Chapter V (22)

Economic overview: More than 90% of this command economy is
socialized; agricultural land is collectivized; and state-owned
industry produces 95% of manufactured goods. State control of
economic affairs is unusually tight even for a communist country
because of the small size and homogeneity of the society and the
strict rule of KIM Il-song in the past and now his son, KIM
Chong-il. Economic growth during the period 1984-88 averaged 2%-3%,
but output declined by an average of 4%-5% annually during 1989-95
because of systemic problems and disruptions in socialist-style
economic relations and technological links with the former USSR and
China. The leadership has insisted on maintaining its high level of
military outlays from a shrinking economic pie. Moreover, a serious
drawdown in inventories and critical shortages in the energy sector
have led to increasing interruptions in industrial production.
Abundant mineral resources and hydropower have formed the basis of
industrial development since World War II. Manufacturing is centered
on heavy industry, including military industry, with light industry
lagging far behind. Despite the use of improved seed varieties,
expansion of irrigation, and the heavy use of fertilizers, North
Korea has not yet become self-sufficient in food production. Indeed,
a shortage of arable lands, several years of poor harvests, and a
cumbersome distribution system have resulted in chronic food
shortages. The year 1995 was marked by serious summer floods that
worsened an already tenuous food situation. Substantial grain
shipments from Japan and South Korea offset a portion of the losses.
North Korea remains far behind South Korea in economic development
and living standards.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $21.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $920 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 25%
industry: 60%
services: 15% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): NA%

Labor force: 9.615 million
by occupation: agricultural 36%, nonagricultural 64%

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $19.3 billion
expenditures: $19.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1992 est.)

Industries: military products; machine building, electric power,
chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, magnesite, graphite, copper,
zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food
processing

Industrial production growth rate: -7% to -9% (1992 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 9,500,000 kW
production: 50 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,053 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: rice, corn, potatoes, soybeans, pulses; cattle, pigs,
pork, eggs

Exports: $840 million (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: minerals, metallurgical products, agricultural and
fishery products, manufactures (including armaments)
partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, Russia

Imports: $1.27 billion (f.o.b., 1994 est.)
commodities: petroleum, grain, coking coal, machinery and equipment,
consumer goods
partners: China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Russia, Singapore

External debt: $8 billion (1992 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA
note: small amounts of grant aid from Japan and other countries

Currency: 1 North Korean won (Wn) = 100 chon

Exchange rates: North Korean won (Wn) per US$1 - 2.15 (May 1994),
2.13 (May 1992), 2.14 (September 1991), 2.1 (January 1990), 2.3
(December 1989)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 4,915 km
standard gauge: 4,250 km 1.435-m gauge (3,397 km electrified; 159 km
double track)
narrow gauge: 665 km 0.762-m gauge (1989)

Highways:
total: 30,000 km
paved: 4,500 km
unpaved: 25,500 km

Waterways: 2,253 km; mostly navigable by small craft only

Pipelines: crude oil 37 km

Ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam (Hamhung), Kimch'aek, Kosong,
Najin, Namp'o, Sinuiju, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Ungsang,
Wonsan

Merchant marine:
total: 88 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 712,480 GRT/1,140,923
DWT
ships by type: bulk 9, cargo 71, combination bulk 1, oil tanker 3,
passenger 2, passenger-cargo 1, short-sea passenger 1
note: North Korea owns an additional 4 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling approximately 34,782 DWT operating under the registries of
Hondurus and Poland (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 49
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 2
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 15
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 2
with unpaved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 4
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 12
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 6 (1994 est.)

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

Telephones: 30,000 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: system is believed to be available principally
for government business
domestic: NA
international: satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
and 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean Region); other international
connections through Moscow and Beijing

Radio broadcast stations: AM 18, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 3.5 million

Television broadcast stations: 11

Televisions: 400,000 (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Korean People's Army (includes Army, Navy, Air Force),
Civil Security Forces

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 6,844,035
males fit for military service: 4,143,713
males reach military age (18) annually: 194,922 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $5 billion to $7
billion, 25% to 33% of GDP (1995 est.)

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

@Korea, South ------------

Map ---

Location: 37 00 N, 127 30 E -- Eastern Asia, southern half of the
Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea,
south of North Korea

Flag ----

Description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in
the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I
Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula
bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, south of North Korea

Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E

Map references: Asia

Area:
total area: 98,480 sq km
land area: 98,190 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Indiana

Land boundaries:
total: 238 km
border country: North Korea 238 km

Coastline: 2,413 km

Maritime claims:
continental shelf: not specified
territorial sea: 12 nm; 3 nm in the Korea Strait

International disputes: Demarcation Line with North Korea;
Liancourt Rocks claimed by Japan

Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west
and south
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m

Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead,
hydropower

Land use:
arable land: 21%
permanent crops: 1%
meadows and pastures: 1%
forest and woodland: 67%
other: 10%

Irrigated land: 13,530 sq km (1989)

Environment:
current issues: air pollution in large cities; water pollution from
the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing
natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;
earthquakes in southwest
international agreements: party to - Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law
of the Sea

People ------

Population: 45,482,291 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 23% (male 5,531,032; female 4,962,915)
15-64 years: 71% (male 16,374,678; female 15,910,846)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,014,649; female 1,688,171) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: 1.02% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 16.24 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.66 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.14 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.02 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.26 years
male: 69.65 years
female: 77.39 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean

Ethnic divisions: homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Religions: Christianity 48.6%, Buddhism 47.4%, Confucianism 3%,
pervasive folk religion (shamanism), Chondogyo (Religion of the
Heavenly Way) 0.2%

Languages: Korean, English widely taught in high school

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 98%
male: 99.3%
female: 96.7%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: none
note: the South Koreans generally use the term "Hanguk" to refer to
their country
abbreviation: ROK

Data code: KS

Type of government: republic

Capital: Seoul

Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural)
and 6 special cities* (gwangyoksi, singular and plural); Cheju-do,
Cholla-bukto, Cholla-namdo, Ch'ungch'ong-bukto, Ch'ungch'ong-namdo,
Inch'on-gwangyoksi*, Kangwon-do, Kwangju-gwangyoksi*, Kyonggi-do,
Kyongsang-bukto, Kyongsang-namdo, Pusan-gwangyoksi*,
Soul-t'ukpyolsi*, Taegu-gwangyoksi*, Taejon-gwangyoksi*

Independence: 15 August 1948

National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1948)

Constitution: 25 February 1988

Legal system: combines elements of continental European civil law
systems, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President KIM Yong-sam (since 25 February 1993) was
elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 18
December 1992 (next to be held NA December 1997); results - KIM
Yong-sam (DLP) 41.9%, KIM Tae-chung (DP) 33.8%, CHONG Chu-yong (UPP)
16.3%, other 8%
head of government: Prime Minister YI Su-song (since 15 December
1995) was appointed by the president with the consent of the
National Assembly; Deputy Prime Ministers NA Ung-pae (since 20
December 1995) and KWON O-ki (since 20 December 1995) were appointed
by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
cabinet: State Council was appointed by the president on the prime
minister's recommendation

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Kukhoe): members elected for four-year terms;
elections last held 11 April 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (299 total) NKP 139, NCNP 79,
ULD 50, DP 15, independents 16

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, justices are appointed by the
president subject to the consent of the National Assembly

Political parties and leaders:
majority party: New Korea Party (NKP), KIM Yong-sam, president
opposition: United Liberal Democratic Party (ULD), KIM Chong-p'il,
president; Democratic Party (DP), KIM Won-ki, co-chairman and CHANG
Ul-pyong, co-chairman; National Congress for New Politics (NCNP),
KIM Tae-chung, president

Other political or pressure groups: Korean National Council of
Churches; National Democratic Alliance of Korea; National Federation
of Student Associations; National Federation of Farmers'
Associations; National Council of Labor Unions; Federation of Korean
Trade Unions; Korean Veterans' Association; Federation of Korean
Industries; Korean Traders Association

International organization participation: AfDB, APEC, AsDB, CCC,
CP, EBRD, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO,
ITU, MINURSO, OAS (observer), OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNU, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador PAK Kun-u
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600, 524-9273
consulate(s) general: Agana (Guam), Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San
Francisco, and Seattle

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador James T. LANEY
embassy: 82 Sejong-Ro, Chongro-ku, Seoul
mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 15550, APO AP 96205-0001
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 738-8845
consulate(s): Pusan

Flag: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the
center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching
(Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field

Economy -------

Economic overview: As one of the Four Dragons of East Asia, South
Korea has achieved an incredible record of growth. Three decades ago
its GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorer
countries of Africa and Asia. Today its GDP per capita is nine times
India's, 14 times North Korea's, and already up with the lesser
economies of the European Union. This success has been achieved by a
unique combination of authoritarian government guidance of what is
at bottom an essentially entrepreneurial process. The government has
sponsored large-scale adoption of technology and management from
Japan and other modern nations; has successfully pushed the
development of export industries while encouraging the import of
machinery and materials at the expense of consumer goods; and has
pushed its labor force to a work effort seldom matched anywhere even
in wartime. Real GDP grew by an average 10% in 1986-91, then paused
to a "mere" 5% in 1992-93, only to move back up to 8% in 1994 and 9%
in 1995. With a much higher standard of living and with a
considerable easing of authoritarian controls, the work pace has
softened. Growth rates will probably slow down over the medium term
because of the exhaustion of former growth opportunities and the
need to deal with pollution and the other problems of success.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $590.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 9% (1995)

GDP per capita: $13,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 45%
services: 47% (1991 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 20 million
by occupation: services and other 52%, mining and manufacturing 27%,
agriculture, fishing, forestry 21% (1991)

Unemployment rate: 2% (1995 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $69 billion
expenditures: $67 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1995 est.)

Industries: electronics, automobile production, chemicals,
shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing

Industrial production growth rate: 12.2% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 28,750,000 kW
production: 165 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,899 kWh (1994)

Agriculture: rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit; cattle,
pigs, chickens, milk, eggs; fish catch of 2.9 million metric tons,
seventh largest in world

Exports: $125.4 billion (f.o.b., 1995)
commodities: electronic and electrical equipment, machinery, steel,
automobiles, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish
partners: US 19%, Japan 14%, EU 13%

Imports: $135.1 billion (c.i.f., 1995)
commodities: machinery, electronics and electronic equipment, oil,
steel, transport equipment, textiles, organic chemicals, grains
partners: Japan 24%, US 22%, EU 13%

External debt: $77 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 South Korean won (W) = 100 chun (theoretical)

Exchange rates: South Korean won (W) per US$1 - 787.27 (January
1996), 771.27 (1995), 803.45 (1994), 802.67 (1993), 780.65 (1992),
733.35 (1991)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 3,101 km
standard gauge: 3,081 km 1.435-m gauge (560 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 20 km 0.762-m gauge

Highways:
total: 61,296 km
paved: 51,918 km (including 1,550 km of expressways)
unpaved: 9,378 km (1993)

Waterways: 1,609 km; use restricted to small native craft

Pipelines: petroleum products 455 km

Ports: Chinhae, Inch'on, Kunsan, Masan, Mokp'o, Pohang, Pusan,
Ulsan, Yosu

Merchant marine:
total: 428 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,076,981
GRT/9,822,089 DWT
ships by type: bulk 124, cargo 122, chemical tanker 21, combination
bulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 59, liquefied gas tanker
12, multifunction large-load carrier 1, oil tanker 61, refrigerated
cargo 13, short-sea passenger 1, vehicle carrier 10
note: South Korea owns an additional 231 ships (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 10,128,506 DWT operating under the registries of Panama,
Liberia, Cyprus, Malta, The Bahamas, and Thailand (1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 105
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 20
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 13
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 14
with paved runways under 914 m: 54
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3 (1995 est.)

Heliports: 201 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 16.6 million (1993)

Telephone system: excellent domestic and international services
domestic: NA
international: fiber-optic submarine cable to China; satellite earth
stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1
Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 79, FM 46, shortwave 0

Radios: 42 million (1993 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 256 (57 of which are 1 kW or
greater) (1987 est.)

Televisions: 9.3 million (1992 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Maritime
Police (Coast Guard)

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 13,602,115
males fit for military service: 8,706,545
males reach military age (18) annually: 398,322 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $17.4 billion,
3.3% of GNP (1996)

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

@Kuwait ------

Map ---

Location: 29 30 N, 45 45 E -- Middle East, bordering the Persian
Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white,
and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq
and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E

Map references: Middle East

Area:
total area: 17,820 sq km
land area: 17,820 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:
total: 464 km
border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline: 499 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted
the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in
Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993);
this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and
Warbah islands; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands
disputed by Saudi Arabia

Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 8%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 92%

Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; some of
world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities
provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to
April, they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads
and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year,
but are most common between March and August
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Geographic note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

People ------

Population: 1,950,047 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 33% (male 334,778; female 317,241)
15-64 years: 65% (male 757,535; female 507,064)
65 years and over: 2% (male 18,459; female 14,970) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 6.65% (1996 est.)
note: this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of
nationals and expatriates

Birth rate: 20.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 48.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.49 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female
all ages: 1.32 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.92 years
male: 73.59 years
female: 78.38 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective: Kuwaiti

Ethnic divisions: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%,
Iranian 4%, other 7%

Religions: Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%),
Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 78.6%
male: 82.2%
female: 74.9%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: State of Kuwait
conventional short form: Kuwait
local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt
local short form: Al Kuwayt

Data code: KU

Type of government: nominal constitutional monarchy

Capital: Kuwait

Administrative divisions: 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Jahrah, Al Kuwayt, Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah

Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK)

National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950)

Constitution: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Legal system: civil law system with Islamic law significant in
personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or
more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male
descendants at age 21
note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996,
naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but
have been naturalized for 30 years will be eligible to vote

Executive branch:
chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31
December 1977) is a hereditary monarch of the MUBARAK line of the
ruling Sabah family
head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah
al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978), First Deputy Prime
Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992),
and Second Deputy Prime Minister Nasir Abdallah al-RUDAN (since NA)
were appointed by the Amir
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister
and approved by the amir

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Majlis al-umma): elected members serve four-year
terms; elections last held 5 October 1992 (next to be held NA
September 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (50 total)
independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio
members of the National Assembly

Judicial branch: High Court of Appeal

Political parties and leaders: none

Other political or pressure groups: several political groups act
as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists,
and secular leftists and nationalists

International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL,
AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAH
chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702
FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER
embassy: Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel),
Kuwait City
mailing address: P.O. Box 77, SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; Unit 6900,
APO AE 09880-9000
telephone: [965] 2424151 through 2424159
FAX: [965] 2442855

Flag: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red
with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

Economy -------

Economic overview: Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy
with proved crude oil reserves of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of
world reserves. Kuwait has rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum sector;
its crude oil production averaged 2.0 million barrels per day in
1994. The government continues to record large fiscal deficits.
Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues,
and 70% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically
no arable land, thus preventing development of agriculture. With the
exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About
75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Because of its
high per capita income, comparable with Western European incomes,
Kuwait provides its citizens with extensive health, educational, and
retirement benefits. Per capita military expenditures are among the
highest in the world. The economy improved moderately in 1994-95,
with the growth in industry and finance. The World Bank has urged
Kuwait to push ahead with privatization, including in the oil
industry, but the government will move slowly on this front.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $30.8 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 3% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $17,000 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 55%
services: 45%

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5% (1994 est.)

Labor force: 1 million (1994 est.)
by occupation: industry and agriculture 25.0%, services 25.0%,
government and social services 50.0%
note: 80% of labor force non-Kuwaiti (1994 est.)

Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $9.7 billion
expenditures: $14.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA
(FY95/96 est.)

Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food
processing, construction materials, salt, construction

Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1995 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 7,070,000 kW
production: 11 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 6,007 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: practically no crops; extensive fishing in
territorial waters

Exports: $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: oil
partners: US 23%, Japan 13%, Germany 10%, UK 9%, France 8%

Imports: $6.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: food, construction materials, vehicles and parts,
clothing
partners: US 14%, Japan 12%, Germany 8%, UK 7%, France 6% (1994 est.)

External debt: $NA

Economic aid: $NA

Currency: 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils

Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2993 (January
1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976 (1994), 0.3017 (1993), 0.2934 (1992),
0.2843 (1991)

Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 4,273 km
paved: NA km (including 280 km of expressways) (1989 est.)
unpaved: NA km

Pipelines: crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas
165 km

Ports: Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah,
Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

Merchant marine:
total: 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,053,667 GRT/3,242,305
DWT
ships by type: cargo 10, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 7,
livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 21, vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)

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

Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 548,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: the civil network suffered some damage as a
result of the Gulf war, but most of the telephone exchanges were
left intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and international
telecommunications had been restored to normal operation; the
quality of service is excellent
domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new
subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay,
coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone
system operates throughout Kuwait and the country is well supplied
with pay telephones
international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi
Arabia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2
Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Arabsat

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

Radios: 720,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 3 (1986 est.)

Televisions: 800,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Ministry of
Interior Forces, Coast Guard

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 658,270
males fit for military service: 391,586
males reach military age (18) annually: 17,544 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion,
12.8% of GDP (FY95/96)

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

@Kyrgyzstan ----------

Map ---

Location: 41 00 N, 75 00 E -- Central Asia, west of China

Flag ----

Description: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40
rays representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the
rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center
of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a
stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt

Geography ---------

Location: Central Asia, west of China

Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E

Map references: Commonwealth of Independent States

Area:
total area: 198,500 sq km
land area: 191,300 sq km
comparative area: slightly smaller than South Dakota

Land boundaries:
total: 3,878 km
border countries: China 858 km, Kazakstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870
km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on
southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area

Climate: dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical
in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Terrain: peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins
encompass entire nation
lowest point: Kara-Daryya 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu 7,439 m

Natural resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant
deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal,
oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth,
lead, and zinc

Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures: 42%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 51%

Irrigated land: 10,320 sq km (1990)

Environment:
current issues: water pollution; many people get their water
directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result,
water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from
faulty irrigation practices
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 4,529,648 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 37% (male 847,859; female 828,889)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,263,044; female 1,312,040)
65 years and over: 6% (male 100,524; female 177,292) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 0.07% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 26.02 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 8.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -16.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.95 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 77.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 63.86 years
male: 59.18 years
female: 68.77 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.22 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Kyrgyz(s)
adjective: Kyrgyz

Ethnic divisions: Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 21.5%, Uzbek 12.9%,
Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 8.3%

Religions: Muslim NA%, Russian Orthodox NA%

Languages: Kirghiz (Kyrgyz) - official language, Russian -
official language
note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyz legislature amended the constitution
to make Russian an official language, along with Kyrgyz, in
territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens
predominate

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 99%
female: 96%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: none
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: KG

Type of government: republic

Capital: Bishkek

Administrative divisions: 6 oblasttar (singular - oblast) and 1
city* (singular - shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek),
Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty,
Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol)
note: names in parentheses are administrative centers when name
differs from oblast name

Independence: 31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31
August (1991)

Constitution: adopted 5 May 1993
note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a
national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the
powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) was
elected for a five-year term by popular vote; elections last held 24
December 1995 (next to be held NA); results - Askar AKAYEV won
election with 75% of vote with 86% of electorate voting; note -
elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates
little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the
"deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major
rival
head of government: Prime Minister Apas JUMAGULOV (since NA December
1993) was appointed by the president and reappointed February 1996
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers was appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Supreme Council (Zhogorku Kenesh)
Assembly of People's Representatives: elections last held 5 February
1995 (next to be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party
NA; seats - (70 total) seats by party NA; note - not all the 70
seats were filled at the 5 February elections; as a result, run-off
elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly
Legislative Assembly: elections last held 5 February 1995 (next to
be held NA 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (35
total) seats by party NA; note - not all the 35 seats were filled at
the 5 February elections; as a result, run-off elections were held
note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995
elections

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed for a 10-year
term by the Zhogorku Kenesh on recommendation of the president;
Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Political parties and leaders: Social Democratic Party (SDP);
Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan (DDK), Jypar JEKSHEYEV, chairman;
National Unity; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan (PCK), Absamat
MASALIYEV, chairman; Democratic Movement of Free Kyrgyzstan (ErK),
Tursunbay Bakir UULU, chairman; Republican Popular Party of
Kyrgyzstan; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan; Atu Meken Party, Omurbek
TEKEBAYEV; ASABA

Other political or pressure groups: National Unity Democratic
Movement; Peasant Party; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of
Entrepreneurs; Agrarian Party

International organization participation: AsDB, CIS, EBRD, ECE,
ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,
Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OIC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Acting Ambassador Almas CHUKIN
chancery: (temporary) Suite 706, 1511 K Street NW, Washington, DC
20005
telephone: [1] (202) 347-3732
FAX: [1] (202) 347-3718

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Eileen A. MALLOY
embassy: Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek 720002
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [7] (3312) 22-29-20, 22-27-77, 22-26-31, 22-24-73
FAX: [7] (3312) 22-35-51

Flag: red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays
representing the 40 Kirghiz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run
counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the
sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized
representation of the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt

Economy -------

Economic overview: Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous
country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and
meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial
exports included gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan
has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet
Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful
stabilization program, which has lowered inflation from 88% in 1994
to 32% for 1995, attention is turning toward stimulating growth.
About half of government stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops
in production have been severe since the break up of the Soviet
Union, but by mid-1995 production began to level off as exports
began to increase. The level of hardship for pensioners, unemployed
workers, and government workers with salaries arrears continues to
be very high. Foreign assistance plays a substantial role in the
country's budget. In early 1996, the economy apparently is slowly
beginning to restore previous levels of output.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.4 billion (1995 estimate as
extrapolated from World Bank estimate for 1994)

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

GDP per capita: $1,140 (1995 est.)

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 32% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.836 million
by occupation: agriculture and forestry 38%, industry and
construction 21%, other 41% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 4.8% includes officially registered unemployed;
also large numbers of unregistered unemployed and underemployed
workers (December 1995)

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

Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement,
shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold,
rare earth metals

Industrial production growth rate: -12.5% (1995)

Electricity:
capacity: 3,660,000 kW
production: 12.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 2,500 kWh (1995 est.)

Agriculture: wool, tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes,
fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle

Illicit drugs: illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy;
mostly for CIS consumption; government eradication program; used as
transshipment point for illicit drugs to Western Europe and North
America from Southwest Asia

Exports: $380 million (1995)
commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium,
hydropower; machinery; shoes
partners: Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, Turkey, Cuba, and
Germany

Imports: $439 million (1995)
commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals,
fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear
partners: Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakstan, China, and UK

External debt: $480 million (of which $115 million to Russia)
(1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $56 million (1993)
note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,695 million ($390 million
disbursements)

Currency: introduced national currency, the som (10 May 1993)

Exchange rates: soms per US$1 - 11.2 (yearend 1995), 10.6 (yearend
1994)

Fiscal year: calendar year

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

Railways:
total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial
lines
broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Highways:
total: 28,400 km
paved: 22,400 km
unpaved: 6,000 km (1990)

Pipelines: natural gas 200 km

Ports: Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Airports:
total: 54
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 3
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 9
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 4
with unpaved runways under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)

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

Telephones: 342,000 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied
applications for household telephones
domestic: principally microwave radio relay
international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or
microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections
with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite
earth stations - 1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat

Radio broadcast stations: AM NA, FM NA, shortwave NA; note -1
state-run radio broadcast station

Radios: 825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakers for
program diffusion 748,000)

Television broadcast stations: 1
note: receives Turkish broadcasts

Televisions: 875,000

Defense -------

Branches: Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and
border troops), Civil Defense

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,096,985
males fit for military service: 890,901
males reach military age (18) annually: 44,159 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: 151 million soms, NA% of GDP (1995); note -
conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current
exchange rate could produce misleading results

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

@Laos ----

Map ---

Location: 18 00 N, 105 00 E -- Southeastern Asia, northeast of
Thailand

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double
width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Geography ---------

Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand

Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total area: 236,800 sq km
land area: 230,800 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Utah

Land boundaries:
total: 5,083 km
border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km,
Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: boundary dispute with Thailand

Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry
season (December to April)

Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 3%
forest and woodland: 58%
other: 35%

Irrigated land: 1,554 sq km (1992 est.)

Environment:
current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; a majority of the
population does not have access to potable water
natural hazards: floods, droughts, and blight
international agreements: party to - Environmental Modification,
Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change,
Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: landlocked

People ------

Population: 4,975,772 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 1,142,825; female 1,114,628)
15-64 years: 51% (male 1,237,660; female 1,316,591)
65 years and over: 4% (male 75,748; female 88,320) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.81% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 41.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 13.83 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

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

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.98 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 96.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.69 years
male: 51.14 years
female: 54.31 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.87 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian

Ethnic divisions: Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%,
Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong ("Meo") and the Yao (Mien)
9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

Religions: Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40%

Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic
languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 56.6%
male: 69.4%
female: 44.4%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: none

Data code: LA

Type of government: Communist state

Capital: Vientiane

Administrative divisions: 16 provinces (khoueng, singular and
plural) and 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural);
Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan,
Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan,
Savannakhet, Viangchan*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France)

National holiday: National Day, 2 December (1975) (proclamation of
the Lao People's Democratic Republic)

Constitution: promulgated 14 August 1991

Legal system: based on traditional customs, French legal norms and
procedures, and Socialist practice

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President NOUHAK PHOUMSAVAN (since 25 November 1992)
was elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly
head of government: Prime Minister Gen. KHAMTAI SIPHANDON (since 15
August 1991) was appointed for a five-year term by the president
with the approval of the National Assembly; Deputy Prime Minister
KHAMPHOUI KEOBOUALAPHA (since NA)
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president,
approved by the National Assembly

Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly: members elected for five-year terms; elections
last held 20 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results -
percent of vote NA; seats - (85 total) LPRP 85

Judicial branch: People's Supreme Court, the president of the
People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the
recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the vice
president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed
by the National Assembly Standing Committee

Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party
(LPRP), KHAMTAI Siphandon, party president; other parties proscribed

Other political or pressure groups: noncommunist political groups
proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975

International organization participation: ACCT, AsDB, ASEAN
(observer), CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU,
Mekong Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador HIEM PHOMMACHANH
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416, 6417
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Victor L. TOMSETH
embassy: Rue Bartholonie, B.P. 114, Vientiane
mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546
telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585
FAX: [856] (21) 212584

Flag: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width),
and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Economy -------

Economic overview: The government of Laos - one of the few
remaining official communist states - has been decentralizing
control and encouraging private enterprise since 1986. The results,
starting from an extremely low base, have been striking - growth has
averaged 7.5% annually since 1988. Even so, Laos is a landlocked
country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a
rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal
telecommunications. Electricity is available in only a few urban
areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides
80% of total employment. The predominant crop is rice. In
non-drought years, Laos is self-sufficient overall in food, but each
year flood, pests, and localized drought cause shortages in various
parts of the country. For the foreseeable future the economy will
continue to depend on aid from the IMF and other international
sources; aid from the former USSR/Eastern Europe has been cut
sharply. As in many developing countries, deforestation and soil
erosion will hamper efforts to maintain the high rate of GDP growth.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $5.2 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 8% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $1,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 50%
industry: 17%
services: 33% (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1 million-1.5 million
by occupation: agriculture 80% (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate: 21% (1992 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $198 million
expenditures: $351 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(1994)

Industries: tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power,
agricultural processing, construction

Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (1992 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 260,000 kW
production: 870 million kWh
consumption per capita: 44 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane,
cotton; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Illicit drugs: world's third largest opium producer (180 metric
tons from nearly 20,000 hectares in 1995); heroin producer;
increasingly used as transshipment point for heroin produced in
Burma; illicit producer of cannabis

Exports: $278 million (f.o.b., 1994)
commodities: electricity, wood products, coffee, tin, garments
partners: Thailand, Japan, France, Germany, Netherlands

Imports: $486 million (c.i.f., 1994)
commodities: food, fuel oil, consumer goods, manufactures
partners: Thailand, China, Japan, France, US

External debt: $2 billion (1995 est.)

Economic aid:
recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency: 1 new kip (NK) = 100 at

Exchange rates: new kips (NK) per US$1 - 920 (1995), 717 (1994
est.), 720 (July 1993), 710 (May 1992), 710 (December 1991), 700
(September 1990), 576 (1989)

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

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

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 14,130 km
paved: 2,261 km
unpaved: 11,869 km (1992 est.)

Waterways: about 4,587 km, primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897
additional kilometers are sectionally navigable by craft drawing
less than 0.5 m

Pipelines: petroleum products 136 km

Ports: none

Merchant marine:
total: 1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,370 GRT/3,000 DWT
(1995 est.)

Airports:
total: 39
with paved runways over 3 047 m: 1
with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 5
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 3
with paved runways under 914 m: 16
with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 13 (1995 est.)

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

Telephones: 6,600 (1991 est.)

Telephone system: service to general public very poor;
radiotelephone communications network provides generally erratic
service to government users
domestic: radiotelephone communications
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian
Ocean Region)

Radio broadcast stations: AM 10, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios: 560,000 (1992 est.)

Television broadcast stations: 2

Televisions: 32,000 (1993 est.)

Defense -------

Branches: Lao People's Army (LPA; includes riverine naval and
militia elements), Air Force, National Police Department

Manpower availability:
males age 15-49: 1,087,264
males fit for military service: 586,664
males reach military age (18) annually: 53,250 (1996 est.)

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $105 million,
8.1% of GDP (FY92/93)

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

@Latvia ------

Map ---

Location: 57 00 N, 25 00 E -- Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic
Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania

Flag ----

Description: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom),
white (middle, narrower than other two bands)

Geography ---------

Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between
Estonia and Lithuania

Geographic coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references: Europe

Area:
total area: 64,100 sq km
land area: 64,100 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than West Virginia

Land boundaries:
total: 1,078 km
border countries: Belarus 141 km, Estonia 267 km, Lithuania 453 km,
Russia 217 km

Coastline: 531 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

International disputes: the Abrene/Pytalovo section of border
ceded by the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic to Russia in 1944;
the maritime borders with Lithuania and Estonia

Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters

Terrain: low plain
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Gaizinkalns 312 m

Natural resources: minimal; amber, peat, limestone, dolomite

Land use:
arable land: 27%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 39%
other: 21%

Irrigated land: 160 sq km (1990)

Environment:
current issues: air and water pollution because of a lack of waste
conversion equipment; Gulf of Riga and Daugava River heavily
polluted; contamination of soil and groundwater with chemicals and
petroleum products at military bases
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: party to - Air Pollution, Biodiversity,
Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed,
but not ratified - Ozone Layer Protection

People ------

Population: 2,468,982 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 254,664; female 244,502)
15-64 years: 66% (male 775,690; female 848,128)
65 years and over: 14% (male 108,814; female 237,184) (July 1996
est.)

Population growth rate: -1.39% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 10.94 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 15.19 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -9.69 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: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female
all ages: 0.86 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 21.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 66.91 years
male: 60.84 years
female: 73.27 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.62 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Latvian(s)
adjective: Latvian

Ethnic divisions: Latvian 51.8%, Russian 33.8%, Byelorussian 4.5%,
Ukrainian 3.4%, Polish 2.3%, other 4.2%

Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox

Languages: Lettish (official), Lithuanian, Russian, other

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1989 est.)
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 99%

Government ----------

Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Latvia
conventional short form: Latvia
local long form: Latvijas Republika
local short form: Latvija
former: Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code: LG

Type of government: republic

Capital: Riga

Administrative divisions: 26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7
municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons,
Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles
Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas
Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*,
Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons,
Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas
Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons,
Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Independence: 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 November (1918)

Constitution: newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933
constitution

Legal system: based on civil law system

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993) was
elected by Parliament (Saeima) in the third round of balloting;
election last held 7 July 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996)
head of government: Prime Minister Andris SKELE (since 21 December
1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was nominated by the prime minister
and appointed by the Supreme Council

Legislative branch: unicameral
Parliament (Saeima): elections last held 30 September-1 October 1995
(next to be held NA October 1998); results - Saimnieks 18%, LC 17%,
For Latvia 16%, TB 14%, LNNK 8%, Unity 8%, LSZ/LKDS 7%, Harmony 6%,
Socialist 6%; seats - (100 total) Saimnieks 18, LC 17, For Latvia
16, TB 14, LNNK 8, Unity 8, LSZ/LKDS 7, Harmony 6, Socialist 6

Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges' appointments are confirmed
by the Saeima

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party "Saimnieks" (DPS),
Ziedonis CEVERS, chairman; Latvia's Way (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS;
People's Movement For Latvia, Joachim SIEGERIST; Fatherland and
Freedom (TB), Maris GRINBLATS; Latvian Unity Party (LVP), A. KAULS;
Latvian National Conservative Party (LNNK), A. SEILE; Green Party
(LSZ), O. BATAREVSK; Latvian Farmers Union (LZS), A. ROZENTALS;
Christian Democrat Union (LKDS), P. KLAVINS; National Harmony Party
(TSP), Janis JURKANS; Latvian Socialist Party (LSP), F. STROGANOVS;
Latvian Liberal Party (LLP), J. DANOSS; Political Association of the
Underprivileged (MPA), B. PELSE, V. DIMANTS, J. KALNINS; Latvian
Democratic Labor Party (LDDP), J. BOJARS; Party of Russian Citizens
(LKPP), V. SOROCHIN, V. IVANOV; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF), Uldis
AUGSTKALNS; Political Union of Economists (TPA), E. KIDE; Latvian
National Democratic Party (LNDP), A. MALINS; "Our Land" (MZ), M.
DAMBEKALNE; Anticommunist Union (PA), P. MUCENIEKS; Latvian
Social-Democratic Workers Party (LSDSP); Party for the Defense of
Latvia's Defrauded People; Latvian Independence Party (LNP), V.
KONOVALOUS

International organization participation: BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE,
EBRD, ECE, EU (applicant), FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
chancery: 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone: [1] (202) 726-8213, 8214
FAX: [1] (202) 726-6785

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Larry C. NAPPER
embassy: Raina Boulevard 7, LV-1510, Riga
mailing address: PSC 78, Box R, APO AE 09723
telephone: [371] (2) 210-005
FAX: [371] (2) 226-530

Flag: two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white
(middle, narrower than other two bands)

Economy -------

Economic overview: Latvia's economic transformation to a modern
market economy - rivaled only by Estonia among the former Soviet
states - faltered in 1995 as a result of banking and budget crises.
Latvia's largely unregulated financial sector suffered a series of
bank failures, including the collapse of the country's largest
commercial bank - Bank Baltija - due largely to criminal activity by
the owners. The government's attempts to compensate depositors of
failed banks exacerbated an existing budget shortfall; poor revenue
collection and a soft treasury bill market had already caused the
government to incur a larger than expected deficit early in the
year. As a result of the crises, Latvia's budget deficit for 1995
was $168 million, double that originally planned. In addition, GDP
growth came to a halt. The Central Bank maintained its tough
monetary policies - severely limiting credits to the state, despite
the budget problems - helping to keep annual inflation the lowest
among the Baltic states, at about 20%. New Prime Minister SKELE
wants to invigorate the privatization of industry; agriculture
already is mainly in private hands.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $14.7 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: -1.5% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $5,300 (1995 estimate as extrapolated from World
Bank estimate for 1994)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 31%
services: 60% (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 20% (1995 est.)

Labor force: 1.407 million
by occupation: industry and construction 41%, agriculture and
forestry 16%, other 43% (1990)

Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1995 est.)

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

Industries: buses, vans, street and railroad cars, synthetic
fibers, agricultural machinery, fertilizers, washing machines,
radios, electronics, pharmaceuticals, processed foods, textiles;
dependent on imports for energy, raw materials, and intermediate
products

Industrial production growth rate: -9.5% (1994 est.)

Electricity:
capacity: 2,080,000 kW
production: 5.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita: 1,864 kWh (1993)

Agriculture: grain, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables; meat, milk,
eggs; fish

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

Exports: $1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1995 est.)
commodities: timber, textiles, dairy products
partners: Russia, Germany, Sweden, UK, Lithuania