The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 6 out of 47volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Two-thirds of its trade is with other EU countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% annual pace during the period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993, recovered with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995, and fell off again to 1.4% in 1996, with continued substantial unemployment. Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other industrialized countries. GDP: purchasing power parity - $204.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 1.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 28% services : 70% (1994) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.1% (1996) Labor force: total: 4.126 million by occupation: services 69.7%, industry 27.7%, agriculture 2.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 14% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues : $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 13.59 million kW (1994) Electricity - production: 74.4 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 6,823 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk Exports: total value: $108 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) commodities: iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products partners : EU 67.2% (Germany 19%), US 5.8%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1994) Imports: total value: $140 billion (c.i.f., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs partners: EU 68% (Germany 22.1%), US 8.8%, former Communist countries 0.8% (1994) Debt - external: $31.3 billion (1992 est.) Economic aid: donor: ODA, $808 million (1993) Currency: 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes Exchange rates: Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 33.067 (January 1997), 30.962 (1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456 (1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Belgium:Communications Telephones: 5.691 million (1992 est.) Telephone system: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international : 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 39, shortwave 0 Radios: 100,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 32 (1987 est.) Televisions: 3,315,662 (1993 est.) @Belgium:Transportation Railways: total: 3,396 km (2,363 km electrified; 2,563 km double track) standard gauge : 3,396 km 1.435-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 142,563 km paved: 142,563 km (including 1,667 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km Ports and harbors: Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge Merchant marine: total: 25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 102,363 GRT/152,951 DWT ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 7, chemical tanker 4, combination bulk 2, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 10 (1996 est.) Airports: 42 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 39 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m : 21 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (1996 est.) Heliports: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 2,559,951 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 2,122,673 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 63,005 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $4.6 billion (1995) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (1995) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe ______________________________________________________________________ BELIZE @Belize:Geography Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total : 22,960 sq km land: 22,800 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 516 km border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Victoria Peak 1,160 m Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 2% forests and woodland: 92% other: 3% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean @Belize:People Population: 224,663 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 48,921; female 47,057) 15-64 years: 54% (male 61,133; female 59,466) 65 years and over: 3% (male 3,965; female 4,121) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.42% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 31.91 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.61 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -2.12 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 : 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 33.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.75 years male: 66.8 years female: 70.81 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.99 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, other 8% Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%, Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980) Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib) Literacy: definition: age 14 and over has ever attended school total population: 70.3% male: 70.3% female: 70.3% (1991 est.) note : other sources list the literacy rate as high as 75% @Belize:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras Data code: BH Government type: parliamentary democracy National capital: Belmopan Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: 21 September 1981 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993) head of government : Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Dean BARROW (since NA July 1993) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor general appointed by the queen; prime minister appointed by the governor general Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (8 members; members are appointed for five-year terms, five on the advice of the prime minister, two on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and one after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council - this council serves as an independent body to advise the governor general with respect to difficult decisions such as granting pardons, commutations, stays of execution, the removal of justices of appeal who appear to be incompetent, etc.) and the National Assembly (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held no later than September 1998) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PUP 13, UDP 15, NABR 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court, the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister Political parties and leaders: People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean BARROW]; National Alliance for Belizean Rights or NABR [Philip GOLDSON] Political pressure groups and leaders: Society for the Promotion of Education and Research or SPEAR [Assad SHOMAN]; United Workers Front International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador James S. MURPHY chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX : [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George Charles BRUNO embassy : Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Unit 7401, APO AA 34025 telephone: [501] (2) 77161 through 77163 FAX: [501] (2) 30802 Flag description: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland Economy Economy - overview: The small, essentially private enterprise economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing importance. Agriculture accounts for about 20% of GDP and provides 75% of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost 40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner, is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an agricultural diversification program. GDP: purchasing power parity - $649 million (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,960 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 20% industry: 27% services : 53% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 6.4% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 51,500 by occupation: agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%, manufacturing 10.3% note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1985) Unemployment rate: 15% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $140 million expenditures: $180 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY96/97 est.) Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction Industrial production growth rate: 3.7% (1990) Electricity - capacity: 34,000 kW (1995) Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: bananas, coca, citrus, sugarcane; lumber; fish, cultured shrimp Exports: total value: $204 million (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: sugar, citrus fruits, bananas, clothing, fish products, molasses, wood partners : US 38%, UK, other EU (1994) Imports: total value: $264 million (c.i.f., 1996) commodities: machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods, fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals partners : US 53%, UK, other EU, Mexico (1994) Debt - external: $192 million (1996 est.) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $NA Currency: 1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Belize:Communications Telephones: 29,000 (1996 est.) Telephone system: above-average system domestic: trunk network depends primarily on microwave radio relay international : satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 8, shortwave 1 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: 27,048 (1993 est.) @Belize:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,770 km paved: 521 km unpaved : 2,249 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable Ports and harbors: Belize City, Big Creek, Corozol, Punta Gorda Merchant marine: total: 166 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,592,846 GRT/1,087,555 DWT ships by type: bulk 17, cargo 117, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 1, container 6, liquefied gas tanker 1, oil tanker 13, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1 (1996 est.) Airports: 35 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 24 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Belize Defense Force (includes Army, Navy, Air Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 54,163 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 32,176 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 2,471 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $8.1 million (FY95/96) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: border with Guatemala in dispute; talks to resolve the dispute are ongoing Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine; small-scale illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; minor money-laundering center ______________________________________________________________________ BENIN @Benin:Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,989 km border countries : Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Tanekas 641 m Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: arable land: 13% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 31% other: 48% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter Environment - current issues: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Geography - note: no natural harbors @Benin:People Population: 5,902,178 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 1,420,335; female 1,411,160) 15-64 years: 50% (male 1,401,360; female 1,530,626) 65 years and over : 2% (male 60,704; female 77,993) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 3.31% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 46.28 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.14 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: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 102.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 53.15 years male: 51.15 years female: 55.21 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 6.56 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Ethnic groups: African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500 Religions: indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15% Languages: French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37% male: 48.7% female: 25.8% (1995 est.) @Benin:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form : Benin former: Dahomey Data code: BN Government type: republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991 National capital: Porto-Novo Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: National Day, 1 August (1990) Constitution: 2 December 1990 Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (since 9 April 1996) acts as assistant to the president; a prime minister is not provided for in the constitution but was appointed by President KEREKOU with the permission of the constitutional court cabinet: Council of Ministers headed by the prime minister; all are appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18 March 1996 (next to be held March 2001) election results: Mathieu KEREKOU elected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 52.49%, Nicephore SOGLO 47.51% Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 28 March 1995 (next to be held NA 1999) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RB 20, PRD 19, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 7, NCC 3, RDL-VIVOTEN 3, Communist Party 2, Alliance Chameleon 1, RDP 1, other 17 Judicial branch: Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, Supreme Court or Cour Supreme, High Court of Justice Political parties and leaders: Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development or PNDD and the Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Pascal Chabi KAO]; Action for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Mathieu KEREKOU]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress or UNSP [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Alliance Chameleon; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Adekpedjon AKINDES]; Alliance for Social Democracy or ASD [Robert DOSSOU]; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National Reconstruction or RDL [Severin ADJOVI]; Communist Party of Benin, [Pascal FATONDJI, First Secretary]; Our Common Cause or NCC [Albert TEVOEDJRE]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP; The Renaissance Party of Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO] note: as of February 1996, more than 80 political parties were officially recognized International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN chancery : 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656, 6657, 6658 FAX : [1] (202) 265-1996 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John M. YATES embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone : [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92 FAX: [229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side Economy Economy - overview: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output, which had averaged a sound 4% in 1990-95, rose to 5.5% in 1996. Rapid population growth offset much of this growth in output. Inflation jumped to 55% in 1994 (compared to 3% in 1993) following the 50% currency devaluation in January 1994, but has subsided gradually over the past two years, with 14.5% inflation in 1995 and a target of 4.5% inflation in 1996. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are extremely vulnerable to developments in Nigeria as evidenced by decreased reexport trade in 1994 due to a severe contraction in Nigerian demand. Support by the Paris Club and official bilateral creditors has eased the external debt situation in recent years. The government, still burdened with money-losing state enterprises and a bloated civil service, has been gradually implementing a World Bank supported structural adjustment program since 1991. GDP: purchasing power parity - $8.2 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5.5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,440 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 36.8% industry: 12.6% services : 50.6% (1993) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 14.5% (1995) Labor force: NA Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $272 million (1993 est.) expenditures: $375 million, including capital expenditures of $84 million (1993 est.) Industries: textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 28,000 kW (1992) Electricity - production: 10 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 45 kWh (1994 est.) Agriculture - products: corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock Exports: total value : $300 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa partners: Brazil 18%, Portugal 14%, Morocco, Libya, France Imports: total value: $380 million (c.i.f., 1995) commodities : foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods partners: France 27%, Thailand 9%, China, Hong Kong Debt - external: $1.6 billion (1994 est.) 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 @Benin:Communications Telephones: 16,200 (1986 est.) Telephone system: domestic: fair system of open wire and microwave radio relay international : satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 2, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 2 Televisions: 20,000 (1993 est.) @Benin:Transportation Railways: total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (1995 est.) Highways: total: 8,460 km paved: 2,656 km unpaved: 5,804 km (1995 est.) Waterways: navigable along small sections, important only locally Ports and harbors: Cotonou, Porto-Novo Merchant marine: none Airports: 5 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 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: Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,261,059 females age 15-49: 1,333,966 (1997 est.) note: both sexes are liable for military service Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 645,660 (1997 est.) females: 675,243 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 64,028 females: 63,056 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $33 million (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 3.2% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US ______________________________________________________________________ BERMUDA (dependent territory of the UK) @Bermuda:Geography Location: North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of North Carolina (US) Geographic coordinates: 32 20 N, 64 45 W Map references: North America Area: total : 50 sq km land: 50 sq km water : 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 76 m Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops : NA% permanent pastures: NA% forests and woodland: 20% other: 80% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes (June to November) Environment - current issues: asbestos disposal; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified : NA Geography - note: consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some reclaimed land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995 @Bermuda:People Population: 62,569 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years : NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 0.75% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 14.92 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.13 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: 13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.03 years male : 73.36 years female: 76.97 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.79 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun : Bermudian(s) adjective: Bermudian Ethnic groups: black 61%, white and other 39% Religions: Anglican 28%, Roman Catholic 15%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion) 12%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Methodist 5%, other 34% (1991) Languages: English Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male : 98% female: 99% (1970 est.) @Bermuda:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form : Bermuda Data code: BD Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National capital: Hamilton Administrative divisions: 9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*, Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths, Southampton, Warwick Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Bermuda Day, 24 May Constitution: 8 June 1968 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor John MASEFIELD (since June 1997) head of government: Premier Pamela GORDON (since 25 March 1997); Deputy Premier Jerome DILL (since 1 September 1995) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor elections: none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; premier appointed by the governor Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (an 11-member body appointed by the governor) and the House of Assembly (40 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October 1998) election results : percent of vote by party - UBP 50%, PLP 46%, independents 4%; seats by party - UBP 22, PLP 18 Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Bermuda Party or UBP [Pamela GORDON]; Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Jennifer SMITH]; National Liberal Party or NLP [Charles JEFFERS] Political pressure groups and leaders: Bermuda Industrial Union or BIU [Derrick BURGESS] International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CCC, ICFTU, Interpol (subbureau), IOC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Robert A. FARMER consulate(s) general: Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton mailing address: P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; American Consulate General Hamilton, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5300 telephone: [1] (441) 295-1342 FAX: [1] (441) 295-1592 Flag description: red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag Economy Economy - overview: Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities for 200,000 visitors annually. The tourist industry attracts 91% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land. About 80% of food needs are imported. International business contributes over 60% of Bermuda's economic output; a failed independence vote in late 1995 can be partially attributed to Bermudian's fear of scaring away foreign firms. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.4% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $29,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1996 est.) Labor force: total: 34,133 by occupation: clerical 23%, services 23%, laborers 17%, professional and technical 16%, administrative and managerial 12%, sales 7%, agriculture and fishing 2% (1995) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1995) Budget: revenues: $406.2 million expenditures : $405.9 million, including capital expenditures of $34.5 million (FY94/95 est.) Industries: tourism, finance, insurance, structural concrete products, paints, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, ship repairing Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 145,000 kW (1996) Electricity - production: 527,526,728 kWh (1996) Electricity - consumption per capita: 7,856 kWh (1996) Agriculture - products: bananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products Exports: total value: $54 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: semitropical produce, light manufactures, reexports of pharmaceuticals partners : Netherlands 50%, Brazil 13%, Canada 6% (1996) Imports: total value: $550 million (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: miscellaneous manufactured articles, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals, chemicals partners: US 73%, UK 5%, Canada 5% (1995 est.) Debt - external: $NA Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (February 1997; fixed rate) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Bermuda:Communications Telephones: 54,000 (1991 est.) Telephone system: domestic : modern, fully automatic telephone system international: 3 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 3, shortwave 0 Radios: 78,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 3 Televisions: 57,000 (1992 est.) @Bermuda:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total : 225 km paved: 225 km unpaved : 0 km (1997 est.) note: in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are privately owned Ports and harbors: Hamilton, Saint George Merchant marine: total: 76 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,416,667 GRT/5,163,435 DWT ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 1, container 15, liquefied gas tanker 14, oil tanker 16, refrigerated cargo 12, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 2, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1, livestock carrier 1 note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 11 countries among which are UK 26, Canada 12, US 9, Norway 7, Hong Kong 4, Nigeria 4, Sweden 4, Switzerland 2, Mexico 1, and Romania 1; Bermuda owns 48 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,911,678 DWT that operate under Australian, Bahamian, Hong Kong, Liberian, Panamanian and Singaporean registry (1996 est.) Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m : 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BHUTAN @Bhutan:Geography Location: Southern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates: 27 30 N, 90 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 47,000 sq km land: 47,000 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about half the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,075 km border countries: China 470 km, India 605 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Terrain: mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Elevation extremes: lowest point: Dangme Chu 97 m highest point: Khula Kangri I 7,553 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 6% forests and woodland: 66% other: 26% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 340 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season Environment - current issues: soil erosion; limited access to potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified : Law of the Sea Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes @Bhutan:People Population: 1,865,191 (July 1997 est.) note: other estimates range as low as 600,000 Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 387,721; female 359,857) 15-64 years: 56% (male 536,797; female 507,551) 65 years and over: 4% (male 37,249; female 36,016) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.3% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 37.91 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 14.94 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: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 114 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 51.88 years male: 52.37 years female: 51.37 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.27 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic groups: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects, Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.2% male: 56.2% female: 28.1% (1995 est.) People - note: refugee issue over the presence in Nepal of approximately 100,000 Bhutanese refugees, 90% of whom are in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps @Bhutan:Government Country name: conventional long form : Kingdom of Bhutan conventional short form: Bhutan Data code: BT Government type: monarchy; special treaty relationship with India National capital: Thimphu Administrative divisions: 18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha, Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel, Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu, Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang Independence: 8 August 1949 (from India) National holiday: National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king) Constitution: no written constitution or bill of rights note: Bhutan uses 1953 Royal decree for the Constitution of the National Assembly Legal system: based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: each family has one vote in village-level elections Executive branch: chief of state: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972); note - the king is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog) appointed by the king note: there is also a Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde), members nominated by the king elections : none; the king is a hereditary monarch Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Tshogdu (150 seats; 105 elected from village constituencies, 12 represent religious bodies, and 33 are designated by the king to represent government and other secular interests; members serve three-year terms) elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: NA Judicial branch: the Supreme Court of Appeal is the king; High Court, judges appointed by the king Political parties and leaders: no legal parties Political pressure groups and leaders: Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign International organization participation: AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Diplomatic representation in the US: none; note - Bhutan has a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by Ugyen TSERING; address: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 826-1919; the Bhutanese mission to the UN has consular jurisdiction in the US consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): San Francisco; Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: the US and Bhutan have no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassy in New Delhi (India) Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper triangle is yellow and the lower triangle is orange; centered along the dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the hoist side Economy Economy - overview: The economy, one of the world's smallest and least developed, is based on agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of the population and account for about 40% of GDP. Agriculture consists largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links. The industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects, such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are key resources; however, the government limits the number of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. The Bhutanese Government has made some progress in expanding the nation's productive base and improving social welfare, but growth continues to be constrained by the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. Growth picked up in 1995 and the country's balance of payments remained strong with comfortable reserves. The cautious fiscal stance planned for FY95/96 suggests continued economic stability in 1996. However, excessive controls and uncertain policies in areas like industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.3 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 6.9% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $730 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 42% industry: 31% services : 27% Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8.6% (FY94/95 est.) Labor force: NA by occupation : agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor Unemployment rate: NA% Budget: revenues: $52 million expenditures: $150 million, including capital expenditures of $95 million (FY93/94 est.) note: the government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures Industries: cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium carbide Industrial production growth rate: 7.6% (1992 est.) Electricity - capacity: 351,000 kW (1989) Electricity - production: 1.67 billion kWh (1994) note: exports electricity to India Electricity - consumption per capita: 79 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: rice, corn, root crops, citrus, foodgrains; dairy products, eggs Exports: total value: $70.9 million (f.o.b., FY94/95 est.) commodities: cardamom, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to India), precious stones, spices partners: India 94%, Bangladesh Imports: total value: $113.6 million (c.i.f., FY94/95 est.) commodities : fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics, rice partners: India 77%, Japan, UK, Germany, US Debt - external: $141 million (October 1994) Economic aid: recipient: $NA Currency: 1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal tender Exchange rates: ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 35.872 (January 1997), 35.433 (1996), 32.427 (1995), 31.374 (1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918 (1992); note - the Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June @Bhutan:Communications Telephones: 4,620 (1991 est.) Telephone system: domestic: domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in use international : international telephone and telegraph service is by landline through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1990) Radios: 23,000 (1989 est.) Television broadcast stations: 0 (1990 est.) Televisions: 200 (1985 est.) @Bhutan:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 2,210 km paved: 0 km unpaved : 2,210 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 2 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 455,556 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males : 243,156 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 18,290 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BOLIVIA @Bolivia:Geography Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,098,580 sq km land: 1,084,390 sq km water : 14,190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total : 6,743 km border countries: Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km, Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Terrain: rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Elevation extremes: lowest point : Rio Paraguay 90 m highest point: Cerro Illimani 6,882 m Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 24% forests and woodland : 53% other: 21% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 1,750 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: cold, thin air of high plateau is obstacle to efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity by those unaccustomed to it from birth; flooding in the northeast (March-April) Environment - current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Geography - note: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru @Bolivia:People Population: 7,669,868 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 40% (male 1,543,641; female 1,511,579) 15-64 years: 56% (male 2,081,792; female 2,184,876) 65 years and over : 4% (male 158,409; female 189,571) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.04% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 32.14 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 10.18 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -1.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 65.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 60.34 years male: 57.46 years female : 63.38 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.18 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry) 25%-30%, white 5%-15% Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist) Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official) Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.1% male: 90.5% female: 76% (1995 est.) @Bolivia:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Republica de Bolivia local short form : Bolivia Data code: BL Government type: republic National capital: La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of judiciary) Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Constitution: 2 February 1967; revised in August 1994 Legal system: based on Spanish law and Napoleonic Code; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age, universal and compulsory (single) Executive branch: chief of state : President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993); Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993); Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from a panel of candidates proposed by the Senate elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); Constitutional reforms extend presidential and vice presidential terms to 5 years beginning in 1997 election results: Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA elected president; percent of vote - Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (MNR) 34%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN/MIR alliance) 20%, Carlos PALENQUE Aviles (CONDEPA) 14%, Max FERNANDEZ Rojas (UCS) 13%, Antonio ARANIBAR Quiroga (MBL) 5%; no candidate received a majority of the popular vote; Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA won a congressional runoff election on 4 August 1993 after forming a coalition with Max FERNANDEZ and Antonio ARANIBAR; FERNANDEZ died in a plane crash 26 November 1995 Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (27 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators and Chamber of Deputies - last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held June 1997); Constitutional reforms extend congressional terms to 5 years beginning in 1997 election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNR 17, ADN 4, MIR 4, CONDEPA 1, UCS 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MNR 52, UCS 20, ADN 17, MIR 17, CONDEPA 13, MBL 7, ARBOL 1, ASD 1, EJE 1, PDC 1 Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Corte Suprema), judges appointed for a 10-year term by National Congress Political parties and leaders: Left Parties: Free Bolivia Movement or MBL [Antonio ARANIBAR]; Patriotic Axis of Convergence or EJE-P [Ramiro BARRANECHEA]; April 9 Revolutionary Vanguard or VR-9 [Carlos SERRATE]; Alternative of Democratic Socialism or ASD [Jerjes JUSTINIANO]; Revolutionary Front of the Left or FRI [Oscar ZAMORA]; Bolivian Communist Party or PCB [Marcos DOMIC]; United Left or IU [Marcos DOMIC]; Assembly for the Sovereignty of the People or ASP [Evo MORALES]; Front of National Salvation or FSN [Manual MORALES Davila]; Socialist Party One or PS-1; Bolivian Socialist Falange or FSB; Socialist Unzaguista Movement or MAS Center-Left Parties: Movement of the Revolutionary or MIR [Jaime PAZ ZAMORA]; Christian Democrat or PDC [Benjamin MIGUEL]; New Youth Force [Alfonso SAAVEDRA Bruno] Center Party: Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR [Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA] Center-Right Parties : Nationalist Democratic Action or ADN [Hugo BANZER]; New Republican Force or NFR [Manfred REYES VILLA] Populist Parties: Civic Solidarity Union or UCS [Johnny FERNANDEZ]; Conscience of the Fatherland or CONDEPA [Remedios LOZA Alvarado]; Solidarity and Democracy or SYD; Unity and Progress Movement or MUP [Ivo KULJIS]; Popular Patriotic Movement or MPP [Julio MANTILLA] Evangelical Party : Bolivian Renovating Alliance or ARBOL [Marcelo FERNANDEZ, Hugo VILLEGAS] Indigenous Parties: Tupac Katari Revolutionary Liberation Movement or MRTK-L [Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde]; Nationalist Katarista Movement or MKN [Fernando UNTOJA]; Front of Katarista Unity or FULKA [Genaro FLORES]; Katarismo National Unity or KND [Filepe KITTELSON] International organization participation: AG, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando Alvaro COSSIO chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 through 4412 FAX : [1] (202) 328-3712 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Curtis Warren KAMMAN embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz mailing address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032 telephone : [591] (2) 430251 FAX: [591] (2) 433900 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band Economy Economy - overview: With its long history of semifeudal social controls, dependence on volatile prices for its mineral exports, and bouts of hyperinflation, Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries. However, Bolivia has experienced generally improving economic conditions since the PAZ Estenssoro administration (1985-89) introduced market-oriented policies which reduced inflation from 11,700% in 1985 to about 20% in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followed as president by Jaime PAZ Zamora (1989-93) who continued the free-market policies of his predecessor, despite opposition from his own party and from Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. By maintaining fiscal discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to 9.3% in 1993, while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during his tenure. Inaugurated in August 1993, President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA has vowed to advance the market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ Estenssoro's planning minister. His successes include the signing of a free trade agreement with Mexico and the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosur) as well as the privatization of the state airline, phone company, railroad, electric power company, and oil company. Furthermore, SANCHEZ DE LOZADA sponsored legislation creating private social security accounts for all adult Bolivians and capitalized these new accounts with the state's remaining 50% share in the privatized companies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.9% (1996) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,000 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 17% industry: 31% services : 52% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 8% (1996) Labor force: total: 2.3 million by occupation: agriculture NA%, services and utilities NA%, manufacturing, mining and construction NA% Unemployment rate: 18.8% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues: $3.75 billion expenditures : $3.75 billion, including capital expenditures of $556.2 million (1995 est.) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverages, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 804,300 kW (1995) Electricity - production: 3.02 billion kWh (1995) Electricity - consumption per capita: 334 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes; timber Exports: total value: $1.1 billion (f.o.b., 1995) commodities: metals 39%, natural gas 9%, soybeans 11%, jewelry 11%, wood 8% partners: US 26%, Argentina 17%, UK 15%, Peru 14% (1995) Imports: total value : $1.4 billion (c.i.f., 1995) commodities: capital goods 48%, chemicals 11%, petroleum 5%, food 5% (1993 est.) partners: US 18%, Brazil 15%, Japan 13%, Argentina 8% (1995) Debt - external: $4.3 billion (November 1996) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $362 million (1993) Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 5.1720 (November 1996), 4.8003 (1995), 4.6205 (1994), 4.2651 (1993), 3.9005 (1992) Fiscal year: calendar year @Bolivia:Communications Telephones: 144,300 (1987 est.) Telephone system: new subscribers face bureaucratic difficulties; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz and other cities domestic : microwave radio relay system being expanded international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 129, FM 0, shortwave 68 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 43 Televisions: 500,000 (1993 est.) @Bolivia:Transportation Railways: total : 3,691 km (single track) narrow gauge: 3,652 km 1.000-m gauge; 39 km 0.760-m gauge (13 km electrified) (1995) Highways: total: 55,487 km paved: 2,663 km (including 27 km of expressways) unpaved : 52,824 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 10,000 km of commercially navigable waterways Pipelines: crude oil 1,800 km; petroleum products 580 km; natural gas 1,495 km Ports and harbors: none; however, Bolivia has free port privileges in the maritime ports of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Merchant marine: total : 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,214 GRT/6,390 DWT (1996 est.) Airports: 941 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 693 over 3,047 m : 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 under 914 m: 683 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 248 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 68 914 to 1,523 m: 178 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army (Ejercito Boliviano), Navy (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, includes Marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana), National Police Force (Policia Nacional de Bolivia) Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49 : 1,811,952 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 1,178,259 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 80,606 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $145 million (1996) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (1996) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights Illicit drugs: world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Peru and Colombia) with an estimated 48,100 hectares under cultivation in 1996, a one percent decrease in overall cultivation of coca over 1995 levels; Bolivia, however, is the second-largest producer of coca leaf; even so, voluntary and forced eradication programs resulted in leaf production dropping from 85,000 metric tons in 1995 to 75,100 tons in 1996; government considers all but 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia and Brazil to the US and other international drug markets; alternative
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