Chapter V (13)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $2.5 million, NA%
of GDP (FY93/94)

======================================================================

@Eritrea -------

Map ---

Location: 15 00 N, 39 00 E -- Eastern Africa, bordering the Red
Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan

Flag ----

Description: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side)
dividing the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is
green, the lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive
branch is centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti
and Sudan

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 121,320 sq km
land area: 121,320 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:
total: 1,630 km
border countries: Djibouti 113 km, Ethiopia 912 km, Sudan 605 km

Coastline: 1,151 km (land and island coastline is 2,234 km)

Maritime claims: NA

International disputes: a dispute with Yemen over sovereignty of
the Hanish Islands in the southern Red Sea has been submitted to
arbitration under the auspices of the ICJ

Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and
wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually);
semiarid in western hills and lowlands; rainfall heaviest during
June-September except on coastal desert

Terrain: dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending
highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the
northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling
plains
lowest point: Kobar Sink -75 m
highest point: Soira 3,013 m

Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, probably oil
(petroleum geologists are prospecting for it), fish

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 2% (coffee)
meadows and pastures: 40%
forest and woodland: 5%
other: 50%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: famine; deforestation; desertification; soil
erosion; overgrazing; loss of infrastructure from civil warfare
natural hazards: frequent droughts
international agreements: party to - Endangered Species; signed, but
not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification

Geographic note: strategic geopolitical position along world's
busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of
Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia
on 27 April 1993

People ------

Population: 3,427,883 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 755,417; female 743,135)
15-64 years: 53% (male 910,976; female 913,531)
65 years and over: 3% (male 54,310; female 50,514) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.79% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 43.32 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.44 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: it is estimated that between 300,000 and 500,000 Eritrean
refugees were still living in Sudan at the end of 1995; their
repatriation is being facilitated by the UNHCR

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.08 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 118.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 50.31 years
male: 48.57 years
female: 52.1 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.5 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Eritrean(s)
adjective: Eritrean

Ethnic divisions: ethnic Tigrinya 50%, Tigre and Kunama 40%, Afar
4%, Saho (Red Sea coast dwellers) 3%

Religions: Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant

Languages: Afar, Amharic, Arabic, Italian, Tigre and Kunama,
Tigrinya, minor tribal languages

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Eritrea
conventional short form: Eritrea
local long form: none
local short form: none
former: Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia

Data code: ER

Type of government: transitional government
note: on 29 May 1991 ISAIAS Afworke, secretary general of the
Peoples' Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which then served
and still serves as the country's legislative body, announced the
formation of the Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE) in
preparation for the 23-25 April 1993 referendum on independence for
the autonomous region of Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote
for independence, which was proclaimed on 27 April 1993

Capital: Asmara (formerly Asmera)

Administrative divisions: 8 provinces (singular - awraja); Akele
Guzay, Barka, Denkel, Hamasen, Sahil, Semhar, Senhit, Seraye; note -
information issued by the Eritrean government indicates that the
administrative structure of Eritrea, which had been established by
former colonial powers, will consist of only six regions when the
new constitution, presently being drafted, goes into effect sometime
in 1996

Independence: 27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea
Autonomous Region)

National holiday: National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24
May (1993)

Constitution: transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993; the
promulgation of a draft constitution is expected in 1996

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: NA; note - the transitional constitution of 19 May 1993
did not provide rules for suffrage, but it seems likely that the
final version of the constitution, to be promulgated some time in
1996, will follow the example set in the referendum of 1993 in which
suffrage was universal for persons 18 years of age or older

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President ISAIAS Afworki
(since 22 May 1993) is head of the State Council and National
Assembly
cabinet: State Council is the collective executive authority
note: election to be held in 1997

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old
Central Committee of the EPLF) and 75 directly elected members serve
as the country's legislative body until country-wide elections are
held in 1997

Judicial branch: Judiciary

Political parties and leaders: People's Front for Democracy and
Justice (PFDJ), ISAIAS Afworki, PETROS Solomon (the only party
recognized by the government)

Other political or pressure groups: Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ);
Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean
Liberation Front - United Organization (ELF-UO), Mohammed Said
NAWUD; Eritrean Liberation Front - Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC),
Ahmed NASSER

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO,
IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory
user), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador AMDEMICHAEL Berhane Khasai
chancery: Suite 400, 910 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 429-1991
FAX: [1] (202) 429-9004

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK
embassy: Franklin D. Roosevelt St., Asmara
mailing address: P.O. Box 211, Asmara
telephone: [291] (1) 120004
FAX: [291] (1) 127584

Flag: red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) dividing
the flag into two right triangles; the upper triangle is green, the
lower one is blue; a gold wreath encircling a gold olive branch is
centered on the hoist side of the red triangle

Economy -------

Economic overview: With independence from Ethiopia on 27 April
1993, Eritrea faces the bitter economic problems of a small,
desperately poor African country. Most of the population will
continue to depend on subsistence farming. Domestic output is
substantially augmented by worker remittances from abroad.
Government revenues come from custom duties and income and sales
taxes. Eritrea has inherited the entire coastline of Ethiopia and
has long-term prospects for revenues from the development of
offshore oil, offshore fishing, and tourism. For the time being,
Ethiopia will be largely dependent on Eritrean ports for its foreign
trade.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 10% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $570 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (1995 est.)

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $NA
expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA

Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: NA kW
production: NA kWh
consumption per capita: NA kWh

Agriculture: sorghum, lentils, vegetables, maize, cotton, tobacco,
coffee, sisal (for making rope); livestock (including goats); fish

Exports: $33 million (1995 est.)
commodities: livestock, sorghum, textiles
partners: Ethiopia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Yemen

Imports: $420 million (1995 est.)
commodities: processed goods, machinery, petroleum products
partners: NA

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents; at present, Ethiopian currency
used

Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 6.2 (1995 est.), 5.600
(September 1994), 5.000 (fixed rate 1992-93); note - following
independence from Ethiopia, Eritrea continued to use Ethiopian
currency, the official rate of which was pegged to US$1 = 5.000 birr

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 307 km; note - nonoperational since 1978 except for about 5
km that was reopened in Massawa in 1994; rehabilitation of the
remainder and of the rolling stock is under way; links Ak'ordat and
Asmara (formerly Asmera) with the port of Massawa (formerly Mits'iwa)
narrow gauge: 307 km 0.950-m gauge (1995 est.)

Highways:
total: 3,845 km
paved: 807 km
unpaved: 3,038 km (1993 est.)

Ports: Assab (Aseb), Massawa (Mits'iwa)

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 11,573 GRT/13,593
DWT (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: NA

Telephone system:
domestic: very inadequate; about 4 telephones per 100 families, most
of which are in Asmara; government is seeking international tenders
to improve the system
international: NA

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1 (government controlled)

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: NA
males fit for military service: NA

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

======================================================================

@Estonia -------

Map ---

Location: 59 00 N, 26 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Flag ----

Description: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990
- three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of
Finland, between Latvia and Russia

Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 45,100 sq km
land area: 43,200 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than New Hampshire and Vermont
combined
note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea

Land boundaries:
total: 557 km
border countries: Latvia 267 km, Russia 290 km

Coastline: 1,393 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: limits to be fixed in coordination with
neighboring states
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claims over 2,000 sq km of Russian
territory in the Narva and Pechora regions - based on boundary
established under the 1921 Peace Treaty of Tartu; disputes maritime
border with Latvia - primary concern is fishing rights around Ruhne
Island in the Gulf of Riga

Climate: maritime, wet, moderate winters, cool summers

Terrain: marshy, lowlands
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m

Natural resources: shale oil, peat, phosphorite, amber

Land use:
arable land: 22%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 11%
forest and woodland: 31%
other: 36%

Irrigated land: 110 sq km (1990)

Environment:
current issues: air heavily polluted with sulfur dioxide from
oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; contamination of soil
and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet
military bases
natural hazards: flooding occurs frequently in the spring
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

People ------

Population: 1,459,428 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 148,683; female 143,563)
15-64 years: 66% (male 467,759; female 501,519)
65 years and over: 14% (male 63,976; female 133,928) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: -1.13% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 10.74 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 14.12 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -7.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.87 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.13 years
male: 62.5 years
female: 74.05 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.55 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Estonian(s)
adjective: Estonian

Ethnic divisions: Estonian 61.5%, Russian 30.3%, Ukrainian 3.2%,
Byelorussian 1.8%, Finn 1.1%, other 2.1% (1989)

Religions: Lutheran, Orthodox Christian

Languages: Estonian (official), Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, other

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Estonia
conventional short form: Estonia
local long form: Eesti Vabariik
local short form: Eesti
former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: EN

Type of government: republic

Capital: Tallinn

Administrative divisions: 15 counties (maakonnad, singular -
maakond): Harju maakond (Tallinn), Hiiu maakond (Kardla), Ida-Viru
maakond (Johvi), Jarva maakond (Paide), Jogeva maakond (Jogeva),
Laane maakond (Haapsalu), Laane-Viru maakond (Rakvere), Parnu
maakond (Parnu), Polva maakond (Polva), Rapla maakond (Rapla), Saare
maakond (Kuessaare), Tartu maakond (Tartu), Valga maakond (Valga),
Viljandi maakond (Viljandi), Voru maakond (Voru)
note: county centers are in parentheses

Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918)

Constitution: adopted 28 June 1992

Legal system: based on civil law system; no judicial review of
legislative acts

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lennart MERI (since 21 October 1992) was
elected for a five-year term by Parliament; election last held 20
September 1992 (next to be held fall 1996); results - no candidate
received majority; Parliament elected Lennart MERI
head of government: Acting Prime Minister Tiit VAHI (since NA March
1995); the president nominated and Parliament authorized the
candidate for prime minister
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister,
approved by Parliament

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Riigikogu): elections last held 5 March 1995 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - KMU 32.22%, RE 16.18%, K 14.17%, Pro Patria
and ERSP 7.85%, M 5.98%, Our Home is Estonia and Right-Wingers 5.0%;
seats - (101 total) KMU 41, RE 19, K 16, Pro Patria 8, Our Home is
Estonia 6, M 6, Right-Wingers 5

Judicial branch: National Court

Political parties and leaders: Coalition Party and Rural Union
(KMU), Tiit VAHI, chairman, made up of 4 parties: Coalition Party,
Country People's Party, Farmer's Assembly, and Pensioners' and
Families' League; Reform Party-Liberals (RE), Siim KALLAS, chairman;
Center Party (K), Edgar SAVISAAR, chairman; Union of Pro Patria or
Fatherland Alliance (Isamaa of Fatherland), Toivo JURGENSON,
chairman; National Independence Party (ERSP), Kelam TUNNE, chairman,
note - may have disappeared since the last election; Our Home is
Estonia made up of 2 parties: United Peoples Party and the Russian
People's Party of Estonia; United Peoples Party, Viktor ANDREJEV,
chairman; Russian People's Party of Estonia, Sergei KUZNETSOV,
chairman; Moderates (M) made up of 2 parties: Social Democratic
Party and Rural Center Party; Social Democratic Party, Eiki NESTOR,
chairman; Rural Center Party, Vambo KAAL, chairman; Right-Wingers,
Ulo NUGIS, chairman

International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NACC,
OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WEU (associate partner),
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Toomas Hendrik ILVES
chancery: 2131 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101
FAX: [1] (202) 789-0471
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence P. TAYLOR
embassy: Kentmanni 20, Tallinn EE 0001
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [372] (6) 312-021
FAX: [372] (6) 312-025

Flag: pre-1940 flag restored by Supreme Soviet in May 1990 - three
equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white

Economy -------

Economic overview: Estonia continues to experience strong economic
growth after its economy bottomed out in 1993. Bolstered by a
widespread national desire to reintegrate into Western Europe,
Estonia has adhered to disciplined fiscal and financial policies and
has led the FSU countries in pursuing economic reform. Monthly
inflation has been held to under 5% since the beginning of 1992,
with monthly inflation in 1995 at 2%. Following four years of
decline, Estonia's GDP grew 5% in 1994 and 6% in 1995 - among the
highest rates in Europe, according to estimates of the IMF and
Estonia's own Economic Ministry. Despite these positive economic
indicators, unemployment - 8% in 1994 - is on the rise, and wages -
especially for teachers and law enforcement personnel - have not
kept pace with inflation. Small- and medium-scale privatization is
essentially complete, and large-scale privatization is progressing,
but slowly. Estonia has successfully reoriented it trade toward the
West, two-thirds of exports now going to Western markets. Estonia's
free trade policies were the cornerstone of its negotiations with
the European Union, and led to the signing of an association
agreement in June 1995. Estonia was the only Baltic state not to
have a transition period imposed by the EU prior to its
implementation of a free trade agreement.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $12.3 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP real growth rate: 6% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $7,600 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 10%
industry: 37%
services: 53% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 29% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 750,000 (1992)
by occupation: industry and construction 42%, agriculture and
forestry 20%, other 38% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 8% (1994 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $620 million
expenditures: $582 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(January-October 1995)

Industries: oil shale, shipbuilding, phosphates, electric motors,
excavators, cement, furniture, clothing, textiles, paper, shoes,
apparel

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 3,420,000 kW
production: 11.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,528 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: potatoes, fruits, vegetables; livestock and dairy
products; fish

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central
and Southwest Asia and Latin America to Western Europe; very limited
illicit opium producer; mostly for domestic consumption

Exports: $1.8 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: textile 14%, food products 11%, vehicles 11%, metals
11% (1993)
partners: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Germany

Imports: $2.5 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery 18%, fuels 15%, vehicles 14%, textiles 10%
(1993)
partners: Finland, Russia, Germany, Sweden

External debt: $270 million (January 1996)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $147 million (1993)
note: Western commitments $285 million (including international
financial institutions)

Currency: 1 Estonian kroon (EEK) = 100 cents (introduced in August
1992)

Exchange rates: krooni (EEK) per US$1 - 11.523 (December 1995),
11.465 (1995), 12.991 (1994), 13.223 (1993); note - krooni are tied
to the German deutsche mark at a fixed rate of 8 to 1

Fiscal year: calendar year

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 1,018 km common carrier lines only; does not include
dedicated industrial lines
broad gauge: 1,018 km 1.520-m gauge (132 km electrified) (1995)

Highways:
total: 14,771 km
paved: 8,124 km (including 62 km of expressways)
unpaved: 6,647 km (1993)

Waterways: 500 km perennially navigable

Pipelines: natural gas 420 km (1992)

Ports: Haapsalu, Narva, Paldiski, Parnu, Tallinn

Merchant marine:
total: 52 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 353,140 GRT/467,086 DWT
ships by type: bulk 6, cargo 33, oil tanker 3, roll-on/roll-off
cargo 6, short-sea passenger 4 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 22
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 7
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 5 (1994 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 400,000

Telephone system: system is antiquated; improvements are being
made piecemeal, with emphasis on business needs and international
connections; there are still about 150,000 unfulfilled requests for
subscriber service
domestic: substantial investment has been made in cellular systems
which are operational throughout Estonia
international: international traffic is carried to the other former
Soviet republics by landline or microwave radio relay and to other
countries partly by leased connection to the Moscow international
gateway switch and partly by a new Tallinn-Helsinki fiber-optic,
submarine cable which gives Estonia access to international circuits
everywhere; access to the international packet-switched digital
network via Helsinki

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave 0

Radios: 710,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3
note: provide Estonian programs as well as Moscow Ostenkino's first
and second programs

Televisions: 600,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Force (not
officially sanctioned), Maritime Border Guard, Volunteer Defense
League (Kaitseliit), Security Forces (internal and border troops),
Coast Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 357,835
males fit for military service: 280,757
males reach military age (18) annually: 10,525 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $35 million, 1.5%
of GDP (1995)

======================================================================

@Ethiopia --------

Map ---

Location: 8 00 N, 38 00 E -- Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow,
and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating
from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on
the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in
Africa, and the colors of her flag were so often adopted by other
African countries upon independence that they became known as the
pan-African colors

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia

Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 1,127,127 sq km
land area: 1,119,683 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries:
total: 5,311 km
border countries: Djibouti 337 km, Eritrea 912 km, Kenya 830 km,
Somalia 1,626 km, Sudan 1,606 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: southern half of the boundary with Somalia
is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with
Somalia over the Ogaden

Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation

Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great
Rift Valley
lowest point: Denakil -125 m
highest point: Ras Dashen Terara 4,620 m

Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash

Land use:
arable land: 12%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 41%
forest and woodland: 24%
other: 22%

Irrigated land: 1,620 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion;
desertification; famine
natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible
to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified
- Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Nuclear Test Ban

Geographic note: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea
was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993

People ------

Population: 57,171,662 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 13,116,158; female 13,080,276)
15-64 years: 51% (male 14,782,995; female 14,624,779)
65 years and over: 3% (male 728,808; female 838,646) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.72% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 46.05 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 17.53 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: repatriation of Ethiopians who fled to Sudan, Kenya and
Somalia for refuge from war and famine in earlier years, is expected
to continue in 1996; entry into Ethiopia of Sudanese and Somalis
fleeing the fighting in their own countries is also continuing in
1996

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 122.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 46.85 years
male: 45.71 years
female: 48.02 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 7 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Ethiopian(s)
adjective: Ethiopian

Ethnic divisions: Oromo 40%, Amhara and Tigrean 32%, Sidamo 9%,
Shankella 6%, Somali 6%, Afar 4%, Gurage 2%, other 1%

Religions: Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 35%-40%, animist
12%, other 5%

Languages: Amharic (official), Tigrinya, Orominga, Guaraginga,
Somali, Arabic, English (major foreign language taught in schools)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.5%
male: 45.5%
female: 25.3%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
conventional short form: Ethiopia
local long form: none
local short form: Ityop'iya
abbreviation: FDRE

Data code: ET

Type of government: federal republic
note: on 28 May 1991 the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic
Front (EPRDF) toppled the authoritarian government of MENGISTU
Haile-Mariam and took control in Addis Ababa; a new constitution was
promulgated in December 1994 and national and regional popular
elections were held in May and June 1995

Capital: Addis Ababa

Administrative divisions: 9 ethnically-based administrative
regions (astedader akababiwach, singular - astedader akababi) and 1
federal capital*: Addis Ababa*; Afar; Amhara; Benshangul/Gumaz;
Gambela; Harar; Oromia; Somali; Southern Nations, Nationalities and
Peoples; Tigray

Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the
oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years

National holiday: National Day, 28 May (1991) (defeat of Mengistu
regime)

Constitution: new constitution promulgated in December 1994

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President NEGASSO Gidada (since NA August 1995)
elected by the Council of People's Representatives following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
head of government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since NA August
1995) designated by the party in power, EPRDF, following the
elections of legislators in May and June 1995
cabinet: Council of Ministers as provided in the December 1994
constitution; ministers are selected by the prime minister and
approved by the Council of People's Representatives

Legislative branch: bicameral legislature
Federal Council: upper chamber, having NA members, represents the
ethnic interests of the regional governments and is elected by the
regional assemblies
Council of People's Representatives: lower chamber, having 550
members, elected by popular vote
note: both bodies have five-year terms of office; regional and
national popular elections were held in May and June 1995; results -
EPRDF swept nearly all seats

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are elected by the national
legislature

Political parties and leaders: Ethiopian People's Revolutionary
Democratic Front (EPRDF), MELES Zenawi

Other political or pressure groups: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF);
All Amhara People's Organization; Southern Ethiopia People's
Democratic Coalition; numerous small, ethnic-based groups have
formed since MENGISTU'S resignation, including several Islamic
militant groups

International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA,
FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAU,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNU, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO,
WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BERHANE Gebre-Christos
chancery: 2134 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-2281, 2282
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7950

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Irvin HICKS
embassy: Entoto Street, Addis Ababa
mailing address: P. O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa
telephone: [251] (1) 550666
FAX: [251] (1) 552191

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red
with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the
angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three
bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the
colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries
upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors

Economy -------

Economic overview: Ethiopia continues to face difficult economic
problems as one of the poorest and least developed countries in
Africa. Its economy is based on agriculture, which accounts for
about half of GDP, 90% of exports, and 80% of total employment;
coffee generates 60% of export earnings. The agricultural sector
suffers from frequent periods of drought, poor cultivation
practices, and deterioration of internal security conditions. The
manufacturing sector is heavily dependent on inputs from the
agricultural sector. Over 90% of large-scale industry, but less than
10% of agriculture, is state-run. The government is considering
selling off a portion of state-owned plants and is implementing
reform measures that are gradually liberalizing the economy. A major
medium-term problem is the improvement of roads, water supply, and
other parts of an infrastructure badly neglected during years of
civil strife.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $24.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $400 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 15%
services: 37% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (FY93/94)

Labor force: 18 million
by occupation: agriculture and animal husbandry 80%, government and
services 12%, industry and construction 8% (1985)

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $1.2 billion
expenditures: $1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $707
million (FY93/94)

Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals,
metals processing, cement

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 460,000 kW
production: 1.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 23 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: cereals, pulses, coffee, oilseed, sugarcane,
potatoes, other vegetables; hides, cattle, sheep, goats

Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America as well as
cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat
(chat) for local use and regional export

Exports: $296 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: coffee, leather products, gold
partners: Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Italy

Imports: $972 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: capital goods, consumer goods, fuel
partners: US, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Japan

External debt: $3.7 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $1.036 billion (1993)

Currency: 1 birr (Br) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: birr (Br) per US$1 - 6.3200 (December 1995),
6.3200 (1995), 5.9500 (1994), 5.0000 (fixed rate 1992-93); fixed at
2.070 before 1992; note - official rate pegged to the US$

Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July

Transportation --------------

Railways:
total: 681 km (Ethiopian segment of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti
railroad)
narrow gauge: 681 km 1.000-m gauge

Highways:
total: 24,127 km
paved: 3,289 km
unpaved: 20,838 km (1993 est.)

Ports: none; Ethiopia is landlocked but by agreement with Eritrea
may use the ports of Assab and Massawa

Merchant marine:
total: 12 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 62,627 GRT/88,908 DWT
ships by type: cargo 8, oil tanker 2, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995
est.)

Airports:
total: 58
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 6
with unpaved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 5
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 29 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 100,000 (1983 est.)

Telephone system: open wire and microwave radio relay system
adequate for government use
domestic: open wire and microwave radio relay
international: open wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio
relay to Kenya and Djibouti; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat
(1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 9.9 million (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: 100,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Ground Forces, Air Force, Police
note: following the secession of Eritrea, Ethiopia's naval
facilities remained in Eritrea's possession; current reorganization
plans do not include a navy

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 12,912,144
males fit for military service: 6,707,180
males reach military age (18) annually: 583,724 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $140 million,
4.1% of GDP (FY93/94)

======================================================================

@Europa Island -------------

(possession of France)

Map ---

Location: 22 20 S, 40 22 E -- Southern Africa, island in the
Mozambique Channel, about one-half of the way from southern
Madagascar to southern Mozambique

Flag ----

Description: the flag of France is used

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, island in the Mozambique Channel, about
one-half of the way from southern Madagascar to southern Mozambique

Geographic coordinates: 22 20 S, 40 22 E

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 28 sq km
land area: 28 sq km
comparative area: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 22.2 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claimed by Madagascar

Climate: tropical

Terrain: NA
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 24 m

Natural resources: negligible

Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA% (heavily wooded)
other: NA%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: wildlife sanctuary

People ------

Population: uninhabited

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Europa Island
local long form: none
local short form: Ile Europa

Data code: EU

Type of government: French possession administered by Commissioner
of the Republic; resident in Reunion

Capital: none; administered by France from Reunion

Independence: none (possession of France)

Flag: the flag of France is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: no economic activity

Transportation --------------

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Airports:
total: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Communications note: 1 meteorological station

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of France

======================================================================

@Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) ---------------------------------

(dependent territory of the UK)

Map ---

Location: 51 45 S, 59 00 W -- Southern South America, islands in
the South Atlantic Ocean, east of southern Argentina

Flag ----

Description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Geography ---------

Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic
Ocean, east of southern Argentina

Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W

Map references: South America

Area:
total area: 12,170 sq km
land area: 12,170 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Connecticut
note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and
about 200 small islands

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,288 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: administered by the UK, claimed by
Argentina

Climate: cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain
occurs on more than half of days in year; occasional snow all year,
except in January and February, but does not accumulate

Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating
plains
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m

Natural resources: fish, wildlife

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 99%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 1%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: deeply indented coast provides good natural
harbors; short growing season

People ------

Population: 2,374 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA

Population growth rate: 2.43% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: NA births/1,000 population

Death rate: NA deaths/1,000 population

Net migration rate: NA migrant(s)/1,000 population

Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15-64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female

Infant mortality rate: NA deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: NA years
male: NA years
female: NA years

Total fertility rate: NA children born/woman

Nationality:
noun: Falkland Islander(s)
adjective: Falkland Island

Ethnic divisions: British

Religions: primarily Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Free Church,
Evangelist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Seventh-Day
Adventist

Languages: English

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Colony of the Falkland Islands
conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Data code: FA

Type of government: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Stanley

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982)

Constitution: 3 October 1985

Legal system: English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the UK since 6 February 1952)
is a hereditary monarch
head of government: Governor R. RALPH (since NA) was appointed by
the queen
cabinet: Executive Council; three members elected by the Legislative
Council, two ex-officio members (chief executive and the financial
secretary), and the governor

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: elections last held 11 October 1989 (next was
to be held NA October 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (10 total, 8 elected) independents 8

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: NA

International organization participation: ICFTU

Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)

US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms in a white disk
centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a
white ram (sheep raising is the major economic activity) above the
sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a
scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT

Economy -------

Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture,
mainly sheep farming, which directly or indirectly employs most of
the work force. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops
furnish winter fodder. Exports feature shipments of high-grade wool
to the UK and the sale of postage stamps and coins. Rich stocks of
fish in the surrounding waters are not presently exploited by the
islanders. So far, efforts to establish a domestic fishing industry
have been unsuccessful. The economy has diversified since 1987, when
the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers
operating within the Falklands exclusive fishing zone. These license
fees total more than $40 million per year and support the island's
health, education, and welfare system. To encourage tourism, the
Falkland Islands Development Corporation has built three lodges for
visitors attracted by the abundant wildlife and trout fishing. The
islands are now self-financing except for defense. The British
Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around
the islands in 1993, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial
reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. An agreement
between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1995 seeks to defuse
licensing and sovereignty conflicts that would dampen foreign
interest in exploiting potential oil reserves.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $NA

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $NA

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 1,100 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 95% (mostly sheepherding)

Unemployment rate: NA%; labor shortage

Budget:
revenues: $42.7 million
expenditures: $28.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993-94 est.)

Industries: wool and fish processing

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 9,200 kW
production: 17 million kWh
consumption per capita: 7,253 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: fodder and vegetable crops; sheep farming, small
dairy herds

Exports: $5.4 million
commodities: wool, hides, meat
partners: UK, Netherlands, Japan (1992)

Imports: $26.2 million
commodities: food, clothing, timber, and machinery
partners: UK, Netherlands Antilles (Curacao), Japan (1992)

External debt: $NA

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: UK, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments totaled $18 million
(1993-94)

Currency: 1 Falkland pound (LF) = 100 pence

Exchange rates: Falkland pound (LF) per US$1 - 0.6535 (January
1996), 0.6335 (1995), 0.6529 (1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992),
0.5652 (1991); note - the Falkland pound is at par with the British
pound

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 510 km
paved: 30 km
unpaved: 480 km

Ports: Stanley

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 5
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 1,180 (1991 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB
radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all
points on both islands
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
with links through London to other countries

Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios: 1,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1 (government operated)

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: British Forces Falkland Islands (includes Army, Royal
Air Force, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines), Police Force

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

======================================================================

@Faroe Islands -------------

(part of the Danish realm)

Map ---

Location: 62 00 N, 7 00 W -- Northern Europe, island group between
the Norwegian Sea and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of
the way from Iceland to Norway

Flag ----

Description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends
to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted
to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Geography ---------

Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea
and the north Atlantic Ocean, about one-half of the way from Iceland
to Norway

Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 1,400 sq km
land area: 1,400 sq km
comparative area: eight times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 764 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Natural resources: fish

Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 98%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: archipelago of 18 inhabited islands and a few
uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes
in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to
small coastal lowlands

People ------

Population: 43,857 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 24% (male 5,461; female 5,280)
15-64 years: 62% (male 14,488; female 12,617)
65 years and over: 14% (male 2,661; female 3,350) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: -1.8% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 13.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.69 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -23.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 0.99 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 77.83 years
male: 74.75 years
female: 80.88 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.38 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese

Ethnic divisions: Scandinavian

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran

Languages: Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Literacy: NA

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar

Data code: FO

Type of government: part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark

Capital: Torshavn

Administrative divisions: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)

Independence: none (part of the Danish realm; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark)

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 (of Denmark since 14 January
1972), who is a constitutional monarch, is represented by High
Commissioner Bent KLINTE, chief administrative officer (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Edmund JOENSEN (since 15
September 1994) was elected by the Logting
cabinet: Landsstyri was elected by the Logting

Legislative branch: unicameral
Faroese Parliament (Logting): elections last held 8 July 1994 (next
to be held by July 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (32 total) Liberal Party 8, People's Party 6, Social
Democrats 5, Republicans 4, Workers' Party 3, Christian Democrats 2,
Center Party 2, Home Rule Party 2
Danish Parliament: elections last held on 21 September 1994 (next to
be held by September 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (2 total) Liberals 2

Judicial branch: none

Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party, Marita
PETERSEN; Workers Front, Oli JACOBSEN; Home Rule Party, Helena Dam A
NEYSTABO; The "Coalition Party," Edmund JOENSEN; Republican Party,
Finnbogi ISAKSON; Centrist Party, Tordur NICLASEN; Christian
People's Party, Niels Pauli DANIELSEN; People's Party, Arnfinn
KALLSBERG; Liberal Party, Jorgen ESTRUP; Christian Democratic Party

International organization participation: none

Diplomatic representation in US: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)

US diplomatic representation: none (self-governing overseas
administrative division of Denmark)

Flag: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the
edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the
hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Economy -------

Economic overview: The Faroese economy is experiencing a moderate
upturn after several years of decline brought on by over-fishing and
declining fish prices, large budget deficits by the Faroese Home
Rule Government (FHRG), plummeting property values, and a bail-out
merger of the two largest Faroese banks. Near-term forecasts suggest
continued economic recovery, and oil finds close to the Faroese area
may lay the basis for an eventual economic rebound. Aided by a
substantial annual subsidy from Denmark, the Faroese have enjoyed a
standard of living comparable to the Danes and other Scandinavians.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $733 million (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $15,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (1993 est.)

Labor force: 17,585
by occupation: largely engaged in fishing, manufacturing,
transportation, and commerce

Unemployment rate: 23% (1993)

Budget:
revenues: $407.2 million
expenditures: $482.7 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1993 est.)

Industries: fishing, shipbuilding, handicrafts

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 90,000 kW
production: 200 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,953 kWh (1992)

Agriculture: potatoes, vegetables; sheep; annual fish catch about
360,000 metric tons

Exports: $345.3 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities: fish and fish products 88%, animal feedstuffs,
transport equipment (ships) (1989)
partners: Denmark 20%, Germany 18.3%, UK 14.2%, France 11.2%, Spain
7.9%, US 4.5%

Imports: $234.4 million (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment 24.4%, manufactures
24%, food and livestock 19%, fuels 12%, chemicals 6.5%
partners: Denmark 43.8%, Norway 19.8%, Sweden 4.9%, Germany 4.2%, US
1.3%

External debt: $1.2 billion (1993 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: receives an annual subsidy from Denmark of about $130 million

Currency: 1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere

Exchange rates: Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 - 5.652 (January
1996), 5.602 (1995), 6.361 (1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396
(1991)

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

Transportation --------------

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 443 km
paved: NA km
unpaved: NA km

Ports: Klaksvick, Torshavn, Tvoroyri

Merchant marine:
total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 19,879 GRT/18,444 DWT
ships by type: cargo 5, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1, short-sea
passenger 1 (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Communications --------------

Telephones: 27,900 (1984 est.)

Telephone system: good international communications; fair domestic
facilities
domestic: NA
international: 3 coaxial submarine cables

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3 (repeaters 10), shortwave 0

Radios: 24,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (repeaters 29)

Televisions: 14,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: no organized native military forces; only a small Police
Force and Coast Guard are maintained

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Denmark

======================================================================

@Fiji ----

Map ---

Location: 18 00 S, 175 00 E -- Oceania, island group in the South
Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Flag ----

Description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper
hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half
of the flag; the shield depicts a yellow lion above a white field
quartered by the cross of Saint George featuring stalks of
sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove

Geography ---------

Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total area: 18,270 sq km
land area: 18,270 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 1,129 km

Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation;
rectilinear shelf claim added
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature
variation

Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m

Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil
potential

Land use:
arable land: 8%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 65%
other: 19%

Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion
natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Whaling

Geographic note: includes 332 islands of which approximately 110
are inhabited

People ------

Population: 782,381 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 141,652; female 135,829)
15-64 years: 62% (male 240,621; female 240,620)
65 years and over: 3% (male 11,235; female 12,424) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.28% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 23.37 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 17.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 65.71 years
male: 63.39 years
female: 68.14 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.83 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian

Ethnic divisions: Fijian 49%, Indian 46%, European, other Pacific
Islanders, overseas Chinese, and other 5%

Religions: Christian 52% (Methodist 37%, Roman Catholic 9%), Hindu
38%, Muslim 8%, other 2%
note: Fijians are mainly Christian, Indians are Hindu, and there is
a Muslim minority (1986)

Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindustani

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 91.6%
male: 93.8%
female: 89.3%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Fiji
conventional short form: Fiji

Data code: FJ

Type of government: republic
note: military coup leader Maj. Gen. Sitiveni RABUKA formally
declared Fiji a republic on 6 October 1987

Capital: Suva

Administrative divisions: 4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central,
Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western

Independence: 10 October 1970 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 10 October (1970)

Constitution: 10 October 1970 (suspended 1 October 1987); a new
Constitution was proposed on 23 September 1988 and promulgated on 25
July 1990; the 1990 Constitution is under review; the review is
scheduled to be complete by 1997

Legal system: based on British system

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Sir Kamisese MARA (Acting President
since 15 December 1993, President since 12 January 1994) was
appointed for a five-year term by the Great Council of Chiefs; First
Vice President Ratu Sir Josaia TAIVAIQIA (since 12 January 1994);
Second Vice President Ratu Inoke TAKIVEIKATA (since 12 January 1994)
head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni RABUKA (since 2 June
1992) was appointed by the president; Deputy Prime Minister Timoci
VESIKULA (since NA)
Presidential Council: advises the president on matters of national
importance
Great Council of Chiefs: highest ranking members of the traditional
chiefly system
cabinet: Cabinet was appointed by the prime minister from among the
members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: nonelective body, members are appointed by the president and
serve five-year terms; seats - (34 total, 24 reserved for ethnic
Fijians, 9 for Indians and others, and 1 for the island of Rotuma)
House of Representatives: members serve five-year terms; elections
last held 18-25 February 1994 (next to be held NA 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (70 total, with ethnic Fijians
allocated 37 seats, ethnic Indians 27 seats, and independents and
other 6 seats) SVT 31, NFP 20, FLP 7, FAP 5, GVP 4, independents 2,
ANC 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Fijian Political Party (SVT -
primarily Fijian), leader Maj. Gen. Sitivini RABUKA; National
Federation Party (NFP; primarily Indian), Jai Ram REDDY; Fijian
Nationalist Party (FNP), Sakeasi BUTADROKA; Fiji Labor Party (FLP),
Mahendra CHAUDHRY; General Voters Party (GVP), Leo SMITH; Fiji
Conservative Party (FCP), leader NA; Conservative Party of Fiji
(CPF), leader NA; Fiji Indian Liberal Party, leader NA; Fiji Indian
Congress Party, leader NA; Fiji Independent Labor (Muslim), leader
NA; Four Corners Party, leader NA; Fijian Association Party (FAP),
Josevata KAMIKAMICA; General Electors' Association, leader NA
note: in early 1995, ethnic Fijian members of the All National
Congress (ANC) merged with the Fijian Association (FA); the
remaining members of the ANC have renamed their party the General
Electors' Association

International organization participation: ACP, AsDB, CP, ESCAP,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, PCA, Sparteca, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UPU,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pita Kewa NACUVA
chancery: Suite 240, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 337-8320
FAX: [1] (202) 337-1996
consulate(s): New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Don Lee GEVIRTZ
embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone: [679] 314466
FAX: [679] 300081