Chapter LXV: Part 65

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$587.9 million (2005)

Currency (code):

Tanzanian shilling (TZS)

Currency code:

TZS

Exchange rates:

Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 1,255 (2007), 1,251.9 (2006), 1,128.93 (2005), 1,089.33 (2004), 1,038.42 (2003)

Communications Tanzania

Telephones - main lines in use:

165,013 (2008)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

9.358 million (2008)

Telephone system:

general assessment: telecommunications services are inadequate; system operating below capacity and being modernized for better service; small aperture terminal (VSAT) system under construction domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital international: country code - 255; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 12, FM 11, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios:

8.8 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (1999)

Televisions:

103,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tz

Internet hosts:

24,271 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

6 (2000)

Internet users:

400,000 (2007)

Transportation Tanzania

Airports:

124 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 114 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 63 under 914 m: 34 (2007)

Pipelines:

gas 287 km; oil 891 km (2007)

Railways:

total: 3,690 km narrow gauge: 969 km 1.067-m gauge; 2,721 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)

Roadways:

total: 78,891 km paved: 6,808 km unpaved: 72,083 km (2003)

Waterways:

Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; rivers not navigable (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 9 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 4 registered in other countries: 1 (Honduras 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Dar es Salaam

Transportation - note:

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean are high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Military Tanzania

Military branches:

Tanzanian People's Defense Force (Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Army, Naval Wing (includes Coast Guard), Air Defense Command (includes Air Wing), National Service (2007)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 9,108,177 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 5,278,833 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 478,812 female: 479,557 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

0.2% of GDP (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues Tanzania

Disputes - international:

Tanzania still hosts more than a half-million refugees, more than any other African country, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite the international community's efforts at repatriation; disputes with Malawi over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River remain dormant

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 352,640 (Burundi); 127,973 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

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

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@Thailand

Introduction Thailand

Background:

A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been taken over by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to a constitutional monarchy. In alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand became a US ally following the conflict. Thailand is currently facing separatist violence in its southern ethnic Malay-Muslim provinces.

Geography Thailand

Location:

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma

Geographic coordinates:

15 00 N, 100 00 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 514,000 sq km land: 511,770 sq km water: 2,230 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming

Land boundaries:

total: 4,863 km border countries: Burma 1,800 km, Cambodia 803 km, Laos 1,754 km, Malaysia 506 km

Coastline:

3,219 km

Maritime claims:

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

Climate:

tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

Terrain:

central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Natural resources:

tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 27.54% permanent crops: 6.93% other: 65.53% (2005)

Irrigated land:

49,860 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

409.9 cu km (1999)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 82.75 cu km/yr (2%/2%/95%) per capita: 1,288 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note:

controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore

People Thailand

Population:

65,493,296 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.2% (male 7,104,776/female 6,781,453) 15-64 years: 70.3% (male 22,763,274/female 23,304,793) 65 years and over: 8.5% (male 2,516,721/female 3,022,281) (2008 est.)

Median age:

total: 32.8 years male: 32 years female: 33.7 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.64% (2008 est.)

Birth rate:

13.57 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate:

7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 18.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.83 years male: 70.51 years female: 75.27 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.64 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

570,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

58,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: leptospirosis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008)

Nationality:

noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai

Ethnic groups:

Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%

Religions:

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)

Languages:

Thai, English (secondary language of the elite), ethnic and regional dialects

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.6% male: 94.9% female: 90.5% (2000 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

4.2% of GDP (2005)

Government Thailand

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon

Independence:

1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National holiday:

Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)

Constitution:

constitution signed by King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL) on 24 August 2007

Legal system:

based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet or (BHUMIBOL Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946) head of government: Prime Minister ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva (since 17 December 2008); Deputy Prime Minister OLARN Cahipravat (since 24 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SANAN Kachornprasat, also spelled SANAN Kachornparsart (since 7 February 2008); Deputy Prime Minister SOMPONG Amornwiwat (since 24 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers note: there is also a Privy Council elections: monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is designated from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote representing 76 provinces, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; 400 members elected from 157 multi-seat constituencies and 80 elected on proportional party-list basis of 10 per eight zones or groupings of provinces; all serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2014); House of Representatives - last election held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPP 233, DP 164, TNP 34, Motherland 24, Middle Way 11, Unity 9, Royalist People's 5 note: 74 senators were appointed on 19 February 2008 by a seven-member committee headed by the chief of the Constitutional Court; 76 senators were elected on 2 March 2008; elections to the Senate are non-partisan; registered political party members are disqualified from being senators

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Democrat Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) [ABHISIT Wetchachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]; Matchima Thippatai (Middle Way Party) [ANONGWAN Therpsuthin] - disbanded; Motherland Party (Peua Pandin Party); People's Power Party (Palang Prachachon Party) or PPP [SOMCHAI Wongsawat, acting] - disbanded; Royalist People's Party (Pracharaj) [SANOH Thienthong]; Ruam Jai Thai Party (Thai Unity Party) [CHETTA Thanacharo, also spelled CHETTHA Thanajaro]; Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) [BARNHARN SILPA-ARCHA] - disbanded

Political pressure groups and leaders:

People's Alliance for Democracy; Campaign for Democracy [Pibob THONGCHAI]

International organization participation:

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires DAMRONG Kraikruan chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Eric G. JOHN embassy: 120-122 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990, 205-4131 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai

Flag description:

five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

Economy Thailand

Economy - overview:

With a well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand appears to have fully recovered from the 1997-98 Asian Financial Crisis. The country was one of East Asia's best performers from 2002-04. Boosted by strong export growth, the Thai economy grew 4.5% in 2007. Bangkok has pursued preferential trade agreements with a variety of partners in an effort to boost exports and to maintain high growth. By 2007, the tourism sector had largely recovered from the major 2004 tsunami. Following the military coup in September 2006, investment and consumer confidence stagnated due to the uncertain political climate that lasted through the December 2007 elections. Foreign investor sentiment was further tempered by a 30% reserve requirement on capital inflows instituted in December 2006, and discussion of amending Thailand's rules governing foreign-owned businesses. Economic growth in 2007 was due almost entirely to robust export performance - despite the pressure of an appreciating currency. Exports have performed at record levels, rising nearly 17% in 2006 and 12% in 2007. Export-oriented manufacturing - in particular automobile production - and farm output are driving these gains.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$521.5 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$245.7 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

4.8% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$8,000 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 11.4% industry: 43.8% services: 44.8% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

36.9 million (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 49% industry: 14% services: 37% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.4% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

10% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.4% (2002)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

42 (2002)

Investment (gross fixed):

26.8% of GDP (2007 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $44.14 billion expenditures: $49.83 billion (2007 est.)

Fiscal year:

1 October - 30 September

Public debt:

37.9% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.2% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3.75% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

7.05% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$28.62 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$216.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$241.8 billion (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

rice, cassava (tapioca), rubber, corn, sugarcane, coconuts, soybeans

Industries:

tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts; world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer

Industrial production growth rate:

5.4% (2007 est.)

Electricity - production:

130.7 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - consumption:

123.9 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports:

731 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

4.488 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 91.3% hydro: 6.4% nuclear: 0% other: 2.4% (2001)

Oil - production:

348,600 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption:

928,600 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports:

207,400 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports:

832,900 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves:

460 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Natural gas - production:

25.4 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

35.3 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

9.8 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

331.2 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Current account balance:

$14.92 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$151.1 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

textiles and footwear, fishery products, rice, rubber, jewelry, automobiles, computers and electrical appliances

Exports - partners:

US 12.6%, Japan 11.9%, China 9.7%, Singapore 6.3%, Hong Kong 5.7%, Malaysia 5.1% (2007)

Imports:

$125.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

capital goods, intermediate goods and raw materials, consumer goods, fuels

Imports - partners:

Japan 20.3%, China 11.6%, US 6.8%, Malaysia 6.2%, UAE 4.9%, Singapore 4.5%, Taiwan 4.1% (2007)

Economic aid - recipient:

$171.1 million (2005)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$87.46 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$59.52 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$80.83 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$7.013 billion (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$139.6 billion (2006)

Currency (code):

baht (THB)

Currency code:

THB

Exchange rates:

baht per US dollar - 33.599 (2007), 37.882 (2006), 40.22 (2005), 40.222 (2004), 41.485 (2003)

Communications Thailand

Telephones - main lines in use:

7.024 million (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

51.377 million (2007)

Telephone system:

general assessment: high quality system, especially in urban areas like Bangkok domestic: fixed line system provided by both a government owned and commercial provider; wireless service expanding rapidly and outpacing fixed lines international: country code - 66; connected to major submarine cable systems providing links throughout Asia, Australia, Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 238, FM 351, shortwave 6 (2007)

Radios:

13.96 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

111 (2006)

Televisions:

15.19 million (1997)

Internet country code:

.th

Internet hosts:

1.116 million (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

15 (2000)

Internet users:

13.416 million (2007)

Transportation Thailand

Airports:

106 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 65 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 17 under 914 m: 6 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 41 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 28 (2007)

Heliports:

3 (2007)

Pipelines:

gas 4,381 km; refined products 320 km (2007)

Railways:

total: 4,071 km narrow gauge: 4,071 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)

Roadways:

total: 180,053 km (includes 450 km of expressways) (2006)

Waterways:

4,000 km note: 3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 398 by type: bulk carrier 53, cargo 135, chemical tanker 15, container 22, liquefied gas 28, passenger/cargo 10, petroleum tanker 100, refrigerated cargo 32, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 1 foreign-owned: 16 (China 1, Japan 4, Malaysia 3, Singapore 2, Taiwan 1, UK 5) registered in other countries: 40 (Bahamas 5, Mongolia 1, Panama 10, Singapore 23, Tuvalu 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Prachuap Port, Si Racha

Military Thailand

Military branches:

Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN, includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Knogtap Agard Thai, RTAF) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

21 years of age for compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; males are registered at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 17,553,410 females age 16-49: 17,751,268 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 12,968,674 females age 16-49: 14,058,779 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 531,315 female: 511,288 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.8% of GDP (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues Thailand

Disputes - international:

separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and controls with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities; Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong River; despite continuing border committee talks, Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels, refugees, and illegal cross-border activities, and as of 2006, over 116,000 Karen, Hmong, and other refugees and asylum seekers from Burma; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of historic boundary with missing boundary markers; Cambodia claims Thai encroachments into Cambodian territory and obstructing access to Preah Vihear temple ruins awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962; Thailand is studying the feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004, international environmentalist pressure prompted China to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 132,241 (Burma) (2007)

Illicit drugs:

a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana; transit point for illicit 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 despite a series of government crackdowns

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@Timor-Leste

Introduction Timor-Leste

Background:

The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. Between the referendum and the arrival of a multinational peacekeeping force in late September 1999, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forcibly pushed 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999 the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In late April 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a near breakdown of law and order in Dili. At the request of the Government of Timor-Leste, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste in late May. In August, the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. In subsequent months, many of the ISF soldiers were replaced by UN police officers; approximately 80 ISF officers remained as of January 2008. From April to June 2007, the Government of Timor-Leste held presidential and parliamentary elections in a largely peaceful atmosphere with the support and assistance of UNMIT and international donors.

Geography Timor-Leste

Location:

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Geographic coordinates:

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Map references:

Southeast Asia

Area:

total: 15,007 sq km land: NA sq km water: NA sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

total: 228 km border countries: Indonesia 228 km

Coastline:

706 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Terrain:

mountainous

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Natural resources:

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Land use:

arable land: 8.2% permanent crops: 4.57% other: 87.23% (2005)

Irrigated land:

1,065 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues:

widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Climate Change, Desertification

Geography - note:

Timor comes from the Malay word for "East"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands

People Timor-Leste

Population:

1,108,777 note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 35.1% (male 197,975/female 191,716) 15-64 years: 61.6% (male 347,573/female 334,908) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 17,578/female 19,027) (2008 est.)

Median age:

total: 21.5 years male: 21.5 years female: 21.5 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.05% (2008 est.)

Birth rate:

26.52 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate:

6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 41.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.16 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 66.94 years male: 64.6 years female: 69.39 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate:

3.36 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2008)

Nationality:

noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese

Ethnic groups:

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

Religions:

Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005)

Languages:

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.6% male: NA female: NA (2002)

Education expenditures:

NA

Government Timor-Leste

Country name:

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera, Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque

Independence:

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

National holiday:

Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Constitution:

22 March 2002 (based on the Portuguese model)

Legal system:

UN-drafted legal system based on Indonesian law remains in place but is to be replaced by civil and penal codes based on Portuguese law; these have passed but have not been promulgated; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Jose RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2007); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007), note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Deputy Prime Minister Jose Luis GUTERRES (since 8 August 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 April 2007 with run-off on 8 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2012); following elections, president appoints leader of majority party or majority coalition as prime minister election results: Jose RAMOS-HORTA elected president; percent of vote - Jose RAMOS-HORTA 69.2%, Francisco GUTTERES 30.8%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Parliament (number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 30 June 2007 (next elections due by June 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - FRETILIN 29%, CNRT 24.1%, ASDT-PSD 15.8%, PD 11.3%, PUN 4.5%, KOTA-PPT (Democratic Alliance) 3.2%, UNTERDIM 3.2%, others 8.9%; seats by party - FRETILIN 21, CNRT 18, ASDT-PSD 11, PD 8, PUN 3, KOTA-PPT 2, UNDERTIM 2

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT [Francisco Xavier do AMARAL]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mario CARRASCALAO]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, ADB, ARF, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jorge CAMEO chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Hans G. KLEMM embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Conqueiros, Dili mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684 FAX: (670) 331-3206

Flag description:

red, with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle

Economy Timor-Leste

Economy - overview:

In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. By the end of 2005, refugees had returned or had settled in Indonesia. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has begun to supplement government revenues ahead of schedule and above expectations - the result of high petroleum prices. The technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed because there are no production facilities in Timor. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005 the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of US$1.8 billion as of September 2007. The mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest disrupted both private and public sector economic activity and created 100,000 internally displaced persons - about 10 percent of the population. While real non-oil GDP growth in 2006 was negative, the economy probably rebounded in 2007. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and reduce poverty. In late 2007, the new government announced plans aimed at increasing spending, reducing poverty, and improving the country's infrastructure, but it continues to face capacity constraints. In the short term, the government must also address continuing problems related to the crisis of 2006, especially the displaced Timorese.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.608 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$459 million (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

19.8% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,500 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 32.2% industry: 12.8% services: 55% (2005)

Labor force:

NA

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

Unemployment rate:

50% estimated; note - unemployment in urban areas reached 20%; data do not include underemployed (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line:

42% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

38 (2002 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $733 million expenditures: $309 million note: the government passed a transitional budget to cover the latter half of 2007 and has moved the fiscal cycle to a calendar year, starting with the budget they passed for 2008 (FY06/07 est.)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.8% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

15.05% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$74.94 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$68.78 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

NA (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, rice, corn, cassava, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Industries:

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Industrial production growth rate:

8.5% (2004 est.)

Electricity - production:

NA kWh

Electricity - consumption:

NA kWh

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Oil - production:

78,480 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

NA

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance:

$1.161 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$10 million; note - excludes oil (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities:

coffee, sandalwood, marble; note - potential for oil and vanilla exports

Exports - partners:

US, Germany, Portugal, Australia, Indonesia (2006)

Imports:

$202 million (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities:

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Economic aid - recipient:

$184.7 million (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

USD

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications Timor-Leste

Telephones - main lines in use:

2,400 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

69,000 (2007)

Telephone system:

general assessment: rudimentary service limited to urban areas domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; extremely limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services and coverage limited primarily to urban areas international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers

Radio broadcast stations:

at least 21 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster and 20 community and church radio stations - frequency type NA)

Radios:

NA

Television broadcast stations:

1 (Timor-Leste has one national public broadcaster)

Televisions:

NA

Internet country code:

.tl

Internet hosts:

285 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

NA

Internet users:

1,200 (2006)

Transportation Timor-Leste

Airports:

8 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2007)

Heliports:

9 (2007)

Roadways:

total: 6,040 km paved: 2,600 km unpaved: 3,440 km (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 1 by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Dili

Military Timor-Leste

Military branches:

Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 284,903 females age 16-49: 272,212 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 224,096 females age 16-49: 231,901 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 13,045 female: 12,670 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

NA

Transnational Issues Timor-Leste

Disputes - international:

Timor-Leste-Indonesia Boundary Committee has resolved all but a small portion of the land boundary, but discussions on maritime boundaries are stalemated over sovereignty of the uninhabited coral island of Pulau Batek/Fatu Sinai in the north and alignment with Australian claims in the south; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; Australia and Timor-Leste agreed in 2005 to defer the disputed portion of the boundary for 50 years and to split hydrocarbon revenues evenly outside the Joint Petroleum Development Area covered by the 2002 Timor Sea Treaty

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

IDPs: 100,000 (2007)

Illicit drugs:

NA

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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

@Togo

Introduction Togo

Background:

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and fire from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community.

Geography Togo

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana

Geographic coordinates:

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 56,785 sq km land: 54,385 sq km water: 2,400 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Land boundaries:

total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Coastline:

56 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:

gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 m

Natural resources:

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005)

Irrigated land:

70 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

14.7 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.17 cu km/yr (53%/2%/45%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts

Environment - current issues:

deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna

People Togo

Population:

5,858,673 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 41.7% (male 1,226,320/female 1,218,182) 15-64 years: 55.6% (male 1,588,354/female 1,666,274) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 63,508/female 96,035) (2008 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.6 years male: 18.2 years female: 19 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.717% (2008 est.)

Birth rate:

36.66 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate:

9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Net migration rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 57.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 65.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 58.28 years male: 56.2 years female: 60.43 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.85 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

4.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

110,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

10,000 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008)

Nationality:

noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese

Ethnic groups:

African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

Religions:

Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%

Languages:

French (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2000)

Education expenditures:

2.6% of GDP (2002)

Government Togo

Country name:

conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland

Government type:

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Capital:

name: Lome geographic coordinates: 6 08 N, 1 13 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes

Independence:

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Constitution:

multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Legal system:

French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Suffrage:

NA years of age; universal (adult)

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held by 2010); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5%

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 14 October 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - RPT 39.4%, UFC 37.0%, CAR 8.2%, independents 2.5%, other 12.9%; seats by party - RPT 50, UFC 27, CAR 4

Judicial branch:

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA; Democratic Party for Renewal or PDR; Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for a Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lorempo LANDJERGUE chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia McMahon HAWKINS embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20512-2300 telephone: [228] 261-5470 FAX: [228] 261-5501

Flag description:

five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy Togo

Economy - overview:

This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan. Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production, underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$5.042 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$2.497 billion (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.1% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$900 (2007 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (2003 est.)

Labor force:

1.302 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (1998 est.)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Population below poverty line:

32% (1989 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Investment (gross fixed):

24.2% of GDP (2007 est.)

Budget:

revenues: $466.8 million expenditures: $514.7 million (2007 est.)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

4.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$624.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$383.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$590.7 million (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish

Industries:

phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages

Industrial production growth rate:

1% (2007 est.)

Electricity - production:

203 million kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - consumption:

607 million kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:

505 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2006 est.)

Electricity - production by source:

fossil fuel: 98.7% hydro: 1.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - consumption:

17,770 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports:

1,547 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports:

16,650 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Current account balance:

-$159 million (2007 est.)

Exports:

$702 million f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Exports - partners:

Ghana 16.8%, Burkina Faso 14.5%, Germany 9.2%, Benin 9.1%, Netherlands 5.9%, Mali 5.8%, India 4.7% (2007)

Imports:

$1.201 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

China 36.3%, Estonia 9.6%, US 7.6%, Netherlands 7.3%, France 7% (2007)

Economic aid - recipient:

ODA, $86.71 million (2005 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$438 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$2 billion (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Currency (code):

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code:

XOF

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 482.71 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003) note: since 1 January 1999, the XOF franc has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF francs per euro

Communications Togo

Telephones - main lines in use:

82,100 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.19 million (2007)

Telephone system:

general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 15 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios:

940,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

3 (plus 2 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions:

73,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.tg

Internet hosts:

769 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

3 (2001)

Internet users:

320,000 (2006)

Transportation Togo

Airports:

9 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2007)

Railways:

total: 568 km narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)

Roadways:

total: 7,520 km paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000)

Waterways:

50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2005)

Merchant marine:

total: 10 by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Bangladesh 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, Lebanon 1, Syria 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Kpeme, Lome

Military Togo

Military branches:

Togolese Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Togolese Navy (Marine du Togo), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, FAT), National Gendarmerie (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2006)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,365,505 females age 16-49: 1,374,993 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 897,195 females age 16-49: 913,327 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 69,156 female: 69,200 (2008 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues Togo

Disputes - international:

in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; in 2006 14,000 Togolese refugees remain in Benin and Ghana out of the 40,000 who fled there in 2005

Refugees and internally displaced persons:

refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Ghana) IDPs: 1,500 (2007)

Illicit drugs:

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

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

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@Tokelau

Introduction Tokelau

Background:

Originally settled by Polynesian emigrants from surrounding island groups, the Tokelau Islands were made a British protectorate in 1889. They were transferred to New Zealand administration in 1925. Referenda held in 2006 and 2007 to change the status of the islands from that of a New Zealand territory to one of free association with New Zealand did not meet the needed threshold for approval.

Geography Tokelau

Location:

Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

9 00 S, 172 00 W

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total: 10 sq km land: 10 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

about 17 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

101 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)

Terrain:

low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m

Natural resources:

NEGL

Land use:

arable land: 0% (soil is thin and infertile) permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

lies in Pacific typhoon belt

Environment - current issues:

limited natural resources and overcrowding are contributing to emigration to New Zealand

Geography - note:

consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level

People Tokelau

Population:

1,433 (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 42% 15-64 years: 53% 65 years and over: 5%

Population growth rate:

-0.011% (2008 est.)

Birth rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Death rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Net migration rate:

NA (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:

NA

Infant mortality rate:

total: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: NA male: NA female: NA (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate:

NA (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan

Ethnic groups:

Polynesian

Religions: