Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (112)

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; vulnerable
to money laundering because of corruption, organized crime; some
money laundering of drug-related proceeds through financial
institutions (2008)

Burma
remains world's second largest producer of illicit opium with
an estimated production in 2008 of 340 metric tons, an increase of
26%, and poppy cultivation in 2008 totaled 22,500 hectares, a 4%
increase from 2007; production in the United Wa State Army's areas
of greatest control remains low; Shan state is the source of 94% of
Burma's poppy cultivation; 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 (2008)

Cambodia
narcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in
the government, military, and police; limited 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; increasing
ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable
to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial
services sector

Cape Verde
used as a transshipment point for Latin American cocaine
destined for Western Europe, particularly because of Lusophone links
to Brazil, Portugal, and Guinea-Bissau; has taken steps to deter
drug money laundering, including a 2002 anti-money laundering reform
that criminalizes laundering the proceeds of narcotics trafficking
and other crimes and the establishment in 2008 of a Financial
Intelligence Unit (2008)

Cayman Islands
major offshore financial center; vulnerable to drug
transshipment to the US and Europe (2008)

Chile
transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the
region; some money laundering activity, especially through the
Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia;
domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant
consumer of cocaine (2008)

China
major transshipment point for heroin produced in the Golden
Triangle region of Southeast Asia; growing domestic consumption of
synthetic drugs, and heroin from Southeast and Southwest Asia;
source country for methamphetamine and heroin chemical precursors,
despite new regulations on its large chemical industry (2008)

Colombia
illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis;
world's leading coca cultivator with 167,000 hectares in coca
cultivation in 2007, a 6% increase over 2006, producing a potential
of 535 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca
derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the
great majority of other international drug markets; in 2005, aerial
eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 130,000 hectares but
aggressive replanting on the part of coca growers means Colombia
remains a key producer; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds
are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black
market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market;
opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen 25% between 2006
and 2007; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2008)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
one of Africa's biggest producers
of cannabis, but mostly for domestic consumption; traffickers
exploit lax shipping controls to transit pseudoephedrine through the
capital; 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 (2008)

Costa Rica
transshipment country for cocaine and heroin from South
America; illicit production of cannabis in remote areas; domestic
cocaine consumption, particularly crack cocaine, is rising;
significant consumption of amphetamines; seizures of smuggled cash
in Costa Rica and at the main border crossing to enter Costa Rica
from Nicaragua have risen in recent years (2008)

Cote d'Ivoire
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local
consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe
reduced by ongoing political instability; 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 (2008)

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 (2008)

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 (2008)

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 (2008)

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; significant consumer of ecstasy (2008)

Dominica
transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and
Europe; minor cannabis producer (2008)

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 in particular by Colombian
narcotics traffickers; significant amphetamine consumption (2008)

Ecuador
significant transit country for cocaine originating in
Colombia and Peru, with much of the US-bound cocaine passing through
Ecuadorian Pacific waters; 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 (2008)

Egypt
transit point for cannabis, heroin, and opium moving to
Europe, Israel, and North Africa; transit stop for Nigerian drug
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; significant use of cocaine

Estonia
growing producer of synthetic drugs; increasingly important
transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic
drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord;
potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug
trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector
to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy

Ethiopia
transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and
Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, 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
metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American
cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics
French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local
consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe
Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for
the US and 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; significant domestic cocaine and
cannabis use

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 2005,
cultivated 100 hectares of opium poppy after reemerging as a
potential source of opium in 2004; potential production of less than
1 metric ton of pure heroin; 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

Guinea-Bissau
increasingly important transit country for South
American cocaine enroute to Europe; enabling environment for
trafficker operations thanks to pervasive corruption;
archipelago-like geography around the capital facilitates drug
smuggling

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 bulk cash smuggling activity; Colombian
narcotics traffickers favor Haiti for illicit financial
transactions; pervasive corruption; significant consumer of cannabis

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
despite strenuous law enforcement efforts, 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; efforts to counter money laundering, related to
organized crime and drug trafficking, are improving, but remain
vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy

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 and throughout Southwest Asia;
illicit producer of methaqualone; vulnerable to narcotics money
laundering through the hawala system; licit ketamine and precursor
production

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

Iran
despite substantial interdiction efforts and considerable
control measures along the border with Afghanistan, Iran remains one
of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to
Europe; suffers one of the highest opiate addiction rates in the
world, and has an increasing problem with synthetic drugs; lacks
anti-money laundering laws; has reached out to neighboring countries
to share counter-drug intelligence

Ireland
transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North
Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic
drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; 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 ecstasy, 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 and consumption 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; significant consumer of opiates

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; major consumer of opiates

Laos
estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares,
about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production
in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports
of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic
methamphetamine problem (2007)

Latvia
transshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic
drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe,
Latin America, and neighboring Balkan countries; 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 despite continued significant cannabis consumption; 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; money laundering of drug
proceeds fuels concern that extremists are benefiting from drug
trafficking

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 and destination point for cannabis, cocaine,
ecstasy, and opiates from Southwest Asia, Latin America, Western
Europe, and neighboring Baltic countries; growing production of
high-quality amphetamines, but limited production of cannabis,
methamphetamines; susceptible to money laundering despite changes to
banking legislation

Macau
transshipment point for drugs going into mainland China;
consumer of opiates and amphetamines

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

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

Malaysia
drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe
penalties; heroin still primary drug of abuse, but synthetic drug
demand remains strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine
producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the regional
drug market

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

Mauritius
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
2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18
metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of "black tar" heroin,
the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States;
marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and
yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government
conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in
the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for
US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual
cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug
syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the
country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant
money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest
foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market
(2007)

Micronesia, Federated States of
major consumer of cannabis

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
one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish;
shipments of hashish mostly directed to Western Europe; transit
point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe;
significant consumer of cannabis

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 synthetic drugs, including
ecstasy, and cannabis cultivator; important gateway for cocaine,
heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound
ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering;
significant consumer of ecstasy

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

New Zealand
significant consumer of amphetamines

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; consumer of
amphetamines; safe haven 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
significant transit area for Afghan drugs, including
heroin, opium, morphine, and hashish, bound for Iran, Western
markets, the Gulf States, Africa, and Asia; financial crimes related
to drug trafficking, terrorism, corruption, and smuggling remain
problems; opium poppy cultivation estimated to be 2,300 hectares in
2007 with 600 of those hectares eradicated; federal and provincial
authorities continue to conduct anti-poppy campaigns that utilizes
forced eradication, fines, and arrests

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

Papua New Guinea
major consumer of cannabis

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; weak border controls, extensive corruption and
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, Peru is now
the world's second largest producer of coca leaf, though it lags far
behind Colombia; cultivation of coca in Peru declined to 36,000
hectares in 2007; second largest producer of cocaine, estimated at
210 metric tons of potential pure cocaine in 2007; 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, Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia for use in the
Southern Cone or transshipment to Europe and Africa; increasing
domestic drug consumption

Philippines
domestic methamphetamine production has been a growing
problem in recent years despite government crackdowns; major
consumer of amphetamines; longstanding marijuana producer mainly in
rural areas where Manila's control is limited

Poland
despite diligent counternarcotics measures and international
information sharing on cross-border crimes, a major illicit producer
of synthetic drugs for the international market; minor transshipment
point for Southwest Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine to
Western Europe

Portugal
seizing record amounts of Latin American cocaine destined
for Europe; a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin;
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; major consumer of opiates

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; 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
drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement
efforts; 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;
consumer of ecstasy

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, and cocaine,
as well as a major cultivator of marijuana in its own right; cocaine
and heroin consumption on the rise; world's largest market for
illicit methaqualone, usually imported illegally from India through
various east African countries, but increasingly producing its own
synthetic drugs for domestic consumption; attractive venue for money
launderers given the increasing level of organized criminal and
narcotics activity in the region and the size of the South African
economy

Spain
despite rigorous law enforcement efforts, North African, Latin
American, Galician, and other European traffickers take advantage of
Spain's long coastline to land large shipments of cocaine and
hashish for distribution to the European market; consumer for Latin
American cocaine and North African hashish; 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, Southwest Asian heroin, and
Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and
limited ecstasy production

Syria
a transit point for opiates, hashish, and cocaine 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, methamphetamine, and
precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major
problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin;
rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs

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); significant consumer of opiates

Tanzania
targeted by traffickers moving hashish, Afghan heroin, and
South American cocaine transported down the East African coastline,
through airports, or overland through Central Africa; Zanzibar
likely used by traffickers for drug smuggling; traffickers in the
past have recruited Tanzanian couriers to move drugs through Iran
into East Asia.

Thailand
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

Timor-Leste
NA

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 lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea
routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking
organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert
imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey
and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas
of legal opium poppy cultivation and over 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), Colombian heroin, and
Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican
methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian
heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants,
stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering
center

Uruguay
small-scale transit country for drugs mainly bound for
Europe, often through sea-borne containers; law enforcement
corruption; money laundering because of strict banking secrecy laws;
weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption
of cocaine base and synthetic drugs

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 leaf cultivation in 2007 amounted to
232,500 hectares; Colombia produced slightly more than two-thirds of
the worldwide crop, followed by Peru and Bolivia; potential pure
cocaine production decreased 7% to 865 metric tons in 2007; Colombia
conducts an aggressive coca eradication campaign, but both Peruvian
and Bolivian Governments are hesitant to eradicate coca in key
growing areas; 551 metric tons of export-quality cocaine (85% pure)
is documented to have been seized or destroyed in 2005; US
consumption of export quality cocaine is estimated to have been in
excess of 380 metric tons
opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation continued to
increase in 2007, with a potential opium production of 8,400 metric
tons, reaching the highest levels recorded since estimates began in
mid-1980s; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting
for 95% of the global supply; Southeast Asia - responsible for 9% of
global opium - saw marginal increases in production; Latin America
produced 1% of global opium, but most was refined into heroin
destined for the US market; if all potential opium was processed
into pure heroin, the potential global production would be 1,000
metric tons of heroin in 2007

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; major consumer of
cannabis

Zimbabwe
transit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, mandrax,
and methamphetamines en route to South Africa

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

@2087

Field Listing :: Imports

This entry provides the total US dollar amount of merchandise
imports on a c.i.f. (cost, insurance, and freight) or f.o.b. (free
on board) basis. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate
basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.
Country Comparison to the World
Country

Imports

Afghanistan
$4.85 billion (2007)
$3.823 billion (2006)

Albania
$4.898 billion (2008 est.)
$3.999 billion (2007 est.)

Algeria
$39.16 billion (2008 est.)
$26.4 billion (2007 est.)

American Samoa
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)

Andorra
$1.789 billion (2007)
$1.879 billion (2005)

Angola
$17.08 billion (2008 est.)
$13.66 billion (2007 est.)

Anguilla
$143 million (2006)

Antigua and Barbuda
$522.8 million (2007 est.)

Argentina
$54.56 billion (2008 est.)
$42.53 billion (2007 est.)

Armenia
$3.763 billion (2008 est.)
$2.797 billion (2007 est.)

Aruba
$1.054 billion (2006)

Australia
$194.2 billion (2008 est.)
$160.2 billion (2007 est.)

Austria
$179.2 billion (2008 est.)
$160.3 billion (2007 est.)

Azerbaijan
$7.575 billion (2008 est.)
$6.045 billion (2007 est.)

Bahamas, The
$2.401 billion (2006)

Bahrain
$14.25 billion (2008 est.)
$10.93 billion (2007 est.)

Bangladesh
$21.51 billion (2008 est.)
$16.67 billion (2007 est.)

Barbados
$1.586 billion (2006)

Belarus
$39.16 billion (2008 est.)
$28.4 billion (2007 est.)

Belgium
$387.7 billion (2008 est.)
$320.9 billion (2007 est.)

Belize
$788.1 million (2008 est.)
$642 million (2007 est.)

Benin
$1.843 billion (2008 est.)
$1.194 billion (2007 est.)

Bermuda
$1.162 billion (2006)

Bhutan
$320 million (2006)

Bolivia
$4.641 billion (2008 est.)
$3.24 billion (2007 est.)

Bosnia and Herzegovina
$12.29 billion (2008 est.)
$9.947 billion (2007 est.)

Botswana
$4.486 billion (2008 est.)
$3.447 billion (2007 est.)

Brazil
$173.1 billion (2008 est.)
$120.6 billion (2007 est.)

British Virgin Islands
$187 million f.o.b.

Brunei
$2.055 billion (2007 est.)
$2 billion (2006 est.)

Bulgaria
$35.64 billion (2008 est.)
$28.65 billion (2007 est.)

Burkina Faso
$1.343 billion (2008 est.)
$1.221 billion (2007 est.)

Burma
$3.388 billion (2008 est.)
$2.964 billion (2007 est.)
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

Burundi
$350 million (2008 est.)
$257.6 million (2007 est.)

Cambodia
$6.534 billion (2008 est.)
$5.424 billion (2007 est.)

Cameroon
$4.303 billion (2008 est.)
$4.05 billion (2007 est.)

Canada
$415.2 billion (2008 est.)
$386.6 billion (2007 est.)

Cape Verde
$864 million (2008 est.)
$743.6 million (2007 est.)

Cayman Islands
$866.9 million (2004)

Central African Republic
$237.3 million (2007 est.)

Chad
$1.927 billion (2008 est.)
$1.541 billion (2007 est.)

Chile
$57.61 billion (2008 est.)
$44.03 billion (2007 est.)

China
$1.074 trillion (2008 est.)
$904.6 billion (2007 est.)

Christmas Island
$NA

Cocos (Keeling) Islands
$NA

Colombia
$37.56 billion (2008 est.)
$31.17 billion (2007 est.)

Comoros
$143 million (2006)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the
$5.2 billion (2007)
$2.263 billion (2006)

Congo, Republic of the
$3.105 billion (2008 est.)
$2.858 billion (2007 est.)

Cook Islands
$81.04 million (2005)

Costa Rica
$14.55 billion (2008 est.)
$12.29 billion (2007 est.)

Cote d'Ivoire
$6.76 billion (2008 est.)
$5.932 billion (2007 est.)

Croatia
$30.42 billion (2008 est.)
$25.56 billion (2007 est.)

Cuba
$14.25 billion (2008 est.)
$10.08 billion (2007 est.)

Cyprus
$10.54 billion (2008 est.)
$7.957 billion (2007 est.)

Czech Republic
$139.4 billion (2008 est.)
$116.8 billion (2007 est.)

Denmark
$116.4 billion (2008 est.)
$100.8 billion (2007 est.)

Djibouti
$1.555 billion (2006)

Dominica
$296 million (2006)

Dominican Republic
$16.1 billion (2008 est.)
$13.6 billion (2007 est.)

Ecuador
$17.79 billion (2008 est.)
$13.05 billion (2007 est.)

Egypt
$56.62 billion (2008 est.)
$44.95 billion (2007 est.)

El Salvador
$9.003 billion (2008 est.)
$8.108 billion (2007 est.)

Equatorial Guinea
$3.114 billion (2008 est.)
$2.365 billion (2007 est.)

Eritrea
$601 million (2008 est.)
$580 million (2007 est.)

Estonia
$15.35 billion (2008 est.)
$14.75 billion (2007 est.)

Ethiopia
$7.206 billion (2008 est.)
$5.156 billion (2007 est.)

European Union
$1.69 trillion (2007)
$1.466 trillion (2005)
note: external imports, excluding intra-EU trade

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

Faroe Islands
$751 million (2006)

Fiji
$3.12 billion (2006)

Finland
$87.51 billion (2008 est.)
$78.22 billion (2007 est.)

France
$692 billion (2008 est.)
$600.9 billion (2007 est.)

French Polynesia
$1.706 billion (2005 est.)

Gabon
$2.577 billion (2008 est.)
$2.2 billion (2007 est.)

Gambia, The
$299 million (2008 est.)
$262.9 million (2007 est.)

Gaza Strip
$2.84 billion (2006)
$2.44 billion (2005)

Georgia
$6.261 billion (2008 est.)
$4.984 billion (2007 est.)

Germany
$1.232 trillion (2008 est.)
$1.079 trillion (2007 est.)

Ghana
$10.26 billion (2008 est.)
$8.066 billion (2007 est.)

Gibraltar
$2.967 billion (2004 est.)

Greece
$93.91 billion (2008 est.)
$80.79 billion (2007 est.)

Greenland
$712 million (2006)

Grenada
$343 million (2006)

Guam
$701 million (2004 est.)

Guatemala
$13.42 billion (2008 est.)
$12.48 billion (2007 est.)

Guernsey
$NA

Guinea
$1.389 billion (2008 est.)
$1.218 billion (2007 est.)

Guinea-Bissau
$200 million (2006)

Guyana
$1.294 billion (2008 est.)
$982.9 million (2007 est.)

Haiti
$2.107 billion (2008 est.)
$1.618 billion (2007 est.)

Honduras
$10.39 billion (2008 est.)
$8.82 billion (2007 est.)

Hong Kong
$388.4 billion (2008 est.)
$365.6 billion (2007 est.)

Hungary
$106.5 billion (2008 est.)
$93.4 billion (2007 est.)

Iceland
$5.699 billion (2008 est.)
$6.181 billion (2007 est.)

India
$315.1 billion (2008 est.)
$231.6 billion (2007 est.)

Indonesia
$116 billion (2008 est.)
$85.26 billion (2007 est.)

Iran
$67.25 billion (2008 est.)
$56.58 billion (2007 est.)

Iraq
$37.22 billion (2008 est.)
$25.67 billion (2007 est.)

Ireland
$84.82 billion (2008 est.)
$84.76 billion (2007 est.)

Isle of Man
$NA

Israel
$64.4 billion (2008 est.)
$55.93 billion (2007 est.)

Italy
$546.9 billion (2008 est.)
$498.1 billion (2007 est.)

Jamaica
$7.185 billion (2008 est.)
$5.789 billion (2007 est.)

Japan
$708.3 billion (2008 est.)
$573.3 billion (2007 est.)

Jersey
$NA

Jordan
$14.99 billion (2008 est.)
$12.02 billion (2007 est.)

Kazakhstan
$38.45 billion (2008 est.)
$33.26 billion (2007 est.)

Kenya
$10.69 billion (2008 est.)
$8.381 billion (2007 est.)

Kiribati
$62 million (2004 est.)

Korea, North
$3.055 billion (2007)
$2.879 billion (2006)

Korea, South
$427.4 billion (2008 est.)
$349.6 billion (2007 est.)

Kosovo
$2.6 billion f.o.b.

Kuwait
$22.94 billion (2008 est.)
$20.63 billion (2007 est.)

Kyrgyzstan
$3.754 billion (2008 est.)
$2.636 billion (2007 est.)

Laos
$1.384 billion (2008 est.)
$1.065 billion (2007 est.)

Latvia
$15.65 billion (2008 est.)
$15.13 billion (2007 est.)

Lebanon
$16.25 billion (2008 est.)
$11.93 billion (2007 est.)

Lesotho
$1.88 billion (2008 est.)
$1.604 billion (2007 est.)

Liberia
$7.143 billion (2006)

Libya
$26.55 billion (2008 est.)
$17.7 billion (2007 est.)

Liechtenstein
$917.3 million

Lithuania
$29.3 billion (2008 est.)
$23.04 billion (2007 est.)

Luxembourg
$27.73 billion (2008 est.)
$23.09 billion (2007 est.)

Macau
$5.4 billion (2008 est.)
$4.559 billion (2006 est.)

Macedonia
$6.523 billion (2008 est.)
$4.976 billion (2007 est.)

Madagascar
$2.419 billion (2008 est.)
$1.944 billion (2007 est.)

Malawi
$1.587 billion (2008 est.)
$1.323 billion (2007 est.)

Malaysia
$154.7 billion (2008 est.)
$139.1 billion (2007 est.)

Maldives
$1.276 billion (2008 est.)
$930 million (2006 est.)

Mali
$2.358 billion (2006)

Malta
$4.792 billion (2008 est.)
$4.655 billion (2007 est.)

Marshall Islands
$79.4 million (2008 est.)
$54.7 million (2000 est.)

Mauritania
$1.475 billion (2006)

Mauritius
$4.399 billion (2008 est.)
$3.656 billion (2007 est.)

Mayotte
$341 million (2005)

Mexico
$308.6 billion (2008 est.)
$281.9 billion (2007 est.)

Micronesia, Federated States of
$132.7 million (2004)

Moldova
$4.87 billion (2008 est.)
$3.676 billion (2007 est.)

Monaco
$916.1 million (2005)
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
$3.615 billion (2008)
$2.117 billion (2007)

Montenegro
$601.7 million (2003)

Montserrat
$17 million

Morocco
$39.35 billion (2008 est.)
$29.32 billion (2007 est.)

Mozambique
$3.458 billion (2008 est.)
$2.811 billion (2007 est.)

Namibia
$3.849 billion (2008 est.)
$3.102 billion (2007 est.)

Nauru
$20 million (2004 est.)

Nepal
$3.229 billion (2008)
$2.398 billion (2006)

Netherlands
$474.8 billion (2008 est.)
$406.2 billion (2007 est.)

Netherlands Antilles
$15.74 billion (2006)

New Caledonia
$1.998 billion (2006)

New Zealand
$32.76 billion (2008 est.)
$29.05 billion (2007 est.)

Nicaragua
$4.848 billion (2008 est.)
$4.117 billion (2007 est.)

Niger
$800 million (2006)

Nigeria
$46.3 billion (2008 est.)
$38.8 billion (2007 est.)

Niue
$9.038 million (2004)

Norfolk Island
$17.9 million c.i.f.

Northern Mariana Islands
$214.4 million (2001)

Norway
$85.95 billion (2008 est.)
$77.03 billion (2007 est.)

Oman
$20.71 billion (2008 est.)
$14.34 billion (2007 est.)

Pakistan
$38.19 billion (2008 est.)
$28.76 billion (2007 est.)

Palau
$107.3 million (2004 est.)

Panama
$15 billion (2008 est.)
$12.52 billion (2007 est.)
note: includes the Colon Free Zone

Papua New Guinea
$3.124 billion (2008 est.)
$2.629 billion (2007 est.)

Paraguay
$8.809 billion (2008 est.)
$6.008 billion (2007 est.)

Peru
$28.44 billion (2008 est.)
$19.6 billion (2007 est.)

Philippines
$60.78 billion (2008 est.)
$57.9 billion (2007 est.)

Pitcairn Islands
$NA

Poland
$204.4 billion (2008 est.)
$162.4 billion (2007 est.)

Portugal
$87.83 billion (2008 est.)
$75.98 billion (2007 est.)

Puerto Rico
$29.1 billion c.i.f.

Qatar
$25.11 billion (2008 est.)
$19.82 billion (2007 est.)

Romania
$76.17 billion (2008 est.)
$64.54 billion (2007 est.)

Russia
$291.9 billion (2008 est.)
$223.5 billion (2007 est.)

Rwanda
$834 million (2008 est.)
$637 million (2007 est.)

Saint Helena
$45 million (2004 est.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
$383 million (2006)

Saint Lucia
$791 million (2006)

Saint Pierre and Miquelon
$68.2 million (2005 est.)

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
$578 million (2006)

Samoa
$324 million (2006)

San Marino
$3.744 billion (2007)
$2.035 billion (2004)

Sao Tome and Principe
$87 million (2008 est.)
$65 million (2007 est.)

Saudi Arabia
$108.3 billion (2008 est.)
$82.6 billion (2007 est.)

Senegal
$4.263 billion (2008 est.)
$3.732 billion (2007 est.)

Serbia
$18.35 billion (2007 est.)

Seychelles
$1.018 billion (2008 est.)
$804 million (2007 est.)

Sierra Leone
$560 million (2006)

Singapore
$309.6 billion (2008 est.)
$254 billion (2007 est.)

Slovakia
$73.62 billion (2008 est.)
$65.47 billion (2007 est.)

Slovenia
$33.49 billion (2008 est.)
$29.42 billion (2007 est.)

Solomon Islands
$256 million (2006)

Somalia
$798 million (2006)

South Africa
$90.57 billion (2008 est.)
$81.66 billion (2007 est.)

Spain
$415.5 billion (2008 est.)
$380.2 billion (2007 est.)

Sri Lanka
$12.61 billion (2008 est.)
$10.17 billion (2007 est.)

Sudan
$8.229 billion (2008 est.)
$7.722 billion (2007 est.)

Suriname
$1.297 billion (2006 est.)

Svalbard
$NA

Swaziland
$1.855 billion (2008 est.)
$1.926 billion (2007 est.)

Sweden
$167.8 billion (2008 est.)
$152.2 billion (2007 est.)

Switzerland
$227.4 billion (2008 est.)
$187.7 billion (2007 est.)

Syria
$15.97 billion (2008 est.)
$12.27 billion (2007 est.)

Taiwan
$236.7 billion (2008 est.)
$216.1 billion (2007 est.)

Tajikistan
$3.699 billion (2008 est.)
$3.115 billion (2007 est.)

Tanzania
$7.08 billion (2008 est.)
$4.861 billion (2007 est.)

Thailand
$157.3 billion (2008 est.)
$124.5 billion (2007 est.)

Timor-Leste
$202 million (2004 est.)

Togo
$1.541 billion (2008 est.)
$1.264 billion (2007 est.)

Tokelau
$969,200 (2002)

Tonga
$139 million (2006)

Trinidad and Tobago
$9.788 billion (2008 est.)
$7.67 billion (2007 est.)

Tunisia
$23.23 billion (2008 est.)
$18.02 billion (2007 est.)

Turkey
$193.9 billion (2008 est.)
$162 billion (2007 est.)

Turkmenistan
$5.654 billion (2008 est.)
$3.615 billion (2007 est.)

Turks and Caicos Islands
$175.6 million

Tuvalu
$12.91 million (2005)

Uganda
$3.98 billion (2008 est.)
$2.983 billion (2007 est.)

Ukraine
$83.81 billion (2008 est.)
$60.41 billion (2007 est.)

United Arab Emirates
$176.3 billion (2008 est.)
$116.6 billion (2007 est.)

United Kingdom
$639.3 billion (2008 est.)
$620.7 billion (2007 est.)

United States
$2.117 trillion (2008 est.)
$1.968 trillion (2007 est.)

Uruguay
$8.799 billion (2008 est.)
$5.598 billion (2007 est.)

Uzbekistan
$7.07 billion (2008 est.)
$5.73 billion (2007 est.)

Vanuatu
$156 million (2006)

Venezuela
$48.1 billion (2008 est.)
$45.46 billion (2007 est.)

Vietnam
$75.47 billion (2008 est.)
$58.92 billion (2007 est.)

Virgin Islands
$4.609 billion (2001)

Wallis and Futuna
$61.17 million (2004)

West Bank
$1.3 billion (2006)
$2.44 billion (2005)

Western Sahara
$NA

World
$15.97 trillion (2008 est.)
$13.74 trillion (2007 est.)

Yemen
$8.829 billion (2008 est.)
$7.49 billion (2007 est.)

Zambia
$4.694 billion (2008 est.)
$3.611 billion (2007 est.)

Zimbabwe
$1.915 billion (2008 est.)
$1.975 billion (2007 est.)

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

@2088

Field Listing :: Independence

For most countries, this entry gives the date that sovereignty was
achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For the
other countries, the date given may not represent "independence" in
the strict sense, but rather some significant nationhood event such
as the traditional founding date or the date of unification,
federation, confederation, establishment, fundamental change in the
form of government, or state succession. Dependent areas include the
notation "none" followed by the nature of their dependency status.
Also see the Terminology note.
Country

Independence

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

Albania
28 November 1912 (from the 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 the UK)

Argentina
9 July 1816 (from Spain)

Armenia
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Aruba
none (part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands)

Australia
1 January 1901 (federation of UK colonies)

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

Azerbaijan
30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Bahamas, The
10 July 1973 (from the UK)

Bahrain
15 August 1971 (from the 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 the UK)

Belarus
25 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Belgium
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared
independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I
ascended to the throne)

Belize
21 September 1981 (from the UK)

Benin
1 August 1960 (from France)

Bermuda
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Bhutan
1907 (became a unified kingdom under its first hereditary
king)

Bolivia
6 August 1825 (from Spain)

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

Botswana
30 September 1966 (from the UK)

Brazil
7 September 1822 (from Portugal)

British Virgin Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Brunei
1 January 1984 (from the 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 the 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 (recognized by UK)

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 (Qing or Ch'ing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China); 1
October 1949 (People's Republic of China 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); not acknowledged by the Cuban Government as a
day of independence

Cyprus
16 August 1960 (from the 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 the UK)

Dominican Republic
27 February 1844 (from Haiti)

Ecuador
24 May 1822 (from Spain)

Egypt
28 February 1922 (from the 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 the 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 the UK)

Finland
6 December 1917 (from Russia)

France
486 (Frankish tribes unified); 843 (Western Francia
established from the division of the Carolingian Empire)

French Polynesia
none (overseas lands of France)

Gabon
17 August 1960 (from France)

Gambia, The
18 February 1965 (from the UK)

Georgia
9 April 1991 (from the 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; West
Germany and East Germany unified 3 October 1990; all four powers
formally relinquished rights 15 March 1991

Ghana
6 March 1957 (from the UK)

Gibraltar
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Greece
1829 (from the Ottoman Empire)

Greenland
none (extensive self-rule as 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 the UK)

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 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from
Portugal)

Guyana
26 May 1966 (from the 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
25 December 1000 (crowning of King STEPHEN I, traditional
founding date)

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

India
15 August 1947 (from the UK)

Indonesia
17 August 1945 (declared); 27 December 1949 (by the
Netherlands)
note: in August 2005, the Netherlands announced it recognized de
facto Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945

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-controlled Government

Ireland
6 December 1921 (from the 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 the UK)

Japan
660 B.C. (traditional date of the founding of the nation by
Emperor JIMMU; first recognized by Emperor Meiji in 1873)

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 the UK)

Kiribati
12 July 1979 (from the UK)

Korea, North
15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Korea, South
15 August 1945 (from Japan)

Kosovo
17 February 2008 (from Serbia)

Kuwait
19 June 1961 (from the UK)

Kyrgyzstan
31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

Laos
19 July 1949 (from France)

Latvia
18 November 1918 (from the Soviet Russia)

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

Lesotho
4 October 1966 (from the 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 (declared); 6 September 1991 (recognized by
the Soviet Union)

Luxembourg
1839 (from the Netherlands)

Macau
none (special administrative region of China)

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

Madagascar
26 June 1960 (from France)

Malawi
6 July 1964 (from the UK)

Malaysia
31 August 1957 (from the UK)

Maldives
26 July 1965 (from the UK)

Mali
22 September 1960 (from France)

Malta
21 September 1964 (from the UK)

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

Mauritania
28 November 1960 (from France)

Mauritius
12 March 1968 (from the UK)

Mayotte
none (territorial overseas collectivity of France)

Mexico
16 September 1810 (declared); 27 September 1821 (recognized
by Spain)

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

Moldova
27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

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

Mongolia
11 July 1921 (from China)

Montenegro
3 June 2006 (from Serbia and Montenegro)

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 the UK)

Nicaragua
15 September 1821 (from Spain)

Niger
3 August 1960 (from France)

Nigeria
1 October 1960 (from the 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 British India)

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 (independence proclaimed from Spain); 4
July 1946 (from the US)

Pitcairn Islands
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Poland
11 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

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

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

Qatar
3 September 1971 (from the UK)

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

Russia
24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

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

Saint Barthelemy
none (overseas collectivity of France)

Saint Helena
none (overseas territory of the UK)

Saint Kitts and Nevis
19 September 1983 (from the UK)

Saint Lucia
22 February 1979 (from the UK)

Saint Martin
none (overseas collectivity of France)

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 the UK)

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

San Marino
3 September 301

Sao Tome and Principe
12 July 1975 (from Portugal)

Saudi Arabia
23 September 1932 (unification of the kingdom)