Chapter XCVI: Section 3: , Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: 886 (2) 2162-2000, FAX (27)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
minor transit point for marijuana and opiate
trafficking routes to Western Europe; remains highly vulnerable to
money-laundering activity given a primarily cash-based and
unregulated economy, weak law enforcement, and instances of
corruption

Brazil
illicit producer of cannabis; trace amounts of coca
cultivation in the Amazon region, used for domestic consumption;
government has a large-scale eradication program to control
cannabis; important transshipment country for Bolivian, Colombian,
and Peruvian cocaine headed for Europe; also used by traffickers as
a way station for narcotics air transshipments between Peru and
Colombia; upsurge in drug-related violence and weapons smuggling;
important market for Colombian, Bolivian, and Peruvian cocaine;
illicit narcotics proceeds earned in Brazil are often laundered
through the financial system; significant illicit financial activity
in the Tri-Border Area

British Virgin Islands
transshipment point for South American
narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial
center makes it vulnerable to money laundering

Brunei
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled
substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory
death penalty

Bulgaria
major European transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin and, to a lesser degree, South American cocaine for the
European market; limited producer of precursor chemicals; some money
laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial institutions

Burma
remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium
(estimated production in 2004 - 292 metric tons, down 40% from 2003
due to eradication efforts and drought; cultivation in 2004 - 30,900
hectares, a 34% decline from 2003); lack of government will to take
on major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious commitment
against money laundering continues to hinder the overall antidrug
effort; major source of methamphetamine and heroin for regional
consumption; currently under Financial Action Task Force
countermeasures due to continued failure to address its inadequate
money-laundering controls (2005)

Cambodia
narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in
the government, military, and police; possible small-scale heroin
and methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due
to its cash-based economy and porous borders

Canada
illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and
export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant
large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; transit point
for ecstasy entering the US market; vulnerable to narcotics money
laundering because of its mature financial services sector

Cape Verde
used as a transshipment point for illicit drugs moving
from Latin America and Asia destined for Western Europe; the lack of
a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center

Cayman Islands
offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug
transshipment to the US and Europe

Chile
important transshipment country for cocaine destined for
Europe; economic prosperity and increasing trade have made Chile
more attractive to traffickers seeking to launder drug profits,
especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone, but a new
anti-money-laundering law improves controls; imported precursors
passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising

China
major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden
Triangle; growing domestic drug abuse problem; source country for
chemical precursors and methamphetamine

Colombia
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis;
world's leading coca cultivator (cultivation of coca in 2004 was
114,100 hectares, virtually unchanged from 2003, but down one-third
from its peak of 169,800 ha); producing a potential of 430 mt of
pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives;
supplying most of the US market and the great majority of cocaine to
other international drug markets; important supplier of heroin to
the US market; opium poppy cultivation fell 50% between 2003 and
2004 to 2,100 hectares yielding a potential 3.8 metric tons of pure
heroin, mostly for the US market; in 2004, aerial eradication
treated over 130,000 hectares of coca but aggressive replanting on
the part of growers means Colombia remains a key producer; a
significant portion of non-US narcotics proceeds are either
laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso
exchange

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
illicit producer of cannabis,
mostly for domestic consumption; while rampant corruption and
inadequate supervision leaves the banking system vulnerable to money
laundering, the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the
country's utility as a money-laundering center

Costa Rica
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South
America; illicit production of cannabis on small, scattered plots;
domestic cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising

Cote d'Ivoire
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local
consumption; transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian
heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American
cocaine destined for Europe and South Africa; while rampant
corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system
vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial
system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering
center

Croatia
transit point along the Balkan route for Southwest Asian
heroin to Western Europe; has been used as a transit point for
maritime shipments of South American cocaine bound for Western Europe

Cuba
territorial waters and air space serve as transshipment zone
for US and European-bound drugs; established the death penalty for
certain drug-related crimes in 1999

Cyprus
minor transit point for heroin and hashish via air routes and
container traffic to Europe, especially from Lebanon and Turkey;
some cocaine transits as well; despite a strengthening of
anti-money-laundering legislation, remains vulnerable to money
laundering; reporting of suspicious transactions in offshore sector
remains weak

Czech Republic
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
minor transit point for Latin American cocaine to Western Europe;
producer of synthetic drugs for local and regional markets;
susceptible to money laundering related to drug trafficking,
organized crime

Dominica
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and
Europe; minor cannabis producer; anti-money-laundering enforcement
is weak, making the country particularly vulnerable to money
laundering

Dominican Republic
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; has become a transshipment point for
ecstasy from the Netherlands and Belgium destined for US and Canada;
substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics
traffickers favor the Dominican Republic for illicit financial
transactions

East Timor
NA

Ecuador
significant transit country for cocaine originating in
Colombia and Peru; importer of precursor chemicals used in
production of illicit narcotics; attractive location for
cash-placement by drug traffickers laundering money because of
dollarization and weak anti-money-laundering regime; increased
activity on the northern frontier by trafficking groups and
Colombian insurgents

Egypt
transit point for Southwest Asian and Southeast Asian heroin
and opium moving to Europe, Africa, and the US; transit stop for
Nigerian couriers; concern as money-laundering site due to lax
enforcement of financial regulations

El Salvador
transshipment point for cocaine; small amounts of
marijuana produced for local consumption; domestic cocaine abuse on
the rise

Estonia
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Southwest
Asia and the Caucasus via Russia, cocaine from Latin America to
Western Europe and Scandinavia, and synthetic drugs from Western
Europe to Scandinavia; increasing domestic drug abuse problem;
possible precursor manufacturing and/or trafficking; potential money
laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a
concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds

Ethiopia
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe and North America, as well as
cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat
(khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti
and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center

France
transshipment point for and consumer of South American
cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics

French Guiana
small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption;
minor transshipment point to Europe

Georgia
limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for
domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via
Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

Germany
source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine
processors; transshipment point for and consumer of Southwest Asian
heroin, Latin American cocaine, and European-produced synthetic
drugs; major financial center

Ghana
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade;
major transit hub for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin and, to a
lesser extent, South American cocaine destined for Europe and the
US; widespread crime and money laundering problem, but the lack of a
well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility
as a money-laundering center

Greece
a gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis and
heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and
precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine
transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug
trafficking and organized crime

Grenada
small-scale cannabis cultivation; lesser transshipment point
for marijuana and cocaine to US

Guatemala
major transit country for cocaine and heroin; in 2004,
reemerged as a potential source of opium, growing 330 hectares of
opium poppy, with potential pure heroin production of 1.4 metric
tons; 76% of opium poppy cultivation in western highlands along
Mexican border; marijuana cultivation for mostly domestic
consumption; proximity to Mexico makes Guatemala a major staging
area for drugs (particularly for cocaine); money laundering is a
serious problem; corruption is a major problem

Guyana
transshipment point for narcotics from South America -
primarily Venezuela - to Europe and the US; producer of cannabis;
rising money laundering related to drug trafficking and human
smuggling

Haiti
Caribbean transshipment point for cocaine en route to the US
and Europe; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian
narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial
transactions; pervasive corruption

Honduras
transshipment point for drugs and narcotics; illicit
producer of cannabis, cultivated on small plots and used principally
for local consumption; corruption is a major problem; some
money-laundering activity

Hong Kong
makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces
difficult challenges in controlling transit of heroin and
methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system
provides conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of
synthetic drugs, especially among young people

Hungary
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis
and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited
producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and
methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money
laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

India
world's largest producer of licit opium for the pharmaceutical
trade, but an undetermined quantity of opium is diverted to illicit
international drug markets; transit point for illicit narcotics
produced in neighboring countries; illicit producer of methaqualone;
vulnerable to narcotics money laundering through the hawala system

Indonesia
illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use;
producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy

Iran
despite substantial interdiction efforts, Iran remains a key
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe; domestic
narcotics consumption remains a persistent problem and according to
official Iranian statistics there are at least 2 million drug users
in the country; lacks anti-money-laundering laws

Ireland
transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North
Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic
drugs; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for
Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money
laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies
involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern

Israel
increasingly concerned about cocaine and heroin abuse; drugs
arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan;
money-laundering center

Italy
important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine
and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money
laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

Jamaica
transshipment point for cocaine from South America to North
America and Europe; illicit cultivation of cannabis; government has
an active manual cannabis eradication program; corruption is a major
concern; substantial money-laundering activity; Colombian narcotics
traffickers favor Jamaica for illicit financial transactions

Kazakhstan
significant illicit cultivation of cannabis for CIS
markets, as well as limited cultivation of opium poppy and ephedra
(for the drug ephedrine); limited government eradication of illicit
crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia
and the rest of Europe

Kenya
widespread harvesting of small plots of marijuana; transit
country for South Asian heroin destined for Europe and North
America; Indian methaqualone also transits on way to South Africa;
significant potential for money-laundering activity given the
country's status as a regional financial center; massive corruption,
and relatively high levels of narcotics-associated activities

Korea, North
for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of
the Democratic People's Republic of (North) Korea (DPRK), many of
them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad
while trafficking in narcotics, including two in Turkey in December
2004; police investigations in Taiwan and Japan in recent years have
linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and
methamphetamine, including an attempt by the North Korean merchant
ship Pong Su to deliver 150 kg of heroin to Australia in April 2003

Kyrgyzstan
limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy
for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops;
transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the
rest of Europe

Laos
estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease
from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons,
a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)

Latvia
transshipment point for opiates and cannabis from Central and
Southwest Asia to Western Europe and Scandinavia and Latin American
cocaine and some synthetics from Western Europe to CIS; despite
improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent
enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of
offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime
(including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and
prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds

Lebanon
cannabis cultivation dramatically reduced to 2,500 hectares
in 2002; opium poppy cultivation minimal; small amounts of Latin
American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin transit country on way
to European markets and for Middle Eastern consumption

Liberia
transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin
and South American cocaine for the European and US markets;
corruption, criminal activity, arms-dealing, and diamond trade
provide significant potential for money laundering, but the lack of
well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a
major money-laundering center

Liechtenstein
has strengthened money-laundering controls, but money
laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated
offshore financial services sector

Lithuania
transshipment point for opiates and other illicit drugs
from Southwest Asia, Latin America, and Western Europe to Western
Europe and Scandinavia; limited production of methamphetamine and
ecstasy; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to banking
legislation

Macedonia
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and
hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for
Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity
is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a
mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement (no arrests or
prosecutions for money laundering to date)

Madagascar
illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild
varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point
for heroin

Malaysia
regional transit point for some illicit drugs; drug
trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties

Malta
minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to
Western Europe

Martinique
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
the US and Europe

Mauritius
minor consumer and transshipment point for heroin from
South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally;
significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money
laundering, but corruption levels are relatively low and the
government appears generally to be committed to regulating its
banking industry

Mexico
major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in
2004 amounted to 3,500 hectares, but opium cultivation stayed within
the range - between 3,500 and 5,500 hectares - observed in nine of
the last 12 years; potential production of 9 metric tons of pure
heroin, or 23 metric tons of "black tar" heroin, the dominant form
of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana
cultivation decreased 23% to 5,800 hectares in 2004 after
decade-high cultivation peak in 2003; potential production of 10,400
metric tons of marijuana in 2004; government conducts the largest
independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; major
supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and
methamphetamine to the US market; continues as the primary
transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America,
accounting for about 90% of estimated annual cocaine movement to the
US; major drug syndicates control majority of drug trafficking
throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy;
significant money-laundering center

Moldova
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for
CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from
Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and
possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

Montserrat
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined
for the US and Europe

Morocco
illicit producer of hashish; shipments of hashish mostly
directed to Western Europe; transit point for cocaine from South
America destined for Western Europe

Mozambique
Southern African transit point for South Asian hashish
and heroin, and South American cocaine probably destined for the
European and South African markets; producer of cannabis (for local
consumption) and methaqualone (for export to South Africa);
corruption and poor regulatory capability makes the banking system
vulnerable to money laundering, but the lack of a well-developed
financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a
money-laundering center

Nepal
illicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and
international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast
Asia to the West

Netherlands
major European producer of ecstasy, illicit
amphetamines, and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for
cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of
US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money
laundering

Netherlands Antilles
transshipment point for South American drugs
bound for the US and Europe; money-laundering center

Nicaragua
transshipment point for cocaine destined for the US and
transshipment point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Nigeria
a transit point for heroin and cocaine intended for
European, East Asian, and North American markets; safehaven for
Nigerian narcotraffickers operating worldwide; major
money-laundering center; massive corruption and criminal activity;
Nigeria has improved some anti-money-laundering controls, resulting
in its removal from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's)
Noncooperative Countries and Territories List in June 2006;
Nigeria's anti-money-laundering regime continues to be monitored by
FATF

Pakistan
opium poppy cultivation declined 58% to 3,147 hectares in
2005; federal and provincial authorities continue to conduct
anti-poppy campaigns that force eradication - fines and arrests will
take place if the ban on poppy cultivation is not observed; key
transit point for Afghan drugs, including heroin, opium, morphine,
and hashish, bound for Western markets, the Gulf States, and Africa;
financial crimes related to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption,
and smuggling remain problems

Panama
major cocaine transshipment point and primary
money-laundering center for narcotics revenue; money-laundering
activity is especially heavy in the Colon Free Zone; offshore
financial center; negligible signs of coca cultivation; monitoring
of financial transactions is improving; official corruption remains
a major problem

Paraguay
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, and
Europe; corruption and some money-laundering activity, especially in
the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement

Peru
until 1996 the world's largest coca leaf producer; cultivation
of coca in Peru fell 15% 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

Philippines
domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing
problem in recent years; longstanding marijuana producer

Poland
major illicit producer of synthetic drugs for the
international market; minor transshipment point for Asian and Latin
American illicit drugs to Western Europe

Portugal
gateway country for Latin American cocaine and Southwest
Asian heroin entering the European market (especially from Brazil);
transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe;
consumer of Southwest Asian heroin

Romania
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin
transiting the Balkan route and small amounts of Latin American
cocaine bound for Western Europe; although not a significant
financial center, role as a narcotics conduit leaves it vulnerable
to laundering which occurs via the banking system, currency exchange
houses, and casinos

Russia
limited cultivation of illicit cannabis and opium poppy and
producer of methamphetamine, mostly for domestic consumption;
government has active illicit crop eradication program; used as
transshipment point for Asian opiates, cannabis, and Latin American
cocaine bound for growing domestic markets, to a lesser extent
Western and Central Europe, and occasionally to the US; major source
of heroin precursor chemicals; corruption and organized crime are
key concerns; heroin increasingly popular in domestic market

Saint Kitts and Nevis
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; some money-laundering activity

Saint Lucia
transit point for South American drugs destined for the
US and Europe

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
transshipment point for South
American drugs destined for the US and Europe; small-scale cannabis
cultivation

Saudi Arabia
death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption
of heroin, cocaine, and hashish; improving anti-money-laundering
legislation and enforcement

Senegal
transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin
and South American cocaine moving to Europe and North America;
illicit cultivator of cannabis

Serbia
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin moving to
Western Europe on the Balkan route; economy vulnerable to money
laundering

Singapore
as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore
is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for
money laundering

Slovakia
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for
Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market

Slovenia
minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin
bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals

South Africa
transshipment center for heroin, hashish, marijuana,
and cocaine; cocaine consumption on the rise; world's largest market
for illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India
through various east African countries; illicit cultivation of
marijuana; attractive venue for money launderers given the
increasing level of organized criminal and narcotics activity in the
region

Spain
key European gateway country and consumer for Latin American
cocaine and North African hashish entering the European market;
destination and minor transshipment point for Southwest Asian
heroin; money-laundering site for Colombian narcotics trafficking
organizations and organized crime

Suriname
growing transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for Europe via the Netherlands and Brazil; transshipment
point for arms-for-drugs dealing

Switzerland
a major international financial center vulnerable to the
layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite
significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules
persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through
offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for
and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

Syria
a transit point for opiates and hashish bound for regional and
Western markets; weak anti-money-laundering controls and bank
privatization may leave it vulnerable to money-laundering

Taiwan
regional transit point for heroin and methamphetamine; major
problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin;
renewal of domestic methamphetamine production is a problem

Tajikistan
major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for
Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited
illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption;
Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia
and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw
opium)

Tanzania
growing role in transshipment of Southwest and Southeast
Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for South African,
European, and US markets and of South Asian methaqualone bound for
southern Africa; money laundering remains a problem

Thailand
a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; illicit
transit point for heroin en route to the international drug market
from Burma and Laos; eradication efforts have reduced the area of
cannabis cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring
countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by eradication
efforts; also a drug money-laundering center; minor role in
methamphetamine production for regional consumption; major consumer
of methamphetamine since the 1990s

Togo
transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money
laundering not a significant problem

Trinidad and Tobago
transshipment point for South American drugs
destined for the US and Europe; producer of cannabis

Turkey
key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western
Europe and - to a far lesser extent the US - via air, land, and sea
routes; major Turkish, Iranian, and other international trafficking
organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert
imported morphine base into heroin are in remote regions of Turkey
and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas
of legal opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw
concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls

Turkmenistan
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian
and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor
chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Turks and Caicos Islands
transshipment point for South American
narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Ukraine
limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for
CIS consumption; some synthetic drug production for export to the
West; limited government eradication program; used as transshipment
point for opiates and other illicit drugs from Africa, Latin
America, and Turkey to Europe and Russia; Ukraine has improved
anti-money-laundering controls, resulting in its removal from the
Financial Action Task Force's (FATF's) Noncooperative Countries and
Territories List in February 2004; Ukraine's anti-money-laundering
regime continues to be monitored by FATF

United Arab Emirates
the UAE is a drug transshipment point for
traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug producing
countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it
vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls
improving, but informal banking remains unregulated

United Kingdom
producer of limited amounts of synthetic drugs and
synthetic precursor chemicals; major consumer of Southwest Asian
heroin, Latin American cocaine, and synthetic drugs;
money-laundering center

United States
world's largest consumer of cocaine, shipped from
Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean; consumer of heroin,
marijuana, and increasingly methamphetamine from Mexico; consumer of
high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis,
marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and
methamphetamine; money-laundering center

Uzbekistan
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian
and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit
cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for
domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by
government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin
precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Venezuela
small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the
processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large
quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country
from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related
money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia
and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily
targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by
Colombian insurgents on border

Vietnam
minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point
for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic
opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding
crackdowns

World
cocaine: worldwide coca cultivation in 2004 amounted to
166,200 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of
the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure
cocaine production of 645 metric tons in 2004 marked the lowest
level of Andean cocaine production in the past 10 years; Colombia
conducts aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian and
Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key growing
areas; 376 metric tons of export-quality cocaine are documented to
have been seized in 2003, and 26 metric tons disrupted (jettisoned
or destroyed); consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to
have been 800 metric tons
opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation reached 258,630
hectares in 2004; potential opium production of 5,444 metric tons
was highest total recorded since estimates began in mid-1980s;
Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 91% of
the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 7% of global
opium - continued to diminish in importance in the world opium
market; Latin America produced 2% of global opium, but most refined
into heroin destined for United States; if all opium processed into
pure heroin, the potential global production would be 632 metric
tons of heroin in 2004

Zambia
transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone,
small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for Southern Africa and
possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled
with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it
an unattractive venue for money launderers

Zimbabwe
transit point for African cannabis and South Asian heroin,
mandrax, and methamphetamines destined for the South African and
European markets

This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006

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@2087 Imports

Afghanistan
$3.87 billion (2005 est.)

Albania
$2.473 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Algeria
$22.53 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

American Samoa
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)

Andorra
$1.077 billion (1998)

Angola
$8.165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Anguilla
$129.9 million (2005 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda
$378 million (2004 est.)

Argentina
$28.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Armenia
$1.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Aruba
$875 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Australia
$119.6 billion (2005 est.)

Austria
$118.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan
$4.656 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The
$1.82 billion (2004 est.)

Bahrain
$7.83 billion (2005 est.)

Bangladesh
$12.97 billion (2005 est.)

Barbados
$1.476 billion (2004 est.)

Belarus
$16.94 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Belgium
$264.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Belize
$622.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Benin
$1.043 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Bermuda
$982 million (2004 est.)

Bhutan
$196 million c.i.f. (2000 est.)

Bolivia
$1.845 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
$6.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Botswana
$3.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Brazil
$78.02 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands
$187 million (2002 est.)

Brunei
$1.641 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Bulgaria
$16.78 billion f.o.b. (2005)

Burkina Faso
$992 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Burma
$3.454 billion f.o.b.
note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to the value of
consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other products smuggled in from
Thailand, China, Malaysia, and India (2004)

Burundi
$200 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cambodia
$3.538 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cameroon
$2.514 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Canada
$317.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cape Verde
$500 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cayman Islands
$866.9 million (2004)

Central African Republic
$203 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Chad
$749.1 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Chile
$30.09 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

China
$631.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Christmas Island
$NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
$NA

Colombia
$18 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Comoros
$115 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$1.319 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Congo, Republic of the
$806.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cook Islands
$81.04 million (2005)

Costa Rica
$9.69 billion (2005 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire
$4.759 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Croatia
$18.93 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cuba
$6.916 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Cyprus
Republic of Cyprus: $5.552 billion f.o.b.;; north Cyprus:
$415.2 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Czech Republic
$76.59 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Denmark
$74.69 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Djibouti
$987 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Dominica
$234 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Dominican Republic
$9.747 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

East Timor
$202 million (2004 est.)

Ecuador
$8.436 billion (2005 est.)

Egypt
$24.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

El Salvador
$6.678 billion (2005 est.)

Equatorial Guinea
$1.864 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Eritrea
$676.5 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Estonia
$9.189 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Ethiopia
$2.722 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

European Union
$1.402 trillion; note - external imports, excluding
intra-EU trade (2004)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
$90 million (2004 est.)

Faroe Islands
$639 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Fiji
$1.462 billion c.i.f. (2005)

Finland
$56.45 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

France
$473.3 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

French Guiana
$625 million c.i.f. (2002 est.)

French Polynesia
$1.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Gabon
$1.533 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Gambia, The
$197 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Gaza Strip
$1.952 billion c.i.f.; note - includes West Bank (2003)

Georgia
$2.5 billion (2005 est.)

Germany
$801 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Ghana
$4.273 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Gibraltar
$2.967 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Greece
$48.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Greenland
$601 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Grenada
$276 million (2004 est.)

Guadeloupe
$1.766 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Guam
$701 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guatemala
$7.744 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Guernsey
$NA

Guinea
$680 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Guinea-Bissau
$176 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Guyana
$681.6 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Haiti
$1.471 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Honduras
$4.161 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Hong Kong
$291.6 billion (2005 est.)

Hungary
$64.83 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Iceland
$4.582 billion (2005 est.)

India
$113.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Indonesia
$62.02 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Iran
$42.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Iraq
$19.57 billion f.o.b. (2004)

Ireland
$65.47 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Isle of Man
$NA

Israel
$43.19 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Italy
$369.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Jamaica
$4.093 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Japan
$451.1 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Jersey
$NA

Jordan
$8.681 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Kazakhstan
$17.51 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Kenya
$5.126 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Kiribati
$62 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Korea, North
$2.819 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Korea, South
$256 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Kuwait
$12.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Kyrgyzstan
$937.4 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Laos
$541 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Latvia
$8.19 billion f.o.b. (2005)

Lebanon
$8.855 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Lesotho
$1.166 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Liberia
$4.839 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Libya
$10.82 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Liechtenstein
$917.3 million (1996)

Lithuania
$15.5 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Luxembourg
$18.74 billion c.i.f. (2005 est.)

Macau
$3.478 billion c.i.f. (2004)

Macedonia
$3.196 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Madagascar
$1.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Malawi
$645 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Malaysia
$118.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Maldives
$567 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mali
$1.858 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Malta
$3.859 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Marshall Islands
$54.7 million f.o.b. (2000)

Martinique
$2.307 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Mauritania
$1.124 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Mauritius
$2.507 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Mayotte
$256.7 million f.o.b. (2004)

Mexico
$223.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of
$132.7 million f.o.b. (2004)

Moldova
$2.23 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Monaco
$636.6 million $NA
note: full customs integration with France, which collects and
rebates Monegasque trade duties; also participates in EU market
system through customs union with France

Mongolia
$1.011 billion c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Montenegro
$601.7 million (2003)

Montserrat
$17 million (2001)

Morocco
$18.15 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Mozambique
$2.041 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Namibia
$2.35 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Nauru
$20 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Nepal
$2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Netherlands
$326.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Netherlands Antilles
$4.383 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

New Caledonia
$1.636 billion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

New Zealand
$24.57 billion (2005 est.)

Nicaragua
$2.865 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Niger
$588 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Nigeria
$25.95 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Niue
$9.038 million (2004)

Norfolk Island
$17.9 million c.i.f. (FY91/92)

Northern Mariana Islands
$214.4 million $NA

Norway
$58.12 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Oman
$8.709 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Pakistan
$21.26 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Palau
$107.3 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Panama
$8.734 billion f.o.b. (includes the Colon Free Zone) (2005
est.)

Papua New Guinea
$1.651 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Paraguay
$3.832 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Peru
$12.15 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Philippines
$42.66 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Pitcairn Islands
$NA

Poland
$95.67 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Portugal
$60.35 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Puerto Rico
$29.1 billion c.i.f. (2001)

Qatar
$6.706 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Reunion
$3.306 billion c.i.f. (2002)

Romania
$41 billion f.o.b. (2005)

Russia
$125 billion (2005 est.)

Rwanda
$243 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Saint Helena
$45 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
$405 million (2004 est.)

Saint Lucia
$410 million (2004 est.)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
$70 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$225 million (2004 est.)

Samoa
$285 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

San Marino
trade data are included with the statistics for Italy

Sao Tome and Principe
$38 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Saudi Arabia
$44.93 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Senegal
$2.405 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Serbia
$10.58 billion (excluding Kosovo and Montenegro) (2005 est.)

Seychelles
$459.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Sierra Leone
$531 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Singapore
$188.3 billion (2005 est.)

Slovakia
$32.9 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Slovenia
$19.62 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Solomon Islands
$159 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Somalia
$576 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

South Africa
$52.97 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Spain
$271.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Sri Lanka
$8.37 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Sudan
$5.028 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Suriname
$750 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Svalbard
$NA

Swaziland
$2.149 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Sweden
$104.4 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Switzerland
$135 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Syria
$5.973 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Taiwan
$181.6 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Tajikistan
$1.25 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Tanzania
$2.391 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Thailand
$107 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Togo
$1.047 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Tokelau
$969,200 c.i.f. (2002)

Tonga
$122 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Trinidad and Tobago
$6.011 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Tunisia
$12.86 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Turkey
$101.2 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Turkmenistan
$4.175 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands
$175.6 million (2000)

Tuvalu
$9.186 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Uganda
$1.608 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Ukraine
$37.18 billion (2005 est.)

United Arab Emirates
$60.15 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

United Kingdom
$483.7 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

United States
$1.727 trillion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Uruguay
$3.54 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Uzbekistan
$3.8 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Vanuatu
$117.1 million c.i.f. (2004 est.)

Venezuela
$24.63 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Vietnam
$36.88 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Virgin Islands
$4.609 billion $NA

Wallis and Futuna
$61.17 million f.o.b. (2004)

West Bank
$1.952 billion c.i.f.; note - includes Gaza Strip (2003)

Western Sahara
$NA

World
$10.3 trillion f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Yemen
$4.19 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Zambia
$1.934 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Zimbabwe
$2.059 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006

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

@2088 Independence

Afghanistan
19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign
affairs)

Albania
28 November 1912 (from Ottoman Empire)

Algeria
5 July 1962 (from France)

American Samoa
none (territory of the US)

Andorra
1278 (formed under the joint suzerainty of the French count
of Foix and the Spanish bishop of Urgel)

Angola
11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

Anguilla
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Antigua and Barbuda
1 November 1981 (from UK)

Argentina
9 July 1816 (from Spain)

Armenia
21 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Aruba
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Australia
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

Austria
17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804
(Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

Azerbaijan
30 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Bahamas, The
10 July 1973 (from UK)

Bahrain
15 August 1971 (from UK)

Bangladesh
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March
1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December
1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation
of the state of Bangladesh

Barbados
30 November 1966 (from UK)

Belarus
25 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Belgium
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares
independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I
ascends to the throne)

Belize
21 September 1981 (from UK)

Benin
1 August 1960 (from France)

Bermuda
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bhutan
8 August 1949 (from India)

Bolivia
6 August 1825 (from Spain)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
1 March 1992 (from Yugoslavia; referendum for
independence was completed 1 March 1992; independence was declared 3
March 1992)

Botswana
30 September 1966 (from UK)

Brazil
7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

British Virgin Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei
1 January 1984 (from UK)

Bulgaria
3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the
Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the
Ottoman Empire)

Burkina Faso
5 August 1960 (from France)

Burma
4 January 1948 (from UK)

Burundi
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian
administration)

Cambodia
9 November 1953 (from France)

Cameroon
1 January 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Canada
1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11
December 1931 (independence recognized)

Cape Verde
5 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Cayman Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Central African Republic
13 August 1960 (from France)

Chad
11 August 1960 (from France)

Chile
18 September 1810 (from Spain)

China
221 BC (unification under the Qin or Ch'in Dynasty); 1 January
1912 (Manchu Dynasty replaced by a Republic); 1 October 1949
(People's Republic established)

Christmas Island
none (territory of Australia)

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
none (territory of Australia)

Colombia
20 July 1810 (from Spain)

Comoros
6 July 1975 (from France)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

Congo, Republic of the
15 August 1960 (from France)

Cook Islands
none (became self-governing in free association with
New Zealand on 4 August 1965 and has the right at any time to move
to full independence by unilateral action)

Costa Rica
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Cote d'Ivoire
7 August 1960 (from France)

Croatia
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Cuba
20 May 1902 (from Spain 10 December 1898; administered by the
US from 1898 to 1902)

Cyprus
16 August 1960 (from UK); note - Turkish Cypriots proclaimed
self-rule on 13 February 1975 and independence in 1983, but these
proclamations are only recognized by Turkey

Czech Republic
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech
Republic and Slovakia)

Denmark
first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849
became a constitutional monarchy

Djibouti
27 June 1977 (from France)

Dominica
3 November 1978 (from UK)

Dominican Republic
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

East Timor
28 November 1975 (date of proclamation of independence
from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of
international recognition of East Timor's independence from Indonesia

Ecuador
24 May 1822 (from Spain)

Egypt
28 February 1922 (from UK)

El Salvador
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Equatorial Guinea
12 October 1968 (from Spain)

Eritrea
24 May 1993 (from Ethiopia)

Estonia
20 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

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

European Union
7 February 1992 (Maastricht Treaty signed
establishing the EU); 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty entered
into force)

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
none (overseas territory of the
UK; also claimed by Argentina)

Faroe Islands
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing
overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Fiji
10 October 1970 (from UK)

Finland
6 December 1917 (from Russia)

France
486 (unified by Clovis)

French Guiana
none (overseas department of France)

French Polynesia
none (overseas lands of France)

Gabon
17 August 1960 (from France)

Gambia, The
18 February 1965 (from UK)

Georgia
9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Germany
18 January 1871 (German Empire unification); divided into
four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and later, France) in 1945
following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West
Germany) proclaimed 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and
French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany)
proclaimed 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone;
unification of West Germany and East Germany took place 3 October
1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991

Ghana
6 March 1957 (from UK)

Gibraltar
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Greece
1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greenland
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is
the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates
in international agreements relating to Greenland)

Grenada
7 February 1974 (from UK)

Guadeloupe
none (overseas department of France)

Guam
none (territory of the US)

Guatemala
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Guernsey
none (British crown dependency)

Guinea
2 October 1958 (from France)

Guinea-Bissau
24 September 1973 (unilaterally declared by
Guinea-Bissau); 10 September 1974 (recognized by Portugal)

Guyana
26 May 1966 (from UK)

Haiti
1 January 1804 (from France)

Holy See (Vatican City)
11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the
three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged,
among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and
established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal
States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may
be traced back to the 8th century

Honduras
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Hong Kong
none (special administrative region of China)

Hungary
1001 (unification by King Stephen I)

Iceland
1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish
Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark)

India
15 August 1947 (from UK)

Indonesia
17 August 1945 (independence proclaimed); 27 December 1949
(Netherlands recognizes Indonesian independence)

Iran
1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed)

Iraq
3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional
Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government

Ireland
6 December 1921 (from UK by treaty)

Isle of Man
none (British crown dependency)

Israel
14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration)

Italy
17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not
finally unified until 1870)

Jamaica
6 August 1962 (from UK)

Japan
660 B.C. (traditional founding by Emperor JIMMU)

Jersey
none (British crown dependency)

Jordan
25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British
administration)

Kazakhstan
16 December 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Kenya
12 December 1963 (from UK)

Kiribati
12 July 1979 (from UK)

Korea, North
15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Korea, South
15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Kuwait
19 June 1961 (from UK)

Kyrgyzstan
31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Laos
19 July 1949 (from France)

Latvia
21 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Lebanon
22 November 1943 (from League of Nations mandate under
French administration)

Lesotho
4 October 1966 (from UK)

Liberia
26 July 1847

Libya
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)

Liechtenstein
23 January 1719 (Principality of Liechtenstein
established); 12 July 1806 (independence from the Holy Roman Empire)

Lithuania
11 March 1990 (independence declared from Soviet Union); 6
September 1991 (Soviet Union recognizes Lithuania's independence)

Luxembourg
1839 (from the Netherlands)

Macau
none (special administrative region of China)

Macedonia
8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters
endorsing independence from Yugoslavia)

Madagascar
26 June 1960 (from France)

Malawi
6 July 1964 (from UK)

Malaysia
31 August 1957 (from UK)

Maldives
26 July 1965 (from UK)

Mali
22 September 1960 (from France)

Malta
21 September 1964 (from UK)

Marshall Islands
21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN
trusteeship)

Martinique
none (overseas department of France)

Mauritania
28 November 1960 (from France)

Mauritius
12 March 1968 (from UK)

Mayotte
none (territorial collectivity of France)

Mexico
16 September 1810 (from Spain)

Micronesia, Federated States of
3 November 1986 (from the
US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Moldova
27 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Monaco
1419 (beginning of the rule by the House of Grimaldi)

Mongolia
11 July 1921 (from China)

Montenegro
3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro); note - a
referendum on independence was held 21 May 2006

Montserrat
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Morocco
2 March 1956 (from France)

Mozambique
25 June 1975 (from Portugal)

Namibia
21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

Nauru
31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered
UN trusteeship)

Nepal
1768 (unified by Prithvi Narayan Shah)

Netherlands
23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low
Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26
July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of
Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace
of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)

Netherlands Antilles
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

New Caledonia
none (overseas territory of France); note - a
referendum on independence was held in 1998 but did not pass; a new
referendum is scheduled for 2014

New Zealand
26 September 1907 (from UK)

Nicaragua
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Niger
3 August 1960 (from France)

Nigeria
1 October 1960 (from UK)

Niue
on 19 October 1974, Niue became a self-governing parliamentary
government in free association with New Zealand

Norfolk Island
none (territory of Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands
none (commonwealth in political union with
the US)

Norway
7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden
dissolved); 26 October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the
union)

Oman
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)

Pakistan
14 August 1947 (from UK)

Palau
1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN Trusteeship)

Panama
3 November 1903 (from Colombia; became independent from Spain
28 November 1821)

Papua New Guinea
16 September 1975 (from the Australian-administered
UN trusteeship)

Paraguay
14 May 1811 (from Spain)

Peru
28 July 1821 (from Spain)

Philippines
12 June 1898 (from Spain)

Pitcairn Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland
11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed)

Portugal
1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910
(independent republic proclaimed)

Puerto Rico
none (territory of the US with commonwealth status)

Qatar
3 September 1971 (from UK)

Reunion
none (overseas department of France)

Romania
9 May 1877 (independence proclaimed from the Ottoman Empire;
independence recognized 13 July 1878 by the Treaty of Berlin;
kingdom proclaimed 26 March 1881); 30 December 1947 (republic
proclaimed)

Russia
24 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Rwanda
1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

Saint Helena
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
19 September 1983 (from UK)

Saint Lucia
22 February 1979 (from UK)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
none (territorial collectivity of France;
has been under French control since 1763)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
27 October 1979 (from UK)

Samoa
1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)

San Marino
3 September A.D. 301

Sao Tome and Principe
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Saudi Arabia
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)

Senegal
4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence was
achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960

Serbia
5 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

Seychelles
29 June 1976 (from UK)

Sierra Leone
27 April 1961 (from UK)

Singapore
9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

Slovakia
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech
Republic and Slovakia)

Slovenia
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)

Solomon Islands
7 July 1978 (from UK)

Somalia
1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which
became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian
Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered
UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic)

South Africa
31 May 1910 (from UK); note - South Africa became a
republic in 1961 following an October 1960 referendum

Spain
the Iberian peninsula was characterized by a variety of
independent kingdoms prior to the Muslim occupation that began in
the early 8th century AD and lasted nearly seven centuries; the
small Christian redoubts of the north began the reconquest almost
immediately, culminating in the seizure of Granada in 1492; this
event completed the unification of several kingdoms and is
traditionally considered the forging of present-day Spain

Sri Lanka
4 February 1948 (from UK)

Sudan
1 January 1956 (from Egypt and UK)

Suriname
25 November 1975 (from Netherlands)

Svalbard
none (territory of Norway)

Swaziland
6 September 1968 (from UK)

Sweden
6 June 1523 (Gustav VASA elected king)

Switzerland
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

Syria
17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French
administration)

Tajikistan
9 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Tanzania
26 April 1964; Tanganyika became independent 9 December
1961 (from UK-administered UN trusteeship); Zanzibar became
independent 19 December 1963 (from UK); Tanganyika united with
Zanzibar 26 April 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and
Zanzibar; renamed United Republic of Tanzania 29 October 1964

Thailand
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

Togo
27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Tokelau
none (territory of New Zealand)

Tonga
4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate)

Trinidad and Tobago
31 August 1962 (from UK)

Tunisia
20 March 1956 (from France)

Turkey
29 October 1923 (successor state to the Ottoman Empire)

Turkmenistan
27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Turks and Caicos Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Tuvalu
1 October 1978 (from UK)

Uganda
9 October 1962 (from UK)

Ukraine
24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

United Arab Emirates
2 December 1971 (from UK)

United Kingdom
England has existed as a unified entity since the
10th century; the union between England and Wales, begun in 1284
with the Statute of Rhuddlan, was not formalized until 1536 with an
Act of Union; in another Act of Union in 1707, England and Scotland
agreed to permanently join as Great Britain; the legislative union
of Great Britain and Ireland was implemented in 1801, with the
adoption of the name the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland; the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 formalized a partition of
Ireland; six northern Irish counties remained part of the United
Kingdom as Northern Ireland and the current name of the country, the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was adopted in
1927

United States
4 July 1776 (from Great Britain)

Uruguay
25 August 1825 (from Brazil)

Uzbekistan
1 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

Vanuatu
30 July 1980 (from France and UK)

Venezuela
5 July 1811 (from Spain)

Vietnam
2 September 1945 (from France)

Wallis and Futuna
none (overseas territory of France)

Yemen
22 May 1990 (Republic of Yemen established with the merger of
the Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and the
Marxist-dominated People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen
(Aden) or South Yemen]); note - previously North Yemen had become
independent in November of 1918 (from the Ottoman Empire) and South
Yemen had become independent on 30 November 1967 (from the UK)

Zambia
24 October 1964 (from UK)

Zimbabwe
18 April 1980 (from UK)

This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006

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

@2089 Industrial production growth rate (%)

Afghanistan
NA%

Albania
3.1% (2004 est.)

Algeria
8% (2005 est.)

American Samoa
NA%

Andorra
NA%

Angola
13.5% (2004)

Anguilla
3.1% (1997 est.)

Antigua and Barbuda
6% (1997 est.)

Argentina
7.7% (2005 est.)

Armenia
7.5% (2005 est.)

Aruba
NA%

Australia
1.1% (2005 est.)

Austria
4.7% (2005 est.)

Azerbaijan
40% (2005 est.)

Bahamas, The
NA%

Bahrain
2% (2000 est.)

Bangladesh
6.7% (2005 est.)

Barbados
-3.2% (2000 est.)

Belarus
15.6% (2005 est.)

Belgium
-0.2% (2005 est.)

Belize
4.6% (1999)

Benin
8.3% (2001 est.)

Bermuda
NA%

Bhutan
9.3% (1996 est.)

Bolivia
5.7% (2004 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
5.5% (2003 est.)

Botswana
7.5% (2005 est.)

Brazil
3.4% (2005 est.)

British Virgin Islands
NA%

Brunei
7.3% (2003 est.)

Bulgaria
7.9% (2005)

Burkina Faso
14% (2001 est.)

Burma
NA%

Burundi
18% (2001)

Cambodia
22% (2002 est.)

Cameroon
4.2% (1999 est.)

Canada
2.6% (2005 est.)