or 7846 FAX: (202) 462-7807 US diplomatic representation: no official presence since the Ambassador resides in Bridgetown (Barbados) Flag: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Economy Overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of the economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and high unemployment rates of 35%-40% continue. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $215 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate: 6.5% (1992 est.) National product per capita: $2,000 (1992 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 35%-40% (1992 est.) Budget: revenues: $62 million expenditures: $67 million, including capital expenditures of $21 million (1990 est.) Exports: $77.5 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: bananas, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets partners: UK 54%, CARICOM 34%, US 10% Imports: $118.6 million (f.o.b., 1992) commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels partners: US 36%, CARICOM 21%, UK 18%, Trinidad and Tobago 13% External debt: $62.6 million (1992) Industrial production: growth rate 0% (1989); accounts for 8% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 16,600 kW production: 64 million kWh consumption per capita: 555 kWh (1992) Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch Agriculture: accounts for 15% of GDP and 60% of labor force; provides bulk of exports; products - bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, hogs, goats; small fish catch used locally Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $11 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $81 million Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year: calendar year @Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Communications Highways: total: 1,000 km paved: 300 km unpaved: improved earth 400 km; unimproved earth 300 km Ports: Kingstown Merchant marine: 555 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,575,652 GRT/9,262,250 DWT, bulk 96, cargo 280, chemical tanker 13, combination bulk 12, combination ore/oil 2, container 31, liquefied gas 7, livestock carrier 1, multi-function large load carrier 1, oil tanker 56, passenger 2, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 19, roll-on/roll-off cargo 26, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 note: China owns 5 ships, Croatia owns 58, Russia owns 16; a flag of convenience registry Airports: total: 6 usable: 6 with permanent-surface runways: 5 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: islandwide fully automatic telephone system; 6,500 telephones; VHF/UHF interisland links from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the
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