The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 15 out of 478, Our Home is Estonia 6, M 6, Right-Wingers 5 Judicial branch: National Court Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union or KMU [Tiit VAHI, chairman] made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party, Country People's Party/Farmer's Assembly, Rural Union, and Pensioners' and Families' League; Reform Party-Liberals or RE [Siim KALLAS, chairman]; Center Party or K [Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman]; Union of Pro Patria or Fatherland League (Isamaa) [Toivo JURGENSON, chairman]; National Independence Party or ERSP [Kelam TUNNE, chairman]; Our Home is Estonia made up of 2 parties: United Peoples Party and the Russian People's Party of Estonia; United Peoples Party [Viktor ANDREJEV, chairman]; Russian Party of Estonia [Nikolai MASPANOV, chairman]; Moderates or M made up of 2 parties: Social Democratic Party and Rural Center Party; Social Democratic Party [Eiki NESTOR, chairman]; Rural Center Party [Vambo KAAL, chairman]; Right-Wingers [Ulo NUGIS, chairman]; Republican Conservative [Vootele HANSEN]; Development/Progressive Party [Andra VEIDEMANN, chairwoman], note - party was created by defectors from Center Party in late spring 1996, now holds 6 or 7 seats in Parliament International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIBH, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lauri LEPIK chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Lawrence P. TAYLOR embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001 mailing address: American Embassy, Tallinn; PSC 78, Box T; APO AE 09723 telephone: [372] (6) 312-021 FAX: [372] (6) 312-025 Flag description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white Economy Economy - overview: Estonia continues to experience strong economic growth after its economy bottomed out in 1993. Bolstered by a widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe, Estonia has adhered to disciplined fiscal and financial policies and has led the FSU countries in pursuing economic reform. Monthly inflation has been held to 2% in 1995-96. Following four years of decline, Estonia's GDP grew at 3% in 1995 and 1996. Despite these positive economic indicators, the current account deficit is widening. The resident IMF representative in Estonia has been worried since early 1996 about a rising public sector deficit boosted by local government spending. Small- and medium-scale privatization is essentially complete, and large-scale privatization is progressing gradually. In 1996, Estonia's national airline was privatized; in 1997 Estonia plans to privatize large infrastructure, i.e., Eesti Energia, Tallinn Port, Estonian Telecom, and Oil Shale. Estonia has successfully reoriented its trade toward the West, two-thirds of exports now going to Western markets. Estonia's free trade policies were the cornerstone of its negotiations with the European Union, and led to the signing of an association agreement in June 1995. Estonia was the only Baltic state not to have a transition period imposed by the EU prior to its implementation of a free trade agreement. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.1 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,560 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10% industry: 37% services : 53% (1993 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 23% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 750,000 (1992) by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and forestry 20%, other 38% (1990) Unemployment rate: 5% (1996 official est.) Budget: revenues: $620 million expenditures : $582 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (January-October 1995) Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors, excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes, apparel Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 3.29 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 8.6 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,005 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy products; fish Exports: total value: $2 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: textiles 16%, food products 16%, machinery and equipment 16%, metals 9% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany, Latvia (1995) Imports: total value : $3.1 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and equipment 29%, foodstuffs 14%, minerals 13%, textiles 13%, metals 12% (1995) partners: Finland, Russia, Sweden, Germany (1995) Debt - external: $270 million (January 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $147 million (1993) note: Western commitments $285 million (including international financial institutions) Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August 1992) Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1 - 12.6 (January 1997), 12.410 (December 1996), 12.034 (1996), 11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994), 13.223 (1993); note - krooni are tied to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1 Fiscal year: calendar year @Estonia:Communications Telephones: 400,000 (1994 est.) Telephone system: system is antiquated; improvements are being made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and international connections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests for subscriber service domestic : substantial investment has been made in cellular systems which are operational throughout Estonia international: international traffic is carried to the other former Soviet republics by landline or microwave radio relay and to other countries partly by leased connection to the Moscow international gateway switch and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber-optic, submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuits everywhere; access to the international packet-switched digital network via Helsinki Radio broadcast stations: 3 commercial broadcast stations, 1 government broadcast station (1994) Radios: 710,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 4 (1993) note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first and second programs Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.) @Estonia:Transportation Railways: total : 1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include dedicated industrial lines broad gauge: 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995) Highways: total: 14,992 km paved: 8,096 km (including 65 km of expressways) unpaved : 6,896 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992) Ports and harbors: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn Merchant marine: total: 55 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 364,492 GRT/478,441 DWT ships by type : bulk 7, cargo 31, container 4, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1996 est.) Airports: 22 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Forces, Navy/Coast Guard, Air and Air Defense Force (not officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 353,616 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 277,489 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 10,396 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $35 million (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Estonian and Russian negotiators reached a technical border agreement in December 1996, which Estonia is prepared to sign and ratify in January 1997; Estonia had claimed over 2,000 sq km territory in the Narva and Pechory regions in Russia - based on boundary established under the 1920 Peace Treaty of Tartu Illicit drugs: transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest Asia and the Caucasus, and cocaine from Latin America to Western Europe and Scandinavia ______________________________________________________________________ ETHIOPIA Introduction Historical perspective: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular elections were held in May and June 1995 @Ethiopia:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,127,127 sq km land: 1,119,683 sq km water: 7,444 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 5,311 km border countries: Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km, Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Elevation extremes: lowest point: Denakil -125 m highest point: Ras Dashen Terara 4,620 m Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash Land use: arable land: 12% permanent crops : 1% permanent pastures: 40% forests and woodland: 25% other: 22% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,900 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Geography - note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993 @Ethiopia:People Population: 58,732,577 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 46% (male 13,492,323; female 13,444,656) 15-64 years: 51% (male 15,167,806; female 15,020,499) 65 years and over: 3% (male 745,554; female 861,739) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.67% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 45.59 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.56 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan, Kenya and Somalia for refuge from war and famine in earlier years, is expected to continue in 1997; entry into Ethiopia of Sudanese and Somalis fleeing the fighting in their own countries is also continuing in 1997 Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 121.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 46.62 years male : 45.48 years female: 47.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.94 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic groups: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%, Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist 12%, other 3%-8% Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga, Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.5% male: 45.5% female : 25.3% (1995 est.) @Ethiopia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: YeItyop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: YeItyop'iya abbreviation: FDRE Data code: ET Government type: federal republic National capital: Addis Ababa Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based administrative regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1 federal capital*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumaz; Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples; Tigray Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu regime) Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994 Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : President NEGASSO Gidada (since 22 August 1995) head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August 1995) cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994 constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and approved by the Council of People's Representatives elections : president elected by the Council of People's Representatives for a six-year term; election last held June 1995 (next to be held NA 2001); prime minister designated by the party in power following legislative elections election results: NEGASSO Gidada elected president; percent of vote by the Council of People's Representatives - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Council of the Federation or upper chamber (117 seats; members are chosen by state assemblies to serve five-year terms) and the Council of People's Representatives or lower chamber (548 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote from single-member districts to serve five-year terms); note - the upper chamber represents the ethnic interests of the regional governments elections: regional and national popular elections were held in May and June 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) and the Federal Parliamentary Assembly assumed legislative power on 21 August 1995 election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - NA; note - EPRDF won nearly all seats Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the national legislature Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front or EPRDF [MELES Zenawi] Political pressure groups and leaders: Oromo Liberation Front or OLF; All Amhara People's Organization; Southern Ethiopia People's Democratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnic-based groups have formed since MENGISTU'S resignation, including several Islamic militant groups International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-2281, 2282 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7950 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David H. SHINN (17 June 1996) embassy : Entoto Street, Addis Ababa mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa telephone: [251] (1) 550666 FAX: [251] (1) 552191 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors Economy Economy - overview: Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment; coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor cultivation practices, and deterioration of internal security conditions. The manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than 10% of agriculture, is state-run. The government is considering selling off a portion of state-owned plants and is implementing reform measures that are gradually liberalizing the economy. A major medium-term problem is the improvement of roads, water supply, and other parts of an infrastructure badly neglected during years of civil strife. GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.8 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7.7% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $430 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 57% industry: 10% services: 33% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 18 million by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $1 billion expenditures: $1.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $415 million (FY96/97) Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, metals processing, cement Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 630,000 kW (1991) Electricity - production: 1.27 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane, potatoes, other vegetables; hides, cattle, sheep, goats Exports: total value : $423 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: coffee, leather products, gold (1995) partners: Germany 18%, Japan 13%, Djibouti 10%, Saudi Arabia 8% (1993) Imports: total value: $1.15 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.) commodities: food and live animals, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals (1995) partners : Saudi Arabia 13.3%, Italy 11.6%, US 10.2%, Germany 9.1%, Japan (1993) Debt - external: $4.3 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $367 million (FY95/96) Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 (end of period) - 6.4260 (December 1996), 6.4260 (1996), 6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at 2.070 before 1992 note: since May 1993, the birr market rate has been determined in an interbank market supported by weekly wholesale auction; prior to that date, the official rate was pegged to US$1 = 5.000 birr Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July @Ethiopia:Communications Telephones: 100,000 (1983 est.) Telephone system: open wire and microwave radio relay system adequate for government use domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 9.9 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.) @Ethiopia:Transportation Railways: total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 28,360 km paved : 4,254 km unpaved: 24,106 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none; Ethiopia is landlocked but by agreement with Eritrea may use the ports of Assab and Massawa Merchant marine: total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 60,081 GRT/84,686 DWT ships by type: cargo 7, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3 (1996 est.) Airports: 59 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 31 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Police note: following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopia's naval facilities remained in Eritrea's possession; current reorganization plans do not include a navy Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 13,257,668 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 6,889,800 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 605,030 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $110 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: most of the southern half of the boundary with Somalia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Somalia over the Ogaden Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (chat) for local use and regional export ______________________________________________________________________ EUROPA ISLAND (possession of France) @Europa Island:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 28 sq km land: 28 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 22.2 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical Terrain: NA Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 24 m Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: wildlife sanctuary @Europa Island:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there is a small military garrison @Europa Island:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Europa Island local long form: none local short form: Ile Europa Data code: EU Dependency status: possession of France; administered by a high commissioner of the Republic, resident in Reunion National capital: none; administered by France from Reunion Independence: none (possession of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Europa Island:Communications Communications - note: 1 meteorological station @Europa Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claimed by Madagascar ______________________________________________________________________ FALKLAND ISLANDS (ISLAS MALVINAS) (Islas Malvinas)] (dependent territory of the UK) @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Geography Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 12,170 sq km land: 12,170 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but does not accumulate Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m Natural resources: fish, wildlife Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 99% forests and woodland: 0% other : 1% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):People Population: 2,432 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 2.43% (1997 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Sex ratio: at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female total population : NA male(s)/female Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic groups: British Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church, Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day Adventist Languages: English @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Government Country name: conventional long form : Colony of the Falkland Islands conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Data code: FA Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National capital: Stanley Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: 3 October 1985 Legal system: English common law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Governor Richard RALPH (since 29 January 1996) cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial secretary), and the governor elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (10 seats, 8 elected; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held NA October 1993 (next was to be held NA October 1998) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 8 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, chief justice is non-resident Political parties and leaders: NA International organization participation: ICFTU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT Economy Economy - overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign interest in exploiting potential oil reserves. GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $NA GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 1,100 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding) Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage Budget: revenues: $53.4 million expenditures: $53.1 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994-95 est.) Industries: wool and fish processing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small dairy herds Exports: total value: $7.6 million (1995) commodities: wool, hides, meat partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992) Imports: total value : $24.7 million (1995) commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery partners : UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million (1993-94) Currency: 1 Falkland pound (£F) = 100 pence Exchange rates: Falkland pound (£F) per US$1 - 0.6023 (January 1997), 0.6403 (1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Communications Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.) Telephone system: domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries Radio broadcast stations: 1 (government operated) Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated) Televisions: NA @Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas):Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 510 km paved: 30 km unpaved : 480 km Ports and harbors: Stanley Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: administered by the UK, claimed by Argentina ______________________________________________________________________ FAROE ISLANDS (part of the Danish realm) @Faroe Islands:Geography Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland to Norway Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 1,399 sq km land: 1,399 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams) Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,117 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Elevation extremes: lowest point : Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m Natural resources: fish, whales Land use: arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 94% (1996) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands @Faroe Islands:People Population: 39,873 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 25% (male 4,960; female 4,812) 15-64 years: 60% (male 12,913; female 11,117) 65 years and over: 15% (male 2,708; female 3,363) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: -6.36% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 11.46 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -38.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.37 years male: 75.41 years female : 81.32 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish Literacy: NA note: similar to Denmark proper @Faroe Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form : none local short form: Foroyar Data code: FO Dependency status: part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark Government type: NA National capital: Torshavn Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) National holiday: Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940) Constitution: 5 June 1953 (Danish constitution) Legal system: Danish Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Ms. Vibeke LARSEN, chief administrative officer (since mid-1995) head of government : Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15 September 1994) cabinet: Landsstyri elected by the Faroese Parliament elections: the queen is a constitutional monarch; high commissioner appointed by the queen; following legislative elections, the leader of the party that wins the most seats is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held NA 1994 (next to be held NA 1998) election results: Edmund JOENSEN elected prime minister; percent of parliamentary vote - 23.4% Legislative branch: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (32 seats; members are elected on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 7 July 1994 (next to be held by NA July 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - Unionist Party 23.4%, People's Party 16.0%, Social Democrats 15.4%, Republicans 13.7%, Workers' Party 9.5%, Christian People 6.3%, Center Party 5.8%, Home Rule Party 5.6%; seats by party - Unionist Party 8, People's Party 6, Social Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian People 2, Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2 note: election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 21 September 1994 (next to be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party - Unionist Party 22.5%, People's Party 21.7%; seats by party - Unionist Party 1, People's Party 1 Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Workers' Party [Alis JACOBSEN]; Home Rule Party [Helena Dam A NEYSTABO]; Unionist Party [Edmund JOENSEN]; Republican Party [Heini O. HEINESEN]; Center Party [Tordur NICLASEN]; Christian People's Party [Niels Pauli DANIELSEN]; People's Party [Arnfinn KALLSBERG] International organization participation: none Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Flag description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Economy - overview: The Faroese economy in 1995 and 1996 saw a noticeable upturn after several years of decline brought on by a drop in fish catches and declining prices and by over-spending by the Faroese Home Rule Government (FHRG). In the early 1990s, property values plummeted, and the FHRG had to bail out and merge the two largest Faroese banks. Fishing is now improving; wage costs are increasing; the FHRG's budget is almost in balance; and the large foreign debt has come down significantly. Nevertheless, the total dependence on fishing makes the Faroese economy extremely vulnerable, and the reduction in the foreign debt is at the cost of low investment. Oil finds close to the Faroese area give hope for deposits in the immediate Faroese area, which may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians. GDP: purchasing power parity - $800 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 16% services : 64% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 20,345 (1995 est.) by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing, transportation, and commerce Unemployment rate: 11% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues : $467 million expenditures: $468 million, including capital expenditures of $11 million (1996 est.) Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, construction, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 91,000 kW 000 kW Electricity - production: 175.4 million kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: 4,043 kWh (1995) Agriculture - products: milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon farming; fish Exports: total value: $362 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities : fish and fish products 92%, animal feedstuffs, transport equipment (ships) partners: Denmark 22.2%, UK 25.8%, Germany 9.7%, France 8.3%, Norway 6.2%, US 2.0% Imports: total value: $315.6 (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment 17.0%, consumer goods 33%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 26.9%, fuels 11.4%, fish and salt 6.7% partners : Denmark 34.5%, Norway 15.9%, UK 8.4% Germany 7.8%, Sweden 5.8%, US 1.5% Debt - external: $767 million (1995 est.) Economic aid: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $150 million (1995) Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.117 (January 1997), 5.799 (1966), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Faroe Islands:Communications Telephones: 26,000 of which about 3,500 are mobile telephones (1996) Telephone system: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization to be completed in 1998 international: satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 optical fiber submarine cable linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1 (repeaters 13), shortwave 0 Radios: 11,800 (1996 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (repeaters 45) Televisions: 11,600 (1996 est.) @Faroe Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 458 km paved: 450 km unpaved: 8 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Torshavn, Klaksvik, Tvoroyri, Runavik, Fuglafjordhur Merchant marine: total : 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 18,979 GRT/14,531 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police Force and Coast Guard are maintained Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ FIJI @Fiji:Geography Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,270 sq km land: 18,270 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 12 nm Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential Land use: arable land : 10% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 10% forests and woodland: 65% other : 11% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110 are inhabited @Fiji:People Population: 792,441 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35% (male 140,685; female 135,044) 15-64 years: 62% (male 246,128; female 246,001) 65 years and over : 3% (male 11,620; female 12,963) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.28% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 23.12 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -4.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 17 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66 years male: 63.66 years female : 68.46 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.78 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5% Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu 38%, Muslim 8%, other 2% note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is a Muslim minority (1986) Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 91.6% male: 93.8% female: 89.3% (1995 est.) @Fiji:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form : Fiji Data code: FJ Government type: republic note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987 National capital: Suva Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970) Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25 July 1990; the 1990 constitution is under review; the review is scheduled to be completed by 1997 Legal system: based on British system Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (acting president since 15 December 1993, president since 12 January 1994); First Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994); Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June 1992) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament note : there is also a Presidential Council that advises the president on matters of national importance and a Great Council of Chiefs which consists of the highest ranking members of the traditional chiefly system elections: president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term; prime minister appointed by the president election results : Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA elected president; percent of Great Council of Chiefs vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (34 seats; 24 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma; members appointed by the president to serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (70 seats; 37 reserved for ethnic Fijians, 27 for ethnic Indians, and 6 for independents and others; members elected by popular vote on a communal basis to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FAP 5, GVP 4, independents 2, ANC 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT - primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Jai Ram REDDY; Fijian Nationalist Party (FNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP), Mahendra CHAUDHRY; General Voters Party (GVP), Leo SMITH; Fiji Conservative Party (FCP), leader NA; Conservative Party of Fiji (CPF), leader NA; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, leader NA; Fiji Indian Congress Party, leader NA; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader NA; Four Corners Party, leader NA; Fijian Association Party (FAP), Josevata KAMIKAMICA; General Electors' Association, leader NA note: in early 1995, ethnic Fijian members of the All National Congress (ANC) merged with the Fijian Association (FA); the remaining members of the ANC have renamed their party the General Electors' Association International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNTAES, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ratu Napolioni MASIREWA chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320 FAX : [1] (202) 337-1996 consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Don Lee GEVIRTZ embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva telephone: [679] 314466 FAX: [679] 300081 Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove Economy Economy - overview: Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies, though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports and tourism are the major sources of foreign exchange. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity. Roughly 250,000 tourists visit each year. Political uncertainty and drought, however, contribute to substantial fluctuations in earnings from tourism and sugar and to the emigration of skilled workers. In 1992, growth was approximately 3%, based on growth in tourism and a lessening of labor-management disputes in the sugar and gold-mining sectors. In 1993, the government's budgeted growth rate of 3% was not achieved because of a decline in non-sugar agricultural output and damage from Cyclone Kina. Growth in 1994 of 5% was largely attributable to increased tourism and expansion in the manufacturing sector. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,500 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 21% industry: 18% services: 61% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 3% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: 235,000 by occupation: subsistence agriculture 67%, wage earners 18%, salary earners 15% (1987) Unemployment rate: 6% (1997 est.) Budget: revenues: $540.65 million expenditures : $742.65 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: sugar, tourism, copra, gold, silver, clothing, lumber, small cottage industries Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (1995) Electricity - capacity: 200,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 510 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 660 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish catch 13,796 tons (1991) Exports: total value : $607 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: sugar 32%, clothing, gold, processed fish, lumber partners: EU 26%, Australia 15%, other Pacific island countries 11%, Japan 6% Imports: total value: $864 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, consumer goods, chemicals partners: Australia 30%, NZ 17%, Japan 13%, EU 6%, US 6% Debt - external: $333.8 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $14.35 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.5 million from New Zealand (FY95/96) Currency: 1 Fijian dollar (F$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (F$) per US$1 - 1.4000 (January 1997), 1.4033 (1996), 1.4063 (1995), 1.4641 (1994), 1.5418 (1993), 1.5030 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Fiji:Communications Telephones: 60,017 (1987 est.) Telephone system: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center domestic: NA international: access to important cable link between US and Canada and NZ and Australia; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 1, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 Televisions: 12,000 (1992 est.) @Fiji:Transportation Railways: total : 597 km; note - belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation narrow gauge: 597 km 0.610-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 3,370 km paved: 1,655 km unpaved : 1,715 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 203 km; 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges Ports and harbors: Labasa, Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, Suva Merchant marine: total: 6 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 17,800 GRT/18,034 DWT ships by type: chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 21 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 15 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF; includes army, navy, and a small air wing) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 210,048 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 115,766 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 8,986 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $32 million (1997) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5% (1997) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ FINLAND @Finland:Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 337,030 sq km land: 305,470 sq km water: 31,560 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total : 2,628 km border countries: Norway 729 km, Sweden 586 km, Russia 1,313 km Coastline: 1,126 km (excludes islands and coastal indentations) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic, but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m Natural resources: timber, copper, zinc, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 76% other : 16% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified : Air Pollution-Sulphur 94 Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain @Finland:People Population: 5,137,269 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 19% (male 493,427; female 473,166) 15-64 years: 67% (male 1,729,996; female 1,694,111) 65 years and over: 14% (male 280,231; female 466,338) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.26% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 11.75 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.97 years male: 73.41 years female: 80.68 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.78 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Finn(s) adjective: Finnish Ethnic groups: Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Lapp 0.11%, Gypsy 0.12%, Tatar 0.02% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 89%, Greek Orthodox 1%, none 9%, other 1% Languages: Finnish 93.5% (official), Swedish 6.3% (official), small Lapp- and Russian-speaking minorities Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% (1980 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @Finland:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland conventional short form: Finland local long form : Suomen Tasavalta local short form: Suomi Data code: FI Government type: republic National capital: Helsinki Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (laanit, singular - laani); Ahvenanmaa, Hame, Keski-Suomi, Kuopio, Kymi, Lappi, Mikkeli, Oulu, Pohjois-Karjala, Turku ja Pori, Uusimaa, Vaasa Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917) Constitution: 17 July 1919 Legal system: civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Martti AHTISAARI (since 1 March 1994) head of government : Prime Minister Paavo LIPPONEN (since 13 April 1995) and Deputy Prime Minister Sauli NIINISTO (since 13 April 1995) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 31 January-6 February 1994 (next to be held NA January 2000); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: Martti AHTISAARI elected president; percent of vote - Martti AHTISAARI 54%, Elisabeth REHN 46% Legislative branch: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 March 1995 (next to be held NA March 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 28.3%, Center Party 19.9%, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 17.9%, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 11.2%, Swedish People's Party 5.1%, Green League 6.5%, Ecology Party 0.3%, Rural 1.3%, Finnish Christian League 3.0%, Liberal People's Party 0.6%, Young Finns 2.8%; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 63, Center Party 44, National Coalition (Conservative) Party 39, Leftist Alliance (Communist) 22, Swedish People's Party 11, Green League 9, Ecology Party 1, Rural 1, Finnish Christian League 7, Young Finns 2, Aaland Islands 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, judges appointed by the president Political parties and leaders: government coalition : Social Democratic Party [Paavo LIPPONEN]; National Coalition (conservative) Party [Sauli NIINISTO]; Leftist Alliance (Communist) People's Democratic League and Democratic Alternative [Claes ANDERSSON]; Swedish People's Party [(Johan) Ole NORRBACK]; Green League [Pekka HAAVISTO] other : Center Party [Esko AHO]; Finnish Christian League [Toimi KANKAANNIEMI]; Rural Party [Raimo VISTBACKA]; Liberal People's Party [Tuulikki UKKOLA]; Greens Ecological Party or EPV; Young Finns [Risto PENTTILA] Political pressure groups and leaders: Finnish Communist Party-Unity [Yrjo HAKANEN]; Constitutional Rightist Party; Finnish Pensioners Party; Communist Workers Party [Timo LAHDENMAKI] International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MTCR, NACC (observer), NAM (guest), NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNMIBH, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Jaakko Tapani LAAJAVA chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Derek N. SHEARER embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14A, FIN-00140, Helsinki mailing address: APO AE 09723 telephone: [358] (9) 171931 FAX : [358] (9) 174681 Flag description: white with a blue cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) Economy Economy - overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy, with per capita output equaling that of the UK, France and Italy. Its key economic sector is manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, and engineering industries. Trade is important, with the export of goods representing about 30% of GDP. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods.
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