The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 42 out of 47Political parties and leaders: People's Party of Tajikistan [Abdumajid DOSTIYEV]; National Revival Bloc [Abdumalik ABDULLOJONOV]; Tajik Communist Party [Shodi SHABDOLOV]; Democratic Party [Jumaboy NIYAZOV, chairman]; Islamic Renaissance Party or IRP [Mohammed Sharif HIMMATZODA, chairman]; Rebirth (Rastokhez) [Takhir ABDUZHABOROV]; Lali Badakhshan Society [Atobek AMIRBEK]; Tajikistan Party of Economic and Political Renewal or TPEPR; Citizenship, Patriotism, Unity Party [Bobokhon MAHMADOV]; Adolatho "Justice" Party [Abdurahmon KARIMOV, chairman] Political pressure groups and leaders: Tajikistan Opposition Movement based in northern Afghanistan [Seyed Abdullah NURI, chairman] International organization participation: CIS, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM, ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: Tajikistan does not have an embassy in the US, but has a mission at the UN: address - 136 East 67th Street, New York, NY 10021, telephone - [1] (212) 472-7645, FAX - [1] (212) 628-0252; permanent representative to the UN is Rashid ALIMOV Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador R. Grant SMITH embassy : interim chancery, Oktyabrskaya Hotel, 105A Prospect Rudaki, Dushanbe 734001 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone : [7] (3772) 21-03-56 FAX: Telex (787) 20116 Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven five-pointed gold stars is located in the center of the white stripe Economy Economy - overview: Tajikistan had the next-to-lowest per capita GDP in the former USSR, the highest rate of population growth, an extremely low standard of living, and rampant inflation. Agriculture dominates the economy, with cotton being the most important crop. Mineral resources, varied but limited in amount, include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry is limited to a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The Tajik economy has been gravely weakened by four years of civil conflict and by the loss of subsidies from Moscow and of markets for its products, which has left Tajikistan dependent on Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. Moreover, constant political turmoil and the continued dominance by former communist officials have impeded the introduction of meaningful economic reforms. The regime made initial efforts to stabilize the economy and promote reform in 1996. GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1996 estimate as extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994) GDP - real growth rate: -17% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $920 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 65% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 1.9 million (1996) by occupation: agriculture and forestry 52%, manufacturing, mining, and construction 17%, services 31% (1995) Unemployment rate: 2.4% includes only officially registered unemployed; also large numbers of underemployed workers and unregistered unemployed people (December 1996) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures : $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: aluminum, zinc, lead, chemicals and fertilizers, cement, vegetable oil, metal-cutting machine tools, refrigerators and freezers Industrial production growth rate: -20% (1996 est.) Electricity - capacity: 4.44 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 16.8 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 2,135 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: total value: $768 million (1996 est.) commodities : cotton, aluminum, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles partners: FSU 78%, Netherlands (1994) Imports: total value: $657 million (1996 est.) commodities: fuel, chemicals, machinery and transport equipment, textiles, foodstuffs partners : FSU 55%, Switzerland, UK (1994) Debt - external: $635 million (of which $250 million to Russia) (1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $22 million (1993) note: commitments, $885 million (disbursements $115 million) (1992-95) Currency: the Tajikistani ruble (TSR) = 100 tanga; Tajikistan introduced its own currency in May 1995 Exchange rates: Tajikistani rubles (TJR) per US$1 - 350 (January 1997), 284 (January 1996) Fiscal year: calendar year @Tajikistan:Communications Telephones: 303,000 (1991 est.) Telephone system: poorly developed and not well maintained; many towns are not reached by the national network domestic: cable and microwave radio relay international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics, and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 2 Intelsat Radio broadcast stations: 1 state-owned radio broadcast station Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 note : 1 Intelsat earth station provides TV receive-only service from Turkey Televisions: NA @Tajikistan:Transportation Railways: total: 480 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines (1990) Highways: total: 32,752 km paved: 21,119 km (note - these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, meaning that some are paved and some are all-weather gravel surfaced) unpaved: 11,633 km (1992 est.) Pipelines: natural gas 400 km (1992) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 59 (1994 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1994 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 45 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m : 36 (1994 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Air Force, Presidential National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,393,416 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 1,143,159 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 60,832 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: 180 billion rubles (1995); note - conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.4% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: boundary with China in dispute; territorial dispute with Kyrgyzstan on northern boundary in Isfara Valley area; foreign support to Islamic fighters based in northern Afghanistan in Tajikistan's civil war Illicit drugs: limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ TANZANIA @Tanzania:Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total : 945,090 sq km land: 886,040 sq km water: 59,050 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total : 3,402 km border countries: Burundi 451 km, Kenya 769 km, Malawi 475 km, Mozambique 756 km, Rwanda 217 km, Uganda 396 km, Zambia 338 km Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m Natural resources: hydropower potential, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: arable land: 3% permanent crops : 1% permanent pastures: 40% forests and woodland: 38% other: 18% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,500 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: the tsetse fly; flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification Geography - note: Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa @Tanzania:People Population: 29,460,753 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 45% (male 6,597,703; female 6,638,333) 15-64 years: 52% (male 7,496,133; female 7,868,581) 65 years and over: 3% (male 399,747; female 460,256) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.6% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 40.92 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 19.84 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -5.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 104.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 41.71 years male: 40.34 years female: 43.13 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.58 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Ethnic groups: mainland - native African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab) note: Zanzibar - Arab, native African, mixed Arab and native African Religions: mainland - Christian 45%, Muslim 35%, indigenous beliefs 20% note: Zanzibar - more than 99% Muslim Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguju (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages note : Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources, including Arabic and English, and it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 67.8% male: 79.4% female: 56.8% (1995 est.) @Tanzania:Government Country name: conventional long form : United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania former: United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar Data code: TZ Government type: republic National capital: Dar es Salaam note: some government offices have been transferred to Dodoma, which is planned as the new national capital by the end of the 1990s Administrative divisions: 25 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Lindi, Mara, Mbeya, Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Pemba North, Pemba South, Pwani, Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Singida, Tabora, Tanga, Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North, Zanzibar Urban/West, Ziwa Magharibi Independence: 26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December 1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964 National holiday: Union Day, 26 April (1964) Constitution: 25 April 1977; major revisions October 1984 Legal system: based on English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 22 November 1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 22 November 1995); note the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Benjamin William MKAPA (since 22 November 1995); Vice President Omar Ali JUMA (since 22 November 1995); note the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet ministers, including the prime minister, are appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 29 October-19 November 1995 (next to be held NA October 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: percent of vote - Benjamin William MKAPA 62%, MREMA 28%, LIPUMBA 6%, CHEYO 4% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Bunge (274 seats, 232 directly elected; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 29 October-19 November 1995 (next to be held NA October 2000) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CCM 186, opposition parties 46; note - of the 42 seats which are not elected, some are filled by presidential appointment and others are designated by law for specific officials Judicial branch: Court of Appeal; High Court Political parties and leaders: Chama Cha Mapinduzi or CCM (Revolutionary Party) [Benjamin William MKAPA]; Civic United Front or CUF [Seif Sharif HAMAD]; National Convention for Construction and Reform or NCCR [Lyatonga (Augustine) MREMA]; Union for Multiparty Democracy or UMD [Abdullah FUNDIKIRA]; Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo or CHADEMA [Edwin I. M. MTEI, chairman]; Democratic Party (unregistered) [Reverend MTIKLA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [John CHEYO] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, EADB, ECA, FAO, G- 6, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU, SADC, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mustafa Salim NYANG'ANYI chancery : 2139 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6125 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador J. Brady ANDERSON embassy: 36 Laibon Road (off Bagamoyo Road), Dar es Salaam mailing address: P. O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam telephone: [255] (51) 66010 through 66015 FAX : [255] (51) 66701 Flag description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue Economy Economy - overview: Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounts for 57% of GDP, provides 85% of exports, and employs 90% of the work force. Topography and climatic conditions, however, limit cultivated crops to only 4% of the land area. Industry accounts for 17% of GDP and is mainly limited to processing agricultural products and light consumer goods. The economic recovery program announced in mid-1986 has generated notable increases in agricultural production and financial support for the program by bilateral donors. The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's deteriorated economic infrastructure. Growth in 1991-96 has featured a pickup in industrial production and a substantial increase in output of minerals, led by gold. Recent banking reforms have helped increase private sector growth and investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $18.9 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $650 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 57% industry: 17% services: 26% (1994 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 30% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 13.495 million by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 10% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues : $495 million expenditures: $631 million, including capital expenditures of $118 million (1990 est.) Industries: primarily agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine), diamond and gold mining, oil refining, shoes, cement, textiles, wood products, fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 7.7% (1994) Electricity - capacity: 440,000 kW (1994) Electricity - production: 1.91 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 60 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, sisal, tea, cotton, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), cashews, tobacco, cloves (Zanzibar), corn, wheat, cassava (tapioca), bananas, fruits, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats Exports: total value: $679 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: coffee, cotton, cashew nuts, cloves, tobacco, sisal partners: India, Germany, Belgium, UK, Japan, Netherlands, Kenya, Hong Kong, US Imports: total value: $1.69 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: manufactured goods, machinery and transportation equipment, cotton piece goods, crude oil, foodstuffs partners : UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, US, Kenya, China Debt - external: $7.4 billion (1994 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Tanzanian shilling (TSh) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TSh) per US$1 - 597.27 (January 1997), 579.98 (1996), 574.76 (1995), 509.63 (1994), 405.27 (1993), 297.71 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Tanzania:Communications Telephones: 137,000 (1989 est.) Telephone system: fair system operating below capacity domestic: open wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 12, FM 4, shortwave 0 Radios: 640,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (1995 est.) Televisions: 45,000 (1992 est.) @Tanzania:Transportation Railways: total : 3,569 km (1995) narrow gauge: 2,600 km 1.000-m gauge; 969 km 1.067-m gauge note: the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), which operates 1,860 km of 1.067-m narrow gauge track between Dar es Salaam and New Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia (of which 969 km are in Tanzania and 891 km are in Zambia) is not a part of Tanzania Railways Corporation; because of the difference in gauge, this system does not connect to Tanzania Railways Highways: total: 88,000 km paved: 3,696 km unpaved : 84,304 km (1994 est.) Waterways: Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, Lake Nyasa Pipelines: crude oil 982 km Ports and harbors: Bukoba, Dar es Salaam, Kigoma, Lindi, Mkoani, Mtwara, Musoma, Mwanza, Tanga, Wete, Zanzibar Merchant marine: total: 8 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 30,371 GRT/41,269 DWT ships by type: cargo 3, oil tanker 2, passenger-cargo 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 110 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 39 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m : 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 28 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 71 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 914 to 1,523 m : 56 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Tanzanian People's Defense Force or TPDF (includes Army, Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary Police Field Force Unit, Militia Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 6,630,336 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 3,842,624 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $69 million (FY94/95) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: dispute with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi); Democratic Republic of the Congo-Tanzania-Zambia tripoint in Lake Tanganyika may no longer be indefinite since it has been informally reported that the indefinite section of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Zambia boundary has been settled Illicit drugs: growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for European and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for Southern Africa ______________________________________________________________________ THAILAND @Thailand:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming Land boundaries: total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km Coastline: 3,219 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite Land use: arable land: 34% permanent crops : 6% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 26% other: 32% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 44,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Endangered Species, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea Geography - note: controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore @Thailand:People Population: 59,450,818 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 25% (male 7,531,192; female 7,257,574) 15-64 years: 69% (male 20,308,061; female 20,902,406) 65 years and over: 6% (male 1,530,905; female 1,920,680) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 17.03 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.05 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 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 : 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 32.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.8 years male: 65.12 years female: 72.66 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai Ethnic groups: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11% Religions: Buddhism 95%, Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%, Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991) Languages: Thai, English the secondary language of the elite, ethnic and regional dialects Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 96% female: 91.6% (1995 est.) @Thailand:Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand Data code: TH Government type: constitutional monarchy National capital: Bangkok Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King, 5 December (1927) Constitution: new constitution approved 7 December 1991; amended 10 June 1992; new constitution currently being drafted with completion expected by the end of 1997 Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946); Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON (born 28 July 1952) head of government: Prime Minister CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut (since 25 November 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections : none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following elections in the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that wins a plurality of seats usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 270-member appointed body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (393 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections : House of Representatives - last held 17 November 1996 (next scheduled to be held by 17 November 2000, but may be held earlier as Prime Minister CHAWALIT has promised to hold elections after the draft of the new constitution is complete and that is scheduled for the end of 1997) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NAP 125, DP 123, NDP 52, TNP 39, SAP 20, TCP 18, SP 8, LDP 4, MP 2 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the king Political parties and leaders: Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai), Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang Tham), SUDARAT Keyuraphan; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), PHINIT Charusombat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM Yubamrung International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador William H. ITOH embassy: 120/22 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX : [66] (2) 254-2990 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Flag description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red Economy Economy - overview: One of the more advanced developing countries in Asia, Thailand depends on exports of manufactures - including high-technology goods - and the development of the service sector to fuel the country's rapid growth, averaging 9% since 1989. Most of Thailand's recent imports have been for capital equipment and raw materials, although imports of consumer goods are beginning to rise. Thailand's 35% domestic savings rate is a key source of capital for the economy, and the country is also benefiting from rising investment from abroad. Prime Minister CHAWALIT's government - Thailand's seventh government in six years - will continue Bangkok's probusiness policies and reemphasize Bangkok's traditional fiscal austerity. CHAWALIT is beginning to address Thailand's serious infrastructure bottlenecks, especially in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the longer term, Bangkok must produce more college graduates with technical training and upgrade workers' skills to continue its rapid economic development. GDP: purchasing power parity - $455.7 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.7% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $7,700 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.5% industry: 30.5% services: 59% (1996 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 5.9% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 34.03 million (1996 est.) by occupation: agriculture 57%, industry 17%, commerce 11%, services (including government) 15% (1993 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.6% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues : $28.4 billion expenditures: $28.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $6.1 billion (FY94/95) Industries: tourism; textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing, such as jewelry; electric appliances and components, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Industrial production growth rate: 13.3% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 15.84 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 70.21 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,205 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans Exports: total value: $57.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: manufactures 73%, agricultural products and fisheries 21%, raw materials 5%, fuels 1% partners : US 21.0%, Japan 17.1%, Singapore 13.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%, Germany 3.5%, UK 3.0%, Netherlands 2.8%, Malaysia 2.4% Imports: total value: $72.4 billion (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: manufactures 80%, fuels 6.9%, raw materials 6.6%, foodstuffs 4.3% partners: Japan 30.4%, US 11.9%, Singapore 6.3%, Germany 5.8%, Taiwan 5.1%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 3.7%, China 2.6% Debt - external: $61.6 billion (1995) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $624 million (1993) Currency: 1 baht (B) = 100 satang Exchange rates: baht (B) per US$1 - 25.708 (January 1997), 15.343 (1996), 24.915 (1995), 25.150 (1994), 25.319 (1993), 25.400 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September @Thailand:Communications Telephones: 1,553,200 (1994 est.) Telephone system: service to general public inadequate; bulk of service to government activities provided by multichannel cable and microwave radio relay network domestic: microwave radio relay and multichannel cable; domestic satellite system being developed international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 200 (in government-controlled network), FM 100 (in government-controlled network), shortwave 0 Radios: 10.75 million (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 11 (in government-controlled network) Televisions: 3.3 million (1993 est.) @Thailand:Transportation Railways: total : 4,623 km narrow gauge: 4,623 km 1.000-m gauge (99 km double track) Highways: total: 56,903 km paved: 52,806 km unpaved : 4,097 km (1993 est.) Waterways: 3,999 km principal waterways; 3,701 km with navigable depths of 0.9 m or more throughout the year; numerous minor waterways navigable by shallow-draft native craft Pipelines: petroleum products 67 km; natural gas 350 km Ports and harbors: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha, Songkhla Merchant marine: total : 283 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,859,021 GRT/3,060,277 DWT ships by type: bulk 38, cargo 144, chemical tanker 5, combination bulk 1, container 12, liquefied gas tanker 15, multi-function large load carrier 3, oil tanker 49, passenger 1, refrigerated cargo 10, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2, short-sea passenger 1, specialized tanker 2 (1996 est.) Airports: 100 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 86 over 3,047 m : 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 36 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 (1996 est.) Heliports: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Navy (includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force, Paramilitary Forces Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 17,076,040 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 10,315,765 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 591,094 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4 billion (FY94/95) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.5% (FY94/95) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: boundary dispute with Laos; unresolved maritime boundary with Vietnam; parts of border with Cambodia in dispute; maritime boundary with Cambodia not clearly defined Illicit drugs: a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; major illicit transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; rapidly growing role in amphetamine production for regional consumption; increasing indigenous abuse of methamphetamines and heroin ______________________________________________________________________ TOGO @Togo:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E Map references: Africa Area: total : 56,790 sq km land: 54,390 sq km water: 2,400 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km Coastline: 56 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 30 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pic Baumann 986 m Natural resources: phosphates, limestone, marble Land use: arable land : 38% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 17% other : 34% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 70 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts Environment - current issues: deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; recent droughts affecting agriculture Environment - international agreements: party to : Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements @Togo:People Population: 4,735,610 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : 49% (male 1,153,174; female 1,143,085) 15-64 years: 49% (male 1,129,720; female 1,206,926) 65 years and over: 2% (male 47,211; female 55,494) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.54% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 45.71 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.32 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years : 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 82.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.32 years male: 56.1 years female : 60.61 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.68 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese Ethnic groups: native African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Christian 20%, Muslim 10% Languages: French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.7% male: 67% female: 37% (1995 est.) @Togo:Government Country name: conventional long form : Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique Togolaise local short form: none former: French Togo Data code: TO Government type: republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule National capital: Lome Administrative divisions: 21 circumscriptions (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription); Amlame, Aneho, Atakpame, Badou, Bafilo, Bassar, Dapaong, Kande, Kara, Kpalime, Lome, Niamtougou, Notse, Pagouda, Sansanne-Mango, Sokode, Sotouboua, Tabligbo, Tchamba, Tsevie, Vogan note : the 21 units may have become second-order administrative divisions with the imposition of a new first-order level of five prefectures (singular - prefecture) named De La Kara, Des Plateaux, Des Savanes, Du Centre, and Maritime Independence: 27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1960) Constitution: multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992; adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992 Legal system: French-based court system Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult Executive branch: chief of state: President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA (since 14 April 1967) head of government: Prime Minister Kwassi KLUTSE (since September 1996) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections : president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 25 August 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Gnassingbe EYADEMA elected president; percent of vote - Gnassingbe EYADEMA 96.5%; note - all major opposition parties boycotted the election Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 and 20 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CAR 36, RPT 35, UTD 7, UJD 2, CFN 1 note: as a result of a byelection in August 1996, ordered by the Supreme Court for three seats of the Action Committee for Renewal and the Togolese Union for Democracy, representation in the National Assembly changed to RPT 38, CAR 34, UDT 6, UJD 2, and CFN 1 Judicial branch: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme Political parties and leaders: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [President Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA]; Coordination des Forces Nouvelles or CFN [Joseph KOFFIGOH]; Togolese Union for Democracy or UTD [Edem KODJO]; Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yao AGBOYIBOR]; Union for Democracy and Solidarity or UDS [Antoine FOLLY]; Pan-African Sociodemocrats Group or GSP, an alliance of three radical parties: CDPA, PDR, and PSP; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Leopold GNININVI]; Party for Democracy and Renewal or PDR [Zarifou AYEVA]; Pan-African Social Party or PSP [Francis AGBAGLI]; Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO (in exile)]; Union of Justice and Democracy or UJD [Lal TAXPANDJAN] note: Rally of the Togolese People or RPT, led by President EYADEMA, was the only party until the formation of multiple parties was legalized 12 April 1991 International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kossivi OSSEYI chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX : [1] (202) 232-3190 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: Rue Pelletier Caventou and Rue Vauban, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome telephone: [228] 21 77 17, 21 29 91 through 21 29 94 FAX : [228] 21 79 52 Flag description: five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Economy - overview: This small sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for more than 60% of the labor force. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton together generate about 30% of export earnings. Togo is self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs when harvests are normal. In the industrial sector, phosphate mining is by far the most important activity, although it has suffered from the collapse of world phosphate prices and increased foreign competition. Togo serves as a regional commercial and trade center. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has stalled. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, has jeopardized the reform program, shrunk the tax base, and disrupted vital economic activity. Although strikes had ended in 1994, political unrest and lack of funds prevented the government from taking advantage of the 50% currency devaluation of 12 January 1994. Resumption of World Bank and IMF flows will depend on implementation of several controversial moves toward privatization and on downsizing the military, on which the regime depends to stay in power. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.45 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $970 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 35% industry: 23% services: 42% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 7.2% (1995 est.) Labor force: total: 1.538 million (1993 est.) by occupation: agriculture 64%, industry 9%, services 21%, unemployed 6% (1981 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $242 million expenditures: $262 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997 est.) Industries: phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh note: imports electricity from Ghana Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; meat; annual fish catch of 10,000-14,000 tons Exports: total value: $265 (f.o.b., 1996 est.) commodities: phosphates, cotton, coffee, cocoa partners : Canada 9.2%, US 8.1%, Taiwan 7.5%, Nigeria 6.7% (1995 est.) Imports: total value: $350 million (c.i.f., 1996 est.) commodities : machinery and equipment, consumer goods, food, chemical products partners: Ghana 17.1%, China 13.3%, France 12.5%, Cameroon 6.0% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $1.5 billion (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 541.69 (January 1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995), 555.20 (1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992) note: beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948 Fiscal year: calendar year @Togo:Communications Telephones: 12,000 (1987 est.) Telephone system: fair system based on network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 795,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 (relays 2) Televisions: 24,000 (1992 est.) @Togo:Transportation Railways: total: 525 km (1995) narrow gauge : 525 km 1.000-m gauge Highways: total: 7,519 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,143 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 50 km Mono river Ports and harbors: Kpeme, Lome Merchant marine: none Airports: 8 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 914 to 1,523 m : 4 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,016,251 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 533,292 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $48 million (1993) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 2.9% (1993) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers ______________________________________________________________________ TOKELAU (territory of New Zealand) @Tokelau:Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Terrain: coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops : 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: lies in Pacific typhoon belt Environment - current issues: very limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand Environment - international agreements: party to : NA signed, but not ratified: NA @Tokelau:People Population: 1,463 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over : NA Population growth rate: -1.35% (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: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan Ethnic groups: Polynesian Religions: Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2% note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic; on Fakaofo, both denominations, with the Congregational Christian Church predominant Languages: Tokelauan (a Polynesian language), English @Tokelau:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Tokelau Data code: TL Dependency status: territory of New Zealand Government type: NA National capital: none; each atoll has its own administrative center Administrative divisions: none (territory of New Zealand) Independence: none (territory of New Zealand) National holiday: Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand) Constitution: administered under the Tokelau Islands Act of 1948, as amended in 1970 Legal system: British and local statutes Suffrage: 21 years of age Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952); the queen and New Zealand are represented by Administrator Lindsay WATT (since NA March 1993) head of government: Official Secretary Brian LAWRENCE (since NA) cabinet: the Council of Faipule, consisting of the elected leaders from each atoll, functions as a cabinet elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand Legislative branch: unicameral General Fono (45 seats - 15 from each of the three atolls; members chosen by each atoll's Council of Elders or Taupulega who meet together twice a year) Judicial branch: High Court in Niue; Supreme Court in New Zealand Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: SPC, WHO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of New Zealand) Flag description: the flag of New Zealand is used Economy Economy - overview: Tokelau's small size, isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The people must rely on aid from New Zealand to maintain public services, annual aid being substantially greater than GDP. The principal sources of revenue come from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.5 million (1993 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,000 (1993 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $430,830 expenditures: $2.8 million, including capital expenditures of $37,300 (1987 est.) Industries: small-scale enterprises for copra production, wood work, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, breadfruit, papaya, bananas; pigs, poultry, goats Exports: total value: $98,000 (f.o.b., 1983) commodities: stamps, copra, handicrafts partners: NZ Imports: total value : $323,400 (c.i.f., 1983) commodities: foodstuffs, building materials, fuel partners: NZ Debt - external: $0 Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $3.7 million from NZ (FY95/96) Currency: 1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 - 1.4247 (January 1997), 1.4543 (1996), 1.5235 (1995), 1.6844 (1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Tokelau:Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: domestic: radiotelephone service between islands international: radiotelephone service to Western Samoa Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA note: each atoll has a radio broadcast station of NA type that broadcasts shipping and weather reports Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: NA Televisions: NA @Tokelau:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Merchant marine: none Airports: none; lagoon landings by amphibious aircraft from Western Samoa Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ TONGA @Tonga:Geography Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 748 sq km land: 718 sq km water: 30 sq km Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 419 km Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone : 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base Elevation extremes: lowest point : Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m Natural resources: fish, fertile soil Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 43% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 11% other : 16% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou Environment - current issues: deforestation results as more and more land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations Environment - international agreements: party to: Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited) @Tonga:People Population: 107,335 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.81% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 26.95 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.14 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.27 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: 39.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.3 years male : 67.29 years female: 71.7 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.7 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan Ethnic groups: Polynesian, Europeans about 300 Religions: Christian (Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents) Languages: Tongan, English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write a simple message in Tongan or English total population: 100% male: 100% female : 100% (1976 est.) @Tonga:Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands Data code: TN Government type: hereditary constitutional monarchy National capital: Nuku'alofa Administrative divisions: three island groups; Ha'apai, Tongatapu, Vava'u Independence: 4 June 1970 (emancipation from UK protectorate) National holiday: Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) Constitution: 4 November 1875, revised 1 January 1967 Legal system: based on English law Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV (since 16 December 1965) head of government: Prime Minister Baron VAEA (since 22 August 1991) and Deputy Prime Minister S. Langi KAVALIKU (since 22 August 1991) cabinet : Cabinet appointed by the king note: there is also a Privy Council that consists of the king and the Cabinet elections: none; the king is a constitutional monarch; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed for life by the king Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (30 seats - 12 reserved for cabinet ministers sitting ex officio, nine for nobles selected by the country's 33 nobles, and nine elected by popular vote; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held 24-25 January 1996 (next to be held NA January 1999) election results : percent of vote - NA; seats - 7 proreform, 2 traditionalist Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the king; Privy Council with the addition of the chief justice of the Supreme Court sits as the Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Tonga People's Party, Viliami FUKOFUKA International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WTrO (applicant) Diplomatic representation in the US: Tonga does not have an embassy in the US; Ambassador Sione KITE, resides in London consulate(s) general : San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner Economy Economy - overview: The economy's base is agriculture, which contributes 36% to GDP. Squash, coconuts, bananas, and vanilla beans are the main crops, and agricultural exports make up two-thirds of total exports. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The industrial sector accounts for only 13% of GDP. Tourism is the primary source of hard currency earnings, but the country also remains dependent on sizable external aid and remittances to offset its trade deficit. The economy continued to grow in 1993-95 largely because of a rise in squash exports, increased aid flows, and several large construction projects, but contracted in 1995-96. The government is now turning its attention to further development of the private sector and the reduction of the budget deficit. Current proposals include selling Tongan citizenship and passports to foreigners, leasing its seven equatorial satellite spots, and setting up a joint venture gas production facility with South Korea. GDP: purchasing power parity - $228 million (FY95/96 est.) GDP - real growth rate: -1.9% (FY95/96 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,140 (FY95/96 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36% industry: 13% services: 51% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 1.4% (1995) Labor force: total: 32,013 (1990 est.) by occupation : agriculture 70% (1995 est.) Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $44 million expenditures : $86 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995 est.) Industries: tourism, fishing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 7,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 30 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: coconuts, copra, bananas, vanilla beans, cocoa, coffee, ginger, black pepper Exports: total value : $15.25 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: squash, vanilla, fish, root crops, coconut oil partners: Japan 59%, US 14%, Australia 6%, NZ 6% (FY93/94) Imports: total value: $80.3 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities : food products, live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, fuels, chemicals partners: NZ 38%, Australia 28%, US 10%, Fiji 7.5% (1995) Debt - external: $48.4 million (FY93/94) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $7.8 million from Australia (FY96/97 est.); $3.9 million from NZ (FY95/96) Currency: 1 pa'anga (T$) = 100 seniti Exchange rates: pa'anga (T$) per US$1 - 1.2127 (December 1996), 1.2323 (1996), 1.2709 (1995), 1.3202 (1994), 1.3841 (1993), 1.3471 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Tonga:Communications Telephones: 3,500 (1986 est.) Telephone system: domestic: NA international : satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 Radios: 66,000 (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 (1995) Televisions: 1,000 (1992 est.) @Tonga:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 674 km paved : 182 km unpaved: 492 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: Neiafu, Nuku'alofa, Pangai Merchant marine: total: 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 9,990 GRT/14,884 DWT ships by type : cargo 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 6 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Tonga Defense Services (includes, Royal Tongan Marines, Tongan Royal Guards, Maritime Force, Police); note - a new Air Wing which will be subordinate to the Defense Ministry is being developed Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: NA Military manpower - fit for military service: males: NA Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
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