Chapter V (15)

Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires ad interim Ansoumane CAMARA
chancery:
2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-9420
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dane F. SMITH, Jr.
embassy:
2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry
mailing address:
B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone: (224) 44-15-20 through 24
FAX:
(224) 44-15-22
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the
popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which
has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band

*Guinea, Economy

Overview:
Although possessing many natural resources and considerable potential for
agricultural development, Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the
world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more
than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea
possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves; exports of bauxite and
alumina accounted for about 70% of total exports in 1989.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $3 billion (1990 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4.3% (1990 est.)
National product per capita:
$410 (1990 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
19.6% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $449 million; expenditures $708 million, including capital
expenditures of $361 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$788 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
alumina, bauxite, diamonds, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels
partners:
US 33%, EC 33%, USSR and Eastern Europe 20%, Canada
Imports:
$692 million (c.i.f., 1990 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs,
textiles, and other grain
partners:
US 16%, France, Brazil
External debt:
$2.6 billion (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
113,000 kW capacity; 300 million kWh produced, 40 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries:
bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and
agricultural processing industries
Agriculture:
accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence
farming; principal products - rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels,
cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock - cattle, sheep and
goats; not self-sufficient in food grains
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1,465 million; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446
million
Currency:
1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440
(1987), 383 (1986)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Guinea, Communications

Railroads:
1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge
Highways:
30,100 km total; 1,145 km paved, 12,955 km gravel or laterite (of which
barely 4,500 km are currently all-weather roads), 16,000 km unimproved earth
(1987)
Inland waterways:
1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft
Ports:
Conakry, Kamsar
Airports:
total:
15
usable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
10
Telecommunications:
poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication stations,
and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM 1
FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT
earth station

*Guinea, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Presidential Guard,
Republican Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,403,776; fit for military service 708,078 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)

*Guinea-Bissau, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and
Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
36,120 km2
land area:
28,000 km2
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut
Land boundaries:
total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km
Coastline:
350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 12 November 1991 rendered its
decision on the Guinea-Bissau/Senegal maritime boundary in favor of Senegal
Climate:
tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to
November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with
northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Natural resources:
unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber
Land use:
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
43%
forest and woodland:
38%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
NA km2
Environment:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

*Guinea-Bissau, People

Population: 1,072,439 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.38% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 41.26 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 17.45 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 122.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.03 years male: 45.38 years female: 48.73 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.6 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s) adjective: Guinea-Bissauan Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5% Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 36% male: 50% female: 24% Labor force: 403,000 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5% note: population of working age 53% (1983)

*Guinea-Bissau, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form:
Guinea-Bissau
local long form:
Republica de Guine-Bissau
local short form:
Guine-Bissau
former:
Portuguese Guinea
Digraph:
PU
Type:
republic highly centralized multiparty since mid-1991; the African Party for
the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) held an
extraordinary party congress in December 1990 and established a two-year
transition program during which the constitution will be revised, allowing
for multiple political parties and a presidential election in 1993
Capital:
Bissau
Administrative divisions:
9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama,
Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali
Independence:
10 September 1974 (from Portugal)
Constitution:
16 May 1984
Legal system:
NA
National holiday:
Independence Day, 10 September (1974)
Political parties and leaders:
African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC),
President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader; Democratic Social Front (FDS),
Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos Fernandes GARNER, leader;
Democratic Front, Aristides MENEZES, leader
note:
PAIGC is still the major party (of 10 parties) and controls all aspects of
the government
Suffrage:
15 years of age; universal
Elections:
National People's Assembly:
last held 15 June 1989 (next to be held 15 June 1994); results - PAIGC is
the only party; seats - (150 total) PAIGC 150, appointed by Regional
Councils
President of Council of State:
last held 19 June 1989 (next to be held NA 1993); results - Gen. Joao
Bernardo VIEIRA was reelected without opposition by the National People's
Assembly
Executive branch:
president of the Council of State, vice presidents of the Council of State,
Council of State, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly (Assembleia Nacional Popular)
Judicial branch:
none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers

*Guinea-Bissau, Government

Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President of the Council of State Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power
14 November 1980 and elected President of Council of State on 16 May 1984)
Member of:
ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL
chancery:
918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006
telephone:
(202) 872-4222
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Roger A. MAGUIRE
embassy:
17 Avenida Domingos Ramos, Bissau
mailing address:
1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau
telephone:
[245] 20-1139, 20-1145, 20-1113
FAX:
[245] 20-1159
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red
band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the
red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the
flag of Cape Verde, which has the black star raised above the center of the
red band and is framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell

*Guinea-Bissau, Economy

Overview:
Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with a per
capita GDP of roughly $200. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic
activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary exports.
Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a
weak infrastructure and the high cost of development. The government's
four-year plan (1988-91) targeted agricultural development as the top
priority.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $210 million (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate: 2.3% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$210 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
55% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $33.6 million; expenditures $44.8 million, including capital
expenditures of $.57 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$20.4 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels
partners:
Portugal, Senegal, France, The Gambia, Netherlands, Spain
Imports:
$63.5 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
capital equipment, consumer goods, semiprocessed goods, foods, petroleum
partners:
Portugal, Netherlands, Senegal, USSR, Germany
External debt:
$462 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.0% (1989 est.); accounts for 10% of GDP (1989 est.)
Electricity:
22,000 kW capacity; 30 million kWh produced, 30 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks
Agriculture:
accounts for over 50% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and 90% of employment;
rice is the staple food; other crops include corn, beans, cassava, cashew
nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and cotton; not self-sufficient in food;
fishing and forestry potential not fully exploited
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $615 million; OPEC
bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $68
million
Currency:
1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 1987.2 (1989), 1363.6 (1988), 851.65
(1987), 238.98 (1986)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Guinea-Bissau, Communications

Highways:
3,218 km; 2,698 km bituminous, remainder earth
Inland waterways:
scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce
Ports:
Bissau
Airports:
total:
33
usable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
5
Telecommunications:
poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications; 3,000
telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV

*Guinea-Bissau, Defense Forces

Branches:
People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; including Army, Navy, Air Force),
paramilitary force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 235,931; fit for military service 134,675 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $9.3 million, 5%-6% of GDP (1987)

*Guyana, Geography

Location:
Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Suriname
and Venezuela
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
214,970 km2
land area:
196,850 km2
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Idaho
Land boundaries:
total 2,462 km, Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km
Coastline:
459 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200 nm or the outer edge of continental margin
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
all of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname
claims area between New (Upper Courantyne) and Courantyne/Koetari Rivers
(all headwaters of the Courantyne)
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons
(May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)
Terrain:
mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south
Natural resources:
bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
6%
forest and woodland:
83%
other:
8%
Irrigated land:
1,300 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
flash floods a constant threat during rainy seasons; water pollution

*Guyana, People

Population: 734,640 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: -0.68% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 20.47 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -19.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 49.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 64.7 years male: 61.46 years female: 68.1 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.35 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian 4%, European and Chinese 2% Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1% Languages: English, Amerindian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended scool (1990) total population: 95% male: 98% female: 96% Labor force: 268,000 by occupation: industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%, services 21.7% note: public-sector employment amounts to 60-80% of the total labor force (1985)

*Guyana, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Co-operative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form:
Guyana
former:
British Guiana
Digraph:
GY
Type:
republic
Capital:
Georgetown
Administrative divisions:
10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East
Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice,
Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper
Takutu-Upper Essequibo
Independence:
26 May 1966 (from UK)
Constitution:
6 October 1980
Legal system:
based on English common law with certain admixtures of Roman-Dutch law; has
not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
Political parties and leaders: People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE; People's
Progressive
Party (PPP), Cheddi JAGAN; Working People's Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA,
Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's
Democratic Movement (PDM), Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF),
Joseph BACCHUS; The United Force (TUF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican
Party (URP), Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert
GANGADEEN; Guyana Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL
Other political or pressure groups:
Trades Union Congress (TUC); Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO);
Civil Liberties Action Committee (CLAC)
note:
the latter two organizations are small and active but not well organized
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Executive President:
last held on 5 October 1992; results - Cheddi JAGAN was elected president
since he was leader of the party with the most votes in the National
Assembly elections
National Assembly:
last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be held in 1997); results - PPP 53.4%,
PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%; seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26,
WPA 2, TUF 1
Executive branch:
executive president, first vice president, prime minister, first deputy
prime minister, Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Judicature

*Guyana, Government

Leaders:
Chief of State:
Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 5 October 1992); First Vice
President Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 5 October 1992)
Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Dr. Odeen ISHMAEL
chancery:
2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 265-6900
consulate general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador George Jones
embassy:
99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Georgetown
mailing address:
P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown
telephone:
[592] (2) 54900 through 54909 and 57960 through 57969
FAX:
[592] (2) 58497
Flag:
green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed
on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow black border between the red
and yellow, and a narrow white border between the yellow and the green

*Guyana, Economy

Overview:
Guyana is one of the world's poorest countries with a per capita income less
than one-fifth the South American average. After growing on average at less
than 1% a year in 1986-87, GDP dropped by 5% a year in 1988-90. The decline
resulted from bad weather, labor trouble in the cane fields, and flooding
and equipment problems in the bauxite industry. Consumer prices rose about
100% in 1989 and 75% in 1990, and the current account deficit widened
substantially as sugar and bauxite exports fell. Moreover, electric power
has been in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in
national output. The government, in association with international financial
agencies, seeks to reduce its payment arrears and to raise new funds. The
government's stabilization program - aimed at establishing realistic
exchange rates, reasonable price stability, and a resumption of growth -
requires considerable public administrative abilities and continued patience
by consumers during a long incubation period. Buoyed by a recovery in mining
and agriculture, the economy posted 6% growth in 1991 and 7% growth in 1992,
according to official figures. A large volume of illegal and quasi-legal
economic activity is not captured in estimates of the country's total
output.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $267.5 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
7% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$370 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
15% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
12%-15% (1991 est.)
Budget:
revenues $121 million; expenditures $225 million, including capital
expenditures of $50 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$268 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, gold, shrimp, molasses, timber, rum
partners:
UK 28%, US 25%, FRG 8%, Canada 7%, Japan 6% (1989)
Imports:
$242.4 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
manufactures, machinery, food, petroleum
partners:
US 40%, Trinidad & Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Japan 5%, Netherland Antilles 3%
(1989)
External debt:
$2 billion including arrears (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 12% (1990 est.); accounts for about 24% of GDP
Electricity:
253,500 kW capacity; 276 million kWh produced, 370 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
bauxite mining, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing (shrimp), textiles,
gold mining
Agriculture:
most important sector, accounting for 25% of GDP and about half of exports;
sugar and rice are key crops; development potential exists for fishing and
forestry; not self-sufficient in food, especially wheat, vegetable oils, and
animal products

*Guyana, Economy

Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $116 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $325 million;
Communist countries 1970-89, $242 million
Currency:
1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 125.8 (January 1993) 125.0 (1992), 111.8
(1991), 39.533 (1990), 27.159 (1989), 10.000 (1988)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Guyana, Communications

Railroads:
187 km total, all single track 0.914-meter gauge
Highways:
7,665 km total; 550 km paved, 5,000 km gravel, 1,525 km earth, 590 km
unimproved
Inland waterways:
6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo
Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km,
respectively
Ports:
Georgetown, New Amsterdam
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT
Airports: total:
53
usable:
48
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
13
Telecommunications:
fair system with radio relay network; over 27,000 telephones; tropospheric
scatter link to Trinidad; broadcast stations - 4 AM, 3 FM, no TV, 1
shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Guyana, Defense Forces

Branches:
Guyana Defense Force (GDF; including the Ground Forces, Coast Guard and Air
Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana National Service (GNS)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 196,960; fit for military service 149,583 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

*Haiti, Geography

Location: in the northern Caribbean Sea, about 90 km southeast of Cuba Map references: Central America and the Caribbean, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 27,750 km2 land area: 27,560 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total 275 km, Dominican Republic 275 km Coastline: 1,771 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claims US-administered Navassa Island Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous Natural resources: bauxite Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 13% meadows and pastures: 18% forest and woodland: 4% other: 45% Irrigated land: 750 km2 (1989 est.) Environment: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; deforestation; soil erosion Note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

*Haiti, People

Population:
6,384,877 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.68% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
40.77 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
18.88 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-5.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
109.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
45.45 years
male:
43.88 years
female:
47.11 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
6.05 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality: noun:
Haitian(s)
adjective:
Haitian
Ethnic divisions:
black 95%, mulatto and European 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority also practice Voodoo),
Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%, Adventist 1%, other 1%), none
1%, other 3% (1982)
Languages:
French (official) 10%, Creole
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
53%
male:
59%
female:
47%
Labor force:
2.3 million
by occupation:
agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%
note:
shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)

*Haiti, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Haiti
conventional short form:
Haiti
local long form:
Republique d'Haiti
local short form:
Haiti
Digraph:
HA
Type:
republic
Capital:
Port-au-Prince
Administrative divisions:
9 departments, (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre,
Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence:
1 January 1804 (from France)
Constitution:
27 August 1983, suspended February 1986; draft constitution approved March
1987, suspended June 1988, most articles reinstated March 1989; October
1991, government claims to be observing the Constitution
Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Political parties and leaders:
National Front for Change and Democracy (FNCD), including National Congress
of Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT, and National Cooperative
Action Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; Movement for the Installation of
Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National Progressive Revolutionary
Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; National Patriotic Movement of November 28
(MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE; National Agricultural and Industrial Party
(PAIN), Louis DEJOIE; Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene
THEODORE; Haitian Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Joseph DOUZE; Assembly
of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National Party of
Labor (PNT), Thomas DESULME; Mobilization for National Development (MDN),
Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti
(MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party (PSCH), Gregoire
EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU
and Jean MOLIERE
Other political or pressure groups:
Democratic Unity Confederation (KID); Roman Catholic Church; Confederation
of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade Unions (FOS);
Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular Assembly (APN)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Elections:
Chamber of Deputies:
last held 16 December 1990, with runoff held 20 January 1991 (next to be
held by December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (83 total)
FNCD 27, ANDP 17, PDCH 7, PAIN 6, RDNP 6, MDN 5, PNT 3, MKN 2, MODELH 2, MRN
1, independents 5, other 2
President:
last held 16 December 1990 (next election to be held by December 1995);
results - Rev. Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE 67.5%, Marc BAZIN 14.2%, Louis DEJOIE
4.9%

*Haiti, Government

Senate:
last held 18 January 1993, widely condemned as illegitimate (next to be held
December 1994); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (27 total) FNCD 12,
ANDP 8, PAIN 2, MRN 1, RDNP 1, PNT 1, independent 2
Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale) consisting of an upper
house or Senate and a lower house or Chamber of Deputies
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Jean-Bertrand ARISTIDE (since 7 February 1991), ousted in a coup
in September 1991, but still recognized by international community as Chief
of State
Head of Government: de facto Prime Minister Marc BAZIN (since NA June 1992)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, CARICOM (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU,
LAES, LORCS, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jean CASIMIR
chancery:
2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 332-4090 through 4092
consulates general:
Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Special Charge d'Affaires Charles REDMAN
embassy:
Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince
telephone:
[509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, or 22-0612
FAX:
[509] 23-9007
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white
rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by
flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE
(Union Makes Strength)

*Haiti, Economy

Overview:
About 75% of the population live in abject poverty. Agriculture is mainly
small-scale subsistence farming and employs nearly three-fourths of the work
force. The majority of the population does not have ready access to safe
drinking water, adequate medical care, or sufficient food. Few social
assistance programs exist, and the lack of employment opportunities remains
one of the most critical problems facing the economy, along with soil
erosion and political instability. Trade sanctions applied by the
Organization of American States in response to the September 1991 coup
against President ARISTIDE have further damaged the economy.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.2 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-4% (FY91 est.)
National product per capita:
$340 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20% (FY91 est.)
Unemployment rate:
25-50% (1991)
Budget:
revenues $300 million; expenditures $416 million, including capital
expenditures of $145 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$146 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture 8%, other 8%
partners:
US 84%, Italy 4%, France 3%, other industrial countries 6%, less developed
countries 3% (1987)
Imports:
$252 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)
commodities:
machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%, petroleum products
14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%
partners:
US 64%, Netherlands Antilles 5%, Japan 5%, France 4%, Canada 3%, Germany 3%
(1987)
External debt:
$838 million (December 1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.0% (1991 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity:
217,000 kW capacity; 480 million kWh produced, 75 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
sugar refining, textiles, flour milling, cement manufacturing, tourism,
light assembly industries based on imported parts
Agriculture:
accounts for 28% of GDP and employs around 70% of work force; mostly
small-scale subsistence farms; commercial crops - coffee, mangoes,
sugarcane, wood; staple crops - rice, corn, sorghum; shortage of wheat flour
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (1970-89), $700 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $770 million
Currency:
1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes

*Haiti, Economy

Exchange rates:
gourdes (G) per US$1 - 8.4 (December 1991), fixed rate of 5.000 through
second quarter of 1991)
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

*Haiti, Communications

Railroads:
40 km 0.760-meter narrow gauge, single-track, privately owned industrial
line
Highways:
4,000 km total; 950 km paved, 900 km otherwise improved, 2,150 km unimproved
Inland waterways:
negligible; less than 100 km navigable
Ports:
Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien
Airports:
total:
13
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities barely adequate, international facilities slightly
better; 36,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 33 AM, no FM, 4 TV, 2
shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

*Haiti, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (including Police), Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,289,310; fit for military service 695,997; reach military
age (18) annually 60,588 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $34 million, 1.5% of GDP (1988 est.)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Header

Affiliation:
(territory of Australia)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Geography

Location: in the Indian Ocean, 4,100 km southwest of Australia Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total area: 412 km2 land area: 412 km2 comparative area: slightly less than 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 101.9 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: antarctic Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with an extinct volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: 0 km2 Environment: primarily used for research stations

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, People

Population:
uninhabited

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands
conventional short form:
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Digraph:
HM
Type:
territory of Australia administered by the Ministry for Arts, Sport, the
Environment, Tourism and Territories
Capital:
none; administered from Canberra, Australia
Independence:
none (territory of Australia)

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Economy

Overview:
no economic activity

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Communications

Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only

*Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia

*Holy See (Vatican City), Geography

Location:
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome - central Italy
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total area:
0.44 km2
land area:
0.44 km2
comparative area:
about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers
(May to September)
Terrain:
low hill
Natural resources: none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
urban
Note:
landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the
Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer
residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights

*Holy See (Vatican City), People

Population: 811 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (1993 est.) Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA years male: NA years female: NA years Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman Nationality: noun: none adjective: none Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss Religions: Roman Catholic Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican

*Holy See (Vatican City), Government

Names: conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) Digraph: VT Type: monarchical-sacerdotal state Capital: Vatican City Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy) Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) Legal system: NA National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II) note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978 Political parties and leaders: none Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old Elections: Pope: last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the College of Cardinals Executive branch: pope Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy Leaders: Chief of State: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978) Head of Government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA) Member of: CSCE, IAEA, ICFTU, IMF (observer), INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 333-7121

*Holy See (Vatican City), Government

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy:
Villino Pacelli, Via Aurelia 294, 00165 Rome
mailing address:
PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone:
[396] 46741
FAX:
[396] 638-0159
Flag:
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of
Saint Peter and the papal tiara centered in the white band

*Holy See (Vatican City), Economy

Overview:
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions
(known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale
of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and
the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers
are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work
in the city of Rome.
Budget:
revenues $86 million; expenditures $178 million, including capital
expenditures of $NA (1993 est.)
Electricity:
5,000 kW standby capacity (1992); power supplied by Italy
Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms;
worldwide banking and financial activities
Currency:
1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Exchange rates:
Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,482.5 (January 1993), 1,232.4 (1992),
1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988); note - the
Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Holy See (Vatican City), Communications

Railroads:
850 m, 750 mm gauge (links with Italian network near the Rome station of
Saint Peter's)
Highways:
none; all city streets
Telecommunications:
broadcast stations - 3 AM, 4 FM, no TV; 2,000-line automatic telephone
exchange; no communications satellite systems

*Holy See (Vatican City), Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at
entrances to the Vatican City

*Honduras, Geography

Location:
Central America, between Guatemala and Nicaragua
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the
World
Area:
total area:
112,090 km2
land area:
111,890 km2
comparative area:
slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total 1,520 km, Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua 922 km
Coastline:
820 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
land boundary dispute with El Salvador mostly resolved by 11 September 1992
International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision; ICJ referred the maritime
boundary in the Golfo de Fonseca to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras and
Nicaragua likely would be required
Climate:
subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain:
mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
Natural resources:
timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish
Land use:
arable land:
14%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
30%
forest and woodland:
34%
other:
20%
Irrigated land:
900 km2 (1989 est.)
Environment:
subject to frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging hurricanes
and floods along Caribbean coast; deforestation; soil erosion

*Honduras, People

Population: 5,170,108 (July 1993 est.) Population growth rate: 2.8% (1993 est.) Birth rate: 35.82 births/1,000 population (1993 est.) Death rate: 6.44 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.) Net migration rate: -1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.) Infant mortality rate: 47.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.17 years male: 64.82 years female: 69.62 years (1993 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.87 children born/woman (1993 est.) Nationality: noun: Honduran(s) adjective: Honduran Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian 7%, black 2%, white 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990) total population: 73% male: 76% female: 71% Labor force: 1.3 million by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%, construction 3%, other 6% (1985)

*Honduras, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Honduras
conventional short form:
Honduras
local long form:
Republica de Honduras
local short form:
Honduras
Digraph:
HO
Type:
republic
Capital:
Tegucigalpa
Administrative divisions:
18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida,
Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan,
Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque,
Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
Constitution:
11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
Legal system:
rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some influence of English common law;
accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Political parties and leaders:
Liberal Party (PLH), Carlos Roberto REINA, presidential candidate, Rafael
PINEDA Ponce, president; National Party (PN) has two factions: Movimiento
Nacional de Reivindication Callejista (Monarca), Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS,
and Oswaldista, Oswaldo RAMOS SOTO, presidential candidate; National
Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), German LEITZELAR, president; Christian
Democratic Party (PDCH), Efrain DIAZ Arrivillaga, president
Other political or pressure groups:
National Association of Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of
Private Enterprise (COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH);
National Union of Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT);
United Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of
Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular
Organizations (CCOP)
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Elections:
President:
last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results -
Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS (PNH) 51%, Carlos FLORES Facusse (PLH) 43.3%, other
5.7%
National Congress:
last held on 26 November 1989 (next to be held November 1993); results - PNH
51%, PLH 43%, PDCH 1.9%, PINU-SD 1.5%, other 2.6%; seats - (128 total) PNH
71, PLH 55, PINU-SD 2
Executive branch:
president, Council of Ministers (cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)

*Honduras, Government

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justica)
Leaders:
Chief of State and Head of Government:
President Rafael Leonardo CALLEJAS Romero (since 26 January 1990)
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS,
OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Rene Arturo BENDANA-VALENZUELA
chancery:
3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 966-7702
consulates general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and San Francisco
consulates:
Baton Rouge, Boston, Detroit, Houston, and Jacksonville
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador William Bryce (since 28 May 1993)
embassy:
Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa
mailing address:
APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone:
[504] 32-3120
FAX:
[504] 32-0027
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with five blue
five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the
stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central
America - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua;
similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled
by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the
white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle
encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on
the bottom, centered in the white band

*Honduras, Economy

Overview:
Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
Agriculture, the most important sector of the economy, accounts for more
than 25% of GDP, employs 62% of the labor force, and produces two-thirds of
exports. Productivity remains low. Industry, still in its early stages,
employs nearly 9% of the labor force, accounts for 15% of GDP, and generates
20% of exports. The service sectors, including public administration,
account for 50% of GDP and employ nearly 20% of the labor force. Basic
problems facing the economy include rapid population growth, high
unemployment, a lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public
sector, and the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and
bananas, which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching
reform program initiated by President CALLEJAS in 1990 is beginning to take
hold.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $5.5 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.6% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$1,090 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
8% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (30-40% underemployed) (1989)
Budget:
revenues $1.4 billion; expenditures $1.9 billion, including capital
expenditures of $511 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$1.0 billion (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber
partners:
US 65%, Germany 9%, Japan 8%, Belgium 7%
Imports:
$1.3 billion (c.i.f. 1991)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, manufactured goods,
fuel and oil, foodstuffs
partners:
US 45%, Japan 9%, Netherlands 7%, Mexico 7%, Venezuela 6%
External debt:
$2.8 billion (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0.8% (1990 est.); accounts for 15% of GDP
Electricity:
575,000 kW capacity; 2,000 million kWh produced, 390 kWh per capita (1992)
Industries:
agricultural processing (sugar and coffee), textiles, clothing, wood
products
Agriculture:
most important sector, accounting for more than 25% of GDP, more than 60% of
the labor force, and two-thirds of exports; principal products include
bananas, coffee, timber, beef, citrus fruit, shrimp; importer of wheat
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally
for local consumption; transshipment point for cocaine
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.4 billion; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion

*Honduras, Economy

Currency:
1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
lempiras (L) per US$1 - 5.4 (fixed rate); 5.70 parallel black-market rate
(November 1990); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992; current rate
about US$1 - 5.65
Fiscal year:
calendar year

*Honduras, Communications

Railroads:
785 km total; 508 km 1.067-meter gauge, 277 km 0.914-meter gauge
Highways:
8,950 km total; 1,700 km paved, 5,000 km otherwise improved, 2,250 km
unimproved earth
Inland waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft
Ports:
Puerto Castilla, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo
Merchant marine:
252 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 819,100 GRT/1,195,276 DWT; includes 2
passenger-cargo, 162 cargo, 20 refrigerated cargo, 10 container, 6
roll-on/roll-off cargo, 22 oil tanker, 1 chemical tanker, 2 specialized
tanker, 22 bulk, 3 passenger, 2 short-sea passenger; note - a flag of
convenience registry; Russia owns 10 ships under the Honduran flag
Airports:
total:
165
usable:
137
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
14
Telecommunications:
inadequate system with only 7 telephones per 1,000 persons; international
services provided by 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earch stations and the
Central American microwave radio relay system; broadcast stations - 176 AM,
no FM, 7 SW, 28 TV

*Honduras, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy (including Marines), Air Force, Public Security Forces (FUSEP)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,185,072; fit for military service 706,291; reach military
age (18) annually 58,583 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $45 million, about 1% of GDP (1993 est.)

*Hong Kong, Header

Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)

*Hong Kong, Geography

Location: East Asia, on the southeast coast of China bordering the South China Sea Map references: Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area: total area: 1,040 km2 land area: 990 km2 comparative area: slightly less than six times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total 30 km, China 30 km Coastline: 733 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 3 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar Land use: arable land: 7% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 1% forest and woodland: 12% other: 79% Irrigated land: 20 km2 (1989) Environment: more than 200 islands; occasional typhoons

*Hong Kong, People

Population:
5,552,965 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
-0.06% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
12.27 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
5.68 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
-7.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
79.99 years
male:
76.55 years
female:
83.64 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.34 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Chinese
adjective:
Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
Chinese 98%, other 2%
Religions:
eclectic mixture of local religions 90%, Christian 10%
Languages:
Chinese (Cantonese), English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1971)
total population:
77%
male:
90%
female:
64%
Labor force:
2.8 million (1990)
by occupation:
manufacturing 28.5%, wholesale and retail trade, restaurants, and hotels
27.9%, services 17.7%, financing, insurance, and real estate 9.2%, transport
and communications 4.5%, construction 2.5%, other 9.7% (1989)

*Hong Kong, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Hong Kong
Abbreviation:
HK
Digraph:
HK
Type:
dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997
Capital:
Victoria
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China
on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the
joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social and
economic systems and lifestyle)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law
approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997
Legal system:
based on English common law
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Political parties and leaders:
United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation
Other political or pressure groups:
Cooperative Resources Center, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony
CHEUNG, chairman; Association of Democracy and People's Livelihood,
Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic Federation, HEUNG Yee
Kuk; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China); Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade
Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy);
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
(pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers'
Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union; Hong Kong
Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China
Suffrage:
direct election 21 years of age; universal as a permanent resident living in
the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years indirect election
limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional
constituencies
Elections:
Legislative Council:
indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections were
held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held in September 1995
when the number of directly-elected seats increases to 20); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21 indirectly elected by
functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18 appointed by governor, 3
ex officio members); indirect elections - number of seats by functional
constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK 12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other
2
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive Council
Legislative branch:
unicameral Legislative Council

*Hong Kong, Government

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
Head of Government:
Governor Chris PATTEN (since NA July 1992); Chief Secretary Sir David Robert
FORD (since NA February 1987)
Member of: APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP (associate), GATT, ICFTU, IMO (associate), INTERPOL
(subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), WCL, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
as a dependent territory of the UK, the interests of Hong Kong in the US are
represented by the UK
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Consul General Richard L. WILLIAMS
embassy:
Consulate General at 26 Garden Road, Hong Kong
mailing address:
Box 30, Hong Kong, or FPO AP 96522-0002
telephone:
[852] 239-011
Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with the Hong
Kong coat of arms on a white disk centered on the outer half of the flag;
the coat of arms contains a shield (bearing two junks below a crown) held by
a lion (representing the UK) and a dragon (representing China) with another
lion above the shield and a banner bearing the words HONG KONG below the
shield

*Hong Kong, Economy

Overview:
Hong Kong has a bustling free market economy with few tariffs or nontariff
barriers. Natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be
imported. Manufacturing accounts for about 18% of GDP, employs 28% of the
labor force, and exports about 90% of its output. Real GDP growth averaged a
remarkable 8% in 1987-88, slowed to 3.0% in 1989-90, and picked up to 4.2%
in 1991 and 5.9% in 1992. Unemployment, which has been declining since the
mid-1980s, is now about 2%. A shortage of labor continues to put upward
pressure on prices and the cost of living. Short-term prospects remain
bright so long as major trading partners continue to be reasonably
prosperous.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $86 billion (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5.9% (1992)
National product per capita:
$14,600 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.4% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues $17.4 billion; expenditures $14.7 billion, including capital
expenditures of $NA (FY92)
Exports:
$118 billion, including reexports of $85.1 billion (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
clothing, textiles, yarn and fabric, footwear, electrical appliances,
watches and clocks, toys
partners: US 29%, China 21%, Germany 8%, UK 6%, Japan 5% (1990)
Imports:
$120 billion (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
foodstuffs, transport equipment, raw materials, semimanufactures, petroleum
partners:
China 37%, Japan 16%, Taiwan 9%, US 8% (1990)
External debt:
$9.5 billion (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
9,566,000 kW capacity; 29,400 million kWh produced, 4,980 kWh per capita
(1992)
Industries:
textiles, clothing, tourism, electronics, plastics, toys, watches, clocks
Agriculture:
minor role in the economy; rice, vegetables, dairy products; less than 20%
self-sufficient; shortages of rice, wheat, water
Illicit drugs:
a hub for Southeast Asian heroin trade; transshipment and major financial
and money-laundering center
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $152 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $923 million
Currency:
1 Hong Kong dollar (HK$) = 100 cents

*Hong Kong, Economy

Exchange rates:
Hong Kong dollars (HK$) per US$ - 7.800 (1992), 7.771 (1991), 7.790 (1990),
7.800 (1989), 7.810 (1988), 7.760 (1987); note - linked to the US dollar at
the rate of about 7.8 HK$ per 1 US$ since 1985
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March

*Hong Kong, Communications

Railroads:
35 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, government owned
Highways:
1,100 km total; 794 km paved, 306 km gravel, crushed stone, or earth
Ports:
Hong Kong
Merchant marine:
176 ships (1,000 GRT or over), totaling 5,870,007 GRT/10,006,390 DWT;
includes 1 passenger, 1 short-sea passenger, 20 cargo, 6 refrigerated cargo,
29 container, 15 oil tanker, 3 chemical tanker, 6 combination ore/oil, 5
liquefied gas, 88 bulk, 2 combination bulk; note - a flag of convenience
registry; ships registered in Hong Kong fly the UK flag, and an estimated
500 Hong Kong-owned ships are registered elsewhere
Airports:
total:
2
useable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
modern facilities provide excellent domestic and international services;
3,000,000 telephones; microwave transmission links and extensive optical
fiber transmission network; broadcast stations - 6 AM, 6 FM, 4 TV; 1 British
Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) repeater station and 1 British Forces
Broadcasting Service repeater station; 2,500,000 radio receivers; 1,312,000
TV sets (1,224,000 color TV sets); satellite earth stations - 1 Pacific
Ocean INTELSAT and 2 Indian Ocean INTELSAT; coaxial cable to Guangzhou,
China; links to 5 international submarine cables providing access to ASEAN
member nations, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

*Hong Kong, Defense Forces

Branches:
Headquarters of British Forces, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Hong Kong
Auxiliary Air Force, Royal Hong Kong Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,635,516; fit for military service 1,256,057; reach
military age (18) annually 43,128 (1993 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $300 million, 0.5% of GDP (1989 est.); this
represents one-fourth of the total cost of defending itself, the remainder
being paid by the UK
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

*Howland Island, Header

Affiliation:
(territory of the US)

*Howland Island, Geography

Location:
in the North Pacific Ocean, 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu, just north of
the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area:
1.6 km2
land area:
1.6 km2
comparative area:
about 2.7 times the size of the Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6.4 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 m or the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun
Terrain:
low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing
reef; depressed central area
Natural resources:
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s)
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
95%
Irrigated land:
0 km2
Environment:
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing
shrubs; small area of trees in the center; lacks fresh water; primarily a
nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine
wildlife; feral cats

*Howland Island, People

Population:
uninhabited; note - American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air
and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World
War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit
only and generally restricted to scientists and educators

*Howland Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Howland Island
Digraph:
HQ
Type:
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Fish and Wildlife
Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National
Wildlife Refuge System
Capital:
none; administered from Washington, DC

*Howland Island, Economy

Overview:
no economic activity

*Howland Island, Communications