Chapter VIII: Front Matter (8)

Highways:
total:
160 km (main roads)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
George Town, Cayman Brac
Merchant marine:
30 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 368,037 GRT/581,060 DWT, bulk 9,
cargo 8, chemical tanker 2, oil tanker 3, passenger-cargo 1,
roll-on/roll-off cargo 7
note:
a flag of convenience registry
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
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:
2
Telecommunications:
35,000 telephones; telephone system uses 1 submarine coaxial cable and
1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station to link islands and access
international services; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 1 FM, no TV

@Cayman Islands, Defense Forces

Branches:
Royal Cayman Islands Police Force (RCIPF)
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Central African Republic, Geography

Location:
Central Africa, between Chad and Zaire
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
622,980 sq km
land area:
622,980 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total 5,203 km, Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Congo 467 km, Sudan
1,165 km, Zaire 1,577 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain:
vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in
northeast and southwest
Natural resources:
diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
5%
forest and woodland:
64%
other:
28%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
poaching has diminished reputation as one of last great wildlife
refuges; desertification
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea
Note:
landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Population:
3,142,182 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.16% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
42.3 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
20.69 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
137.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
42.54 years
male:
41.07 years
female:
44.06 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Central African(s)
adjective:
Central African
Ethnic divisions:
Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%,
Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim
15%, other 11%
note:
animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian
majority
Languages:
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language),
Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
27%
male:
33%
female:
15%
Labor force:
775,413 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 85%, commerce and services 9%, industry 3%, government 3%
note:
about 64,000 salaried workers; 55% of population of working age (1985)

@Central African Republic, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Central African Republic
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Republique Centrafricaine
local short form:
none
former:
Central African Empire
Abbreviation:
CAR
Digraph:
CT
Type:
republic; one-party presidential regime since 1986
Capital:
Bangui
Administrative divisions:
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic
prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture
economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui** Basse-Kotto,
Gribingui*, Haute-Kotto, Haute-Sangha, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo-Gribingui,
Lobaye, Mbomou, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham,
Ouham-Pende, Sangha*, Vakaga
Independence:
13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 December (1958) (proclamation of the republic)
Constitution:
21 November 1986
Legal system:
based on French law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Felix (Ange) PATASSE (since 22 October 1993) election last
held 19 September 1993; PATASSE received 52.45% of the votes and Abel
GOUMBA received 45.62%; next election schelduled for 1998
head of government:
Prime Minister Dr. Jean-Luc MANDABA (since 25 October 1993)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):
elections last held 19 September 1993; results - percentage vote by
party NA; seats - (85 total) MLPC 33, RDC 14, PLD 7, ADP 6, PSD 3,
others 22
note:
the National Assembly is advised by the Economic and Regional Council
(Conseil Economique et Regional); when they sit together they are
called the Congress (Congres)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People (MLPC), the
party of the new president, Ange Felix PATASSE; Central African
Democratic Party (RDC), Laurent GOMINA-PAMPALI; Council of Moderates
Coalition includes; Union of the People for Economic and Social
Development (UPDS), Katossy SIMANI; Liberal Republican Party (PARELI),
Augustin M'BOE; Central African Socialist Movement (MSCA), Michel
BENGUE; Concerted Democratic Forces (CFD), a coalition of 13 parties,
including; Alliance for Democracy and Progress (ADP), Francois PEHOUA;
Central African Republican party (PRC), Ruth ROLLAND; Social
Democratic Party (PSD), Enoch DERANT-LAKOUE; Civic Forum (FC), Gen.
Timothee MALENDOMA; Liberal Democratic Party (PLD), Nestor
KOMBOT-NAGUEMON; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African
People (MLPC), Felix (Ange) PATASSE
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD,
ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS,
NAM, OAU, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Henri KOBA
chancery:
1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 483-7800 or 7801
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert E. GRIBBIN
embassy:
Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address:
B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone:
[236] 61-02-00, 61-25-78, 61-43-33, 61-02-10
FAX:
[236] 61-44-94
Flag:
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow
with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed
star on the hoist side of the blue band

@Central African Republic, Economy

Overview:
Subsistence agriculture, including forestry, remains the backbone of
the CAR economy, with more than 70% of the population living in the
countryside. In 1990 the agricultural sector generated about 42% of
GDP. Timber accounted for about 26% of export earnings and the diamond
industry for 54%. Important constraints to economic development
include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system,
and a weak human resource base. Multilateral and bilateral development
assistance, particularly from France, plays a major role in providing
capital for new investment.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.5 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
-3% (1990 est.)
National product per capita:
$800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-3% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
30% (1988 est.) in Bangui
Budget:
revenues:
$175 million
expenditures:
$312 million, including capital expenditures of $122 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$123.5 million (f.o.b.1992)
commodities:
diamonds, cotton, coffee, timber, tobacco
partners:
France, Belgium, Italy, Japan, US
Imports:
$165.1 million (f.o.b.1992)
commodities:
food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment,
motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial
products
partners:
France, other EC countries, Japan, Algeria
External debt:
$859 million (1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4% (1990 est.); accounts for 14% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
40,000 kW
production:
95 million kWh
consumption per capita:
30 kWh (1991)
Industries:
diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of
bicycles and motorcycles
Agriculture:
accounts for 42% of GDP; self-sufficient in food production except for
grain; commercial crops - cotton, coffee, tobacco, timber; food crops
- manioc, yams, millet, corn, bananas
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $52 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-90), $1.6
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $6 million; Communist countries
(1970-89), $38 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994, the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Central African Republic, Communications

Highways:
total:
22,000 km
paved:
bituminous 458 km
unpaved:
improved earth 10,542 km; unimproved earth 11,000 km
Inland waterways:
800 km; traditional trade carried on by means of shallow-draft
dugouts; Oubangui is the most important river
Airports:
total:
65
usable:
51
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
20
Telecommunications:
fair system; network relies primarily on radio relay links, with
low-capacity, low-powered radiocommunication also used; broadcast
stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Central African Republic, Defense Forces

Branches:
Central African Army (including Republican Guard), Air Force, National
Gendarmerie, Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 701,728; fit for military service 367,264
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $23 million, 1.8% of GDP (1989 est.)

@Chad, Geography

Location:
Central Africa, between the Central African Republic and Libya
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
1.284 million sq km
land area:
1,259,200 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries:
total 5,968 km, Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km,
Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in February 1994 that
the 100,000 sq km Aozou Strip between Chad and Libya belongs to Chad,
and that Libya must withdraw from it by 31 May 1994; Libya had
withdrawn its forces in response to the ICJ ruling, but as of June
1994 still maintained an airfield in the disputed area; demarcation of
international boundaries in Lake Chad, the lack of which has led to
border incidents in the past, is completed and awaiting ratification
by Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
Climate:
tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain:
broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest,
lowlands in south
Natural resources:
petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron,
kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
36%
forest and woodland:
11%
other:
51%
Irrigated land:
100 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
desertification
natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts;
subject to locust plagues
international agreements:
party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but
not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping
Note:
landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

@Chad, People

Population:
5,466,771 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.15% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
42.12 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
20.59 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
131.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
40.79 years
male:
39.7 years
female:
41.94 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.33 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Chadian(s)
adjective:
Chadian
Ethnic divisions:
north and center:
Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Kanembou, Baguirmi,
Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)
south:
non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang, Moussei, Massa)
nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French
Religions:
Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs, animism 25%
Languages:
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), Sango (in
south), more than 100 different languages and dialects are spoken
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic (1990 est.)
total population:
30%
male:
42%
female:
18%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
agriculture 85% (engaged in unpaid subsistence farming, herding, and
fishing)

@Chad, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Chad
conventional short form:
Chad
local long form:
Republique du Tchad
local short form:
Tchad
Digraph:
CD
Type:
republic
Capital:
N'Djamena
Administrative divisions:
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine,
Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone
Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai,
Salamat, Tandjile
Independence:
11 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday:
Independence Day 11 August (1960)
Constitution:
22 December 1989, suspended 3 December 1990; Provisional National
Charter 1 March 1991; constitutional commission drafting new
constitution to submit to transitional parliament for ratification in
April 1994
Legal system:
based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not
accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
universal at age NA
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Col. Idriss DEBY, since 4 December 1990 (after seizing power
on 3 December 1990 - transitional government's mandate expires April
1995)
head of government:
Prime Minister Kassire Delwa KOUMAKOYE (since 17 November 1993)
cabinet:
Council of State; appointed by the president on recommendation of the
prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Consultative Council (Conceil National
Consultatif):
elections last held 8 July 1990; disbanded 3 December 1990 and
replaced by the Provisional Council of the Republic having 30 members
appointed by President DEBY on 8 March 1991; this, in turn, was
replaced by a 57-member Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur
de Transition) elected by a specially convened Sovereign National
Conference on 6 April 1993
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS; former dissident group), Idriss
DEBY, chairman
note:
President DEBY, who promised political pluralism, a new constitution,
and free elections by April 1994, has postponed these initiatives for
another year; there are numerous dissident groups and 26 opposition
political parties
Other political or pressure groups:
NA
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, ILO, IMF, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS,
NAM, OAU, OIC, UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Ambassador KOUMBARIA Laoumaye Mekonyo died on 16 May 1994
chancery:
2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:
(202) 462-4009
FAX:
(202) 265-1937
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Lawrence POPE
embassy:
Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address:
B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone:
[235] (51) 62-18, 40-09, or 62-11
FAX:
[235] (51) 33-72
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red;
similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flag of Andorra,
which has a national coat of arms featuring a quartered shield
centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
Overview:
Climate, geographic remoteness, poor resource endowment, and lack of
infrastructure make Chad one of the most underdeveloped countries in
the world. Its economy is hobbled by political turmoil, conflict with
Libya, drought, and food shortages. Consequently the economy has shown
little progress in recent years in overcoming a severe setback brought
on by civil war in the late 1980s. Over 80% of the work force is
involved in subsistence farming and fishing. Cotton is the major cash
crop, accounting for at least half of exports. Chad is highly
dependent on foreign aid, especially food credits, given chronic
shortages in several regions. The government hopes that discovery of
several oil deposits near Lake Chad will lead to economic revival and
a windfall in government revenues by 2000.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.7 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
8.4% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2%-3% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$115 million
expenditures:
$412 million, including capital expenditures of $218 million (1991
est.)
Exports:
$193.9 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
cotton 48%, cattle 35%, textiles 5%, fish
partners:
France, Nigeria, Cameroon
Imports:
$294.1 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment 39%, industrial goods 20%,
petroleum products 13%, foodstuffs 9%; note - excludes military
equipment
partners:
US, France, Nigeria, Cameroon
External debt:
$492 million (December 1990 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 12.9% (1989 est.); accounts for nearly 15% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
40,000 kW
production:
70 million kWh
consumption per capita:
15 kWh (1991)
Industries:
cotton textile mills, slaughterhouses, brewery, natron (sodium
carbonate), soap, cigarettes
Agriculture:
accounts for about 45% of GDP; largely subsistence farming; cotton
most important cash crop; food crops include sorghum, millet, peanuts,
rice, potatoes, manioc; livestock - cattle, sheep, goats, camels;
self-sufficient in food in years of adequate rainfall
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $198 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.5
billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $28 million; Communist
countries (1970-89), $80 million
Currency:
1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine Francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05
(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26
(1990), 319.01 (1989)
note:
beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per
French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Chad, Communications

Highways:
total:
31,322 km
paved:
bituminous 32 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 7,300 km; earth 23,990 km
Inland waterways:
2,000 km navigable
Airports:
total:
68
usable:
58
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
1
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
27
Telecommunications:
fair system of radiocommunication stations for intercity links;
broadcast stations - 6 AM, 1 FM, limited TV service; many facilities
are inoperative; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

@Chad, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army (includes Ground Forces, Air Force, and Gendarmerie), Republican
Guard
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,276,167; fit for military service 663,326; reach
military age (20) annually 54,027 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $58 million, 5.6% of GDP (1989)

@Chile, Geography

Location:
Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean between
Argentina and Peru
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
756,950 sq km
land area:
748,800 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
note:
includes Isla de Pascua (Easter Island) and Isla Sala y Gomez
Land boundaries:
total 6,171 km, Argentina 5,150 km, Bolivia 861 km, Peru 160 km
Coastline:
6,435 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
short section of the southern boundary with Argentina is indefinite;
Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean
since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Bolivia
over Rio Lauca water rights; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean
Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims
Climate:
temperate; desert in north; cool and damp in south
Terrain:
low coastal mountains; fertile central valley; rugged Andes in east
Natural resources:
copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum
Land use:
arable land:
7%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
16%
forest and woodland:
21%
other:
56%
Irrigated land:
12,650 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution
from untreated sewage; deforestation contributing to loss of
biodiversity; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards:
subject to severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes,
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
strategic location relative to sea lanes between Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Atacama
Desert one of world's driest regions

@Chile, People

Population:
13,950,557 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.51% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
20.59 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
5.49 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
15.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
74.51 years
male:
71.52 years
female:
77.65 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.5 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Chilean(s)
adjective:
Chilean
Ethnic divisions:
European and European-Indian 95%, Indian 3%, other 2%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 89%, Protestant 11%, Jewish
Languages:
Spanish
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
93%
male:
94%
female:
93%
Labor force:
4.728 million
by occupation:
services 38.3% (includes government 12%), industry and commerce 33.8%,
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 19.2%, mining 2.3%, construction
6.4% (1990)

@Chile, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Chile
conventional short form:
Chile
local long form:
Republica de Chile
local short form:
Chile
Digraph:
CI
Type:
republic
Capital:
Santiago
Administrative divisions:
13 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aisen del General Carlos
Ibanez del Campo, Antofagasta, Araucania, Atacama, Bio-Bio, Coquimbo,
Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Magallanes y de la
Antartica Chilena, Maule, Region Metropolitana, Tarapaca, Valparaiso
note:
the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica
Independence:
18 September 1810 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
Constitution:
11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended 30 July 1989
Legal system:
based on Code of 1857 derived from Spanish law and subsequent codes
influenced by French and Austrian law; judicial review of legislative
acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (since 11 March 1994) election last
held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1999); results -
Eduardo FREI Ruiz-Tagle (PDC) 58%, Arturo ALESSANDRI 24.4%, other
17.6%
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)
Senate (Senado):
election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (46 total, 38 elected)
Concertation of Parties for Democracy 21 (PDC 13, PS 4, PPD 3, PR 1),
Union for the Progress of Chile 15 (RN 11, UDI 3, UCC 1), right-wing
independents 10
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):
election last held 11 December 1993 (next to be held December 1997);
results - Concertation of Parties for Democracy 53.95% (PDC 27.16%, PS
12.01%, PPD 11.82%, PR 2.96%,); Union for the Progress of Chile 30.57%
(RN 15.25%, UDI 12.13%, UCC 3.19%); seats - (120 total) Concertation
of Parties for Democracy 70 (PDC 37, PPD 15, PR 2, PS 15, left-wing
independent 1), Union for the Progress of Chile 47 (RN 30, UDI 15, UCC
2), right-wing independents 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)
Political parties and leaders:
Concertation of Parties for Democracy consists mainly of four parties:
Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Gutenberg MARTINEZ; Socialist Party
(PS), Camilo ESCALONA; Party for Democracy (PPD), Victor Manuel
REBOLLEDO; Radical Party (PR), Carlos GONZALEZ Marquez; Union for the
Progress of Chile consists mainly of three parties: National Renewal
(RN), Andres ALLAMAND; Independent Democratic Union (UDI), Jovino
NOVOA; Center Center Union (UCC), Francisco Javier ERRAZURIZ
Other political or pressure groups:
revitalized university student federations at all major universities;
labor - United Labor Central (CUT) includes trade unionists from the
country's five largest labor confederations; Roman Catholic Church
Member of:
CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, ONUSAL, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNTAC, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John BIEHL del Rio
chancery:
1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 785-1746
FAX:
(202) 887-5579
consulate(s) general:
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Curtis W. KAMMAN
embassy:
Codina Building, 1343 Agustinas, Santiago
mailing address:
Unit 4127, Santiago; APO AA 34033
telephone:
[56] (2) 671-0133
FAX:
[56] (2) 699-1141
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; there is a blue
square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the
white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center;
design was based on the US flag

@Chile, Economy

Overview:
Chile has a prosperous, essentially free market economy, with the
degree of government intervention varying according to the philosophy
of the different regimes. Under the center-left government of
President AYLWIN, which took power in March 1990, spending on social
welfare has risen steadily. At the same time business investment,
exports and consumer spending have also grown substantially. The new
president, FREI, who takes office in March 1994, is expected to
emphasize social spending even more. Growth in 1991-93 has averaged 8%
annually, with an estimated one million Chileans having moved out of
poverty in the last four years. Copper remains vital to the health of
the economy; Chile is the world's largest producer and exporter of
copper.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $96 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5.8% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
12.3% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
5.1% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$10.9 billion
expenditures:
$10.9 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.2 billion (1993)
Exports:
$10 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
copper 41%, other metals and minerals 8.7%, wood products 7.1%, fish
and fishmeal 9.8%, fruits 8.4% (1991)
partners:
EC 29%, Japan 17%, US 16%, Argentina 5%, Brazil 5% (1992)
Imports:
$9.2 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
capital goods 25.2%, spare parts 24.8%, raw materials 15.4%, petroleum
10%, foodstuffs 5.7%
partners:
EC 24%, US 21%, Brazil 10%, Japan 10% (1992)
External debt:
$19.7 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 9.3% (1992 est.); accounts for 34% of GDP
Electricity:
capacity:
5,769,000 kW
production:
22.01 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
1,630 kWh (1992)
Industries:
copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel,
wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles
Agriculture:
accounts for about 7% of GDP (including fishing and forestry); major
exporter of fruit, fish, and timber products; major crops - wheat,
corn, grapes, beans, sugar beets, potatoes, deciduous fruit; livestock
products - beef, poultry, wool; self-sufficient in most foods; 1991
fish catch of 6.6 million metric tons; net agricultural importer
Illicit drugs:
a minor transshipment country for cocaine destined for the US and
Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $521 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.6
billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $386 million
Currency:
1 Chilean peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
Chilean pesos (Ch$) per US$1 - 430.57 (January 1994), 404.35 (1993),
362.59 (1992), 349.37 (1991), 305.06 (1990), 267.16 (1989)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@Chile, Communications

Railroads:
7,766 km total; 3,974 km 1.676-meter gauge, 150 km 1.435-meter
standard gauge, 3,642 km 1.000-meter gauge; 1,865 km 1.676-meter gauge
and 80 km 1.000-meter gauge electrified
Highways:
total:
79,993 km
paved:
10,984 km
unpaved:
gravel or earth 68,615 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
725 km
Pipelines:
crude oil 755 km; petroleum products 785 km; natural gas 320 km
Ports:
Antofagasta, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, Valparaiso, San
Antonio, Talcahuano, Arica
Merchant marine:
31 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 449,253 GRT/755,821 DWT, bulk
10, cargo 7, chemical tanker 3, combination ore/oil 3, liquefied gas
tanker 3, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 3
note:
in addition, 1 naval tanker and 1 military transport are sometimes
used commercially
Airports:
total:
392
usable:
349
with permanent-surface runways:
47
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
13
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
58
Telecommunications:
modern telephone system based on extensive microwave radio relay
facilities; 768,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 159 AM, no FM,
131 TV, 11 shortwave; satellite ground stations - 2 Atlantic Ocean
INTELSAT and 3 domestic

@Chile, Defense Forces

Branches:
Army of the Nation, National Navy (including Naval Air, Coast Guard,
and Marines), Air Force of the Nation, Carabineros of Chile (National
Police), Investigative Police
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 3,705,321; fit for military service 2,759,130; reach
military age (19) annually 120,512 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion - $1 billion, 3.4% of GDP (1991 est.)

@China

Header Affiliation: (also see separate Taiwan entry)

@China, Geography

Location:
Eastern Asia, between India and Mongolia
Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
9,596,960 sq km
land area:
9,326,410 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than the US
Land boundaries:
total 22,143.34 km, Afghanistan 76 km, Bhutan 470 km, Burma 2,185 km,
Hong Kong 30 km, India 3,380 km, Kazakhstan 1,533 km, North Korea
1,416 km, Kyrgyzstan 858 km, Laos 423 km, Macau 0.34 km, Mongolia
4,673 km, Nepal 1,236 km, Pakistan 523 km, Russia (northeast) 3,605
km, Russia (northwest) 40 km, Tajikistan 414 km, Vietnam 1,281 km
Coastline:
14,500 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
claim to shallow areas of East China Sea and Yellow Sea
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
boundary with India; bilateral negotiations are under way to resolve
disputed sections of the boundary with Russia; boundary with
Tajikistan in dispute; a short section of the boundary with North
Korea is indefinite; involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly
Islands with Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly
Brunei; maritime boundary dispute with Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin;
Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan;
claims Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu
Tai), as does Taiwan
Climate:
extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
Terrain:
mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and
hills in east
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, petroleum, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony,
manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc,
uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest)
Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
31%
forest and woodland:
14%
other:
45%
Irrigated land:
478,220 sq km (1991 - Chinese statistic)
Environment:
current issues:
air pollution from the overwhelming use of coal as a fuel, produces
acid rain which is damaging forests; water pollution from industrial
effluents; many people do not have access to safe drinking water; less
than 10% of sewage receives treatment; deforestation; estimated loss
of one-third of agricultural land since 1957 to soil erosion and
economic development; desertification
natural hazards:
frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern
coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Whaling; signed,
but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea
Note:
world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)

@China, People

Population:
1,190,431,106 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.08% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
18.1 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Death rate:
7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
52.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
67.91 years
male:
66.93 years
female:
68.99 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.84 children born/woman (1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Chinese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Chinese
Ethnic divisions:
Han Chinese 91.9%, Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu,
Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other nationalities 8.1%
Religions:
Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Muslim 2%-3%, Christian 1% (est.)
note:
officially atheist, but traditionally pragmatic and eclectic
Languages:
Standard Chinese or Mandarin (Putonghua, based on the Beijing
dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan
(Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
(see Ethnic divisions entry)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990)
total population:
78%
male:
87%
female:
68%
Labor force:
567.4 million
by occupation:
agriculture and forestry 60%, industry and commerce 25%, construction
and mining 5%, social services 5%, other 5% (1990 est.)

@China, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
People's Republic of China
conventional short form:
China
local long form:
Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo
local short form:
Zhong Guo
Abbreviation:
PRC
Digraph:
CH
Type:
Communist state
Capital:
Beijing
Administrative divisions:
23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions*
(zizhiqu, singular and plural), and 3 municipalities** (shi, singular
and plural); Anhui, Beijing Shi**, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi*,
Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu,
Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol*, Ningxia*, Qinghai, Shaanxi,
Shandong, Shanghai Shi**, Shanxi, Sichuan, Tianjin Shi**, Xinjiang*,
Xizang* (Tibet), Yunnan, Zhejiang
note:
China considers Taiwan its 23rd province
Independence:
221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty 221 BC; Qing or
Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic on 12 February 1912; People's
Republic established 1 October 1949)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 October (1949)
Constitution:
most recent promulgated 4 December 1982
Legal system:
a complex amalgam of custom and statute, largely criminal law;
rudimentary civil code in effect since 1 January 1987; new legal codes
in effect since 1 January 1980; continuing efforts are being made to
improve civil, administrative, criminal, and commercial law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President JIANG Zemin (since 27 March 1993); Vice President RONG Yiren
(since 27 March 1993); election last held 27 March 1993 (next to be
held NA 1998); results - JIANG Zemin was nominally elected by the
Eighth National People's Congress
chief of state and head of government (de facto):
DENG Xiaoping (since NA 1977)
head of government:
Premier LI Peng (Acting Premier since 24 November 1987, Premier since
9 April 1988) Vice Premier ZHU Rongji (since 8 April 1991); Vice
Premier ZOU Jiahua (since 8 April 1991); Vice Premier QIAN Qichen
(since 29 March 1993); Vice Premier LI Lanqing (29 March 1993)
cabinet:
State Council; containing 28 ministers and 8 state commissions and
appointed by the National People's Congress (March 1993)
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National People's Congress:
(Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) elections last held March 1993 (next
to be held March 1998); results - CCP is the only party but there are
also independents; seats - (2,977 total) (elected at county or xian
level)
Judicial branch:
Supreme People's Court
Political parties and leaders:
Chinese Communist Party (CCP), JIANG Zemin, general secretary of the
Central Committee (since 24 June 1989); eight registered small parties
controlled by CCP
Other political or pressure groups:
such meaningful opposition as exists consists of loose coalitions,
usually within the party and government organization, that vary by
issue
Member of:
AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC, ESCAP, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU,
LORCS, MINURSO, NAM (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO,
UNIKOM, UN Security Council, UNTAC, UNTSO, UN Trusteeship Council,
UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador LI Daoyu
chancery:
2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 328-2500 through 2502
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador J. Stapleton ROY
embassy:
Xiu Shui Bei Jie 3, Beijing
mailing address:
100600, PSC 461, Box 50, Beijing or FPO AP 96521-0002
telephone:
[86] (1) 532-3831
FAX:
[86] (1) 532-3178
consulate(s) general:
Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang
Flag:
red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow
five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of
the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner

@China, Economy

Overview:
Beginning in late 1978 the Chinese leadership has been trying to move
the economy from the sluggish Soviet-style centrally planned economy
to a more productive and flexible economy with market elements, but
still within the framework of monolithic Communist control. To this
end the authorities switched to a system of household responsibility
in agriculture in place of the old collectivization, increased the
authority of local officials and plant managers in industry, permitted
a wide variety of small-scale enterprise in services and light
manufacturing, and opened the economy to increased foreign trade and
investment. The result has been a strong surge in production,
particularly in agriculture in the early 1980s. Industry also has
posted major gains, especially in coastal areas near Hong Kong and
opposite Taiwan, where foreign investment and modern production
methods have helped spur production of both domestic and export goods.
Aggregate output has more than doubled since 1978. On the darker side,
the leadership has often experienced in its hybrid system the worst
results of socialism (bureaucracy, lassitude, corruption) and of
capitalism (windfall gains and stepped-up inflation). Beijing thus has
periodically backtracked, retightening central controls at intervals.
In 1992-93 annual growth of GDP has accelerated, particularly in the
coastal areas - to more than 10% annually according to official
claims. In late 1993 China's leadership approved additional reforms
aimed at giving more play to market-oriented institutions and at
strengthening the center's control over the financial system. Popular
resistance, changes in central policy, and loss of authority by rural
cadres have weakened China's population control program, which is
essential to the nation's long-term economic viability.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $2.61 trillion (1993 estimate
based on a 1990 figure from the UN International Comparison Program,
as extended to 1991 and published in the World Bank's World
Development Report 1993; and as extrapolated by use of official
Chinese growth statistics for 1992 and 1993)
National product real growth rate:
13.4% (1993)
National product per capita:
$2,200 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
17.6% (December 1993 over December 1992)
Unemployment rate:
2.3% in urban areas (1992); substantial underemployment
Budget:
deficit $15.6 billion (1993)
Exports:
$92 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
textiles, garments, footwear, toys, crude oil
partners:
Hong Kong, US, Japan, Germany, South Korea, Russia (1993)
Imports:
$104 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
rolled steel, motor vehicles, textile machinery, oil products
partners:
Japan, Taiwan, US, Hong Kong, Germany, South Korea (1993)
External debt:
$80 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 20.8% (1992)
Electricity:
capacity:
158,690,000 kW
production:
740 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
630 kWh (1992)
Industries:
iron and steel, coal, machine building, armaments, textiles,
petroleum, cement, chemical fertilizers, consumer durables, food
processing
Agriculture:
accounts for 26% of GNP; among the world's largest producers of rice,
potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, tea, millet, barley, and pork; commercial
crops include cotton, other fibers, and oilseeds; produces variety of
livestock products; basically self-sufficient in food; fish catch of
13.35 million metric tons (including fresh water and pond raised)
(1991)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of opium; bulk of production is in Yunnan Province;
transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden Triangle
Economic aid:
donor:
to less developed countries (1970-89) $7 billion
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-87), $220.7 million; Western
(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $13.5
billion
Currency:
1 yuan (Y) = 10 jiao
Exchange rates:
yuan (Y) per US$1 - 8.7000 (January 1994), 5.7620 (1993), 5.5146
(1992), 5.3234 (1991), 4.7832 (1990), 3.7651 (1989)
note:
beginning 1 January 1994, the People's Bank of China quotes the
midpoint rate against the US dollar based on the previous day's
prevailing rate in the interbank foreign exchange market
Fiscal year:
calendar year

@China, Communications

Railroads:
total about 64,000 km; 54,000 km of common carrier lines, of which
53,400 km are 1.435-meter gauge (standard) and 600 km are 1.000-meter
gauge (narrow); 11,200 km of standard gauge common carrier route are
double tracked and 6,900 km are electrified (1990); an additional
10,000 km of varying gauges (0.762 to 1.067-meter) are dedicated
industrial lines
Highways:
total:
1.029 million km
paved:
170,000 km
unpaved:
gravel/improved earth 648,000 km; unimproved earth 211,000 km (1990)
Inland waterways:
138,600 km; about 109,800 km navigable
Pipelines:
crude oil 9,700 km; petroleum products 1,100 km; natural gas 6,200 km
(1990)
Ports:
Dalian, Guangzhou, Huangpu, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Xingang,
Zhanjiang, Ningbo, Xiamen, Tanggu, Shantou
Merchant marine:
1,541 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 14,884,756 GRT/22,475,985
DWT, barge carrier 1, bulk 285, cargo 819, chemical tanker 13,
combination bulk 9, container 85, liquefied gas 4, multifunction/barge
carrier 1, oil tanker 192, passenger 24, passenger-cargo 25,
refrigerated cargo 17, roll-on/roll-off cargo 21, short-sea passenger
43, vehicle carrier 2
note:
China beneficially owns an additional 227 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling approximately 6,187,117 DWT that operate under Panamanian,
British, Hong Kong, Maltese, Liberian, Vanuatu, Cypriot, Saint
Vincent, Bahamian, and Romanian registry
Airports:
total:
330
usable:
330
with permanent-surface runways:
260
with runways over 3,659 m:
fewer than 10
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
90
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
200
Telecommunications:
domestic and international services are increasingly available for
private use; unevenly distributed internal system serves principal
cities, industrial centers, and most townships; 11,000,000 telephones
(December 1989); broadcast stations - 274 AM, unknown FM, 202 (2,050
repeaters) TV; more than 215 million radio receivers; 75 million TVs;
satellite earth stations - 4 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, 1 Indian Ocean
INTELSAT, 1 INMARSAT, and 55 domestic

@China, Defense Forces

Branches:
People's Liberation Army (PLA), PLA Navy (including Marines), PLA Air
Force, Second Artillery Corps (the strategic missle force), People's
Armed Police (internal security troops, nominally subordinate to
Ministry of Public Security, but included by the Chinese as part of
the "armed forces" and considered to be an adjunct to the PLA in war
time)
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 347,458,052; fit for military service 192,546,413;
reach military age (18) annually 10,256,181 (1994 est.)
Defense expenditures:
defense budget - 52.04 billion yuan, NA% of GDP (1994 est.); note -
conversion of the defense budget into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results

@Christmas Island

Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)

@Christmas Island, Geography

Location: Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, between Australia and Indonesia Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 135 sq km land area: 135 sq km comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 138.9 km Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: tropical; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Natural resources: phosphate Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: almost completely surrounded by a reef international agreements: NA Note: located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean

@Christmas Island, People

Population:
973 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
-9% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
NA
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
NA
male:
NA
female:
NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
Nationality:
noun:
Christmas Islander(s)
adjective:
Christmas Island
Ethnic divisions:
Chinese 61%, Malay 25%, European 11%, other 3%, no indigenous
population
Religions:
Buddhist 36.1%, Muslim 25.4%, Christian 17.7% (Roman Catholic 8.2%,
Church of England 3.2%, Presbyterian 0.9%, Uniting Church 0.4%,
Methodist 0.2%, Baptist 0.1%, and other 4.7%), none 12.7%, unknown
4.6%, other 3.5% (1981)
Languages:
English
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
all workers are employees of the Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas
Island, Ltd.

@Christmas Island, Government

Names: conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island Digraph: KT Type: territory of Australia Capital: The Settlement Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Christmas Island Act of 1958 Legal system: under the authority of the governor general of Australia Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator M. J. GRIMES (since NA) cabinet: Advisory Council Legislative branch: none Judicial branch: none Political parties and leaders: none Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used

@Christmas Island, Economy

Overview:
Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but
in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine as no
longer economically viable. Plans have been under way to reopen the
mine and also to build a casino and hotel to develop tourism.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
phosphate
partners:
Australia, NZ
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
consumer goods
partners:
principally Australia
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
11,000 kW
production:
30 million kWh
consumption per capita:
17,800 kWh (1990)
Industries:
phosphate extraction (near depletion)
Agriculture:
NA
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704,
(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Christmas Island, Communications

Highways: total: NA paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Flying Fish Cove Airports: total: 1 usable: 1 with permanent-surface runways: 1 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, 1 TV

@Christmas Island, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia

@Clipperton Island

Header Affiliation: (possession of France)

@Clipperton Island, Geography

Location: Middle America, in the North Pacific Ocean, 1,120 km southwest of Mexico Map references: World Area: total area: 7 sq km land area: 7 sq km comparative area: about 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 11.1 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: claimed by Mexico Climate: tropical Terrain: coral atoll Natural resources: none Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% (all coral) Irrigated land: 0 sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: reef about 8 km in circumference

@Clipperton Island, People

Population:
uninhabited

@Clipperton Island, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Clipperton Island
local long form:
none
local short form:
Ile Clipperton
former:
sometimes called Ile de la Passion
Digraph:
IP
Type:
French possession administered by France from French Polynesia by High
Commissioner of the Republic
Capital:
none; administered by France from French Polynesia
Independence:
none (possession of France)

@Clipperton Island, Economy

Overview:
The only economic activity is a tuna fishing station.

@Clipperton Island, Communications

Ports:
none; offshore anchorage only

@Clipperton Island, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of France

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Header Affiliation: (territory of Australia)

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Geography

Location: Southeastern Asia, in the Indian Ocean, 1,070 km southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total area: 14 sq km land area: 14 sq km comparative area: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 2.6 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade wind for about nine months of the year; moderate rain fall Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls Natural resources: fish Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: NA Note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, People

Population: 598 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 0.98% (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander Ethnic divisions: West Island: Europeans Home Island: Cocos Malays Religions: Sunni Muslims Languages: English Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Government

Names: conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Digraph: CK Type: territory of Australia Capital: West Island Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia) Independence: none (territory of Australia) National holiday: NA Constitution: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act of 1955 Legal system: based upon the laws of Australia and local laws Suffrage: NA Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government: Administrator B. CUNNINGHAM (since NA) cabinet: Islands Council; Chairman of the Islands Council Haji WAHIN bin Bynie (since NA) Legislative branch: unicameral Islands Council Judicial branch: Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: NA Member of: none Diplomatic representation in US: none (territory of Australia) US diplomatic representation: none (territory of Australia) Flag: the flag of Australia is used

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Economy

Overview:
Grown throughout the islands, coconuts are the sole cash crop. Copra
and fresh coconuts are the major export earners. Small local gardens
and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and
most other necessities must be imported from Australia.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
Exports:
$NA
commodities:
copra
partners:
Australia
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
foodstuffs
partners:
Australia
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
1,000 kW
production:
2 million kWh
consumption per capita:
2,980 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra products
Agriculture:
gardens provide vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Australian dollar ($A) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
Australian dollars ($A) per US$1 - 1.4364 (January 1994), 1.4704
(1993), 1.3600 (1992), 1.2836 (1991), 1.2799 (1990), 1.2618 (1989)
Fiscal year:
1 July - 30 June

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Communications

Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
none; lagoon anchorage only
Airports:
total:
1
usable:
1
with permanent-surface runways:
1
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
250 radios (1985); linked by telephone, telex, and facsimile
communications via satellite with Australia; broadcast stations - 1
AM, no FM, no TV

@Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Defense Forces

Note:
defense is the responsibility of Australia

@Colombia, Geography

Location:
Northern South America, between Panama and Venezuela
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones
of the World
Area:
total area:
1,138,910 sq km
land area:
1,038,700 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Montana
note:
includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, Serrana Bank, and Serranilla
Bank
Land boundaries:
total 7,408 km, Brazil 1,643 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru
2,900 km, Venezuela 2,050 km
Coastline:
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
not specified
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime boundary dispute with Venezuela in the Gulf of Venezuela;
territorial dispute with Nicaragua over Archipelago de San Andres y
Providencia and Quita Sueno Bank
Climate:
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Terrain:
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains,
eastern lowland plains
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
29%
forest and woodland:
49%
other:
16%
Irrigated land:
5,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil damage from overuse of pesticides
natural hazards:
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; periodic droughts
international agreements:
party to - Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Marine Life
Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified -
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Note:
only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific
Ocean and Caribbean Sea

@Colombia, People

Population: 35,577,556 (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 1.77% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 22.64 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 4.75 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 28.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.1 years male: 69.33 years female: 74.95 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.47 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic divisions: mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Indian 3%, Indian 1% Religions: Roman Catholic 95% Languages: Spanish Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 87% male: 88% female: 86% Labor force: 12 million (1990) by occupation: services 46%, agriculture 30%, industry 24% (1990)

@Colombia, Government