The 1997 CIA World FactbookPart 7 out of 47crop program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation ______________________________________________________________________ BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Introduction Current issues: On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the former Yugoslavia's three warring parties signed a peace agreement that brought to a halt over three years of interethnic civil strife in Bosnia and Herzegovina (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Agreement, signed by Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian President TUDJMAN, and Serbian President MILOSEVIC, divides Bosnia and Herzegovina roughly equally between the Muslim/Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serbs while maintaining Bosnia's currently recognized borders. In 1995-96, a NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops served in Bosnia to implement and monitor the military aspects of the agreement. IFOR was succeeded by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) whose mission is to deter renewed hostilities. SFOR will remain in place until June 1998. A High Representative appointed by the UN Security Council is responsible for civilian implementation of the accord, including monitoring implementation, facilitating any difficulties arising in connection with civilian implementation, and coordinating activities of the civilian organizations and agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Bosnian conflict began in the spring of 1992 when the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a referendum on independence and the Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosnia's Muslims and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement in Washington creating their joint Muslim/Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Federation, formed by the Muslims and Croats in March 1994, is one of two entities (the other being the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska) that comprise Bosnia and Herzegovina. @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Geography Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia Geographic coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E Map references: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Europe Area: total: 51,233 sq km land: 51,233 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,459 km border countries: Croatia 932 km, Serbia and Montenegro 527 km (312 km with Serbia, 215 km with Montenegro) Coastline: 20 km Maritime claims: NA Climate: hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Terrain: mountains and valleys Elevation extremes: lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maglic 2,386 m Natural resources: coal, iron, bauxite, manganese, forests, copper, chromium, lead, zinc Land use: arable land: 14% permanent crops : 5% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 39% other: 22% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: frequent and destructive earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution from metallurgical plants; sites for disposing of urban waste are limited; widespread casualties, water shortages, and destruction of infrastructure because of the 1992-95 civil strife Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Muslim-Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and a Serb Republic, The Republika Srpska [RS] (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority @Bosnia and Herzegovina:People Population: 3,222,584 (July 1997 est.) note: all data dealing with population is subject to considerable error because of the dislocations caused by military action and ethnic cleansing Age structure: 0-14 years: 18% (male 301,637; female 284,694) 15-64 years: 70% (male 1,123,477; female 1,140,604) 65 years and over: 12% (male 145,711; female 226,461) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 5.09% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 8.29 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 13.88 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 56.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth : 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.42 years male : 54.58 years female: 64.59 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.09 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bosnian(s), Herzegovinian(s) adjective: Bosnian, Herzegovinian Ethnic groups: Serb 40%, Muslim 38%, Croat 22% (est.) Religions: Muslim 40%, Orthodox 31%, Catholic 15%, Protestant 4%, other 10% Languages: Serbo-Croatian (often called Bosnian) 99% Literacy: NA @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Bosnia and Herzegovina local long form : none local short form: Bosna i Hercegovina Data code: BK Government type: emerging democracy National capital: Sarajevo Administrative divisions: there are no first-order administrative divisions approved by the US Government, but it has been reported that the Muslim/Croat Federation is comprised of 10 cantons called by either number or name - Goradzde (5), Livno (10), Middle Bosnia (6), Neretva (7), Posavina (2), Sarajevo (9), Tuzla Podrinje (3), Una Sana (1), West Herzegovina (8), Zenica Doboj (4) Independence: NA April 1992 (from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Republika Srpska - "Republic Day", 9 January; Independence Day, 1 March; Bosnia - "Republic Day", 25 November Constitution: the Dayton Agreement, signed 14 December 1995, included a new constitution now in force Legal system: based on civil law system Suffrage: 16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch: chief of state : Chairman of the Presidency Alija IZETBEGOVIC (since 14 September 1996); other members of the three-member rotating presidency: Kresimir ZUBAK (since 14 September 1996 - Croat) and Momcilo KRAJISNIK (since 14 September 1996 - Serb) head of government: Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Haris SILAJDZIC (since NA January 1997); Cochairman of the Council of Ministers Boro BOSIC (since NA January 1997) NA cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the council chairmen note: president of the Muslim-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vladimir SOLJIC (since March 1997); president of the Republika Srpska: Biljana PLAVSIC (since September 1996) elections: the three presidency members (one each Muslim, Croat, Serb) are elected by direct election (first election for a two-year term, thereafter for a four-year term); the president with the most votes becomes the chairman; election last held 14 September 1996 (next to be held September 1998); the cochairmen are nominated by the presidency election results: Alija IZETBEGOVIC elected chairman of the collective presidency with the highest number of votes; percent of vote - Alija IZETBEGOVIC received 80% of the Muslim vote to Haris SILAJDZIC's 14%; Kresimir ZUBAK received 88% of the Croat vote to Ivo KOMSIC's 11%; Momcilo KRAJISNIK received 68% of the Serb vote to Mladen IVANIC's 30% Legislative branch: bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of the National House of Representatives or Vijece Opcina (42 seats - 14 Serb, 14 Croat, and 14 Muslim; members serve NA-year terms) and the House of Peoples or Vijece Gradanstvo (15 seats - 5 Muslim, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members serve NA-year terms) elections: National House of Representatives - elections last held 14 September 1996 (next to be held NA); note - the House of Peoples are elected by the Muslim-Croat Federation's 140-seat House of Representatives (two-thirds) and the Bosnian Serb Republic's 83-seat National Assembly (one-third) election results: National House of Representatives: two-thirds chosen from the Muslim-Croat Federation: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SDA 16, HDZ-BiH 7, Joint List of Social Democrats 3, Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2; one-third chosen from the Bosnian Serb Republic: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SDS 9, SDA 3, Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress 2 note: the Muslim-Croat Federation has a House of Representatives with 140 seats: seats by party - SDA 80, HDZ-BiH 33, Party for Bosnia and Herzegovina 11, Joint List of Social Democrats 10, other 6; the Republika Srpska has a National Assembly with 83 seats: seats by party - SDS 50, Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress 10, Serb Radical Party 7, SDA 6, other 10 Judicial branch: Supreme Court; Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders: Party of Democratic Action or SDA [Alija IZETBEGOVIC]; Croatian Democratic Union of BiH or HDZ-BiH [Bozo RAJIC]; Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Alexander BUHA, acting president]; Party for Bosnia [Haris SILAJDZIC]; Joint List of Social Democrats; Democratic Patriotic Front/Union for Peace and Progress; Civic Democratic Party or GDS [Ibrahim SPAHIC]; Croatian Peasants' Party of BiH or HSS [Stanko STISKOVIC]; Independent Serbian Democratic Party or NSDS [Milorad DODIK]; Liberal Bosniak Organization or LBO [Muhamed FILIPOVIC]; Liberal Party or LS [Rasim KADIC, president]; Muslim-Bosniac Organization or MBO [Adil ZULFIKARPASIC]; Republican Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina [Stjepan KLJUIC]; Serb Civic Council or SGV [Mirko PEJANOVIC]; Serb Consultative Council [Ljubomir BERBEROVIC]; Social Democratic Party or SDP (formerly the Democratic Party of Socialists or DSS) [Zlatko LAGUMOZIJA, president]; Socialist Party of Republika Srpska [Zivko RADISIC]; Union of Social Democrats or SSDB [Selim BESLAGIC]; United Left of the Bosnian Serb Republic or ULRS [Mile IVOSEVIC]; Yugoslav United Left or JUL [CAREVIC]; Social Liberal Party [Miodrag ZIVANOVIC]; Serb Radical Party [Miodrag RAKIC]; Serb Patriotic Party [Slavko ZUPLJANIN]; Serb Homeland Party; Party of Serbian Unity; Republik Srpska Independent Social Democrats [Branko DOKIC, president]; Serb Party of Posavina and Krajina [Predrag LAZAREVIC]; National Democratic Union [Fikret ABDIC] note : 82 parties are registered for the September 1997 municipal elections Political pressure groups and leaders: NA International organization participation: CE (guest), CEI, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, NAM (guest), OIC (observer), OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sven ALKALAJ chancery: Suite 760, 1707 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-3612, 3613, 3615 FAX: [1] (202) 833-2061 consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert BEECROFT embassy: 43 Ul. Djure Djakovica, Sarajevo mailing address: American Embassy Sarajevo, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7130 telephone: [387] (71) 445-700 FAX: [387] (71) 659-722 Flag description: white with a large blue shield; the shield contains white fleurs-de-lis with a white diagonal band running from the upper hoist corner to the lower outer side Government - note: Until declaring independence in spring 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina existed as a republic in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Bosnia was partitioned by fighting during 1992-95 and governed by competing ethnic factions. Bosnia's current governing structures were created by the Dayton Accords, the 1995 peace agreement which was officially signed in Paris on 14 December 1995 by Bosnian President IZETBEGOVIC, Croatian President TUDJMAN, and Serbian President MILOSEVIC. This agreement retained Bosnia's exterior border and created a joint multi-ethnic and democratic government. This national government - based on proportional representation similar to that which existed in the former socialist regime - is charged with conducting foreign, economic, and fiscal policy. The Dayton Accords also recognized a second tier of government, comprised of two entities - a joint Muslim-Croat Federation and the Bosnian Serb Republika Srpska (RS) - each presiding over roughly one-half the territory. These Federation and RS governments are charged with overseeing internal functions. As mandated by the Dayton Accords, the Bosnians on 14 September 1996 participated in the first post-war elections of national, entity, and cantonal leaders. The Bosnians have been slow to form and install new joint institutions. A new Federation cabinet was sworn in 18 December 1996 and the new Bosnian central government cabinet was confirmed on 3 January 1997. Economy Economy - overview: Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked next to The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as the poorest republic in the old Yugoslav federation. Although agriculture has been almost all in private hands, farms have been small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally has been a net importer of food. Industry has been greatly overstaffed, one reflection of the rigidities of communist central planning and management. TITO had pushed the development of military industries in the republic with the result that Bosnia hosted a large share of Yugoslavia's defense plants. The bitter interethnic warfare in Bosnia caused production to plummet by perhaps 90% since 1990, unemployment to soar, and human misery to multiply. No reliable economic statistics for 1992-96 are available, although output almost certainly is well below $1,000 per head. In the Federation, unemployment remains in the 40%-50% range and inflation is low. By contrast, growth in the Republika Srpska in 1996 was flat and inflation surpassed 30%. The country receives substantial amounts of humanitarian aid from the international community. Wide regional differences in war damage and access to the outside world have resulted in substantial variations in living conditions among local areas. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.9 billion (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: NA% GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $600 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA% Inflation rate - consumer price index: NA% Labor force: total: 1,026,254 by occupation: NA% Unemployment rate: officially about 70% but probably much lower, perhaps 40%-50% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: steel, coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, manganese, bauxite, vehicle assembly, textiles, tobacco products, wooden furniture, tank and aircraft assembly, domestic appliances, oil refining; much of capacity damaged or shut down (1995) Industrial production growth rate: NA% Electricity - capacity: 3.991 million kW (1991) Electricity - production: 1.87 billion kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 475 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables; livestock Exports: total value: $152 million (1995 est.) commodities: NA partners: NA Imports: total value : $1.1 billion (1995 est.) commodities: NA partners: NA Debt - external: $3.5 billion (yearend 1995 est.) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $600 million (1996 est.) Currency: 1 dinar = 100 para; Croatian kuna used in Croat-held area; old and new Serbian dinars used in Serb-held area; the deutsche mark (DM) has supplanted local currencies throughout Bosnia Exchange rates: NA Fiscal year: calendar year @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Communications Telephones: 727,000 Telephone system: telephone and telegraph network is in need of modernization and expansion; many urban areas are below average when compared with services in other former Yugoslav republics domestic: NA international : no satellite earth stations Radio broadcast stations: AM 9, FM 2, shortwave 0 Radios: 840,000 Television broadcast stations: 6 Televisions: 1,012,094 @Bosnia and Herzegovina:Transportation Railways: total: 1,021 km (electrified 795 km; operating as diesel or steam until grids are repaired) standard gauge: 1,021 km 1.435-m gauge (1995); note - some segments need repair and/or reconstruction Highways: total : 21,168 km paved: 11,436 km unpaved: 9,732 km (1991 est.) note: roads need maintenance and repair Waterways: NA km; Sava blocked by downed bridges Pipelines: crude oil 174 km; natural gas 90 km (1992); note - pipelines now disrupted Ports and harbors: Bosanski Brod (access to Ploce, Croatia) Merchant marine: none Airports: 24 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m : 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Army Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 865,763 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 696,202 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 23,771 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA% Transnational Issues Disputes - international: disputes with Serbia over Serbian populated areas Illicit drugs: transit point for minor regional marijuana trafficking routes ______________________________________________________________________ BOTSWANA @Botswana:Geography Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 600,370 sq km land: 585,370 sq km water: 15,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 4,013 km border countries : Namibia 1,360 km, South Africa 1,840 km, Zimbabwe 813 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers Terrain: predominately flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Elevation extremes: lowest point : junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m highest point: Tsodilo Hill 1,489 m Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver Land use: arable land : 1% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 46% forests and woodland: 47% other: 6% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited fresh water resources Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in eastern part of the country @Botswana:People Population: 1,500,765 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 42% (male 319,920; female 312,104) 15-64 years: 54% (male 384,533; female 428,157) 65 years and over : 4% (male 21,949; female 34,102) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.48% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 32.65 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 17.9 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: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 54.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.52 years male: 43.52 years female: 45.55 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.14 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural) Ethnic groups: Batswana 95%, Kalanga, Basarwa, and Kgalagadi 4%, white 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 50% Languages: English (official), Setswana Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 69.8% male: 80.5% female: 59.9% (1995 est.) @Botswana:Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana conventional short form: Botswana former : Bechuanaland Data code: BC Government type: parliamentary republic National capital: Gaborone Administrative divisions: 10 districts and four town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, Ngamiland, North-East, Selebi-Phikwe*, South-East, Southern Independence: 30 September 1966 (from UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 September (1966) Constitution: March 1965, effective 30 September 1966 Legal system: based on Roman-Dutch law and local customary law; judicial review limited to matters of interpretation; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state : President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Sir Ketumile MASIRE (since 13 July 1980); Vice President Festus MOGAE (since 9 March 1992); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections : president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1999); vice president appointed by the president election results: Sir Ketumile MASIRE elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the House of Chiefs (a largely advisory 15-member body consisting of the chiefs of the eight principal tribes, four elected subchiefs, and three members selected by the other 12) and the National Assembly (44 seats, 40 members are directly elected by popular vote and 4 appointed by the majority party; members serve five-year terms) elections: National Assembly - elections last held 15 October 1994 (next to be held October 1999) election results : percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BDP 27, BNF 13 Judicial branch: High Court; Court of Appeal Political parties and leaders: Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Sir Ketumile MASIRE]; Botswana Freedom Party or BFP [leader NA]; Botswana National Front or BNF [Kenneth KOMA]; Botswana People's Party or BPP [Knight MARIPE]; Independence Freedom Party or IFP [Motsamai MPHO] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Archibald Mooketsa MOGWE chancery: Suite 7M, 3400 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990, 4991 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Robert C. KRUEGER (14 June 1996) embassy: address NA, Gaborone mailing address: P. O. Box 90, Gaborone telephone: [267] 353982 FAX: [267] 356947 Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center Economy Economy - overview: Agriculture still provides a livelihood for more than 80% of the population but supplies only about 50% of food needs and accounts for only 4% of GDP. Subsistence farming and cattle raising predominate. The sector is plagued by erratic rainfall and poor soils. Substantial mineral deposits were found in the 1970s and the mining sector grew from 25% of GDP in 1980 to 33% in 1995. The unemployment rate remains a problem at 21%. On the plus side is the substantial positive trade balance. GDP: purchasing power parity - $4.6 billion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 5% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $3,100 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 4% industry: 43% services : 53% (1995 est.) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 9.8% (1996 est.) Labor force: total : 428,000 (1992) by occupation: 220,000 formal sector employees, including 14,300 who are employed in various mines in South Africa; most others are engaged in cattle raising and subsistence agriculture (1992 est.) Unemployment rate: 21% (1995 est.) Budget: revenues : $1.8 billion expenditures: $1.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $613 million (FY95/96) Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, coal, salt, soda ash, potash; livestock processing Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (FY92/93) Electricity - capacity: 197,000 kW (1993) Electricity - production: 950 million kWh (1994) Electricity - consumption per capita: 747 kWh (1993 est.) Agriculture - products: sorghum, maize, millet, pulses, groundnuts (peanuts), beans, cowpeas, sunflower seed; livestock Exports: total value: $2.1 billion (f.o.b. 1995 est.) commodities: diamonds 71%, copper and nickel 5%, meat 3% partners: Europe 81%, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 14%, Zimbabwe 3% Imports: total value: $1.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, vehicles and transport equipment, textiles, petroleum products partners: Southern African Customs Union (SACU) 78%, Europe 8%, Zimbabwe 6% Debt - external: $691 million (1994) Economic aid: recipient: ODA, $189 million (1993) Currency: 1 pula (P) = 100 thebe Exchange rates: pula (P) per US$1 - 3.6417 (January 1997), 3.3014 (1996), 2.7716 (1995), 2.6831 (1994), 2.4190 (1993), 2.1327 (1992) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @Botswana:Communications Telephones: 19,109 (1985 est.) Telephone system: sparse system domestic: small system of open-wire lines, microwave radio relay links, and a few radiotelephone communication stations international: microwave radio relay links to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 0 (1988 est.) Televisions: 13,800 (1993 est.) @Botswana:Transportation Railways: total: 971 km narrow gauge: 971 km 1.067-m gauge (1995) Highways: total: 11,800 km paved : 1,676 km unpaved: 10,124 km (1995 est.) Ports and harbors: none Airports: 80 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 34 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m : 9 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 22 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 46 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m : 43 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Botswana Defense Force (includes Army and Air Wing), Botswana National Police Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 343,929 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 180,692 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 17,632 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $199 million (FY93/94) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 5.2% (FY93/94) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: quadripoint with Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe is in disagreement; dispute with Namibia over uninhabited Kasikili (Sidudu) Island in Linyanti (Chobe) River remained unresolved in January 1996 and the parties have agreed to refer the matter to the ICJ ______________________________________________________________________ BOUVET ISLAND (territory of Norway) @Bouvet Island:Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the South Atlantic Ocean, south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) Geographic coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 58 sq km land : 58 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 29.6 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 4 nm Climate: antarctic Terrain: volcanic; maximum elevation about 800 meters; coast is mostly inaccessible Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 780 m Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures : 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all ice) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: covered by glacial ice @Bouvet Island:People Population: uninhabited @Bouvet Island:Government Country name: conventional long form : none conventional short form: Bouvet Island Data code: BV Dependency status: territory of Norway Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Economy Economy - overview: no economic activity; declared a nature reserve @Bouvet Island:Communications Communications - note: automatic meteorological station @Bouvet Island:Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BRAZIL @Brazil:Geography Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,511,965 sq km land : 8,456,510 sq km water: 55,455 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 14,691 km border countries: Argentina 1,224 km, Bolivia 3,400 km, Colombia 1,643 km, French Guiana 673 km, Guyana 1,119 km, Paraguay 1,290 km, Peru 1,560 km, Suriname 597 km, Uruguay 985 km, Venezuela 2,200 km Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf : 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico da Neblina 3,014 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, platinum, tin, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: arable land : 5% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 22% forests and woodland: 58% other : 14% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 28,000 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south Environment - current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers the existence of a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Tropical Timber 94 Geography - note: largest country in South America; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador @Brazil:People Population: 164,511,366 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 25,018,597; female 24,164,894) 15-64 years: 65% (male 53,217,683; female 54,215,461) 65 years and over : 5% (male 3,181,539; female 4,713,192) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 1.1% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.43 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 9.42 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over : 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 53.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population : 61.42 years male: 56.78 years female: 66.3 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: white (includes Portuguese, German, Italian, Spanish, Polish) 55%, mixed white and black 38%, black 6%, other (includes Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 1% Religions: Roman Catholic (nominal) 70% Languages: Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 83.3% male: 83.3% female : 83.2% (1995 est.) @Brazil:Government Country name: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form : Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil Data code: BR Government type: federal republic National capital: Brasilia Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: 5 October 1988 Legal system: based on Roman codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage: voluntary between 16 and 18 years of age and over 70; compulsory over 18 and under 70 years of age Executive branch: chief of state : President Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Fernando Henrique CARDOSO (since 1 January 1995); Vice President Marco MACIEL (since 1 January 1995); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 October 1994 (next to be held NA October 1998) election results: Fernando Henrique CARDOSO elected president; percent of vote - Fernando Henrique CARDOSO 53%, Luis Inacio LULA da Silva 26%, Eneas CARNEIRO 7%, Orestes QUERCIA 4%, Leonel BRIZOLA 3%, Espiridiao AMIN 3%; note - second direct presidential election since 1960 Legislative branch: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of the Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; three members from each state or federal district elected according to the principle of majority to serve eight-year terms; one-third elected after a four year period, two-thirds elected after the next four-year period ) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held 3 October 1994 for two-thirds of Senate (next to be held October 1998 for one-third of the Senate); Chamber of Deputies - last held 3 October 1994 (next to be held October 1998) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - PMBD 28%, PFL 22%, PSDB 12%, PPR 7%, PDT 7%, PT 6%, PTB 6%, other 12%; seats by party - NA; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PMDB 21%, PFL 18%, PDT 7%, PSDB 12%, PPR 10%, PTB 6%, PT 10%, other 16%; seats by party - NA note: party totals since the fall of 1994 have changed considerably due to extensive party-switching Judicial branch: Supreme Federal Tribunal, judges are appointed for life by the president and confirmed by the Senate Political parties and leaders: Brazilian Democratic Movement Party or PMDB [Paes DE ANDRADE, president]; Liberal Front Party or PFL [Jose JORGE, president]; Workers' Party or PT [Jose DIRCEU, president]; Brazilian Workers' Party or PTB [Rodrigues PALMA, president]; Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Leonel BRIZOLA, president]; Brazilian Progressive Party or PPB [Espiridiao AMIN, president]; Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Artur DA TAVOLA, president]; Popular Socialist Party or PPS [Roberto FREIRE, president]; Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Joao AMAZONAS, chairman]; Liberal Party or PL [Alvaro VALLE, president]; Progressive Reform Party or PPR [Esperido AMIN, president] Political pressure groups and leaders: left wing of the Catholic Church and labor unions allied to leftist Workers' Party are critical of government's social and economic policies International organization participation: AfDB, AG (observer), BIS (pending member), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MTCR, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNPREDEP, UNTAES, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Paulo Tarso FLECHA de LIMA chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 consulate(s) general : Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico), and San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission : Ambassador Melvyn LEVITSKY embassy: Avenida das Nacoes, Lote 3, Brasilia, Distrito Federal mailing address: Unit 3500, APO AA 34030 telephone: [55] (61) 321-7272 FAX : [55] (61) 225-9136 consulate(s) general: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo consulate(s): Recife Flag description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars (one for each state and the Federal District) arranged in the same pattern as the night sky over Brazil; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress) Economy Economy - overview: Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other South American countries and is expanding its presence in world markets. Prior to the institution of a stabilization plan - the Plano Real (Real Plan) - in mid-1994, stratospheric inflation rates had disrupted economic activity and discouraged foreign investment. Since then, tight monetary policy has brought inflation under control - consumer prices increased by only 10% in 1996 compared to more than 1,000% in 1994. At the same time, GDP growth slowed from 5.7% in 1994 to 2.9% in 1996 due to tighter credit. The steadily appreciating currency has also encouraged imports, contributing to a growing trade deficit, and depressed export growth. Brazil's more stable economy allowed it to weather the fallout in 1995 from the Mexican peso crisis relatively well, and record levels of foreign investment have since flowed in, helping to swell official foreign exchange reserves to $60 billion in 1996; stock markets reflected this increased investor confidence, gaining 53% in dollar terms. President CARDOSO remains committed to further reducing inflation in 1997 and putting Brazil on track for expanded economic growth, but he faces several key challenges. Fiscal reforms requiring constitutional amendments are stalled in the Brazilian legislature; in their absence, the government is continuing to run deficits and has limited room to relax its interest and exchange rate policies much if it wants to keep inflation under control. High interest rates have made servicing domestic debt dramatically more burdensome for both public and private sector entities, contributing to federal and state budget problems and a surge in bankruptcies. GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.022 trillion (1996 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 2.9% (1996 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $6,300 (1996 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 13% industry: 38% services: 49% (1995) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 10% (1996) Labor force: total: 57 million (1989 est.) by occupation: services 42%, agriculture 31%, industry 27% Unemployment rate: 5.2% (1996 est.) Budget: revenues: $86 billion expenditures: $90 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1995) Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (1995 est.) Electricity - capacity: 59.036 million kW (1995) Electricity - production: 268.874 billion kWh (1995) note: imports some electricity from Paraguay Electricity - consumption per capita: 1,572 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture - products: coffee, soybeans, wheat, rice, corn, sugarcane, cocoa, citrus; beef Exports: total value: $47.7 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: iron ore, soybean bran, orange juice, footwear, coffee, motor vehicle parts partners: EU 26%, Latin America 22%, US 23%, Argentina 11% (1995) Imports: total value: $53.3 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: crude oil, capital goods, chemical products, foodstuffs, coal partners : EU 26%, US 24%, Argentina 11%, Japan 5% (1995) Debt - external: $176 billion (December 1996) Economic aid: recipient : ODA, $107 million (1993) Currency: 1 real (R$) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: R$ per US$1 - 1.043 (January 1997), 1.005 (1996), 0.918 (1995), 0.639 (1994); CR$ per US$1 - 390.845 (January 1994), 88.449 (1993), 4.513 (1992) note: on 1 August 1993 the cruzeiro real (CR$), equal to 1,000 cruzeiros, was introduced; another new currency, the real (R$) was introduced on 1 July 1994, equal to 2,750 cruzeiro reais Fiscal year: calendar year @Brazil:Communications Telephones: 14,426,673 (1992 est.) Telephone system: good working system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 64 earth stations international: 3 coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean Region East) Radio broadcast stations: AM 1,223, FM 0, shortwave 151 Radios: 60 million (1993 est.) Television broadcast stations: 112 note: Brazil has the world's fourth largest television broadcasting system Televisions: 30 million (1993 est.) @Brazil:Transportation Railways: total: 27,418 km (1,750 km electrified) broad gauge: 5,730 km 1.600-m gauge standard gauge : 194 km 1.440-m gauge narrow gauge: 20,958 km 1.000-m gauge; 13 km 0.760-m gauge dual gauge: 523 km 1.000-m and 1.600-m gauges Highways: total: 1.939 million km paved: 178,388 km unpaved: 1,760,612 km (1995 est.) Waterways: 50,000 km navigable Pipelines: crude oil 2,000 km; petroleum products 3,804 km; natural gas 1,095 km Ports and harbors: Belem, Fortaleza, Ilheus, Imbituba, Manaus, Paranagua, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande, Salvador, Santos, Vitoria Merchant marine: total : 193 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,475,748 GRT/7,175,061 DWT ships by type: bulk 42, cargo 26, chemical tanker 10, combination ore/oil 11, container 13, liquefied gas tanker 11, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 62, passenger-cargo 5, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 11 note: Brazil owns 16 additional ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,270,275 DWT that operate under Bahamian, Liberian, Panamanian, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines registry (1996 est.) Airports: 2,871 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1,658 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m : 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 125 914 to 1,523 m: 304 under 914 m: 1,205 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 1,213 1,524 to 2,437 m: 67 914 to 1,523 m: 1,146 (1996 est.) Military Military branches: Brazilian Army, Brazilian Navy (includes Marines), Brazilian Air Force, Federal Police (paramilitary) Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 45,876,084 (1997 est.) Military manpower - fit for military service: males: 30,843,947 (1997 est.) Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males : 1,756,732 (1997 est.) Military expenditures - dollar figure: $6.736 billion (1994) Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.1% (1994) Transnational Issues Disputes - international: short section of the boundary with Paraguay, just west of Salto das Sete Quedas (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been precisely delimited; two short sections of boundary with Uruguay are in dispute - Arroio Invernada (Arroyo de la Invernada) area of the Rio Quarai (Rio Cuareim) and the islands at the confluence of the Rio Quarai and the Uruguay River Illicit drugs: limited illicit producer of cannabis, minor coca cultivation in the Amazon region, mostly used for domestic consumption; government has a large-scale eradication program to control cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian and Colombian cocaine headed for the US and Europe ______________________________________________________________________ BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY Territory] (dependent territory of the UK) @British Indian Ocean Territory:Geography Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E Map references: World Area: total: 60 sq km land : 60 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 698 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: flat and low (up to four meters in elevation) Elevation extremes: lowest point : Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m Natural resources: coconuts, fish Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% permanent pastures : NA% forests and woodland: NA% other: 100% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility @British Indian Ocean Territory:People Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: there are UK-US military personnel and civilian contractors; civilian inhabitants, known as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US military facilities @British Indian Ocean Territory:Government Country name: conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory conventional short form : none abbreviation: BIOT Data code: IO Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London National capital: none Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II of the UK (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Commissioner David Ross MACLENNAN (since NA 1994); Administrator Don CAIRNS (since NA); note - both reside in the UK cabinet: NA elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; commissioner and administrator appointed by the queen Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag description: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag Economy Economy - overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installations are done by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. Electricity - capacity: NA kW note : electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - production: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by the US military Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh @British Indian Ocean Territory:Communications Telephones: NA Telephone system: facilities for military needs only domestic: NA international: NA Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 Radios: NA Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: NA @British Indian Ocean Territory:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: NA km paved: short stretch of paved road of NA km between port and airfield on Diego Garcia unpaved : NA km Ports and harbors: Diego Garcia Airports: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total : 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: the island of Diego Garcia is claimed by Mauritius ______________________________________________________________________ BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) @British Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 150 sq km land: 150 sq km water: 0 sq km note : includes the island of Anegada Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea : 3 nm Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures: 33% forests and woodland: 7% other : 33% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: NA sq km Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment) Environment - international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico @British Virgin Islands:People Population: 13,368 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years : NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.32% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: -0.9 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: 18.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.83 years male: 70.99 years female: 74.8 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic groups: black 90%, white, Asian Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981) Languages: English (official) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population : 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA% @British Virgin Islands:Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI Data code: VI Dependency status: dependent territory of the UK Government type: NA National capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Constitution: 1 June 1977 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 David MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) head of government : Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council elections : none; the queen is a hereditary monarch; governor appointed by the queen; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of 9 electoral districts, 4 at large members; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held NA February 2000) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court Political parties and leaders: United Party or UP [Conrad MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]; Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [E. Walwyln BREWLEY]; Independent People's Movement or IPM [Omar HODGE and Allen O'NEAL] International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Economy Economy - overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. In 1985, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditional close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands have used the dollar as their currency since 1959. GDP: purchasing power parity - $135 million (1995 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.) GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $10,200 (1995 est.) GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 3% industry: 14% services: 83% (1989) Inflation rate - consumer price index: 2.5% (1990 est.) Labor force: total: 4,911 (1980) by occupation: tourism NA% Unemployment rate: 3% (1995) Budget: revenues: $77.1 million expenditures : $76.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93/94) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985) Electricity - capacity: NA kW Electricity - production: NA kWh Electricity - consumption per capita: NA kWh Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish Exports: total value: $3.4 million (f.o.b., 1990) commodities : rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: total value: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Debt - external: $4.5 million (1985) Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @British Virgin Islands:Communications Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.) Telephone system: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1995) Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.) Television broadcast stations: 1 Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.) @British Virgin Islands:Transportation Railways: 0 km Highways: total: 113 km (1995 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km Ports and harbors: Road Town Merchant marine: none (1995 est.) Airports: 3 (1996 est.) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m : 1 under 914 m: 1 (1996 est.) Airports - with unpaved runways: total : 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1996 est.) Military Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none ______________________________________________________________________ BRUNEI @Brunei:Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5,770 sq km land : 5,270 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 381 km border countries: Malaysia 381 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation extremes: lowest point : South China Sea 0 m highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: arable land : 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 85% other: 12% (1993 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are very rare Environment - current issues: NA Environment - international agreements: party to : Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave of Malaysia @Brunei:People Population: 307,616 (July 1997 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 52,239; female 50,025) 15-64 years: 63% (male 101,326; female 90,941) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,207; female 5,878) (July 1997 est.) Population growth rate: 2.5% (1997 est.) Birth rate: 25.2 births/1,000 population (1997 est.) Death rate: 5.13 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.) Net migration rate: 4.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (1997 est.) Infant mortality rate: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.54 years male: 70 years female: 73.16 years (1997 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.37 children born/woman (1997 est.) Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: Malay 64%, Chinese 20%, other 16% Religions: Muslim (official) 63%, Buddhism 14%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs and other 15% (1981) Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese Literacy: definition : age 15 and over can read and write total population: 88.2% male: 92.6% female: 83.4% (1995 est.) @Brunei:Government Country name: conventional long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei Data code: BX Government type: constitutional sultanate National capital: Bandar Seri Begawan Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei and Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984) Constitution: 29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December 1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984) Legal system: based on Islamic law Suffrage: none Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji HASSANAL Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah (since 5 October 1967); note - the sultan is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the sultan; deals with executive matters note: there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the sultan) that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the sultan) that deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the sultan) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises elections: none; the sultan is a traditional Islamic monarch Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Masyuarat Megeri (a privy council that serves only in a consultative capacity; NA seats; members appointed by the sultan) elections: last held in March 1962 note: in 1970 the Council was changed to an appointive body by decree of the sultan; an elected Legislative Council is being considered as
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