Chapter XV: Front Matter (15)

Overview:
Greece has a mixed capitalist economy with the basic entrepreneurial
system overlaid in 1981-89 by a socialist system that enlarged the
public sector from 55% of GDP in 1981 to about 70% in 1989. Since
then, the public sector has been reduced to about 60% of GDP. Tourism
continues as a major source of foreign exchange, and agriculture is
self-sufficient except for meat, dairy products, and animal
feedstuffs. Over the last decade, real GDP growth has averaged 1.6% a
year, compared with the European Union average of 2.2%. Inflation is
four times the EU average, and the national debt has reached 140% of
GDP, the highest in the EU. Prime Minister PAPANDREOU will probably
only make limited progress correcting the economy's problems of high
inflation, large budget deficit, and decaying infrastructure. His
economic program suggests that although he will shun his expansionary
policies of the 1980s, he will avoid tough measures needed to slow
inflation or reduce the state's role in the economy. He has limited
the previous government's privatization plans, for example, and has
called for generous welfare spending and real wage increases. In 1994,
the GDP growth rate is likely to remain low, and inflation probably
will accelerate, remaining the highest in the EU. PAPANDREOU'S failure
to improve the country's economic performance will further strain
relations with the EU. Since Greece's accession to the then EC in
1981, Athens' heavy reliance on EU aid - amounting to about 6% of
Greek GDP annually - and its poor use of Union funds have riled
Brussels. Its ailing economy will continue to be a drag on European
economic and monetary union.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $93.2 billion (1993)
National product real growth rate:
1% (1993)
National product per capita:
$8,900 (1993)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.4% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
9.5% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$28.3 billion
expenditures:
$37.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $5.2 billion (1994)
Exports:
$6 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
manufactured goods 53%, foodstuffs 34%, fuels 5%
partners:
Germany 23%, Italy 18%, France 7%, UK 7%, US 4% (1992)
Imports:
$23.3 billion (c.i.f., 1992)
commodities:
manufactured goods 72%, foodstuffs 15%, fuels 10%
partners:
Germany 20%, Italy 14%, France 8%, Netherlands 7%, Japan 6% (1992)
External debt:
$23.1 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.3% (1992); accounts for 20% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
10,500,000 kW
production:
36.4 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,610 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food and tobacco processing, textiles, chemicals, metal products,
tourism, mining, petroleum
Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for 15% of GDP and 24% of the
labor force; principal products - wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets,
olives, tomatoes, wine, tobacco, potatoes; self-sufficient in food
except meat, dairy products, and animal feedstuffs
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis and limited opium; mostly for domestic
production; serves as a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling
cannabis and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the
West and precursor chemicals to the East; transshipment point for
Southwest Asian heroin transiting the Balkan route
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-81), $525 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.39
billion
Currency:
1 drachma (Dr) = 100 lepta
Exchange rates:
drachmae (Dr) per US$1 - 250.28 (January 1994), 229.26 (1993), 190.62
(1992), 182.27 (1991), 158.51 (1990), 162.42 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Greece, Communications

Railroads:
2,479 km total; 1,565 km 1,435-mm standard gauge, of which 36 km
electrified and 100 km double track; 892 km 1,000-mm gauge; 22 km
750-mm narrow gauge; all government owned
Highways:
total:
38,938 km
paved:
16,090 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel 13,676 km; improved earth 5,632 km; unimproved
earth 3,540 km
Inland waterways:
80 km; system consists of three coastal canals; including the Corinth
Canal (6 km) which crosses the Isthmus of Corinth connecting the Gulf
of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf and shortens the sea voyage from the
Adriatic to Piraievs (Piraeus) by 325 km; and three unconnected rivers
Pipelines:
crude oil 26 km; petroleum products 547 km
Ports:
Piraievs (Piraeus), Thessaloniki
Merchant marine:
1,059 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 29,343,367 GRT/54,249,294
DWT, bulk 453, cargo 117, chemical tanker 20, combination bulk 23,
combination ore/oil 38, container 36, liquefied gas 6, livestock
carrier 1, oil tanker 251, passenger 15, passenger-cargo 2,
refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 17, short-sea passenger
65, specialized tanker 3, vehicle carrier 1
note:
ethnic Greeks also own large numbers of ships under the registry of
Liberia, Panama, Cyprus, Malta, and The Bahamas
Airports:
total:
78
usable:
77
with permanent-surface runways:
63
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
20
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
24
Telecommunications:
adequate, modern networks reach all areas; 4,080,000 telephones;
microwave radio relay carries most traffic; extensive open-wire
network; submarine cables to off-shore islands; broadcast stations -
29 AM, 17 (20 repeaters) FM, 361 TV; tropospheric links, 8 submarine
cables; 1 satellite earth station operating in INTELSAT (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean antenna), and EUTELSAT systems

@Greece, Defense Forces

Branches:
Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, National Guard,
Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,645,859; fit for military service 2,025,212; reach
military age (21) annually 74,484 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $4.0 billion, 5.4% of GDP (1993)

@Greenland

Header Affiliation: (part of the Danish realm)

@Greenland, Geography

Location:
Northern North America, in the North Atlantic Ocean, between Canada
and Norway
Map references:
Arctic Region, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
2,175,600 sq km
land area:
383,600 sq km (ice free)
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
44,087 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
dispute betwen Denmark and Norway over maritime boundary in Arctic
Ocean between Greenland and Jan Mayen has been settled by the
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Climate:
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain:
flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous,
barren, rocky coast
Natural resources:
zinc, lead, iron ore, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium, fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
99%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe;
sparse population confined to small settlements along coast;
continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

@Greenland, People

Population: 57,040 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.94% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 18.6 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 7.43 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -1.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 26.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.91 years male: 62.55 years female: 71.28 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Greenlander(s) adjective: Greenlandic Ethnic divisions: Greenlander 86% (Eskimos and Greenland-born Caucasians), Danish 14% Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Languages: Eskimo dialects, Danish Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: 22,800 by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, hunting, sheep breeding

@Greenland, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Greenland
local long form:
none
local short form:
Kalaallit Nunaat
Digraph:
GL
Type:
part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division
Capital:
Nuuk (Godthab)
Administrative divisions:
3 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommun); Nordgronland,
Ostgronland, Vestgronland
Independence:
none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing overseas administrative
division)
National holiday:
Birthday of the Queen, 16 April (1940)
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
Danish
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972), represented by High
Commissioner Torben Hede PEDERSEN (since NA)
head of government:
Home Rule Chairman Lars Emil JOHANSEN (since 15 March 1991)
cabinet:
Landsstyre; formed from the Landsting on basis of strength of parties
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament (Landsting):
elections last held on 5 March 1991 (next to be held 5 March 1995);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) Siumut 11,
Atassut Party 8, Inuit Ataqatigiit 5, Center Party 2, Polar Party 1
Danish Folketing:
last held on 12 December 1990 (next to be held by December 1994);
Greenland elects two representatives to the Folketing; results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) Siumut 1, Atassut 1
Judicial branch:
High Court (Landsret)
Political parties and leaders:
two-party ruling coalition; Siumut (a moderate socialist party that
advocates more distinct Greenlandic identity and greater autonomy from
Denmark), Lars Emil JOHANSEN, chairman; Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA; a
Marxist-Leninist party that favors complete independence from Denmark
rather than home rule), Arqaluk LYNGE; Atassut Party (a more
conservative party that favors continuing close relations with
Denmark), leader NA; Polar Party (conservative-Greenland nationalist),
Lars CHEMNITZ; Center Party (a new nonsocialist protest party), leader
NA
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
US diplomatic representation:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk
slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is
red, the bottom half is white

@Greenland, Economy

Overview:
Greenland's economic situation at present is difficult. Unemployment
is increasing, and prospects for economic growth in the immediate
future are dim. Following the closing of the Black Angel lead and zinc
mine in 1989, Greenland became almost completely dependent on fishing
and fish processing, the sector accounting for 95% of exports.
Prospects for fisheries are not bright, as the important shrimp
catches will at best stabilize and cod catches have dropped.
Resumption of mining and hydrocarbon activities is not around the
corner, thus leaving only tourism with some potential for the near
future. The public sector in Greenland, i.e., the central government
and its commercial entities and the municipalities, plays a dominant
role in Greenland accounting for about two-thirds of total employment.
About half the government's revenues come from grants from the Danish
Government.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1988)
National product real growth rate:
-10% (1990)
National product per capita:
$9,000 (1988)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (1991)
Unemployment rate:
9% (1990 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$381 million
expenditures:
$381 million, including capital expenditures of $36 million (1989)
Exports:
$340.6 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
fish and fish products 95%
partners:
Denmark 79%, Benelux 9%, Germany 5%
Imports:
$403 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
manufactured goods 28%, machinery and transport equipment 24%, food
and live animals 12.4%, petroleum products 12%
partners:
Denmark 65%, Norway 8.8%, US 4.6%, Germany 3.8%, Japan 3.8%, Sweden
2.4%
External debt:
$480 million (1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
84,000 kW
production:
176 million kWh
consumption per capita:
3,060 kWh (1992)
Industries:
fish processing (mainly shrimp), lead and zinc mining, handicrafts,
some small shipyards, potential for platinum and gold mining
Agriculture:
sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops limited to forage
and small garden vegetables; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993),
6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Greenland, Communications

Highways:
total:
150 km
paved:
60 km
unpaved:
90 km
Ports:
Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk
(Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North
Star Bay
Airports:
total:
11
usable:
8
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and
microwave radio relay; 17,900 telephones; broadcast stations - 5 AM, 7
(35 repeaters) FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1
Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Greenland, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is responsibility of Denmark

@Grenada, Geography

Location:
Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 150 im north of
Trinidad and Tobago
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
340 sq km
land area:
340 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
121 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain:
volcanic in origin with central mountains
Natural resources:
timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors
Land use:
arable land:
15%
permanent crops:
26%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
9%
other:
47%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to
November
international agreements:
party to - Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not
ratified - Climate Change
Note:
islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines

@Grenada, People

Population: 94,109 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.35% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 30.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -20.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.4 years male: 68 years female: 72.85 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.93 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s) adjective: Grenadian Ethnic divisions: black African Religions: Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects Languages: English (official), French patois Literacy: age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 36,000 by occupation: services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%, other 32% (1985)

@Grenada, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Grenada
Digraph:
GJ
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Saint George's
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint
Patrick
Independence:
7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution:
19 December 1973
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor
General Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992)
head of government:
Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime
minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by
the Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) NDC
7, GULP 4, TNP 2, NNP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada
United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP),
Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop
Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW
Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS,
OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Denneth MODESTE
chancery:
1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 265-2561
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Charge d'Affaires Ollie P. ANDERSON
embassy:
Point Salines, Saint George's
mailing address:
P. O. Box 54, Saint George's, Grenada, W.I.
telephone:
(809) 444-1173 through 1178
FAX:
(809) 444-4820
Flag:
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom)
and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border
around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three
centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red
border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag;
there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle
(Grenada is the world's second-largest producer of nutmeg, after
Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative
divisions

@Grenada, Economy

Overview:
The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional
production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for
about 15% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor
force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by
agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped,
but is expected to grow, given a more favorable private investment
climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual
growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but stalled in 1992. Unemployment
remains high at about 25%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $250 million (1992 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-0.4% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
25% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$78 million
expenditures:
$51 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$19.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace
partners:
Netherlands, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, United States
Imports:
$103.2 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel
6% (1989)
partners:
US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989)
External debt:
$109 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
12,500 kW
production:
26 million kWh
consumption per capita:
310 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism,
construction
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg,
and mace account for two-thirds of total crop production; world's
second-largest producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and
mace; small-size farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus
fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70
million; Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million
Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Grenada, Communications

Highways:
total:
1,000 km
paved:
600 km
unpaved:
otherwise improved 300 km; unimproved earth 100 km
Ports:
Saint George's
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
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:
1
Telecommunications:
automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF
radio links to the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF
and UHF radio links to the islands of Trinidad and Carriacou;
broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

@Grenada, Defense Forces

Branches:
Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP

@Guadeloupe

Header Affiliation: (overseas department of France)

@Guadeloupe, Geography

Location: Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 1,780 sq km land area: 1,760 sq km comparative area: 10 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 306 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism Land use: arable land: 18% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 13% forest and woodland: 40% other: 24% Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1989 est.) Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active volcano international agreements: NA

@Guadeloupe, People

Population:
428,947 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.55% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.68 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.97 years
male:
73.91 years
female:
80.14 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.04 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Guadeloupian(s)
adjective:
Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less
than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5%
Languages:
French, creole patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982)
total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
91%
Labor force:
120,000
by occupation:
services, government, and commerce 53.0%, industry 25.8%, agriculture
21.2%

@Guadeloupe, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form:
Guadeloupe
local long form:
Departement de la Guadeloupe
local short form:
Guadeloupe
Digraph:
GP
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France)
Independence:
none (overseas department of France)
National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789)
Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution)
Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981)
head of government:
Prefect Franck PERRIEZ (since NA 1992); President of the General
Council Dominique LARIFA (since NA); President of the Regional Council
Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council
General Council:
elections last held NA March 1992 (next to be held by NA 1996);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (43 total) FRUI.G 13,
RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3 UPLG 1, PSG 1, independent 1
Regional Council:
elections last held on 31 January 1993 (next to be held by 16 March
1998); results - RPR/DUD 48.30%, FGPS 17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG
8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats - (41 total) seats by party NA
French Senate:
elections last held in September 1986 (next to be held September
1995); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (2 total) PCG 1, PS 1
French National Assembly:
elections last held on 21 and 28 March1993 (next to be held March
1998); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results - percent of
vote by party NA; seats - (4 total) PS 1, RPR 1, PCG 1, independent 1
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe,
French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Aldo BLAISE; Communist Party of
Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS),
Georges LOUISOR; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe
(UPLG), Lucien PERATIN; FGPS Dissidents (FRUI.G); Union for French
Democracy (UDF), Simon BARLAGNE; Union for the Center Rally (URC;
coalition of the FGPS, RPR, and UDF); Guadeloupe Objective (OG),
Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri
BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups:
Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular
Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of
Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers
(CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG)
Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France)
US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas department of France)
Flag:
the flag of France is used

@Guadeloupe, Economy

Overview:
The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and
services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and
imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In
addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the
islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being
replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50%
of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root
crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is
still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France.
Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most
manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially
high among the young.
National product:
GDP - exchange rate conversion - $2.9 billion (1991)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$8,400 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
31.3% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$333 million
expenditures:
$671 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)
Exports:
$168 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
bananas, sugar, rum
partners:
France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)
Imports:
$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction
materials, petroleum products
partners:
France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
171,500 kW
production:
441 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,080 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism
Agriculture:
cash crops - bananas, sugarcane; other products include tropical
fruits and vegetables; livestock - cattle, pigs, goats; not
self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$8.235 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993),
5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Guadeloupe, Communications

Railroads:
privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines
Highways:
total:
1,940 km
paved:
1,600 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 340 km
Ports:
Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre
Airports:
total:
9
usable:
9
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland
microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and
Martinique; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations
licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground
station

@Guadeloupe, Defense Forces

Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is responsibility of France

@Guam

Header Affiliation: (territory of the US)

@Guam, Geography

Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,955 km
west-southwest of Honolulu, about three-quarters of the way between
Hawaii and the Philippines
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
541.3 sq km
land area:
541.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 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:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast
trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July
to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline
limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal
cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center,
mountains in south
Natural resources:
fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
11%
meadows and pastures:
15%
forest and woodland:
18%
other:
45%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but
potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
international agreements:
NA
Note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

@Guam, People

Population:
149,620 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.48% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
74.29 years
male:
72.42 years
female:
76.13 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Guamanian(s)
adjective:
Guamanian
Ethnic divisions:
Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
and other 18%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages:
English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980)
total population:
96%
male:
96%
female:
96%
Labor force:
46,930 (1990)
by occupation:
federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%,
services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)

@Guam, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Guam
conventional short form:
Guam
Digraph:
GQ
Type:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations
between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of
Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital:
Agana
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21
July
Constitution:
Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:
modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US
presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice
President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:
Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor
Frank F. BLAS (since NA); election last held on 6 November 1990 (next
to be held NA November 1994); results - Joseph F. ADA reelected
cabinet:
executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the
consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislature:
elections last held on 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (21 total)
Democratic 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives:
elections last held 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November
1994); Guam elects one delegate; results - Robert UNDERWOOD was
elected as delegate; seats - (1 total) Democrat 1
Judicial branch:
Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party
of the Governor)
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation:
none (territory of the US)
Flag:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four
sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse
containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree
with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the
national flag

@Guam, Economy

Overview:
The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues
from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown
rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion
of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown
in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth
in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the
private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial
goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In early 1994, Guam
faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to
offset the impact of military downsizing.
National product:
GNP - purchasing power equivalent - $2 billion (1991 est.)
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$525 million
expenditures:
$395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991)
Exports:
$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction
materials, fish, food and beverage products
partners:
US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12%
Imports:
$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods
partners:
US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
500,000 kW
production:
2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
16,300 kWh (1990)
Industries:
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete
products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles
Agriculture:
relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables,
eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra
Economic aid:
although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer
payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into
which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions
of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the
US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and
civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September

@Guam, Communications

Highways: total: 674 km (all-weather roads) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Apra Harbor Airports: total: 5 usable: 4 with permanent-surface runways: 3 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,200-2,439 m: 0 Telecommunications: 26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations - 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations

@Guam, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US

@Guatemala, Geography

Location:
Middle America, between Honduras and Mexico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
108,890 sq km
land area:
108,430 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km,
Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
400 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
the outer edge of the continental shelf
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime border with Belize in dispute; desultory negotiations to
resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone
plateau (Peten)
Natural resources:
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle
Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
12%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
32%
Irrigated land:
780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution
natural hazards:
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes;
Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental
Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Note:
no natural harbors on west coast

@Guatemala, People

Population:
10,721,387 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.58% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
35.42 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
-2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
53.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
64.42 years
male:
61.86 years
female:
67.1 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.76 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Guatemalan(s)
adjective:
Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions:
Ladino 56% (mestizo - mixed Indian and European ancestry), Indian 44%
Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan
Languages:
Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (18 Indian dialects, including
Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
55%
male:
63%
female:
47%
Labor force:
2.5 million
by occupation:
agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%,
construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.7%, mining 0.3% (1985)

@Guatemala, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form:
Guatemala
local long form:
Republica de Guatemala
local short form:
Guatemala
Digraph:
GT
Type:
republic
Capital:
Guatemala
Administrative divisions:
22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz,
Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla,
Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten,
Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa
Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa
Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution:
31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986
note:
suspended on 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated on 5 June
1993 following ouster of president
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Ramiro DE LEON Carpio (since 6 June 1993); Vice President
Arturo HERBRUGER (since 18 June 1993); election runoff held on 11
January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results - Jorge
SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9%
note:
President SERRANO resigned on 1 June 1993 shortly after dissolving
Congress and the judiciary; on 6 June 1993, Ramiro DE LEON Carpio was
chosen as the new president by a vote of Congress; he will finish off
the remainder of SERRANO's five-year term which expires in 1995
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; named by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica):
last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995);
results - UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17.5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%,
PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR 2.1%; seats - (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18,
PAN 12, Pro-Rios Montt 10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5
note:
by agreement of 11 November 1993, a special election is to be held in
mid-1994 to elect a new congress
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia)
Political parties and leaders:
National Centrist Union (UCN), (vacant); Solidarity Action Movement
(MAS), Oliverio GARCIA Rodas; Christian Democratic Party (DCG),
Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU
Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon;
Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular
Alliance 5 (AP-5), Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR),
Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez; National Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA
Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party (PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist
United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG),
Efrain RIOS Montt
Other political or pressure groups:
Coordinating Comittee of Agricultural, Comercial, Industrial, and
Financial Associations (CACIF); Mutual Support Group (GAM); Agrarian
Owners Group (UNAGRO); Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC); leftist
guerrilla movement known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union
(URNG) has four main factions - Guerrilla army of the Poor (EGP);
Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed
Forces (FAR); Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O)
Member of:
BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM,
ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edmond MULET Lesseur
chancery:
2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 745-4952 through 4954
FAX:
(202) 745-1908
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE (since 28 May 1993)
embassy:
7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City
mailing address:
APO AA 34024
telephone:
[502] (2) 31-15-41
FAX:
[502] (2) 31-88-55
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and
light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat
of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a
scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the
original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair
of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath

@Guatemala, Economy

Overview:
The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which
accounts for 26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and
supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in
private hands, accounts for about 18% of GDP and 12% of the labor
force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and
fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to
almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign
trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993, despite political
unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and
growth was estimated at 4%.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent- $31.3 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.1%; underemployment 30%-40% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$604 million (1990)
expenditures:
$808 million, including capital expenditures of $134 million (1990)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamon, beef
partners:
US 37%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras
Imports:
$2.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor
vehicles
partners:
US 45%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany
External debt:
$2.2 billion ( 1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
847,600 kW
production:
2.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
260 kWh (1992)
Industries:
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals,
rubber, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy; contributes
two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops - sugarcane, corn,
bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock - cattle, sheep, pigs,
chickens; food importer
Illicit drugs:
transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy
and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an
active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92
billion
Currency:
1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 - 5.8542 (January 1994), 5,6354
(1993), 5.1706 (1992), 5.0289 (1991), 4.4858 (1990), 2.8161 (1989);
note - black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Guatemala, Communications

Railroads:
1,019 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 917 km government owned, 102
km privately owned
Highways:
total:
26,429 km
paved:
2,868 km
unpaved:
gravel 11,421 km; unimproved earth 12,140 km
Inland waterways:
260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during
high-water season
Pipelines:
crude oil 275 km
Ports:
Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT
Airports:
total:
523
usable:
465
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
20
Telecommunications:
fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala; 97,670
telephones; broadcast stations - 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave;
connection into Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT earth station

@Guatemala, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,491,582; fit for military service 1,629,222; reach
military age (18) annually 119,545 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $121 million, 1% of GDP (1993)

@Guernsey

Header Affiliation: (British crown dependency)

@Guernsey, Geography

Location: Western Europe, in the English Channel, 52 km west of France between UK and France Map references: Europe Area: total area: 194 sq km land area: 194 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 50 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Terrain: mostly level with low hills in southwest Natural resources: cropland Land use: arable land: NA% permanent crops: NA% meadows and pastures: NA% forest and woodland: NA% other: NA% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port

@Guernsey, People

Population: 63,719 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.01% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 13.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 9.97 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 6.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.15 years male: 75.45 years female: 80.88 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.68 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic divisions: UK and Norman-French descent Religions: Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist Languages: English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Guernsey, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form:
Guernsey
Digraph:
GK
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
Legal system:
English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal
Court
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government:
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Sir Michael
WILKINS (since NA 1990); Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since
February 1992)
cabinet:
Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees); appointed by the
States
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Assembly of the States:
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results - no percent of
vote by party since all are independents; seats - (60 total, 33
elected), all independents
Judicial branch:
Royal Court
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England)
extending to the edges of the flag

@Guernsey, Economy

Overview:
Financial services account from more than 50% of total income.
Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut
flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record
26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major
income generators.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
9% (1987)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$208.9 million
expenditures:
$173.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988)
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables
partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
coal, gasoline, and oil
partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
173,000 kW
production:
525 million kWh
consumption per capita:
9,060 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, banking
Agriculture:
tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers,
eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 - 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993),
0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note - the
Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Guernsey, Communications

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson Airports: total: 2 usable: 2 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: 0 with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 0 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 1 Telecommunications: broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine cable

@Guernsey, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Guinea, Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between
Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
245,860 sq km
land area:
245,860 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia
563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline:
320 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to
November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with
northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Natural resources:
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
12%
forest and woodland:
42%
other:
40%
Irrigated land:
240 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water;
desertification; soil contamination and erosion
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of
the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

@Guinea, People

Population: 6,391,536 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.45% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 44.08 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 19.6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.13 years male: 41.9 years female: 46.43 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.85 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean Ethnic divisions: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, indigenous tribes 10% Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages: French (official); each tribe has its own language Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 24% male: 35% female: 13% Labor force: 2.4 million (1983) by occupation: agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4% note: 88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985)

@Guinea, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:
Guinea
local long form:
Republique de Guinee
local short form:
Guinee
former:
French Guinea
Digraph:
GV
Type:
republic
Capital:
Conakry
Administrative divisions:
33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular - region
administrative); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba,
Dinguiraye, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan,
Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe,
Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita,
Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
Independence:
2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)
Constitution:
23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Legal system:
based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal
codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Lansana CONTE, elected in the first multi-party election 19
December 1993 prior to the election he had ruled as head of military
government since 5 April 1984
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire):
the People's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984
coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new National
Assembly with 114 seats; legislative elections are scheduled for 1994
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)
Political parties and leaders:
political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992
pro-government:
Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)
other:
Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New
Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP),
Siradiou DIALLO
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,
ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Elhadj Boubacar BARRY
chancery:
2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-9420
FAX:
(202) 483-8688
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM
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 major mineral and hydropower resources and
considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains
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. The mining sector accounted for
85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial
institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to
move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign
investment remains minimal.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.1 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
3.2% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$449 million
expenditures:
$708 million, including capital expenditures of $361 million (1990
est.)
Exports:
$622 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm
kernels
partners:
US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%
Imports:
$768 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment,
foodstuffs, textiles, and other grain
partners:
France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%
External debt:
2.5 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
113,000 kW
production:
300 million kWh
consumption per capita:
40 kWh (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:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89),
$1.465 billion; 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 - 810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30
September 1992), 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:
total:
30,100 km
paved:
1,145 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 12,955 km (of which barely 4,500 are currently
all-weather roads); unimproved earth 16,000 km (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 1,440,297; fit for military service 726,543
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)

@Guinea-Bissau, Geography