Chapter XLV: Front Matter (45)

Political parties and leaders:
Christian Democratic Party [Dr.Banare BUN, party leader];
Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP [Sir Moi AVEL, party leader];
National Alliance Party or NA [Michael SOMARE, party leader; George
MANOA, party president]; National Party [Melchior PEP, party
leader]; Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Chris HAIVETA,
party leader]; Papua New Guinea First Party [Cecilking DORUBA, party
leader]; Papua New Guinea Labor Party [Bob DANAYA, party leader];
Papua New Guinea Party [Sir Mekere MORAUTA, party leader]; People's
Action Party or PAP [Moses MALADINA, party leader]; People's Labor
Party or PLP [Ekis ROPENU, party leader]; People's National Congress
or PNC [Peter O'NEILL, party leader]; People's Progressive Party or
PPP [Andrew BAING, party leader]; Pipol First Party [Luther WENGE,
party leader]; Rural People's Party [Peter NAMUS, party leader];
United Party [Bire KIMASOPA, party leader]; United Resources Party
or URP [Tim NEVILLE, party leader] (2004)

Political pressure groups and leaders:
NA

International organization participation:
ACP, APEC, ARF, AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF,
Sparteca, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Evan Jeremy PAKI
FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679
telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680
chancery: 1779 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 805, Washington, DC
20036

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Robert W. FITTS
embassy: Douglas Street, Port Moresby
mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby PI, US Department of State,
Washington DC 20521-4240
telephone: [675] 321-1455
FAX: [675] 321-3423

Flag description:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle
is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower
triangle is black with five, white, five-pointed stars of the
Southern Cross constellation centered

Economy Papua New Guinea

Economy - overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but
exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain and the high cost
of developing infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence
livelihood for 85% of the population. Mineral deposits, including
oil, copper, and gold, account for 72% of export earnings. The
economy has faltered over the past four years. Former Prime Minister
Mekere MORAUTA had tried to restore integrity to state institutions,
to stabilize the kina, restore stability to the national budget, to
privatize public enterprises where appropriate, and to ensure
ongoing peace on Bougainville. The government has had considerable
success in attracting international support, specifically gaining
the backing of the IMF and the World Bank in securing development
assistance loans. Challenges face Prime Minister Michael SOMARE,
including curbing inflation, gaining further investor confidence,
continuing efforts to privatize government assets, maintaining the
support of members of Parliament, and balancing relations with
Australia, the former colonial ruler.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $11.48 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
1.4% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $2,200 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 34%
industry: 37.7%
services: 28.3% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
13.9% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line:
37% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
50.9 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.7% (2003 est.)

Labor force:
3.25 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 85%, industry NA, services NA

Unemployment rate:
NA

Budget:
revenues: $954.1 million
expenditures: $996.8 million, including capital expenditures of $344
million (2003 est.)

Public debt:
72.4% of GDP (2003)

Agriculture - products:
coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, sweet potatoes,
fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork

Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip
production; mining of gold, silver, and copper; crude oil
production; construction, tourism

Industrial production growth rate:
NA (FY01/02 est.)

Electricity - production:
1.496 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - consumption:
1.391 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
67,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
345.2 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
110 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
385.5 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:
$12 million (2003)

Exports:
$1.938 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:
oil, gold, copper ore, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, crayfish,
prawns

Exports - partners:
Australia 25.6%, Japan 7.4%, China 5.8% (2003)

Imports:
$967 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels,
chemicals

Imports - partners:
Australia 44.6%, Singapore 20.6%, New Zealand 7.7%, China 5% (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
$510.5 million (2003)

Debt - external:
$2.909 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$400 million (1999 est.)

Currency:
kina (PGK)

Currency code:
PGK

Exchange rates:
kina per US dollar - 3.5635 (2003), 3.8952 (2002), 3.3887 (2001),
2.7822 (2000), 2.5708 (1999)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Papua New Guinea

Telephones - main lines in use:
62,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
15,000 (2002)

Telephone system:
general assessment: services are adequate; facilities provide
radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and
international radio communication services
domestic: mostly radiotelephone
international: country code - 675; submarine cables to Australia and
Guam; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean);
international radio communication service

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 8, FM 19, shortwave 28 (1998)

Radios:
410,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
3 (all in the Port Moresby area)
note: additional stations at Mt. Hagen, Goroka, Lae, and Rabaul are
planned (2004)

Televisions:
59,841 (1999)

Internet country code:
.pg

Internet hosts:
389 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
3 (2000)

Internet users:
75,000 (2002)

Transportation Papua New Guinea

Highways:
total: 19,600 km
paved: 686 km
unpaved: 18,914 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
10,940 km (2003)

Pipelines:
oil 264 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:
Kieta, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul

Merchant marine:
total: 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 47,586 GRT/60,934 DWT
foreign-owned: Singapore 2, United Kingdom 6
registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)
by type: bulk 1, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, combination ore/oil 2,
container 1, petroleum tanker 4, roll on/roll off 2

Airports:
559 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 21
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)
914 to 1,523 m: 4

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 550
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 62
under 914 m: 478 (2004 est.)

Heliports:
2 (2003 est.)

Military Papua New Guinea

Military branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force: Ground Force, Maritime Operations
Element, and Air Operations Element

Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,403,467 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 775,064 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$16.9 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.4% (FY02)

Transnational Issues Papua New Guinea

Disputes - international:
seeks assistance from Australia to control illegal cross-border
activities from primarily Indonesia, including smuggling, drug
trafficking, and Indonesian squatters and secessionists

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

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

@Paracel Islands

Introduction Paracel Islands

Background:
The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds
and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina
annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island;
maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has
occupied the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a
South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. The islands
are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.

Geography Paracel Islands

Location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South
China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the
northern Philippines

Geographic coordinates:
16 30 N, 112 00 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

Area:
total: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: NA sq km

Area - comparative:
NA

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
518 km

Maritime claims:
NA

Climate:
tropical

Terrain:
mostly low and flat

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:
0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
typhoons

Environment - current issues:
NA

Geography - note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the
northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group

People Paracel Islands

Population:
no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2004 est.)

Government Paracel Islands

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Economy Paracel Islands

Economy - overview:
China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.

Transportation Paracel Islands

Ports and harbors:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island
being expanded

Airports:
1 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Military Paracel Islands

Military - note:
occupied by China

Transnational Issues Paracel Islands

Disputes - international:
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

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

@Paraguay

Introduction Paraguay

Background:
In the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1865-70), Paraguay
lost two-thirds of all adult males and much of its territory. It
stagnated economically for the next half century. In the Chaco War
of 1932-35, large, economically important areas were won from
Bolivia. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER was
overthrown in 1989, and, despite a marked increase in political
infighting in recent years, relatively free and regular presidential
elections have been held since then.

Geography Paraguay

Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina

Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W

Map references:
South America

Area:
total: 406,750 sq km
water: 9,450 sq km
land: 397,300 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California

Land boundaries:
total: 3,920 km
border countries: Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern
portions, becoming semiarid in the far west

Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco
region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river,
and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m

Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone

Land use:
arable land: 7.6%
permanent crops: 0.23%
other: 92.17% (2001)

Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly
drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal
present health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population
concentrated in southern part of country

People Paraguay

Population:
6,191,368 (July 2004 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 38.2% (male 1,201,459; female 1,162,954)
15-64 years: 57% (male 1,773,151; female 1,758,323)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 136,376; female 159,105) (2004 est.)

Median age:
total: 21.1 years
male: 20.8 years
female: 21.3 years (2004 est.)

Population growth rate:
2.51% (2004 est.)

Birth rate:
29.78 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate:
4.58 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 26.67 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 31.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.64 years
male: 72.12 years
female: 77.29 years (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate:
3.98 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
220 (2001 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective: Paraguayan

Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite, and other Protestant

Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94%
male: 94.9%
female: 93% (2003 est.)

Government Paraguay

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form: Paraguay
local short form: Paraguay
local long form: Republica del Paraguay

Government type:
constitutional republic

Capital:
Asuncion

Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*,
Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion,
Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari,
Presidente Hayes, San Pedro

Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1811) (observed 15 May annually)

Constitution:
promulgated 20 June 1992

Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial
review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 75

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Nicanor DUARTE Frutos (since 15 August
2003); Vice President Luis CASTIGLIONI Joria (since 15 August 2003);
note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the president
elections: president and vice president elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for five-year terms; election last held 27 April
2003 (next to be held NA April 2008)
election results: Nicanor DUARTE Frutos elected president; percent
of vote - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos 37.1%, Julio Cesar Ramon FRANCO
Gomez 23.9%, Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella 21.3%, Guillermo
SANCHEZ Guffanti 13.5%, other 4.2%

Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Chamber of Senators
or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members are elected by popular
vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara
de Diputados (80 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve
five-year terms)
elections: Chamber of Senators - last held 27 April 2003 (next to be
held NA April 2008); Chamber of Deputies - last held 27 April 2003
(next to be held NA April 2008)
election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party -
NA%; seats by party - Colorado Party 16, PLRA 12, UNACE 7, MPQ 7,
PPS 2, PEN 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - Colorado Party 37, PLRA 21, UNACE 10, PQ 10, PPS 2

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges
appointed on the proposal of the Council of Magistrates or Consejo
de la Magistratura)

Political parties and leaders:
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Herminio
CACERES, interim president]; Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland
Party) or PQ [Pedro Nicolas Maraa FADUL Niella]; Movimiento Union
Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Enrique GONZALEZ Quintana,
acting chairman]; Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Luis TORALES
Kenney]; Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Julio Cesar
FRANCO]; Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA
Pallares]; note - Nicanor DUARTE Frutos on leave as party leader of
the Colorado Party or ANR while serving as President of Paraguay;
Lino Cesar OVIEDO Silva, leader of UNACE, is currently serving a
ten-year prison term

Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE; Coordinating Table of National
Campesino Organizations or MCNOC; National Federation of Campesinos
or FNC; National Workers Central or CNT; Paraguayan Workers
Confederation or CPT; Roman Catholic Church; Unitary Workers Central
or CUT;;

International organization participation:
FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD,
IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent),
ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM (observer),
OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE,
UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador James SPALDING Hellmers
consulate(s) general: Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans,
New York
FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508
telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador John F. KEANE
embassy: 1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address: Unit 4711, APO AA 34036-0001
telephone: [595] (21) 213-715
FAX: [595] (21) 213-728

Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an
emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem
is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left)
bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a
green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within
two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal
of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the
words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words
REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)

Economy Paraguay

Economy - overview:
Paraguay has a market economy marked by a large informal sector.
The informal sector features both reexport of imported consumer
goods to neighboring countries as well as the activities of
thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. Because of
the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures
are difficult to obtain. A large percentage of the population
derives their living from agricultural activity, often on a
subsistence basis. The formal economy grew by an average of about 3%
annually in 1995-97; but GDP declined slightly in 1998, 1999, and
2000, rose slightly in 2001, only to fall again in 2002. On a per
capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. Most
observers attribute Paraguay's poor economic performance to
political uncertainty, corruption, lack of progress on structural
reform, substantial internal and external debt, and deficient
infrastructure.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $28.17 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,700 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 24.8%
industry: 23.7%
services: 51.4% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
17.2% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line:
36% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 0.5%
highest 10%: 43.8% (1998)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
57.7 (1998)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
14.2% (2003 est.)

Labor force:
2.15 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%

Unemployment rate:
18.5% (2003 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $937.8 million
expenditures: $988.4 million, including capital expenditures of $700
million (2003 est.)

Public debt:
45.1% of GDP (2003)

Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava
(tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber

Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel,
metallurgic, electric power

Industrial production growth rate:
0% (2000 est.)

Electricity - production:
44.89 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - consumption:
2.637 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
39.11 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
25,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Current account balance:
$146 million (2003)

Exports:
$2.727 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, electricity, wood,
leather

Exports - partners:
Brazil 34.2%, Uruguay 19.6%, Switzerland 7.8%, Argentina 5.3% (2003)

Imports:
$2.77 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products,
electrical machinery

Imports - partners:
Brazil 32.5%, Argentina 21.6%, China 12.7% (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
$982 million (2003)

Debt - external:
$2.96 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
NA (2001)

Currency:
guarani (PYG)

Currency code:
PYG

Exchange rates:
guarani per US dollar - 6,424.34 (2003), 5,716.26 (2002), 4,105.92
(2001), 3,486.35 (2000), 3,119.07 (1999)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Paraguay

Telephones - main lines in use:
273,200 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
1,770,300 (2003)

Telephone system:
general assessment: meager telephone service; principal switching
center is Asuncion
domestic: fair microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 46, FM 27, shortwave 6 (three inactive) (1998)

Radios:
925,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
5 (2003)

Televisions:
990,000 (2001)

Internet country code:
.py

Internet hosts:
9,243 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
4 (2000)

Internet users:
120,000 (2003)

Transportation Paraguay

Railways:
total: 441 km
standard gauge: 441 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)

Highways:
total: 29,500 km
paved: 14,986 km
unpaved: 14,514 km (1999 est)

Waterways:
3,100 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:
Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion

Merchant marine:
total: 21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 31,667 GRT/30,826 DWT
registered in other countries: 1 (2004 est.)
by type: cargo 14, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 3, roll
on/roll off 3
foreign-owned: Argentina 2, Japan 1

Airports:
880 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 12
over 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 866
1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
914 to 1,523 m: 323
under 914 m: 517 (2004 est.)

Military Paraguay

Military branches:
Army, Navy (includes Naval Air and Marines), Air Force

Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service;
conscript service obligation - 12 months for Army, 24 months for
Navy (2004)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 1,504,407 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 1,084,087 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 63,386 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$52.7 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
0.9% (2003)

Transnational Issues Paraguay

Disputes - international:
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders
is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and drug trafficking,
and fundraising for extremist organizations

Illicit drugs:
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is
consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for
Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets,
Europe, and US; corruption and some money-laundering activity,
especially in the Tri-Border Area

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

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

@Peru

Introduction Peru

Background:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean
civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was
captured by the Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peruvian independence
was declared in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces defeated in 1824.
After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic
leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth
of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in
1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the
economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity.
Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian
measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting
dissatisfaction with his regime. FUJIMORI won reelection to a third
term in the spring of 2000, but international pressure and
corruption scandals led to his ouster by Congress in November of
that year. A caretaker government oversaw new elections in the
spring of 2001, which ushered in Alejandro TOLEDO as the new head of
government; his presidency has been hampered by allegations of
corruption.

Geography Peru

Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between
Chile and Ecuador

Geographic coordinates:
10 00 S, 76 00 W

Map references:
South America

Area:
total: 1,285,220 sq km
water: 5,220 sq km
land: 1.28 million sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Alaska

Land boundaries:
total: 5,536 km
border countries: Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km,
Colombia 1,496 km (est.), Ecuador 1,420 km

Coastline:
2,414 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm

Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to
frigid in Andes

Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center
(sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal,
phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas

Land use:
arable land: 2.89%
permanent crops: 0.4%
other: 96.71% (2001)

Irrigated land:
11,950 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity

Environment - current issues:
deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of
the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion;
desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and
coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living
Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake,
with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the
ultimate source of the Amazon River

People Peru

Population:
27,544,305 (July 2004 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 32.1% (male 4,496,146; female 4,340,580)
15-64 years: 62.8% (male 8,709,098; female 8,594,351)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 660,734; female 743,396) (2004 est.)

Median age:
total: 24.6 years
male: 24.4 years
female: 24.9 years (2004 est.)

Population growth rate:
1.39% (2004 est.)

Birth rate:
21.27 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate:
6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Net migration rate:
-1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 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: 0.89 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 32.95 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 30.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 35.57 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.22 years
male: 67.48 years
female: 71.03 years (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate:
2.61 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
82,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,200 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Peruvian(s)
adjective: Peruvian

Ethnic groups:
Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white
15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%

Languages:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara, and a large number
of minor Amazonian languages

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90.9%
male: 95.2%
female: 86.8% (2003 est.)

Government Peru

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Peru
conventional short form: Peru
local long form: Republica del Peru
local short form: Peru

Government type:
constitutional republic

Capital:
Lima

Administrative divisions:
24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1
constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas,
Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco,
Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima,
Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin,
Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
note: some reports indicate that the 24 departments and 1
constitutional province are now being referred to as regions; Peru
is implementing a decentralization program whereby these 25
administrative divisions will begin to exercise greater governmental
authority over their territories; in November 2002, voters chose
their new regional presidents and other regional leaders; the
authority that the regional government will exercise has not yet
been clearly defined, but it will be devolved to the regions over
the course of several years

Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)

Constitution:
31 December 1993

Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70; note
- members of the military may not vote

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28 July
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by the
constitution, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice
President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
head of government: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique (since 28
July 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head
of government; additionally two vice presidents are provided for by
the constitution, First Vice President (vacant) and Second Vice
President David WAISMAN (since 28 July 2001)
note: Prime Minister Carlos FERRERO Costa (since 15 December 2003)
does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the
president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
special presidential and congressional elections held 8 April 2001,
with runoff election held 3 June 2001; next to be held 9 April 2006
election results: President Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique elected
president in runoff election; percent of vote - Alejandro TOLEDO
Manrique 53.1%, Alan GARCIA 46.9%
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

Legislative branch:
unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la
Republica del Peru (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote
to serve five-year terms)
election results: percent of vote by party - Peru Posible 26.3%,
APRA 19.7%, Unidad Nacional 13.8%, FIM 11.0%, others 29.2%; seats by
party - Peru Posible 47, APRA 28, Unidad Nacional 17, FIM 11, others
17
elections: last held 8 April 2001 (next to be held 9 April 2006)

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (judges are
appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary)

Political parties and leaders:
Peruvian Aprista Party or PAP (also referred to by its original
name Alianza Popular Revolucionaria Americana or APRA) [Alan
GARCIA]; Independent Moralizing Front or FIM [Fernando OLIVERA
Vega]; National Unity (Unidad Nacional) or UN [Lourdes FLORES Nano];
Peru Posible or PP [David WAISMAN]; Popular Action or AP [Javier
DIAZ Orihuela]; Solucion Popular [Carlos BOLANA]; Somos Peru or SP
[Alberto ANDRADE]; Union for Peru or UPP [Roger GUERRA Garcia]

Political pressure groups and leaders:
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path [Abimael GUZMAN
Reynoso (imprisoned), Gabriel MACARIO (top leader at-large)]; Tupac
Amaru Revolutionary Movement or MRTA [Victor POLAY (imprisoned),
Hugo AVALLENEDA Valdez (top leader at-large)]

International organization participation:
APEC, CAN, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur
(associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUC, NAM, OAS, ONUB, OPANAL, OPCW,
PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNMIL, UNOCI, UPU, WCL,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Eduardo FERRERO Costa
chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco, Washington
(DC)
FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124
telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador J. Curtis STRUBLE
embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17s/n, Surco, Lima 33
mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima),
APO AA 34031-5000
telephone: [51] (1) 434-3000
FAX: [51] (1) 434-3037

Flag description:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red
with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms
features a shield bearing a vicuna, cinchona tree (the source of
quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all
framed by a green wreath

Economy Peru

Economy - overview:
Peru's economy reflects its varied geography - an arid coastal
region, the Andes further inland, and tropical lands bordering
Colombia and Brazil. Abundant mineral resources are found in the
mountainous areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent
fishing grounds. However, overdependence on minerals and metals
subjects the economy to fluctuations in world prices, and a lack of
infrastructure deters trade and investment. After several years of
inconsistent economic performance, the Peruvian economy was one of
the fastest growing in Latin America in 2002 and 2003, growing by 5%
and 4%, respectively, with the exchange rate stable and an annual
inflation lower than 2%. Foreign direct investment also was strong,
thanks to the ongoing Camisea natural gas pipeline project
(scheduled to begin operations in 2004) and investments in gold
mining. Risk premiums on Peruvian bonds on secondary markets reached
historically low levels in late 2003, reflecting investor optimism
and the government's fiscal restraint. Despite the strong
macroeconomic performance, political intrigue and allegations of
corruption continued to swirl in 2003, with the TOLEDO
administration growing increasingly unpopular, and local and foreign
concern rising that the political turmoil could place the country's
hard-won fiscal and financial stability at risk. Moreover, as of
late 2003, unemployment had yet to respond to the strong growth in
economic activity, owing in part to rigid labor market regulations
that act as an impediment to hiring.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $146 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $5,100 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8%
industry: 27%
services: 65% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
17.7% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line:
54% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 35.4% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.2 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (2003 est.)

Labor force:
8.63 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 5.9%, mining and quarrying 0.4%, manufacturing 12.6%,
construction 5.3%, commerce 26.3%, household work 4.9%, other
services 44.6% (2004)

Unemployment rate:
9.7%; widespread underemployment (2003 est.)

Budget:
revenues: $15.86 billion
expenditures: $17.05 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.6
billion (2003 est.)

Public debt:
49.2% of GDP (2003)

Agriculture - products:
coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, corn, plantains,
coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish

Industries:
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food
processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal
fabrication

Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:
20.59 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - consumption:
19.15 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
95,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
161,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
614.7 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
370 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
245.1 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:
$-1.116 billion (2003)

Exports:
$8.954 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products, gold, copper, zinc, crude petroleum and
byproducts, lead, coffee, sugar, cotton

Exports - partners:
US 27.1%, UK 12.4%, China 7.7%, Switzerland 7.6%, Chile 4.7%, Japan
4.4% (2003)

Imports:
$8.244 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and
steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners:
US 28.6%, Spain 10%, Chile 7.5%, Brazil 5.1%, Colombia 4.5% (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
$10.24 billion (2003)

Debt - external:
$29.95 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid - recipient:
$895.1 million (1995)

Currency:
nuevo sol (PEN)

Currency code:
PEN

Exchange rates:
nuevo sol per US dollar - 3.4785 (2003), 3.5165 (2002), 3.5068
(2001), 3.49 (2000), 3.3833 (1999)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Peru

Telephones - main lines in use:
1,839,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
2,908,800 (2003)

Telephone system:
general assessment: adequate for most requirements
domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic
satellite system with 12 earth stations
international: country code - 51; satellite earth stations - 2
Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); Pan American submarine cable

Radio broadcast stations:
AM 472, FM 198, shortwave 189 (1999)

Radios:
6.65 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:
13 (plus 112 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:
3.06 million (1997)

Internet country code:
.pe

Internet hosts:
65,868 (2003)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
10 (2000)

Internet users:
2.85 million (2003)

Transportation Peru

Railways:
total: 3,462 km
standard gauge: 2,962 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 500 km 0.914-m gauge (2003)

Highways:
total: 72,900 km
paved: 9,331 km
unpaved: 63,569 km (1999 est.)

Waterways:
8,808 km
note: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km
of Lago Titicaca (2004)

Pipelines:
gas 388 km; oil 1,557 km; refined products 13 km (2004)

Ports and harbors:
Callao, Chimbote, Ilo, Matarani, Paita, Puerto Maldonado,
Salaverry, San Martin, Talara, Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas
note: Iquitos, Pucallpa, and Yurimaguas are all on the upper reaches
of the Amazon and its tributaries

Merchant marine:
total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 13,666 GRT/17,611 DWT
foreign-owned: United States 1
registered in other countries: 19 (2004 est.)
by type: cargo 2, petroleum tanker 1

Airports:
233 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 52
over 3,047 m: 5
2,438 to 3,047 m: 20
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 16

Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 182
1,524 to 2,437 m: 21
914 to 1,523 m: 62
under 914 m: 99 (2004 est.)

Heliports:
1 (2003 est.)

Military Peru

Military branches:
Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru; includes
Naval Air, Naval Infantry, and Coast Guard), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea
del Peru; FAP)

Military manpower - military age and obligation:
18 years of age for compulsory military service (1999)

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 7,374,187 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 4,938,512 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 277,931 (2004 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure:
$829.4 million (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
1.3% (2003)

Transnational Issues Peru

Disputes - international:
Bolivia has reanimated its claim to restore the Atacama corridor
ceded to Chile and adjoining Peru in 1884 to secure sovereign
maritime assess for Bolivian natural gas

Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous
peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions) (2004)

Illicit drugs:
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; emerging opium
producer; cultivation of coca in Peru fell 15 percent to 31,150
hectares between 2002 and the end of 2003; much of the cocaine base
is shipped to neighboring Colombia for processing into cocaine,
while finished cocaine is shipped out from Pacific ports to the
international drug market; increasing amounts of base and finished
cocaine, however, are being moved to Brazil and Bolivia for use in
the Southern Cone or transshipped to Europe and Africa

This page was last updated on 10 February, 2005

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

@Philippines

Introduction Philippines

Background:
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th
century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the
Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a
self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected President and
was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a
10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese
occupation during WWII, and US forces and Filipinos fought together
during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Philippines
attained their independence. The 21-year rule of Ferdinand MARCOS
ended in 1986, when a widespread popular rebellion forced him into
exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was
hampered by several coup attempts, which prevented a return to full
political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was
elected president in 1992 and his administration was marked by
greater stability and progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US
closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was
elected president in 1998, but was succeeded by his vice-president,
Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after Estrada's stormy
impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and widespread
demonstrations led to his ouster. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a
six-year term in May 2004. The Philippine Government faces threats
from armed communist insurgencies and from Muslim separtists in the
south.

Geography Philippines

Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the
South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates:
13 00 N, 122 00 E

Map references:
Southeast Asia

Area:
total: 300,000 sq km
water: 1,830 sq km
land: 298,170 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Arizona

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
36,289 km

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from
coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also
claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in
breadth
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest
monsoon (May to October)

Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper

Land use:
arable land: 18.95%
permanent crops: 16.77%
other: 64.28% (2001)

Irrigated land:
15,500 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to
six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes;
destructive earthquakes; tsunamis

Environment - current issues:
uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas; soil
erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef
degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that
are important fish breeding grounds

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law
of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants

Geography - note:
the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably
located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies:
the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and
Luzon Strait

People Philippines

Population:
86,241,697 (July 2004 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 35.8% (male 15,758,255; female 15,152,291)
15-64 years: 60.2% (male 25,847,345; female 26,096,211)
65 years and over: 3.9% (male 1,473,873; female 1,913,722) (2004
est.)

Median age:
total: 22.1 years
male: 21.6 years
female: 22.6 years (2004 est.)

Population growth rate:
1.88% (2004 est.)

Birth rate:
25.8 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate:
5.53 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Net migration rate:
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 24.24 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 27.11 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 69.6 years
male: 66.74 years
female: 72.61 years (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate:
3.22 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
9,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
less than 500 (2003 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Filipino(s)
adjective: Philippine

Ethnic groups:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3%

Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3%

Languages:
two official languages - Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English;
eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocan, Hiligaynon or
Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.6%
male: 92.5%
female: 92.7% (2002)

Government Philippines

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form: Philippines
local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas

Government type:
republic

Capital:
Manila

Administrative divisions:
79 provinces and 116 chartered cities
: provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay,
Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas,
Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines
Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,
Compostela, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Eastern
Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela,
Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte,
Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro
Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain Province,
Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar,
Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon,
Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South
Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte,
Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte,
Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay
: chartered cities: Alaminos, Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Bago,
Baguio, Bais, Balanga, Batangas, Bayawan, Bislig, Butuan,
Cabanatuan, Cadiz, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Calapan, Calbayog,
Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao,
Dapitan, Davao, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, General
Santos, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Iligan, Iloilo, Isabela, Iriga,
Kabankalan, Kalookan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag,
Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Makati,
Malabon, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marawi,
Markina, Masbate, Muntinlupa, Munoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc,
Oroquieta, Ozamis, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Paranaque, Pasay,
Pasig, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, Roxas, Sagay, Samal, San
Carlos (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos (in Pangasinan), San
Fernando (in La Union), San Fernando (in Pampanga), San Jose, San
Jose del Monte, San Pablo, Santa Rosa, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay,
Sorsogon, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran,
Tagum, Talisay (in Cebu), Talisay (in Negros Oriental), Tanauan,
Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Tuguegarao, Trece Martires,
Urdaneta, Valencia, Valenzuela, Victorias, Vigan, Zamboanga

Independence:
12 June 1898 (from Spain)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 June (1898)
note: 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from
Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US

Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987

Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ
jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20 January
2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO (since 20
January 2001); note - the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
elections: president and vice president (Manuel "Noli" DE CASTRO)
elected on separate tickets by popular vote for six-year terms;
election last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May 2010)
election results: results of the election - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
elected president; percent of vote - Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO 40%,
Fernando POE 37%, three others 23%
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the
Commission of Appointments

Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of the Senate or Senado (24
seats - one-half elected every three years; members elected at large
by popular vote to serve six-year terms) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (212 members
representing districts plus 24 sectoral party-list members; members
elected by popular vote to serve three-year terms; note - the
Constitution prohibits the House of Representatives from having more
than 250 members)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Lakas 30%, LP
13%, KNP 13%, independents 17%, others 27%; seats by party - Lakas
7, LP 3, KNP 3, independents 4, others 6; note - there are 23 rather
than 24 sitting senators because one senator was elected Vice
President; 14 senators are pro-government, 9 are in opposition;
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by
party - Lakas 93, NPC 53, LP 34, LDP 11, others 20; party-listers
24; note - there are 211 rather than 212 sitting representatives
because one was appointed Secretary of Tourism (2004)
elections: Senate - last held 10 May 2004 (next to be held in May
2007); House of Representatives - elections last held 10 May 2004
(next to be held in May 2007)

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (15 justices are appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council and serve until 70
years of age); Court of Appeals; Sandigan-bayan (special court for
hearing corruption cases of government officials)

Political parties and leaders:
Laban Ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino Democrats) or
LDP [Edgardo ANGARA, president]; Lakas Ng Edsa (National Union of
Christian Democrats) or Lakas [Jose DE VENECIA, president; Gloria
MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, chairperson]; Liberal Party or LP [Franklin
DRILON, president; Jose ATIENZA, JR., chairman]; National People's
Coalition or NPC [Eduardo COJUANGCO, chairman emeritus; Frisco SAN
JUAN, president]; PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL, president]; Pwersa
ng Masang Pilipino (Party of the Philippine Masses) or PMP [Joseph
ESTRADA, president; Juan Ponce ENRILE, chairman]; Aksyon Demokratiko
Party [Raul ROCO, president]; Reporma [Renato DE VILLA, chairman];
PROMDI [Emilio OSMENA, president]; Nacionalista [Manuel VILLAR,
president]; People's Reform Party [Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO,
president}

Political pressure groups and leaders:
AKBAYAN [Reps. Etta ROSALES, Mario AGUJA, and Risa
HONTIVEROS-BARAQUIEL]; ANAKPAWIS [Reps. Crispin BELTRAN and Rafael
MARIANO]; Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC)
[Reps. Edgar VALDEZ, Ernesto PABLO, and Sunny Rose MADAMBA]; Bayan
Muna [Reps. Satur OCAMPO, Joel VIRADOR, and Teodoro CASINO, Jr.];
BUHAY [Reps. Rene VELARDE and Hans Christian SENERES]; BUTIL [Rep.
Benjamin CRUZ]; CIBAC [Rep. Emmanuel Joel VILLANUEVA]; GABRIELA
[Rep. Liza MAZA}; PARTIDO NG MANGGAGAWA [Rep. Renato MAGTUBO] (2003)

International organization participation:
APEC, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, BIS, CP, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS
(observer), ONUB, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMIL, UNMISET, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO,
WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Albert DEL ROSARIO
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, San
Francisco, San Jose (Northern Mariana Islands), Tamuning (Guam)
consulate(s): honorary consuls in Ft. Lauderdale and Houston
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300

Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Francis J. RICCIARDONE
embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515-1000
telephone: [63] (2) 523-6300
FAX: [63] (2) 522-4361

Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white
equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the
triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing
three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small
yellow five-pointed star

Economy Philippines

Economy - overview:
The Philippines was less severely affected by the Asian financial
crisis of 1998 than its neighbors, aided in part by annual
remittances of $6-7 billion from overseas workers. From a 0.6%
decline in 1998, GDP expanded by 2.4% in 1999, and 4.4% in 2000, but
slowed to 3.2% in 2001 in the context of a global economic slowdown,
an export slump, and political and security concerns. GDP growth
accelerated to 4.4% in 2002 and 4.2% in 2003, reflecting the
continued resilience of the service sector, gains in industrial
output, and improved exports. Nonetheless, it will take a higher,
sustained growth path to make appreciable progress in poverty
alleviation given the Philippines' high annual population growth
rate and unequal distribution of income. The MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Administration has promised to continue economic reforms to help the
Philippines match the pace of development in the newly
industrialized countries of East Asia. The strategy includes
improving the infrastructure, strengthening tax collection to
bolster government revenues, furthering deregulation and
privatization of the economy, enhancing the viability of the
financial system, and increasing trade integration with the region.
Prospects for 2004 will depend on the economic performance of two
major trading partners, the US and Japan, and on increased
confidence on the part of the international investment community.

GDP:
purchasing power parity - $390.7 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita:
purchasing power parity - $4,600 (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 14.5%
industry: 32.3%
services: 53.2% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed):
18.1% of GDP (2003)

Population below poverty line:
40% (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 38.4% (2000)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48.1 (2000)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.1% (2003 est.)

Labor force:
34.56 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 45%, industry 15%, services 40% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
11.4% (2003)

Budget:
revenues: $11.56 billion
expenditures: $15.25 billion, including capital expenditures of $2.4
million NA (2003)

Public debt:
77% of GDP (2003)

Agriculture - products:
rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangoes,
pork, eggs, beef, fish

Industries:
electronics assembly, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood
products, food processing, petroleum refining, fishing

Industrial production growth rate:
-0.1% (2003 est.)

Electricity - production:
45.21 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - consumption:
42.04 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2001)

Oil - production:
8,460 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption:
343,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports:
NA (2001)

Oil - imports:
NA (2001)

Oil - proved reserves:
164 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Natural gas - production:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:
10 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:
104.6 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Current account balance:
$3.349 billion (2003)

Exports:
$34.56 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities:
electronic equipment, machinery and transport equipment, garments,
coconut products, chemicals

Exports - partners:
US 20.1%, Japan 15.9%, Hong Kong 8.5%, Netherlands 8.1%, Taiwan
6.9%, Malaysia 6.8%, Singapore 6.7%, China 5.9% (2003)

Imports:
$35.97 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, fuels, chemicals

Imports - partners:
Japan 20.4%, US 19.8%, Singapore 6.8%, South Korea 6.4%, Taiwan 5%,
China 4.8%, Hong Kong 4.3% (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold:
$16.87 billion (2003)

Debt - external:
$57.96 billion (2003)

Economic aid - recipient:
ODA commitments, $1.2 billion (2002)

Currency:
Philippine peso (PHP)

Currency code:
PHP

Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos per US dollar - 54.2033 (2003), 51.6036 (2002),
50.9926 (2001), 44.1922 (2000), 39.089 (1999)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Philippines