Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (22)

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe

People ::Czech Republic

Population:

10,211,904 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Age structure:

0-14 years: 13.6% (male 712,045/female 673,657)

15-64 years: 71% (male 3,641,887/female 3,604,044)

65 years and over: 15.5% (male 623,882/female 956,389) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.1 years

male: 38.6 years

female: 41.9 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.094% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Birth rate:

8.83 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215

Death rate:

10.74 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Net migration rate:

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Urbanization:

urban population: 73% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 211 male: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 76.81 years country comparison to the world: 61 male: 73.54 years

female: 80.28 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.24 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

1,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 139

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 10 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Nationality:

noun: Czech(s)

adjective: Czech

Ethnic groups:

Czech 90.4%, Moravian 3.7%, Slovak 1.9%, other 4% (2001 census)

Religions:

Roman Catholic 26.8%, Protestant 2.1%, other 3.3%, unspecified 8.8%, unaffiliated 59% (2001 census)

Languages:

Czech 94.9%, Slovak 2%, other 2.3%, unidentified 0.8% (2001 census)

Literacy:

definition: NA

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 15 years

male: 15 years

female: 15 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

4.4% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 94

Government ::Czech Republic

Country name:

conventional long form: Czech Republic

conventional short form: Czech Republic

local long form: Ceska Republika

local short form: Cesko

Government type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

name: Prague

geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:

13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky, Kralovehradecky, Liberecky, Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky, Pardubicky, Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky, Vysocina, Zlinsky

Independence:

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

National holiday:

Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918)

Constitution:

ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993; amended 1997, 2000, 2001 (twice), 2002

Legal system:

civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; legal code modified to bring it in line with Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) obligations and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Vaclav KLAUS (since 7 March 2003)

head of government: Prime Minister Jan FISCHER (since 9 April 2009); Deputy Prime Ministers Petr NECAS (since 9 January 2007), Martin BURSIK (since 9 January 2007), and Vlasta PARKANOVA (since 23 January 2008)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections: president elected by Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last successful election held 15 February 2008 (after earlier elections held 8 and 9 February 2008 were inconclusive; next election to be held in 2013); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Vaclav KLAUS reelected president on 15 February 2008; Vaclav KLAUS 141 votes, Jan SVEJNAR 111 votes (third round; combined votes of both chambers of parliament)

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve six-year terms; one-third elected every two years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held in two rounds 17-18 and 24-25 October 2008 (next to be held by October 2010); Chamber of Deputies - last held 2-3 June 2006 (next to be held by June 2010)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ODS 36, CSSD 29, KDU-CSL 7, Open Democracy Club 6, others 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - ODS 35.4%, CSSD 32.3%, KSCM 12.8%, KDU-CSL 7.2%, Greens 6.3%, other 6%; seats by party - ODS 81, CSSD 74, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 6; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - ODS 79, CSSD 71, KSCM 26, KDU-CSL 13, Greens 4, unaffiliated 7 (former CSSD, ODS, and Green Party members)

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; chairman and deputy chairmen are appointed by the president for a 10-year term

Political parties and leaders:

Association of Independent Candidates-European Democrats or SNK-ED [Helmut DOHNALEK]; Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Jiri CUNEK]; Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Mirek TOPOLANEK]; Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Vojtech FILIP]; Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Jiri PAROUBEK]; Free Citizens' Party or SSO [Petr MACH]; Green Party [Martin BURSIK]; Independent Democrats (NEZDEM) [Vladimir ZELEZNY]; Party of Open Society (SOS) [Pavel NOVACEK]; Path of Change [Jiri LOBKOWITZ]; Union of Freedom-Democratic Union or US-DEU [Jan CERNY]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions or CMKOS [Milan STECH]

International organization participation:

ACCT (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Petr KOLAR

chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100

FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard W. GRABER

embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Prague 1

mailing address: use embassy street address

telephone: [420] 257 022 000

FAX: [420] 257 022 809

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side

note: identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia

Economy ::Czech Republic

Economy - overview:

The Czech Republic is one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states of Central and Eastern Europe. Maintaining an open investment climate has been a key element of the Czech Republic's transition from a communist, centrally planned economy to a functioning market economy. As a member of the European Union, with an advantageous location in the center of Europe, a relatively low cost structure, and a well-qualified labor force, the Czech Republic is an attractive destination for foreign investment. Prior to its EU accession in 2004, the Czech government harmonized its laws and regulations with those of the European Union. The government plans to meet the criteria for joining the euro area around 2012. The small, open, export-driven Czech economy grew by over 6% annually from 2005-2007 and strong growth continued throughout the first three quarters of 2008. Despite the global financial crisis, the conservative Czech financial system has remained relatively healthy. The rate of Czech economic growth, however, fell in the fourth quarter of 2008, mainly due to a significant drop in demand for Czech exports in Western Europe. This trend is expected to continue, with many analysts predicting the Czech economy to contract slightly in 2009.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$264.8 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $258.1 billion (2007 est.)

$243.2 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$216.4 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

2.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 6.1% (2007 est.)

6.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$25,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $25,200 (2007 est.)

$23,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 2.3%

industry: 37.6%

services: 60.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

5.36 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 3.6%

industry: 40.2%

services: 56.2% (2007)

Unemployment rate:

5.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 65 6.6% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 4.3%

highest 10%: 22.4% (1996)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

26 (2005) country comparison to the world: 129 25.4 (1996)

Investment (gross fixed):

24% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Budget:

revenues: $93.42 billion

expenditures: $96.09 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

26.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 33.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

6.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 2.9% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

2.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 128 3.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.25% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 134 5.79% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$86.55 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 14 $84.43 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$58.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 27 $58.77 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$110.5 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 37 $103.9 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$48.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 53 $73.42 billion (31 December 2007)

$48.6 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit; pigs, poultry

Industries:

motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments

Industrial production growth rate:

3.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Electricity - production:

82.72 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Electricity - consumption:

61.65 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity - exports:

19.99 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

8.52 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

16,080 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Oil - consumption:

212,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Oil - exports:

22,560 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Oil - imports:

213,900 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Oil - proved reserves:

15 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - production:

192 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas - consumption:

8.719 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas - exports:

968 million cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas - imports:

9.573 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Natural gas - proved reserves:

3.964 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Current account balance:

-$6.642 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 -$5.655 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$145.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $122.7 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 52%, raw materials and fuel 9%, chemicals 5% (2003)

Exports - partners:

Germany 30.6%, Slovakia 9.2%, Poland 6.5%, France 5.3%, UK 4.8%, Austria 4.7%, Italy 4.6% (2008)

Imports:

$139.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $116.8 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment 46%, raw materials and fuels 15%, chemicals 10% (2003)

Imports - partners:

Germany 30.3%, Slovakia 6.6%, Poland 6.4%, Russia 6.2%, Netherlands 5.6%, Austria 5.2%, China 4.9%, Italy 4.1% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$36.68 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $34.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$80.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $76.04 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$111.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $101.1 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$9.913 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 46 $6.971 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 17.064 (2008), 20.53 (2007), 22.596 (2006), 23.957 (2005), 25.7 (2004)

Communications ::Czech Republic

Telephones - main lines in use:

2.278 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 54

Telephones - mobile cellular:

13.78 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 48

Telephone system:

general assessment: privatization and modernization of the Czech telecommunication system got a late start but is advancing steadily; access to the fixed-line telephone network expanded throughout the 1990s but the number of fixed line connections has been dropping since then; mobile telephone usage increased sharply beginning in the mid-1990s and the number of cellular telephone subscriptions now greatly exceeds the population

domestic: virtually all exchanges now digital; existing copper subscriber systems enhanced with Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) equipment to accommodate Internet and other digital signals; trunk systems include fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 31, FM 304, shortwave 17 (2000)

Television broadcast stations:

71 (2008)

Internet country code:

.cz

Internet hosts:

3.233 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 24

Internet users:

6.028 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 38

Transportation ::Czech Republic

Airports:

122 (2009) country comparison to the world: 48

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 44

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 9

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 18 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 78

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 27

under 914 m: 50 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 7,010 km; oil 547 km; refined products 94 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 9,620 km country comparison to the world: 22 standard gauge: 9,521 km 1.435-m gauge (3,013 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 99 km 0.750-m gauge (2008)

Roadways:

total: 128,512 km country comparison to the world: 36 paved: 128,512 km (includes 657 km of expressways) (2007)

Waterways:

664 km (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) (2008) country comparison to the world: 77

Merchant marine:

registered in other countries: 1 (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2008) country comparison to the world: 150

Ports and terminals:

Decin, Prague, Usti nad Labem

Military ::Czech Republic

Military branches:

Army of the Czech Republic (ACR): Joint Forces Command (includes Land Forces and Air Forces), Support and Training Forces Command (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18-28 years of age for voluntary and 19-28 for compulsory military service (2008)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,522,383

females age 16-49: 2,425,095 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 2,095,038

females age 16-49: 2,011,531 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 60,150

female: 57,157 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.46% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Transnational Issues ::Czech Republic

Disputes - international:

while threats of international legal action never materialized in 2007, 915,220 Austrians, with the support of the popular Freedom Party, signed a petition in January 2008, demanding that Austria block the Czech Republic's accession to the EU unless Prague closes its controversial Soviet-style nuclear plant in Temelin, bordering Austria

Illicit drugs:

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)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Denmark (Europe)

Introduction ::Denmark

Background:

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.

Geography ::Denmark

Location:

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes two major islands (Sjaelland and Fyn)

Geographic coordinates:

56 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 43,094 sq km country comparison to the world: 133 land: 42,434 sq km

water: 660 sq km

note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Land boundaries:

total: 68 km

border countries: Germany 68 km

Coastline:

7,314 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Terrain:

low and flat to gently rolling plains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m

highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Land use:

arable land: 52.59%

permanent crops: 0.19%

other: 47.22% (2005)

Irrigated land:

4,490 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

6.1 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%)

per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002)

Natural hazards:

flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Environment - current issues:

air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen

People ::Denmark

Population:

5,500,510 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Age structure:

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782)

15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964)

65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 40.5 years

male: 39.6 years

female: 41.3 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.28% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Birth rate:

10.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Death rate:

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Net migration rate:

2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Urbanization:

urban population: 87% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 78.3 years country comparison to the world: 46 male: 75.96 years

female: 80.78 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

4,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Nationality:

noun: Dane(s)

adjective: Danish

Ethnic groups:

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali

Religions:

Evangelical Lutheran 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%

Languages:

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)

note: English is the predominant second language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99%

male: 99%

female: 99% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

8.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 12

Government ::Denmark

Country name:

conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark

conventional short form: Denmark

local long form: Kongeriget Danmark

local short form: Danmark

Government type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

name: Copenhagen

geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components

Administrative divisions:

metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark

note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007

Independence:

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

National holiday:

none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day

Constitution:

5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state

Legal system:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968)

head of government: Prime Minister Lars Lokke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009)

cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch

elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

Legislative branch:

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)

elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011)

election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders:

Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization)

other: human rights groups

International organization participation:

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN

chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300

FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470

consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN

embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen

mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716

telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00

FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23

Flag description:

red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory

note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Economy ::Denmark

Economy - overview:

This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, a stable political system, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 16 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The slowing global economy cut GDP by 1.2% in 2008. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$204.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $206.6 billion (2007 est.)

$203.3 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$340 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 1.6% (2007 est.)

3.3% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$37,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $37,800 (2007 est.)

$37,300 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 1.3%

industry: 26.1%

services: 72.6% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

2.88 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2.9%

industry: 23.8%

services: 72.7% (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 2.8% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

24 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132 24.7 (1992)

Investment (gross fixed):

21.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Budget:

revenues: $188.6 billion

expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

33.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 42.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 1.7% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

3.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 4% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA

Stock of money:

$143 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $148.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$95.82 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $81.64 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$695.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $684.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $277.7 billion (31 December 2007)

$231 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish

Industries:

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Industrial production growth rate:

-3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Electricity - production:

36.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - consumption:

35.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - exports:

11.36 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

12.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

288,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Oil - consumption:

181,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Oil - exports:

287,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Oil - imports:

153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Oil - proved reserves:

1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Natural gas - production:

10.09 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - consumption:

4.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Natural gas - exports:

5.516 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas - proved reserves:

61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Current account balance:

$6.938 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $2.378 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$114.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $100.5 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills

Exports - partners:

Germany 18%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.2%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.3%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2008)

Imports:

$116.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $100.8 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners:

Germany 20.9%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5.1% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$42.32 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $34.32 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$588.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $567.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$142.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $131.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$181.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $153.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)

Communications ::Denmark

Telephones - main lines in use:

2.487 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53

Telephones - mobile cellular:

6.551 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75

Telephone system:

general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services

domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems

international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

172 (2008)

Internet country code:

.dk

Internet hosts:

3.991 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 19

Internet users:

4.579 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 44

Transportation ::Denmark

Airports:

92 (2009) country comparison to the world: 65

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 28

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 64

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 61 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 2,667 km country comparison to the world: 63 standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 72,362 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006)

Waterways:

400 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 88

Merchant marine:

total: 327 country comparison to the world: 29 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4

foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6)

registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg

Military ::Denmark

Military branches:

Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008)

Military service age and obligation:

18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,235,067

females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 1,013,223

females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 37,231

female: 35,306 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Transnational Issues ::Denmark

Disputes - international:

Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Dhekelia (Europe)

Introduction ::Dhekelia

Background:

By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area.

Geography ::Dhekelia

Location:

Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta

Geographic coordinates:

34 59 N, 33 45 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 130.8 sq km country comparison to the world: 222 note: area surrounds three Cypriot enclaves

Area - comparative:

about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

total: 103 km (approximately)

border countries: Cyprus 103 km (approximately)

Coastline:

27.5 km

Climate:

temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters

Environment - current issues:

netting and trapping of small migrant songbirds in the spring and autumn

Geography - note:

British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area land 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land

People ::Dhekelia

Population:

approximately 15,700 live on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 7,700 Cypriots, 3,600 Service and UK Based Contract personnel, and 4,400 dependents country comparison to the world: 219

Languages:

English, Greek

Government ::Dhekelia

Country name:

conventional long form: Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area

conventional short form: Dhekelia

Dependency status:

a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus

Capital:

name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia); located in Akrotiri

geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 51 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution:

Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960, effective 16 August 1960, functions as a basic legal document

Legal system:

the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters; laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus

Executive branch:

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

head of government: Administrator Major General Jamie GORDON (since October 2008); note - reports to the British Ministry of Defense

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the administrator is appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation from the US:

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Flag description:

the flag of the UK is used

Economy ::Dhekelia

Economy - overview:

Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.

Industries:

none

Exchange rates:

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6827 (2008)

note: on 1 January 2008, Dhekelia and Akrotiri adopted the euro along with the rest of Cyprus

Communications ::Dhekelia

Radio broadcast stations:

AM NA, FM 1 (located in Akrotiri), shortwave NA (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides Radio 1 and Radio 2 service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)

Television broadcast stations:

0 (British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite service to Akrotiri, Dhekelia, and Nicosia) (2006)

Military ::Dhekelia

Military - note:

includes Dhekelia Garrison and Ayios Nikolaos Station connected by a roadway

page last updated on July 2, 2009

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

@Djibouti (Africa)

Introduction ::Djibouti

Background:

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second and final term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country, but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism.

Geography ::Djibouti

Location:

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia

Geographic coordinates:

11 30 N, 43 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 23,200 sq km country comparison to the world: 150 land: 23,180 sq km

water: 20 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Land boundaries:

total: 516 km

border countries: Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

Coastline:

314 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate:

desert; torrid, dry

Terrain:

coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m

highest point: Moussa Ali 2,028 m

Natural resources:

geothermal areas, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Land use:

arable land: 0.04%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 99.96% (2005)

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

0.3 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%)

per capita: 25 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

Environment - current issues:

inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa

People ::Djibouti

Population:

516,055 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43.3% (male 112,135/female 111,343)

15-64 years: 53% (male 141,298/female 132,360)

65 years and over: 3.7% (male 9,502/female 9,417) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 18.1 years

male: 18.5 years

female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

1.903% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Birth rate:

38.13 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Death rate:

19.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Net migration rate:

NA (2009 est.)

Urbanization:

urban population: 87% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.01 male(s)/female

total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 97.51 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 12 male: 104.98 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 89.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 43.37 years country comparison to the world: 217 male: 41.89 years

female: 44.89 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

5.06 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

3.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

16,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

1,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease: malaria

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 (2009)

Nationality:

noun: Djiboutian(s)

adjective: Djiboutian

Ethnic groups:

Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian)

Religions:

Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

Languages:

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 67.9%

male: 78%

female: 58.4% (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 4 years

male: 5 years

female: 4 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

8.4% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 11

Government ::Djibouti

Country name:

conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti

conventional short form: Djibouti

local long form: Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti

local short form: Djibouti/Jibuti

former: French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Djibouti

geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E

time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:

6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah

Independence:

27 June 1977 (from France)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Constitution:

approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows for multiparties

Legal system:

based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999)

head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001)

cabinet: Council of Ministers responsible to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%

Legislative branch:

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote for five-year terms)

elections: last held 8 February 2008 (next to be held 2013)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:

Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD) [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA]; Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ)

International organization participation:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine

chancery: Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270

FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador James C. SWAN

embassy: Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti

mailing address: B. P. 185, Djibouti

telephone: [253] 35 39 95

FAX: [253] 35 39 40

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center

Economy ::Djibouti

Economy - overview:

The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% in urban areas continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Faced with a multitude of economic difficulties, the government has fallen in arrears on long-term external debt and has been struggling to meet the stipulations of foreign aid donors.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$1.891 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $1.786 billion (2007 est.)

$1.696 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$982 million (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 5.3% (2007 est.)

4.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$2,700 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 170 $2,600 (2007 est.)

$2,500 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 3.2%

industry: 14.9%

services: 81.9% (2006 est.)

Labor force:

351,700 (2007) country comparison to the world: 156

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: NA%

industry: NA%

services: NA%

Unemployment rate:

59% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 note: data are for urban areas, 83% in rural areas

Population below poverty line:

42% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $135 million

expenditures: $182 million (1999 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

NA

Stock of money:

$462.7 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 97 $380 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$338 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 112 $284.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$269.9 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 121 $224.7 million (31 December 2007)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides

Industries:

construction, agricultural processing

Electricity - production:

280 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Electricity - consumption:

260.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 183

Oil - consumption:

13,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - exports:

19.18 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Oil - imports:

8,476 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Oil - proved reserves:

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Natural gas - production:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - consumption:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 190

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - proved reserves:

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Current account balance:

-$212 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Exports:

$340 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 170

Exports - commodities:

reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)

Exports - partners:

Somalia 79.9%, UAE 4.1%, Yemen 4.1% (2008)

Imports:

$1.555 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 159

Imports - commodities:

foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products

Imports - partners:

Saudi Arabia 20.5%, India 20.5%, China 10.6%, US 6%, Malaysia 6% (2008)

Debt - external:

$428 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 167

Exchange rates:

Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003)

Communications ::Djibouti

Telephones - main lines in use:

10,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 201

Telephones - mobile cellular:

44,100 (2005) country comparison to the world: 196

Telephone system:

general assessment: telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country

domestic: microwave radio relay network; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city

international: country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2007)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2001)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (2001)

Internet country code:

.dj

Internet hosts:

199 (2009) country comparison to the world: 188

Internet users:

13,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 197

Transportation ::Djibouti

Airports:

13 (2009) country comparison to the world: 152

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Railways: