Chapter V (17)

Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 41,850 (1983 est.)

Telephone system:
domestic: NA
international: 1 submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

@Guinea ------

Map ---

Location: 11 00 N, 10 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Flag ----

Description: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side),
yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;
similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R
centered in the yellow band

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Geographic coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 245,860 sq km
land area: 245,860 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:
total: 3,399 km
border countries: Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km,
Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Coastline: 320 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season
(June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to
May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous
interior
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium,
hydropower, fish

Land use:
arable land: 6%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 12%
forest and woodland: 42%
other: 40%

Irrigated land: 240 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water;
desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce
visibility during dry season
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous
Wastes

People ------

Population: 7,411,981 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 44% (male 1,632,414; female 1,637,007)
15-64 years: 53% (male 1,928,586; female 2,013,343)
65 years and over: 3% (male 84,005; female 116,626) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.85% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 42.59 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 18.71 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -5.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand
refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, many of
whom are now returning to their own countries

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 134.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 45.06 years
male: 42.73 years
female: 47.47 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean

Ethnic divisions: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller
tribes 10%

Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Languages: French (official), each tribe has its own language

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 35.9%
male: 49.9%
female: 21.9%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea

Data code: GV

Type of government: republic

Capital: Conakry

Administrative divisions: 33 administrative regions (regions
administratives, singular - region administrative); Beyla, Boffa,
Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Faranah,
Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia,
Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola,
Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele,
Tougue, Yomou

Independence: 2 October 1958 (from France)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April
(1984)

Constitution: 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Legal system: based on French civil law system, customary law, and
decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Lansana CONTE,
elected in the first multiparty election 19 December 1993 (president
must be elected by a majority of the votes cast); prior to the
election he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April
1984
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire): the
People's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984
coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new National
Assembly with 114 seats; legislative elections were held on 11 June
1995; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (114 total) PUP
71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG 1, UNP 1, PDG/RDA 1, other 1

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)

Political parties and leaders: political parties were legalized on
1 April 1992; of the more than 40 with legal status, the following
won seats in the legislature in the 11 June 1995 elections
pro-government: Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)
other: Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a
New Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress
(PRP), Siradiou DIALLO; Union for Progress of Guinea (UPG),
Secretary-General Jean-Marie DORE; Democratic Party of Guinea (DPG),
Ahmed Sekou TOURE; National Union for the Prosperity of Guinea
(UNPG), Lt.Col. Facine TOURE, leader; Democratic Party of Guinea
(PDG), El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN, leader

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC,
ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MINURSO, NAM,
OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bangoura Mahawa CAMARA
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM III
embassy: Rue KA 038, Conakry
mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23
FAX: [224] 44 15 22

Flag: three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and
green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to
the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the
yellow band

Economy -------

Economic overview: Although possessing major mineral, hydropower,
and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest
countries in the world. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the
work force. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite
reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991.
Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the
legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty.
Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,020 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 24%
industry: 31%
services: 45% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 2.4 million (1983)
by occupation: agriculture 80.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%,
services 5.4%, civil service 3.6%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $449 million
expenditures: $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361
million (1990 est.)

Industries: bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light
manufacturing and agricultural processing industries

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 180,000 kW
production: 520 million kWh
consumption per capita: 77 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava
(tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Exports: $562 million (1994 est.)
commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples,
bananas, palm kernels
partners: US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%

Imports: $688 million (1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport
equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
partners: France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%

External debt: $3.02 billion (1994)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 995.3 (August
1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992), 753.9 (1991)
note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and
quoted weekly against the US dollar until end-October 1993; since 1
November 1994, the exchange rate is determined in the interbank
market for foreign exchange

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 1,086 km
standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge; note - includes 662 km in common
carrier service from Kankan to Conakry

Highways:
total: 29,750 km
paved: 4,490 km
unpaved: 25,260 km (1991 est.)

Waterways: 1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft

Ports: Boke, Conakry, Kamsar

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 14
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 6
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 18,000 (1994 est.)

Telephone system: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small
radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay
system
domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0

Radios: 257,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: 65,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force,
Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National
Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,684,264
males fit for military service: 849,404 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $50 million, 1.6%
of GDP (1994)

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

@Guinea-Bissau -------------

Map ---

Location: 12 00 N, 15 00 W -- Western Africa, bordering the North
Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green
with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black
five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular
pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,
between Guinea and Senegal

Geographic coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W

Map references: Africa

Area:
total area: 36,120 sq km
land area: 28,000 sq km
comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of
Connecticut

Land boundaries:
total: 724 km
border countries: Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

Coastline: 350 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy
season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season
(December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location in the northeast corner of the
country 300 m

Natural resources: phosphates, bauxite, unexploited deposits of
petroleum, fish, timber

Land use:
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 43%
forest and woodland: 38%
other: 7%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce
visibility during dry season; brush fires
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test
Ban, Wetlands

People ------

Population: 1,151,330 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 247,471; female 246,725)
15-64 years: 54% (male 295,132; female 329,681)
65 years and over: 3% (male 15,603; female 16,718) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.35% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 39.7 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 16.23 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 115.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 48.28 years
male: 46.63 years
female: 49.99 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.34 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s)
adjective: Guinea-Bissauan

Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%,
Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%

Languages: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 54.9%
male: 68%
female: 42.5%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau
local long form: Republica de Guine-Bissau
local short form: Guine-Bissau
former: Portuguese Guinea

Data code: PU

Type of government: republic, formerly highly centralized,
multiparty since mid-1991

Capital: Bissau

Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao);
Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali

Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974)

Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently
undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the
government)

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Joao
Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held August 1994
(next to be held 1999); results - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, Kumba
YALLA 48%
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel SATURNINO (since 5
November 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Nacional Popular) elections
last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) PAIGC 62, RGB 19,
PRS 12, Union for Change Coalition 6, FLING 1

Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the
Council of Ministers

Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence
of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo
VIEIRA, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB), Helder Jorge VAZ
Gomes Lopes, leader; Democratic Front (FD); Social Renovation Party
(PRS), Koumba YALLA, leader; Union for Change Coalition; Front for
the Liberation and Independence of Guinea (FLING); Democratic Social
Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos
Fernandes GARNER, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB); Union for
Change Coalition

International organization participation: ACCT (associate), ACP,
AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOM
(observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAMIR, UNAVEM III, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIL, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL
chancery: 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 872-4222
FAX: [1] (202) 872-4226

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peggy BLACKFORD
embassy: Bairro de Penha, Bissau
mailing address: C.P. 297, 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
telephone: [245] 252273, 252274, 252275, 252276
FAX: [245] 252282

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a
vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed
star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors
of Ethiopia

Economy -------

Economic overview: Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries
in the world. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic
activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary
exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at
present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of
development. With IMF support, the country is committed to an
economic reform program emphasizing monetary stability and private
sector growth. This process will continue at a slow pace because of
a heavy foreign debt burden and internal constraints.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1 billion (1994 est.)

GDP real growth rate: NA%

GDP per capita: $900 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 44%
industry: 8%
services: 48% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 403,000 (est.)
by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%,
government 5%

Unemployment rate: NA%

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

Industries: agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Electricity:
capacity: 22,000 kW
production: 40 million kWh
consumption per capita: 37 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts,
peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; fishing and forest potential not
fully exploited

Exports: $32 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels
partners: Portugal, Spain, Senegal, India, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire

Imports: $63 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products,
machinery and equipment
partners: Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal

External debt: $692 million (December 1993 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 17,659
(December 1995), 12,892 (1994), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659
(1991), 2,185 (1990)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Telephones: 3,000 (1988 est.)

Telephone system: poor system
domestic: combination of microwave radio relay, open-wire lines, and
radiotelephone communications
international: NA

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

Radios: 40,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 1

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

Branches: People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; includes Army,
Navy, and Air Force), paramilitary force

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 259,738
males fit for military service: 148,291 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $9 million, 4.5%
of GDP (1994)

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

@Guyana ------

Map ---

Location: 5 00 N, 59 00 W -- Northern South America, bordering the
North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Flag ----

Description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the
hoist side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a
narrow black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white
border between the yellow and the green

Geography ---------

Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic
Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela

Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W

Map references: South America

Area:
total area: 214,970 sq km
land area: 196,850 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than Idaho

Land boundaries:
total: 2,462 km
border countries: Brazil 1,119 km, Suriname 600 km, Venezuela 743 km

Coastline: 459 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental
margin
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: all of the area west of the Essequibo
River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area between New (Upper
Courantyne) and Courantyne/Kutari Rivers (all headwaters of the
Courantyne)

Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds;
two rainy seasons (May to mid-August, mid-November to mid-January)

Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in
south
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Roraima 2,835 m

Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber,
shrimp, fish

Land use:
arable land: 3%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 83%
other: 8%

Irrigated land: 1,300 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and
industrial chemicals; deforestation
natural hazards: flash floods are a constant threat during rainy
seasons
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical
Timber 83, Whaling

People ------

Population: 712,091 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 118,796; female 114,327)
15-64 years: 63% (male 224,219; female 222,562)
65 years and over: 4% (male 14,582; female 17,605) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.9% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 19.03 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 9.55 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -18.47 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: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.01 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 60.1 years
male: 57.55 years
female: 62.78 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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

Ethnic divisions: East Indian 51%, black and mixed 43%, Amerindian
4%, European and Chinese 2%

Religions: Christian 57%, Hindu 33%, Muslim 9%, other 1%

Languages: English, Amerindian dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over has ever attended school (1995 est.)
total population: 98.1%
male: 98.6%
female: 97.5%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Co-operative Republic of Guyana
conventional short form: Guyana
former: British Guiana

Data code: GY

Type of government: republic

Capital: Georgetown

Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini,
Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo
Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam,
Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo

Independence: 26 May 1966 (from UK)

National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970)

Constitution: 6 October 1980

Legal system: based on English common law with certain admixtures
of Roman-Dutch law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Executive President Cheddi JAGAN (since 9 October
1992); the president is elected by the majority party in the
National Assembly after legislative elections, which must be held
within five years; legislative elections last held 5 October 1992
(next to be held NA 1997); results - Cheddi JAGAN was elected
president by the PPP
head of government: Prime Minister Sam HINDS (since 9 October 1992)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president; is
responsible to the legislature

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: elections last held on 5 October 1992 (next to be
held in 1997); results - PPP 53.4%, PNC 42.3%, WPA 2%, TUF 1.2%;
seats - (65 total, 53 elected) PPP 36, PNC 26, WPA 2, TUF 1

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Judicature

Political parties and leaders: People's Progressive Party (PPP),
Cheddi JAGAN; People's National Congress (PNC), Hugh Desmond HOYTE;
Good and Green Georgetown (GGG), Hamilton GREEN; Working People's
Alliance (WPA), Eusi KWAYANA, Rupert ROOPNARINE; Democratic Labor
Movement (DLM), Paul TENNASSEE; People's Democratic Movement (PDM),
Llewellyn JOHN; National Democratic Front (NDF), Joseph BACCHUS; The
United Force (TUF), Manzoor NADIR; United Republican Party (URP),
Leslie RAMSAMMY; National Republican Party (NRP), Robert GANGADEEN;
Guyana Labor Party (GLP), Nanda GOPAUL

Other political or pressure groups: Trades Union Congress (TUC);
Guyana Council of Indian Organizations (GCIO); Civil Liberties
Action Committee (CLAC)
note: the latter two organizations are small and active but not well
organized

International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CCC,
CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol,
IOC, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Ali Odeen ISHMAEL
chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900, 6901
consulate(s) general: New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador David L. HOBBS
embassy: 99-100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown
mailing address: P. O. Box 10507, Georgetown
telephone: [592] (2) 54900 through 54909, 57960 through 57969
FAX: [592] (2) 58497

Flag: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist
side) superimposed on a long yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow
black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow white border
between the yellow and the green

Economy -------

Economic overview: In 1995, Guyana, one of the poorest countries
in the Western Hemisphere, posted its fifth straight year of
economic growth of 5% or better, with the advance led by gold mining
and by production of rice, sugar, and forestry products for export.
Favorable factors include recovery in the key agricultural and
mining sectors, a more favorable atmosphere for business initiative,
a more realistic exchange rate, a sharp drop in the inflation rate,
and the continued support of international organizations. Serious
underlying economic problems will continue. Electric power has been
in short supply and constitutes a major barrier to future gains in
national output. The government must persist in efforts to manage
its $2 billion external debt, control inflation, and extend the
privatization program.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.6 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 5.1% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $2,200 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 27.8%
services: 45.7% (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8.1% (1995)

Labor force: 268,000
by occupation: industry and commerce 44.5%, agriculture 33.8%,
services 21.7%
note: public-sector employment amounts to 60%-80% of the total labor
force (1985)

Unemployment rate: 12% (1992 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $209 million
expenditures: $303 million, including capital expenditures of $109
million (1995 est.)

Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, fishing
(shrimp), textiles, gold mining

Industrial production growth rate: 5.6% (1994 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 110,000 kW
production: 230 million kWh
consumption per capita: 286 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sugar, rice, wheat, vegetable oils; beef, pork,
poultry, dairy products; development potential exists for fishing
and forestry

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics from South
America - primarily Venezuela - to the US and Europe; producer of
cannabis

Exports: $453 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: sugar, bauxite/alumina, rice, shrimp, molasses
partners: UK 33%, US 31%, Canada 9%, France 5%, Japan 3% (1992)

Imports: $456 million (c.i.f., 1994 est.)
commodities: manufactures, machinery, petroleum, food
partners: US 37%, Trinidad and Tobago 13%, UK 11%, Italy 8%, Japan
5% (1992)

External debt: $2.2 billion (1994 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 Guyanese dollar (G$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (G$) per US$1 - 140.3 (January
1996), 142.0 (1995), 138.3 (1994), 126.7 (1993), 125.0 (1992), 111.8
(1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 88 km
standard gauge: 40 km 1.435-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)
narrow gauge: 48 km 0.914-m gauge (dedicated to ore transport)

Highways:
total: 7,621 km
paved: 547 km
unpaved: 7,074 km (1987 est.)

Waterways: 6,000 km total of navigable waterways; Berbice,
Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels
for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km, respectively

Ports: Bartica, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Parika

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,317 GRT/2,558 DWT
(1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 47
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 32
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 9 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 33,000 (1987 est.)

Telephone system: fair system for long-distance calling
domestic: microwave radio relay network for trunk lines
international: tropospheric scatter to Trinidad; satellite earth
station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 1

Radios: 398,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 0 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Guyana Defense Force (GDF; includes Ground Forces, Coast
Guard, and Air Corps), Guyana People's Militia (GPM), Guyana
National Service (GNS)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 197,548
males fit for military service: 149,646 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $7 million, 1.7%
of GDP (1994)

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

@Haiti -----

Map ---

Location: 19 00 N, 72 25 W -- Caribbean, western one-third of the
island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic

Flag ----

Description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with
a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains
a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of
Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
west of the Dominican Republic

Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 27,750 sq km
land area: 27,560 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:
total: 275 km
border country: Dominican Republic 275 km

Coastline: 1,771 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: claims US-administered Navassa Island

Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade
winds

Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Natural resources: bauxite

Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 13%
meadows and pastures: 18%
forest and woodland: 4%
other: 45%

Irrigated land: 750 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining
forested land is being cleared for agriculture and use as fuel);
soil erosion; inadequate supplies of potable water
natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and
subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding
and earthquakes; periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Marine Dumping, Marine Life
Conservation; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear
Test Ban

Geographic note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican
Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the
Dominican Republic)

People ------

Population: 6,731,539 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 46% (male 1,568,943; female 1,523,406)
15-64 years: 50% (male 1,614,679; female 1,758,388)
65 years and over: 4% (male 132,460; female 133,663) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.77% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 38.15 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.96 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -4.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.99 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 103.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 49.26 years
male: 47.26 years
female: 51.35 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Haitian(s)
adjective: Haitian

Ethnic divisions: black 95%, mulatto and European 5%

Religions: Roman Catholic 80% (of which an overwhelming majority
also practice Voodoo), Protestant 16% (Baptist 10%, Pentecostal 4%,
Adventist 1%, other 1%), none 1%, other 3% (1982)

Languages: French (official) 10%, Creole

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 45%
male: 48%
female: 42.2%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Haiti
conventional short form: Haiti
local long form: Republique d'Haiti
local short form: Haiti

Data code: HA

Type of government: republic

Capital: Port-au-Prince

Administrative divisions: 9 departments, (departements, singular -
departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nord, Nord-Est,
Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est

Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

Constitution: approved March 1987, suspended June 1988, most
articles reinstated March 1989; in October 1991, government claimed
to be observing the constitution; return to constitutional rule,
October 1994

Legal system: based on Roman civil law system; accepts compulsory
ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Rene Garcia PREVAL (since 7 February
1996), was elected for a five-year term by universal suffrage;
election last held 17 December 1995 (next to be held by December
2000); results - Rene PREVAL 88%, Leon JEUNE 2.5%, Victor BENOIT 2.3%
head of government: Prime Minister Rosny SMARTH (since March 1996)
was appointed by the president
cabinet: Cabinet; was chosen by prime minister in consultation with
the president

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Assemblee
Nationale)
Senate: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on 13 August
and runoffs on 17 September (next to be held 25 June 1999); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - 27 total
Chamber of Deputies: elections last held 25 June 1995 with reruns on
13 August and runoffs on 17 September; results - percent of vote by
party NA; seats - 83 total

Judicial branch: Court of Appeal (Cour de Cassation)

Political parties and leaders: National Front for Change and
Democracy (FNCD), Evans PAUL and Turneb DELPE; National Cooperative
Action Movement (MKN), Volvick Remy JOSEPH; National Congress of
Democratic Movements (CONACOM), Victor BENOIT; Movement for the
Installation of Democracy in Haiti (MIDH), Marc BAZIN; National
Progressive Revolutionary Party (PANPRA), Serge GILLES; National
Patriotic Movement of November 28 (MNP-28), Dejean BELIZAIRE;
National Agricultural and Industrial Party (PAIN), Louis DEJOIE;
Movement for National Reconstruction (MRN), Rene THEODORE; Haitian
Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Fritz PIERRE; Assembly of
Progressive National Democrats (RDNP), Leslie MANIGAT; National
Labor Party (PNT), Remy ZAMOR; Mobilization for National Development
(MDN), Hubert DE RONCERAY; Democratic Movement for the Liberation of
Haiti (MODELH), Francois LATORTUE; Haitian Social Christian Party
(PSCH), Gregoire EUGENE; Movement for the Organization of the
Country (MOP), Gesner COMEAU and Jean MOLIERE; Democratic Unity
Confederation (KID), Evans PAUL; National Lavalas Political
Organization (OPL), Gerard PIERRE-CHARLES; Open the Gate Party
(PLB), Renaud BERNARDIN; Haitian National Democratic Progressive
Party (PNDPH), Turneb DELPE

Other political or pressure groups: Roman Catholic Church;
Confederation of Haitian Workers (CTH); Federation of Workers Trade
Unions (FOS); Autonomous Haitian Workers (CATH); National Popular
Assembly (APN); Papaye Peasants Movement (MPP)

International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, Caricom
(observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
ITU, LAES, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean CASIMIR
chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 through 4092
FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Juan
(Puerto Rico)

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William Lacy SWING
embassy: 5 Harry Truman Boulevard, Port-au-Prince
mailing address: P. O. Box 1761, Port-au-Prince
telephone: [509] 22-0354, 22-0368, 22-0200, 22-0612
FAX: [509] 23-1641

Flag: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a
centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a
palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing
the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength)

Economy -------

Economic overview: About 75% of the population lives in abject
poverty. Nearly 70% of all Haitians depend on the agriculture
sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and
employs about two-thirds of the economically active work force. The
country has experienced only moderate job creation since President
ARISTIDE was returned to power in October 1994. Failure to reach
agreement with multilateral lenders in late 1995 led to rising
deficit spending and subsequently increasing inflation and a drop in
the value of the Haitian currency in the final months of 1995.
Potential investors, both foreign and domestic, have been reluctant
to risk their capital, planning to "wait and see" what happens in
the months following the inauguration of newly elected President
Rene PREVAL and the drawdown of UN peacekeeping forces. The PREVAL
government will have to grapple with implementing necessary,
although unpopular, economic reforms in order to obtain badly needed
foreign aid and improve Haiti's ability to attract foreign capital
if the Haitian economy is to gain momentum. Haiti will continue to
depend heavily on foreign aid in the medium term.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 34.8%
industry: 23%
services: 42.2% (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.5% (FY 94/95)

Labor force: 2.3 million
by occupation: agriculture 66%, services 25%, industry 9%
note: shortage of skilled labor, unskilled labor abundant (1982)

Unemployment rate: 60% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $242 million
expenditures: $299.4 million including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY94/95)

Industries: sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement,
tourism, light assembly industries based on imported parts

Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 150,000 kW
production: 590 million kWh
consumption per capita: 86 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum; wood

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana en
route to the US and Europe

Exports: $161 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: light manufactures 65%, coffee 19%, other agriculture
8%, other 8%
partners: US 81%, Europe 12% (1993)

Imports: $537 million (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: machines and manufactures 34%, food and beverages 22%,
petroleum products 14%, chemicals 10%, fats and oils 9%
partners: US 51%, Europe 16%, Latin America 18% (1993)

External debt: $827 million (September 1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 gourde (G) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: gourdes (G) per US$1 - 16.783 (January 1996),
16.160 (1995), 12.947 (1994), 12.805 (1993), 10.953 (1992), 8.240
(1991)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

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

Railways:
total: 40 km (single track; privately owned industrial line)-closed
in early 1990's
narrow gauge: 40 km 0.760-m gauge

Highways:
total: 3,978 km
paved: 944 km
unpaved: 3,034 km (1987 est.)

Waterways: negligible; less than 100 km navigable

Ports: Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Cayes, Miragoane,
Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc

Merchant marine: none

Airports:
total: 11
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 50,000 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: domestic facilities barely adequate,
international facilities slightly better
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 33, FM 0, shortwave 2

Radios: 320,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 4 (1987 est.)

Televisions: 32,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Haitian National Police

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,379,116
males fit for military service: 746,617
males reach military age (18) annually: 67,287 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: $NA, NA% of GDP

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

@Heard Island and McDonald Islands ---------------------------------

(territory of Australia)

Map ---

Location: 53 06 S, 72 31 E -- Southern Africa, islands in the
Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to
Antarctica

Flag ----

Description: the flag of Australia is used

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, islands in the Indian Ocean, about
two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica

Geographic coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E

Map references: Antarctic Region

Area:
total area: 412 sq km
land area: 412 sq km
comparative area: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 101.9 km

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

International disputes: none

Climate: antarctic

Terrain: Heard Island - bleak and mountainous, with a quiescent
volcano; McDonald Islands - small and rocky
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Big Ben 2,745 m

Natural resources: none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: Heard Island is dominated by a dormant volcano
called Big Ben
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: primarily used for research stations

People ------

Population: uninhabited

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of Heard Island and McDonald
Islands
conventional short form: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Data code: HM

Type of government: territory of Australia administered by the
Ministry for Environment, Sport, and Territories

Capital: none; administered from Canberra, Australia

Independence: none (territory of Australia)

Flag: the flag of Australia is used

Economy -------

Economic overview: no economic activity

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

Ports: none; offshore anchorage only

Defense -------

Defense note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

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

@Holy See (Vatican City) -----------------------

Map ---

Location: 41 54 N, 12 27 E -- Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome
(Italy)

Flag ----

Description: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white
with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in
the white band

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 0.44 sq km
land area: 0.44 sq km
comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in
Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
total: 3.2 km
border country: Italy 3.2 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May)
with hot, dry summers (May to September)

Terrain: low hill
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m

Natural resources: none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution,
Environmental Modification

Geographic note: urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy;
world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in
Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy
extraterritorial rights

People ------

Population: 840 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.15% (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: none
adjective: none

Ethnic divisions: Italians, Swiss

Religions: Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian, Latin, various other languages

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)

Data code: VT

Type of government: monarchical-sacerdotal state

Capital: Vatican City

Independence: 11 February 1929 (from Italy)

National holiday: Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978)
(John Paul II)
note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978

Constitution: Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March
1968)

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: limited to cardinals less than 80 years old

Executive branch:
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October
1978) was elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election
last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the
current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the
College of Cardinals
head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal
SODANO (since NA 1991) was appointed by the pope
cabinet: Pontifical Commission was appointed by Pope

Legislative branch: unicameral Pontifical Commission

Judicial branch: none; normally handled by Italy

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: none (exclusive of influence
exercised by church officers)

International organization participation: IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat,
IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD,
UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino
CACCIAVILLAN
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153
mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624
telephone: [39] (6) 46741
FAX: [39] (6) 5758346, 57300682

Flag: two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the
crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the
white band

Economy -------

Economic overview: This unique, noncommercial economy is supported
financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman
Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and
tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of
publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are
comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who
work in the city of Rome.

Labor force: NA
by occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay
workers who live outside the Vatican

Budget:
revenues: $175.5 million
expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)

Industries: printing and production of a small amount of mosaics
and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Electricity:
capacity: 5,000 kW standby
production: power supplied by Italy
consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)

Currency: 1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi

Exchange rates: Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,583.8 (January
1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4
(1992), 1,240.6 (1991); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the
Italian lira which circulates freely

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 862 meters; note - connects to Italy's network at Rome's
Saint Peter's station
narrow gauge: 862 meters 1.435-m gauge

Highways: none; all city streets

Ports: none

Airports: none

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

Telephones: 2,000

Telephone system: automatic exchange
domestic: tied into Italian system
international: uses Italian system

Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios: NA

Television broadcast stations: 0

Televisions: NA

Defense -------

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

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

@Honduras --------

Map ---

Location: 15 00 N, 86 30 W -- Middle America, bordering the
Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the
North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Nicaragua

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white,
and blue with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern
centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the
former Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El
Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of
El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Geography ---------

Location: Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between
Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the North Pacific Ocean,
between El Salvador and Nicaragua

Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area:
total area: 112,090 sq km
land area: 111,890 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Tennessee

Land boundaries:
total: 1,520 km
border countries: Guatemala 256 km, El Salvador 342 km, Nicaragua
922 km

Coastline: 820 km

Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: land boundary dispute with El Salvador
mostly resolved by 11 September 1992 International Court of Justice
(ICJ) decision; with respect to the maritime boundary in the Golfo
de Fonseca, ICJ referred to an earlier agreement in this century and
advised that some tripartite resolution among El Salvador, Honduras,
and Nicaragua likely would be required; maritime boundary dispute
with Nicaragua

Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains

Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m

Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron
ore, antimony, coal, fish

Land use:
arable land: 14%
permanent crops: 2%
meadows and pastures: 30%
forest and woodland: 34%
other: 20%

Irrigated land: 900 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results
from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes;
further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled
development and improper land use practices such as farming of
marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the
country's largest source of freshwater) with heavy metals as well as
several rivers and streams
natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; damaging
hurricanes and floods along Caribbean coast
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands; signed,
but not ratified - Desertification, Tropical Timber 94

People ------

Population: 5,605,193 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 43% (male 1,220,188; female 1,177,725)
15-64 years: 54% (male 1,496,625; female 1,520,918)
65 years and over: 3% (male 91,126; female 98,611) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.6% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 33.38 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -1.53 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: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 41.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.42 years
male: 66.01 years
female: 70.96 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 4.41 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Honduran(s)
adjective: Honduran

Ethnic divisions: mestizo (mixed Indian and European) 90%, Indian
7%, black 2%, white 1%

Religions: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant minority

Languages: Spanish, Indian dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 72.7%
male: 72.6%
female: 72.7%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras

Data code: HO

Type of government: republic

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular
- departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan,
Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca,
Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa
Barbara, Valle, Yoro

Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)

Constitution: 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982

Legal system: rooted in Roman and Spanish civil law; some
influence of English common law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Carlos Roberto
REINA Idiaquez (since 27 January 1994) was elected for a four-year
term by a simple majority of the people; First Vice President
General (Ret.) Walter LOPEZ; Second Vice President Juan DE LA CRUZ
Avelar; Third Vice President Guadeloupe JEREZANO; election last held
28 November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - Carlos
Roberto REINA Idiaquez (PLH) 53%, Oswaldo RAMOS Soto (PNH) 41%,
other 6%
cabinet: Cabinet

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Congress (Congreso Nacional): elections last held on 27
November 1993 (next to be held November 1997); results - PNH 53%,
PLH 41%, PDCH 1.0%, PINU-SD 2.5%, other 2.5%; seats - (134 total)
PNH 55, PLH 77, PINU-SD 2

Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de
Justica), judges are elected for four-year terms by the National
Assembly

Political parties and leaders: Liberal Party (PLH), Rafael PINEDA
Ponce, president; National Party of Honduras (PNH), Oswaldo RAMOS
Soto, president; National Innovation and Unity Party (PINU), Olban
VALLADARES, president; Christian Democratic Party (PDCH), Efrain
DIAZ Arrivillaga, president

Other political or pressure groups: National Association of
Honduran Campesinos (ANACH); Honduran Council of Private Enterprise
(COHEP); Confederation of Honduran Workers (CTH); National Union of
Campesinos (UNC); General Workers Confederation (CGT); United
Federation of Honduran Workers (FUTH); Committee for the Defense of
Human Rights in Honduras (CODEH); Coordinating Committee of Popular
Organizations (CCOP)

International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, ECLAC, FAO,
G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer),
MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary),
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIH, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Roberto FLORES Bermudez
chancery: 3007 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702, 2604, 5008, 4596
FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New
Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): Boston, Detroit, and Jacksonville

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador William T. PRYCE
embassy: Avenida La Paz, Apartado Postal No 3453, Tegucigalpa
mailing address: American Embassy, APO AA 34022, Tegucigalpa
telephone: [504] 36-9320, 38-5114
FAX: [504] 36-9037

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue
with five blue five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered
in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former
Federal Republic of Central America - Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; similar to the flag of El
Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words
REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white
band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a
triangle encircled by the word REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and
AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band

Economy -------

Economic overview: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the
Western Hemisphere. Agriculture, the most important sector of the
economy, employs nearly two-thirds of the labor force and produces
two-thirds of exports. Productivity remains low. Manufacturing,
still in its early stages, employs about 9% of the labor force, and
generates 20% of exports. Many basic problems face the economy,
including rapid population growth, high unemployment, inflation, a
lack of basic services, a large and inefficient public sector, and
the dependence of the export sector mostly on coffee and bananas,
which are subject to sharp price fluctuations. A far-reaching reform
program, initiated by former President CALLEJAS in 1990 and scaled
back by President REINA, is beginning to take hold.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $10.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 4% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,980 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 30%
industry: 20%
services: 50% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 30% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 1.3 million
by occupation: agriculture 62%, services 20%, manufacturing 9%,
construction 3%, other 6% (1985)

Unemployment rate: 10%; underemployed 30%-40% (1992)

Budget:
revenues: $527 million
expenditures: $668 million, including capital expenditures of $166
million (1993 est.)

Industries: sugar, coffee, textiles, clothing, wood products

Industrial production growth rate: 10% (1992 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 290,000 kW
production: 2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 445 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: bananas, coffee, citrus; beef; timber; shrimp;

Illicit drugs: transshipment point for narcotics; illicit producer
of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally for
local consumption

Exports: $843 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: bananas, coffee, shrimp, lobster, minerals, meat, lumber
partners: US 53%, Germany 11%, Belgium 8%, UK 5%

Imports: $1.1 billion (c.i.f. 1994)
commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemical products,
manufactured goods, fuel and oil, foodstuffs
partners: US 50%, Mexico 8%, Guatemala 6%

External debt: $3.7 billion (1994)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 lempira (L) = 100 centavos

Exchange rates: lempiras (L) per US$1 - 10.3432 (December 1994),
10.3432 (1995), 9.4001 (1994), 7.2600 (1993), 5.8300 (1992), 5.4000
(1991); the lempira was allowed to float in 1992

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 595 km
narrow gauge: 190 km 1.067-m gauge; 128 km 1.057-m gauge; 277 km
0.914-m gauge
note: in 1993, there was a total of 988 km of track (1995)

Highways:
total: 14,203 km
paved: 2,533 km
unpaved: 11,670 km (1993 est.)

Waterways: 465 km navigable by small craft