The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 33 out of 47Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle Exports: NA commodities: garments partners : NA Imports: NA commodities: food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products partners : US, Japan Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: none Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Northern Mariana Islands:Communications Telephones: 13,618 (1993 est.) Telephone system: domestic : NA international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3 Radios: 15,350 (1987 est.) Television broadcast stations: none note: there are 2 cable TV stations Televisions: 10,650 (1993 est.) @Northern Mariana Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 362 km (1991 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Waterways: none Ports and harbors: Saipan, Tinian Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ NORWAY @Norway:Geography Location: Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Sweden Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 10 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 324,220 sq km land: 307,860 sq km water: 16,360 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,515 km border countries: Finland 729 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 167 km Coastline: 21,925 km (includes mainland 3,419 km, large islands 2,413 km, long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 16,093 km) Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 10 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 4 nm Climate: temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior; rainy year-round on west coast Terrain: glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Elevation extremes: lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m highest point: Glittertinden 2,472 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, natural gas, pyrites, nickel, iron ore, zinc, lead, fish, timber, hydropower Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 27% other: 70% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 970 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affecting lakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with Russia @Norway:People Population: 4,399,993 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 19% (male 440,621; female 417,331) 15-64 years : 65% (male 1,446,739; female 1,399,291) 65 years and over: 16% (male 289,426; female 406,585) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 0.47% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 13.25 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.22 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years : 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.09 years male: 75.29 years female: 81.07 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.83 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Norwegian(s) adjective: Norwegian Ethnic groups: Germanic (Nordic, Alpine, Baltic), Lapps (Sami) 20,000 Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 87.8% (state church), other Protestant and Roman Catholic 3.8%, none 3.2%, unknown 5.2% (1980) Languages: Norwegian (official) note: small Lapp- and Finnish-speaking minorities Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (1976 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @Norway:Government Country name: conventional long form : Kingdom of Norway conventional short form: Norway local long form: Kongeriket Norge local short form: Norge Data code: NO Government type: constitutional monarchy National capital: Oslo Administrative divisions: 19 provinces (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder, Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland, Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane, Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold Dependent areas: Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard Independence: 26 October 1905 (from Sweden) National holiday: Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) Constitution: 17 May 1814, modified in 1884 Legal system: mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS (born 20 July 1973) head of government: Prime Minister Thorbjoern JAGLAND (since 25 October 1996) cabinet: State Council appointed by the king with the approval of the Parliament elections: none; the king is a hereditary monarch; following parliamentary elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the king with the approval of the Parliament Legislative branch: modified unicameral Parliament or Storting which, for certain purposes, divides itself into two chambers (165 seats; members are elected by popular vote by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 13 September 1993 (next to be held NA September 1997) election results : percent of vote by party - Labor 37.1%, Center Party 18.5%, Conservatives 15.6%, Christian People's 8.4%, Socialist Left 7.9%, Progress 6%, Left Party 3.6%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%; seats by party - Labor 67, Center Party 32, Conservatives 18, Christian People's 13, Socialist Left 13, Progress 10, Left Party 1, Red Electoral Alliance 1, unawarded 10 note : for certain purposes, the Parliament divides itself into two chambers and elects one-fourth of its membership to an upper house or Lagting Judicial branch: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett, justices appointed by the king Political parties and leaders: Labor Party [Thorbjorn JAGLAND]; Conservative Party [Jan PETERSEN]; Center Party [Anne ENGER LAHNSTEIN]; Christian People's Party [Valgerd HAUGLAND]; Socialist Left [Erik SOLHEIM]; Norwegian Communist [Kare Andre NILSEN]; Progress Party [Carl I. HAGEN]; Liberal [Odd Einar DORUM]; Left Party; Red Electoral Alliance [Erling FOLKVORD] International organization participation: AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMOP, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNTSO, UPU, WEU (associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tom-Erik VRAALSON chancery : 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, and San Francisco consulate(s): Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Thomas A. LOFTUS embassy: Drammensveien 18, 0244 Oslo mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] 22 44 85 50 FAX : [47] 22 44 33 63 Flag description: red with a blue cross outlined in white 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: Norway is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism. The economy consists of a combination of free market activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises), and extensively subsidizes agriculture, fishing, and areas with sparse resources. Norway maintains an extensive welfare system that helps propel public sector expenditures to more than 50% of GDP and results in one of the highest average tax levels in the world (46%). A small country with a high dependence on international trade, Norway is basically an exporter of raw materials and semiprocessed goods, with an abundance of small- and medium-sized firms, and is ranked among the major shipping nations. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum, hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on its oil sector. Only Saudi Arabia exports more oil than Norway. Norway imports more than half its food needs. Economic growth, only 1.6% in 1993, has improved steadily over the past few years, resulting in a budget surplus in 1996. Oslo opted to stay out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. Despite their high per capita income - outstripped among major nations only by the US - and their generous welfare benefits, the Norwegians worry about that time in the 21st century when the oil and gas run out. GDP: purchasing power parity - $114.1 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4.8% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $26,200 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.9% industry: 34.7% services : 62.4% (1991) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.2% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 2.13 million by occupation: services 71%, industry 23%, agriculture, forestry, and fishing 6% (1993) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $48.6 billion expenditures: $53 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994 est.) Industries: petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paper products, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 26.43 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 123.2 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 24,586 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: oats, other grains; beef, milk; livestock output exceeds value of crops; among world's top 10 fishing nations; fish catch of 2.33 million metric tons in 1994 Exports: total value: $41.7 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 43%, metals and products 11%, foodstuffs (mostly fish) 9%, chemicals and raw materials 25%, natural gas 6.0%, ships 5.4% partners: EU 77.2% (UK 19.8%, Germany 12.7%, Netherlands 9.1%, France 7.8%, Sweden 9.8%), US 6.0% (1995) Imports: total value : $32.7 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: machinery and equipment and manufactured consumer goods 54%, chemicals and other industrial inputs 39%, foodstuffs 6% partners: EU 71.0% (Sweden 15.4%, Germany 13.8%, UK 9.7%, Denmark 7.5%, Netherlands 4.4%), US 6.6% (1995) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: donor: ODA, $1.014 billion (1993) Currency: 1 Norwegian krone (NKr) = 100 oere Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NKr) per US$1 - 6.4475 (January 1997), 6.4498 (1996), 6.3352 (1995), 7.0576 (1994), 7.0941 (1993), 6.2145 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Norway:Communications Telephones: 2.39 million (1994 est.); 470,000 mobile phones in use in 1994 Telephone system: high-quality domestic and international telephone, telegraph, and telex services domestic: NA domestic satellite earth stations international: 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NA Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean Regions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) Radio broadcast stations: AM 46, FM 493 (350 private and 143 government), shortwave 0 Radios: 3.3 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 54 (repeaters 2,100) Televisions: 1.5 million (1993 est.) @Norway:Transportation Railways: total: 4,027 km standard gauge: 4,027 km 1.435-m gauge (2422 km electrified; 96 km double track) (1995) Highways: total: 90,261 km paved : 66,342 km (including 105 km of expressways) unpaved: 23,919 km (1995) Waterways: 1,577 km along west coast; 2.4 m draft vessels maximum Pipelines: refined products 53 km Ports and harbors: Bergen, Drammen, Floro, Hammerfest, Harstad, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Larvik, Narvik, Oslo, Porsgrunn, Stavanger, Tromso, Trondheim Merchant marine: total : 718 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,401,580 GRT/31,740,273 DWT ships by type: bulk 102, cargo 106, chemical tanker 83, combination bulk 9, combination ore/oil 33, container 16, liquefied gas tanker 87, multi-function large load carrier 1, oil tanker 148, passenger 14, passenger-cargo 1, railcar carrier 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 49, short-sea passenger 24, vehicle carrier 34 note: the government has created an internal register, the Norwegian International Ship register (NIS), as a subset of the Norwegian register; ships on the NIS enjoy many benefits of flags of convenience and do not have to be crewed by Norwegians (1996 est.) Airports: 102 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 97 over 3,047 m : 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 59 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Norwegian Army, Royal Norwegian Navy (includes Coast Artillery and Coast Guard), Royal Norwegian Air Force, Home Guard Military manpower - military age: 20 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,112,390 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 925,780 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 27,382 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.7 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.9% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land); Svalbard is the focus of a maritime boundary dispute in the Barents Sea between Norway and Russia Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for drugs shipped via the CIS and Baltic states for the European market; increasing domestic consumption of cannabis and amphetamines ______________________________________________________________________ OMAN @Oman:Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE Geographic coordinates: 21 00 N, 57 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 212,460 sq km land: 212,460 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Kansas Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km Coastline: 2,092 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Terrain: vast central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m highest point: Jabal ash Sham 2,980 m Natural resources: petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: NA% other: 95% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 580 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limited natural fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil @Oman:People Population: 2,264,590 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 527,091; female 507,849) 15-64 years: 51% (male 632,647; female 535,149) 65 years and over: 3% (male 27,974; female 33,880) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.49% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 37.85 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 4.39 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 1.42 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: 1.18 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.8 years male : 68.84 years female: 72.85 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.02 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Omani(s) adjective: Omani Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Religions: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu Languages: Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects Literacy: definition: NA total population: approaching 80% male : NA% female: NA% @Oman:Government Country name: conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman conventional short form : Oman local long form: Saltanat Uman local short form: Uman Data code: MU Government type: monarchy National capital: Muscat Administrative divisions: 6 regions (mintaqah, singular - mintaqat) and 2 governorates* (muhafazah, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat, Musandam*, Zufar* Independence: 1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese) National holiday: National Day, 18 November (1940) Constitution: none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royal decree promulgating a new basic law which, among other things, clarifies the royal succession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers from holding interests in companies doing business with the government, establishes a bicameral Omani council, and guarantees basic civil liberties for Omani citizens Legal system: based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to the sultan; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government head of government : Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said (since 23 July 1970); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the sultan elections: none; the sultan is a hereditary monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis ash-Shura (80 members; two appointed from each wilayat with a population over 30,000, one appointed from each of the other wilayats; members serve four-year terms; has advisory powers only) note: new basic law to be implemented in 1997, provides for an upper chamber - the Majlis ad-Dawla or State Council; also the Majlis ash-Shura will be expanded to 110 members; the resulting bicameral legislature will be known as the Omani Council Judicial branch: none; traditional Islamic judges and a nascent civil court system, administered by region Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Aqil al-DHAHAB chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1982 FAX : [1] (202) 745-4933 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Frances D. COOK embassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat mailing address: domestic - Unit 73000, Box 1, APO AE 09890-3000; international - P. O. Box 202, Code No. 115, Medinat Qaboos, Muscat telephone: [968] 698989 (Medinat Qaboos, switchboard) FAX: [968] 699779 Flag description: three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered at the top of the vertical band Economy Economy - overview: Economic performance is closely tied to the fortunes of the oil industry. Petroleum accounts for 75% of export earnings and government revenues and for roughly 40% of GDP. Oman has proved oil reserves of 4 billion barrels, equivalent to about 20 years' supply at the current rate of extraction. Agriculture is carried on at a subsistence level and the general population depends on imported food. The year 1996 was marked by higher oil production and prices. The government is encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign, as a prime force for further economic development. GDP: purchasing power parity - $20.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,500 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture : 3% industry: 55% services : 42% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 0.5% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 454,000 by occupation: agriculture 37% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $5.3 billion expenditures: $6 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: crude oil production and refining, natural gas production, construction, cement, copper Industrial production growth rate: 3% (1994 est.) Electricity - capacity: 1.74 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 7.39 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 3,412 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; annual fish catch averages 100,000 metric tons Exports: total value: $7.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: petroleum 75%, reexports, fish, processed copper, textiles partners: Japan 32%, South Korea 16%, Thailand 12%, China 8%, US 6%, Taiwan 6% (1995) Imports: total value: $5.5 billion (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities: machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants partners : UAE 25% (largely reexports), UK 16%, Japan 16%, France 11%, US 5% (1995) Debt - external: $2.7 billion (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $82 million (1993) Currency: 1 Omani rial (RO) = 1,000 baiza Exchange rates: Omani rials (RO) per US$1 - 0.3845 (fixed rate since 1986) Fiscal year: calendar year @Oman:Communications Telephones: 150,000 (1994 est.) Telephone system: modern system consisting of open wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable domestic: open wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and a domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations international : satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 1 Radios: 1.043 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 9 Televisions: 1.195 million (1992 est.) @Oman:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 5,000 km paved: 3,500 km (including 426 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,500 km (1983 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 1,300 km; natural gas 1,030 km Ports and harbors: Matrah, Mina' al Fahl, Mina' Raysut Merchant marine: total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,306 GRT/8,210 DWT ships by type: cargo 1, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 126 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 38 over 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 32 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 88 over 3,047 m : 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m : 57 914 to 1,523 m: 25 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Royal Oman Police) Military manpower - military age: 14 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 550,421 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 312,205 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1.82 billion (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 13.7% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: no defined boundary with most of UAE, but Administrative Line in far north ______________________________________________________________________ PACIFIC OCEAN [Map of Pacific Ocean] @Pacific Ocean:Geography Location: body of water between Antarctica, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W Map references: World Area: total: 165.384 million sq km note: includes Bali Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Ross Sea, Savu Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, South China Sea, Tasman Sea, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 18 times the size of the US; the largest ocean (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean); covers about one-third of the global surface; larger than the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian land mass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and East Asia from May to December Terrain: surface currents in the northern Pacific are dominated by a clockwise, warm-water gyre (broad circular system of currents) and in the southern Pacific by a counterclockwise, cool-water gyre; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Marianas Trench, which is the world's deepest Elevation extremes: lowest point: Marianas Trench -10,924 m highest point: sea level 0 m Natural resources: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); southern shipping lanes subject to icebergs from Antarctica; occasional El Nino phenomenon occurs off the coast of Peru, when the trade winds slacken and the warm Equatorial Countercurrent moves south, killing the plankton that is the primary food source for anchovies; consequently, the anchovies move to better feeding grounds, causing resident marine birds to starve by the thousands because of the loss of their food source; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May and in extreme south from May to October; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Environment - current issues: endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Environment - international agreements: party to : none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: the major choke points are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean @Pacific Ocean:Government Data code: none; the US Government has not approved a standard for hydrographic codes - see the Cross-Reference List of Hydrographic Codes appendix Economy Economy - overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1985 over half (54%) of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean, which is the only ocean where the fish catch has increased every year since 1978. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of Australia, NZ, China, US, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has slowed but not stopped new drillings. @Pacific Ocean:Communications Telephone system: international : several submarine cables with network nodal points on Guam and Hawaii @Pacific Ocean:Transportation Ports and harbors: Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong, Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states) ______________________________________________________________________ PAKISTAN @Pakistan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total : 803,940 sq km land: 778,720 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 6,774 km border countries: Afghanistan 2,430 km, China 523 km, India 2,912 km, Iran 909 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: flat Indus plain in east; mountains in north and northwest; Balochistan plateau in west Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m Natural resources: land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: arable land: 27% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 5% other : 61% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 171,100 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural fresh water resources; a majority of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent @Pakistan:People Population: 132,185,299 (July 1997 est.) note: no national census has been conducted since 1981 Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 28,702,496; female 27,048,787) 15-64 years: 54% (male 36,387,329; female 34,708,803) 65 years and over : 4% (male 2,667,936; female 2,669,948) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.22% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 35.26 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.95 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -2.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 95.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.77 years male: 57.97 years female : 59.61 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.08 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic groups: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun (Pathan), Baloch, Muhajir (immigrants from India and their descendants) Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni 77%, Shi'a 20%), Christian, Hindu, and other 3% Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Siraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashtu 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official and lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 37.8% male: 50% female: 24.4% (1995 est.) @Pakistan:Government Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan Data code: PK Government type: federal republic National capital: Islamabad Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 1 territory*, and 1 capital territory**; Balochistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, North-West Frontier, Punjab, Sindh note: the Pakistani-administered portion of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region includes Azad Kashmir and the Northern Areas Independence: 14 August 1947 (from UK) National holiday: Pakistan Day, 23 March (1956) (proclamation of the republic) Constitution: 10 April 1973, suspended 5 July 1977, restored with amendments 30 December 1985 Legal system: based on English common law with provisions to accommodate Pakistan's stature as an Islamic state; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal; separate electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for non-Muslims Executive branch: chief of state: President Sardar Farooq LEGHARI (since 13 November 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF (since 17 February 1997) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term; election last held 13 November 1993 (next to be held no later than 14 October 1998); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the National Assembly; election last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Sardar Farooq LEGHARI elected president; percent of Parliament vote - NA; Mohammad Nawaz SHARIF elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of the Senate (87 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies to serve six-year terms; one-third of the members up for election every two years; has advisory powers only) and the National Assembly (217 seats; 207 represent Muslims and 10 represent non-Muslims; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 12 March 1997 (next to be held NA March 1999); National Assembly - last held 3 February 1997 (next to be held NA February 2002) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML/N 30, PPP 17, ANP 7, MQM/A 6, JWP 5, BNP 4, JUI/F 2, PML/J 2, BNM/M 1, PKMAP 1, TJP 1, independents 6, vacant 5; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PML/N 137, PPP 18, MQM/A 12, ANP 10, BNP 3, JWP 2, JUI/F 2, PPP/SB 1, NPP 1, independents 21, minorities 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judicial chiefs are appointed by the president; Federal Islamic (Shari'at) Court Political parties and leaders: government: Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Sharif faction (PML/N), Nawaz SHARIF; Awami National Party (ANP), Ajmal Khan KHATTAK; Balochistan National Movement/Mengal Group (BNM/M), Sardar Akhtar MENGAL; Mohajir Quami Movement, Altaf faction (MQM/A), Altaf HUSSAIN; Jamiat-al-Hadith (JAH); Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP), Akbar Khan BUGTI; Pakistan People's Party/Shaheed Bhutto (PPP/SB), Ghinva BHUTTO; Baluch National Party (BNP), leader NA opposition: Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Benazir BHUTTO; Pakistan Muslim League, Junejo faction (PML/J), Hamid Nasir CHATTHA; National People's Party (NPP), Ghulam Mustapha JATOI; Pakhtun Khwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI; Balochistan National Movement/Hayee Group (BNM/H), Dr. HAYEE Baluch; Pakhtun Quami Party (PKQP), Mohammed AFZAL Khan frequently shifting: Mutaheda Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Maulana Sami-ul-HAQ, the MDM includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Niazi faction (JUP/NI) and Sepah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP); Islami-Jamhoori-Mahaz (IJM-Islamic Democratic Front) includes Jamiat Ulema-i-Islami, Fazlur Rehman group (JUI/F); Pakistan Muslim League, Functional Group (PML/F), Pir PAGARO; Pakistan National Party (PNP); Milli Yakjheti Council (MYC) is an umbrella organization which includes Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), Qazi Hussain AHMED, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Sami-ul-Haq faction (JUI/S), Tehrik-I-Jafria Pakistan (TJP), Allama Sajid NAQVI, and Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Noorani faction (JUP/NO) note: political alliances in Pakistan can shift frequently Political pressure groups and leaders: military remains important political force; ulema (clergy), landowners, industrialists, and small merchants also influential International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, PCA, SAARC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIH, UNOMIG, UNOMIL, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Riaz KHOKAR chancery: 2315 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6200 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0484 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas W. SIMONS, Jr. embassy : Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: P. O. Box 1048, Unit 62200, APO AE 09812-2200 telephone: [92] (51) 826161 through 826179 FAX: [92] (51) 214222 consulate(s) general : Karachi, Lahore consulate(s): Peshawar Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam Economy Economy - overview: Pakistan is a poor, highly populated Third World country struggling to make the difficult transition to the modern world of high technology and international markets. Even though GDP growth has remained strong, at roughly 5% annually, international confidence in Prime Minister Benazir BHUTTO's government declined in 1996. The IMF suspended a Standby Agreement in the spring; foreign investment declined; and the budget and trade deficits rose substantially. In October 1996, BHUTTO responded to IMF pressure to implement reforms, devaluing the rupee by about 8% and raising petroleum prices in an attempt to slow the drain on foreign exchange reserves. But Islamabad still failed to meet IMF revenue and borrowing targets. Pakistan's interim government - in power since President LEGHARI sacked BHUTTO on 5 November 1996 - agreed to slash the budget deficit, push down bank borrowing, implement an agricultural tax; and speed up reforms in the financial sector; accordingly, the Standby Agreement was reinstated in December 1996 and a tranche of $80 million released; but Pakistan fell out of compliance in February 1997. For the long run, Pakistan must deal with serious problems of deteriorating infrastructure, low literacy levels, and persistent sectarian and political violence. GDP: purchasing power parity - $296.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 24.8% industry: 26.5% services: 48.7% (1996) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10.8% (FY95/96) Labor force: total: 36.7 million (1997) by occupation: agriculture 47%, mining and manufacturing 17%, services 17%, other 19% note : extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $12.5 billion expenditures: $14 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.8 billion (FY95/96 est.) Industries: textiles, food processing, beverages, construction materials, clothing, paper products, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 6.1% (FY95/96 est.) Electricity - capacity: 13.17 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 46.1 billion kWh (FY95/96) Electricity - consumption per capita: 403 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; milk, beef, mutton, eggs Exports: total value: $8.3 billion (FY95/96) commodities: cotton, textiles, clothing, rice, leather, carpets partners: US, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, UK, UAE, France Imports: total value: $12 billion (FY95/96) commodities : petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, transportation equipment, vegetable oils, animal fats, chemicals partners: Japan, US, Germany, UK, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, South Korea Debt - external: $28.6 billion (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient: $2.6 billion from all bilateral and multilateral sources (FY95/96) Currency: 1 Pakistani rupee (PRe) = 100 paisa Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PRs) per US$1 - 40.120 (January 1997), 36.078 (1996), 31.643 (1995), 30.567 (1994), 28.1 (1993), 25.1 (1992); note - annual average of official rate; parallel market rate is higher Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Pakistan:Communications Telephones: 1.572 million (1993 est.) Telephone system: the domestic system is mediocre, but adequate for government and business use, in part because major businesses have established their own private systems; since 1988, the government has promoted investment in the national telecommunications system on a priority basis; despite major improvements in trunk and urban systems, telecommunication services are still not readily available to the major portion of the population domestic: microwave radio relay international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries Radio broadcast stations: AM 26, FM 8, shortwave 11 Radios: 11.3 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 29 Televisions: 2.08 million (1993 est.) @Pakistan:Transportation Railways: total: 8,163 km broad gauge: 7,718 km 1.676-m gauge (293 km electrified; 1,037 km double track) narrow gauge: 445 km 1.000-m gauge (1996 est.) Highways: total : 216,564 km paved: 116,945 km unpaved: 99,619 km (1995 est.) Pipelines: crude oil 250 km; petroleum products 885 km; natural gas 4,044 km (1987) Ports and harbors: Karachi, Port Muhammad bin Qasim Merchant marine: total: 26 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 425,140 GRT/699,040 DWT ships by type : bulk 5, cargo 17, container 3, oil tanker 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 102 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 86 over 3,047 m : 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 27 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 18 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 16 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 8 (1996 est.) Heliports: 6 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Civil Armed Forces, National Guard Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 31,456,430 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 19,288,081 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,431,074 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $3.3 billion (FY96/97) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.3% (FY96/97) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: status of Kashmir with India; water-sharing problems with upstream riparian India over the Indus (Wular Barrage) Illicit drugs: illicit producer of opium and hashish for the international drug trade (produced 75 metric tons in 1996, down from 155 metric tons in 1995); major center for processing Afghan heroin and key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin moving to Western markets ______________________________________________________________________ PALAU @Palau:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 458 sq km land : 458 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 1,519 km Maritime claims: continental shelf : 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm extended fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: typhoons (June to December) Environment - current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to : Law of the Sea signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain @Palau:People Population: 17,240 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.66% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 21.04 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.61 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 2.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) 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: 25.07 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.01 years male : 69.14 years female: 73.02 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan Ethnic groups: Palauans are a composite of Polynesian, Malayan, and Melanesian races Religions: Christian (Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Assembly of God, the Liebenzell Mission, and Latter-Day Saints), Modekngei religion (one-third of the population observes this religion which is indigenous to Palau) Languages: English (official in all of Palau's 16 states), Sonsorolese (official in the state of Sonsoral), Angaur and Japanese (in the state of Anguar), Tobi (in the state of Tobi), Palauan (in the other 13 states) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92% male: 93% female: 90% (1980 est.) @Palau:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form : Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Data code: PS Government type: constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force 1 October 1994 National capital: Koror note: a new capital is being built about 20 km northeast in eastern Babelthuap Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 16 states named Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngerchelong, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol, Tobi Independence: 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship) National holiday: Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) Constitution: 1 January 1981 Legal system: based on Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Kuniwo NAKAMURA (since 1 January 1993) and Vice President Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. (since 1 January 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet : Cabinet elections: president and vice president elected on separate tickets by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results : Kuniwo NAKAMURA reelected president; percent of vote - Kuniwo NAKAMURA 64%, Chief Ibedul Yutuka GIBBONS 36%; Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. reelected vice president; percent of vote - Tommy E. REMENGESAU Jr. 69%, Kione ISECHAL 31% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament or Olbiil Era Kelulau (OEK) consists of the Senate (14 seats; members elected by popular vote on a population basis to serve four-year terms) and the House of Delegates (16 seats - one from each state; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000); House of Delegates - last held 11 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 2000) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Delegates - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA Judicial branch: Supreme Court; National Court; Court of Common Pleas Political parties and leaders: Palau Nationalist Party, Polycarp BASILIUS International organization participation: ESCAP, SPC, SPF, UN, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim David A. ORRUKEM chancery: 2000 L Street NW, Suite 407, Washington, DC 20036 telephone : [1] (202) 452-6814 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Thomas C. HUBBARD (resident in Manila) embassy: address NA, Koror mailing address: P.O. Box 6028, Republic of Palau 96940 telephone: [680] 488-2920, 2990 FAX: [680] 488-2911 Flag description: light blue with a large yellow disk (representing the moon) shifted slightly to the hoist side Economy Economy - overview: The economy consists primarily of subsistence agriculture and fishing. The government is the major employer of the work force, relying heavily on financial assistance from the US. The population, in effect, enjoys a per capita income of $5,000, twice that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Long-run prospects for the tourist sector have been greatly bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific and the rapidly rising prosperity of leading East Asian countries. Reducing budgeted operating expenditures - which have increased 56% from 1989 to 1993 - will be the biggest challenge for the government over the next several years. GDP: purchasing power parity - $81.8 million (1994 est.) note: GDP numbers reflect US spending GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,000 (1994 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $21 million expenditures: $57 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1996 est.) Industries: tourism, craft items (from shell, wood, pearls), some commercial fishing and agriculture Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, cassava (tapioca), sweet potatoes Exports: total value: $600,000 (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: trochus (type of shellfish), tuna, copra, handicrafts partners: US, Japan Imports: total value : $24.6 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: NA partners: US Debt - external: about $100 million (1989) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA note : the compact of "free association" with the US, entered into after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994, will provide Palau with up to $700 million in US aid over 15 years in return for furnishing military facilities Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Palau:Communications Telephones: 1,500 (1988 est.) Telephone system: domestic: NA international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 Radios: 9,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: 1,600 (1993 est.) @Palau:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 61 km paved: 36 km unpaved: 25 km Ports and harbors: Koror Merchant marine: none Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ PALMYRA ATOLL (territory of the US) @Palmyra Atoll:Geography Location: Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to American Samoa Geographic coordinates: 5 52 N, 162 06 W Map references: Oceania Area: total : 11.9 sq km land: 11.9 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 14.5 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: equatorial, hot, and very rainy Terrain: very low Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 2 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land : 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 100% other: 0% 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: about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall @Palmyra Atoll:People Population: uninhabited @Palmyra Atoll:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Palmyra Atoll Data code: LQ Dependency status: incorporated territory of the US; privately owned, but administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity @Palmyra Atoll:Transportation Highways: much of the road and many causeways built during World War II are unserviceable and overgrown Ports and harbors: West Lagoon Airports: airstrip has been overgrown by vegetation and is no longer serviceable Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ PANAMA @Panama:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica Geographic coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 78,200 sq km land: 75,990 sq km water: 2,210 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 555 km border countries: Colombia 225 km, Costa Rica 330 km Coastline: 2,490 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Terrain: interior mostly steep, rugged mountains and dissected, upland plains; coastal areas largely plains and rolling hills Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m Natural resources: copper, mahogany forests, shrimp Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 2% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland : 44% other: 27% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 320 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: water pollution from agricultural runoff threatens fishery resources; deforestation of tropical rain forest; land degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Geography - note: strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean @Panama:People Population: 2,693,417 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 444,673; female 426,823) 15-64 years: 62% (male 846,707; female 824,690) 65 years and over : 6% (male 72,472; female 78,052) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.58% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 22.27 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.15 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.35 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 24.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.28 years male: 71.55 years female : 77.1 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.6 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Panamanian(s) adjective: Panamanian Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 70%, Amerindian and mixed (West Indian) 14%, white 10%, Amerindian 6% Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant 15% Languages: Spanish (official), English 14% note: many Panamanians bilingual Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90.8% male: 91.4% female : 90.2% (1995 est.) @Panama:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Panama conventional short form: Panama local long form: Republica de Panama local short form: Panama
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