Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (60)

Ruled by the al-Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues by the Amir, who had ruled the country since 1972. His son, the current Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani, overthrew him in a bloodless coup in 1995. In 2001, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As of 2007, oil and natural gas revenues had enabled Qatar to attain the second-highest per capita income in the world.

Geography ::Qatar

Location:

Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

25 30 N, 51 15 E

Map references:

Middle East

Area:

total: 11,586 sq km country comparison to the world: 165 land: 11,586 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Connecticut

Land boundaries:

total: 60 km

border countries: Saudi Arabia 60 km

Coastline:

563 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line

Climate:

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Terrain:

mostly flat and barren desert covered with loose sand and gravel

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m

Natural resources:

petroleum, natural gas, fish

Land use:

arable land: 1.64%

permanent crops: 0.27%

other: 98.09% (2005)

Irrigated land:

130 sq km (2002)

Total renewable water resources:

0.1 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 0.29 cu km/yr (24%/3%/72%)

per capita: 358 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

haze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Environment - current issues:

limited natural fresh water resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities

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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits

People ::Qatar

Population:

833,285 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Age structure:

0-14 years: 21.8% (male 93,805/female 88,040)

15-64 years: 76.8% (male 454,714/female 185,004)

65 years and over: 1.4% (male 6,792/female 4,930) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 30.8 years

male: 32.8 years

female: 25.4 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.957% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Birth rate:

15.61 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Death rate:

2.46 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 219

Net migration rate:

-3.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Urbanization:

urban population: 96% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: 2.2% 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: 2.46 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.38 male(s)/female

total population: 2 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 140 male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 75.35 years country comparison to the world: 80 male: 73.66 years

female: 77.14 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

2.45 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

0.09% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

NA

Nationality:

noun: Qatari(s)

adjective: Qatari

Ethnic groups:

Arab 40%, Indian 18%, Pakistani 18%, Iranian 10%, other 14%

Religions:

Muslim 77.5%, Christian 8.5%, other 14% (2004 census)

Languages:

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89%

male: 89.1%

female: 88.6% (2004 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

3.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 136

Government ::Qatar

Country name:

conventional long form: State of Qatar

conventional short form: Qatar

local long form: Dawlat Qatar

local short form: Qatar

note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation falls between cutter and gutter, but not like guitar

Government type:

emirate

Capital:

name: Doha

geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E

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

Administrative divisions:

10 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Ghuwayriyah, Al Jumayliyah, Al Khawr, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Jarayan al Batinah, Madinat ash Shamal, Umm Sa'id, Umm Salal

Independence:

3 September 1971 (from the UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December

Constitution:

ratified by public referendum on 29 April 2003, endorsed by the Amir on 8 June 2004, effective on 9 June 2005

Legal system:

based on Islamic and civil law codes; discretionary system of law controlled by the Amir, although civil codes are being implemented; Islamic law dominates family and personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa al-Thani (since 27 June 1995 when, as heir apparent, he ousted his father, Amir KHALIFA bin Hamad al-Thani, in a bloodless coup); Heir Apparent TAMIM bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, fourth son of the monarch (selected Heir Apparent by the monarch on 5 August 2003); note - Amir HAMAD also holds the positions of Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

head of government: Prime Minister HAMAD bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani (since 3 April 2007); Deputy Prime Minister Abdallah bin Hamad al-ATIYAH (since 3 April 2007)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch

elections: the monarch is hereditary

note: in April 2007, Qatar held nationwide elections for a 29-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which has limited consultative powers aimed at improving the provision of municipal services; the first election for the CMC was held in March 1999

Legislative branch:

unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (35 seats; members appointed)

note: no legislative elections have been held since 1970 when there were partial elections to the body; Council members have had their terms extended every year since the new constitution came into force on 9 June 2005; the constitution provides for a new 45-member Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura; the public would elect two-thirds of the Majlis al-Shura; the Amir would appoint the remaining members; preparations are underway to conduct elections to the Majlis al-Shura

Judicial branch:

Courts of First Instance, Appeal, and Cassation; an Administrative Court and a Constitutional Court were established in 2007; note - all judges are appointed by Amiri Decree based on the recommendation of the Supreme Judiciary Council for renewable three-year terms

Political parties and leaders:

none

Political pressure groups and leaders:

none

International organization participation:

ABEDA, ACC, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Fahad al-Shahwany al-HAJRI

chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 and 274-1603

FAX: [1] (202) 237-0061

consulate(s) general: Houston

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph E. LEBARON

embassy: Al-Luqta District, 22 February Road, Doha

mailing address: P. O. Box 2399, Doha

telephone: [974] 488 4161

FAX: [974] 488 4150

Flag description:

maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side

Economy ::Qatar

Economy - overview:

Qatar has experienced rapid economic growth over the last several years on the back of high oil prices, and in 2008 posted its eighth consecutive budget surplus. Economic policy is focused on developing Qatar's nonassociated natural gas reserves and increasing private and foreign investment in non-energy sectors, but oil and gas still account for more than 50% of GDP, roughly 85% of export earnings, and 70% of government revenues. Oil and gas have made Qatar the second highest per-capita income country - following Liechtenstein - and one of the world's fastest growing. Proved oil reserves of 15 billion barrels should enable continued output at current levels for 37 years. Qatar's proved reserves of natural gas are nearly 26 trillion cubic meters, about 14% of the world total and third largest in the world. The drop in oil prices in late 2008 and the global financial crisis will reduce Qatar's budget surplus and may slow the pace of investment and development projects in 2009.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$91.55 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 $80.73 billion (2007 est.)

$68.82 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$102.3 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

13.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 17.3% (2007 est.)

12.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$111,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 $99,100 (2007 est.)

$85,800 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.1%

industry: 74.9%

services: 25.1% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

1.119 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136

Unemployment rate:

0.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 0.7% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Investment (gross fixed):

32.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Budget:

revenues: $36.59 billion

expenditures: $27.14 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

5.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 11% of GDP (2007 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

15.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191 13.7% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

5.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 79 5.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

6.84% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 115 7.43% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$13.98 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 41 $9.718 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$36.58 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 32 $22.6 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$59.43 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 45 $30.52 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$76.31 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $95.49 billion (31 December 2007)

$61.56 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

fruits, vegetables; poultry, dairy products, beef; fish

Industries:

crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizers, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair

Industrial production growth rate:

13% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Electricity - production:

15.11 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Electricity - consumption:

13.73 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Electricity - exports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

1.208 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Oil - consumption:

129,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 69

Oil - exports:

1.043 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Oil - imports:

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 207

Oil - proved reserves:

15.21 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Natural gas - production:

76.98 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Natural gas - consumption:

20.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Natural gas - exports:

56.78 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 6

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - proved reserves:

25.26 trillion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3

Current account balance:

$15.07 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 $10.45 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$55.73 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $42.02 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum products, fertilizers, steel

Exports - partners:

Japan 38.5%, South Korea 20.9%, Singapore 11.1%, India 4.5%, Thailand 4.4% (2008)

Imports:

$25.11 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $19.82 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and transport equipment, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:

US 12.1%, Germany 9%, Italy 8.9%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7.5%, France 6.2%, UAE 5.5%, UK 4.9%, Saudi Arabia 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, China 4.2% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$9.998 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $9.752 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$57.37 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 49 $33.09 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$3.627 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 $2.601 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$5.363 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $6.993 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.64 (2008 est.), 3.64 (2007), 3.64 (2006), 3.64 (2005), 3.64 (2004)

Communications ::Qatar

Telephones - main lines in use:

263,400 (2008) country comparison to the world: 117

Telephones - mobile cellular:

1.683 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 128

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system centered in Doha

domestic: combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership exceeds 200 telephones per 100 persons

international: country code - 974; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and the US; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 5, shortwave 1 (1998)

Television broadcast stations:

1 (plus 3 repeaters) (2001)

Internet country code:

.qa

Internet hosts:

722 (2009) country comparison to the world: 166

Internet users:

436,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 111

Transportation ::Qatar

Airports:

5 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 2

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

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Heliports:

1 (2009)

Pipelines:

condensate 145 km; condensate/gas 132 km; gas 978 km; liquid petroleum gas 90 km; oil 382 km (2008)

Roadways:

total: 7,790 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 143

Merchant marine:

total: 22 country comparison to the world: 96 by type: bulk carrier 2, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 4, petroleum tanker 4

foreign-owned: 7 (Kuwait 7)

registered in other countries: 5 (Liberia 4, Panama 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Doha, Ra's Laffan

Military ::Qatar

Military branches:

Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF) (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

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

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 320,383

females age 16-49: 167,475 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 318,388

females age 16-49: 136,841 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 6,337

female: 5,059 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

10% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 2

Transnational Issues ::Qatar

Disputes - international:

none

Trafficking in persons:

current situation: Qatar is a destination country for men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate willingly, but are subsequently trafficked into involuntary servitude as domestic workers and laborers, and, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation; the most common offense was forcing workers to accept worse contract terms than those under which they were recruited; other conditions include bonded labor, withholding of pay, restrictions on movement, arbitrary detention, and physical, mental, and sexual abuse

tier rating: Tier 3 - Qatar failed, for the second consecutive year, to enforce criminal laws against traffickers, or to provide an effective mechanism to identify and protect victims; it continues to detain and deport victims rather than providing them protection; the government made little progress to increase prosecutions for trafficking in a meaningful way in 2007; workers complaining of working conditions or non-payment of wages were sometimes penalized (2008)

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Romania (Europe)

Introduction ::Romania

Background:

The principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they united in 1859 and a few years later adopted the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a Communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former Communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.

Geography ::Romania

Location:

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine

Geographic coordinates:

46 00 N, 25 00 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total: 238,391 sq km country comparison to the world: 82 land: 229,891 sq km

water: 8,500 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly smaller than Oregon

Land boundaries:

total: 2,508 km

border countries: Bulgaria 608 km, Hungary 443 km, Moldova 450 km, Serbia 476 km, Ukraine (north) 362 km, Ukraine (east) 169 km

Coastline:

225 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; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms

Terrain:

central Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Natural resources:

petroleum (reserves declining), timber, natural gas, coal, iron ore, salt, arable land, hydropower

Land use:

arable land: 39.49%

permanent crops: 1.92%

other: 58.59% (2005)

Irrigated land:

30,770 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

42.3 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 6.5 cu km/yr (9%/34%/57%)

per capita: 299 cu m/yr (2003)

Natural hazards:

earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides

Environment - current issues:

soil erosion and degradation; water pollution; air pollution in south from industrial effluents; contamination of Danube delta wetlands

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, 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

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine

People ::Romania

Population:

22,215,421 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Age structure:

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 1,772,583/female 1,681,539)

15-64 years: 69.7% (male 7,711,062/female 7,784,041)

65 years and over: 14.7% (male 1,332,120/female 1,934,076) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 37.7 years

male: 36.3 years

female: 39.2 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.147% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216

Birth rate:

10.53 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Death rate:

11.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Net migration rate:

-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Urbanization:

urban population: 54% of total population (2008)

rate of urbanization: -0.1% 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: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

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

Infant mortality rate:

total: 22.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 95 male: 25.94 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 19.66 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 72.45 years country comparison to the world: 117 male: 68.95 years

female: 76.16 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.39 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

350 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Nationality:

noun: Romanian(s)

adjective: Romanian

Ethnic groups:

Romanian 89.5%, Hungarian 6.6%, Roma 2.5%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.3%, Russian 0.2%, Turkish 0.2%, other 0.4% (2002 census)

Religions:

Eastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 86.8%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformate and Pentecostal) 7.5%, Roman Catholic 4.7%, other (mostly Muslim) and unspecified 0.9%, none 0.1% (2002 census)

Languages:

Romanian 91% (official), Hungarian 6.7%, Romany (Gypsy) 1.1%, other 1.2%

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.3%

male: 98.4%

female: 96.3% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

3.5% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 129

Government ::Romania

Country name:

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Romania

local long form: none

local short form: Romania

Government type:

republic

Capital:

name: Bucharest

geographic coordinates: 44 26 N, 26 06 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

Administrative divisions:

41 counties (judete, singular - judet) and 1 municipality* (municipiu); Alba, Arad, Arges, Bacau, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Botosani, Braila, Brasov, Bucuresti (Bucharest)*, Buzau, Calarasi, Caras-Severin, Cluj, Constanta, Covasna, Dimbovita, Dolj, Galati, Gorj, Giurgiu, Harghita, Hunedoara, Ialomita, Iasi, Ilfov, Maramures, Mehedinti, Mures, Neamt, Olt, Prahova, Salaj, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Teleorman, Timis, Tulcea, Vaslui, Vilcea, Vrancea

Independence:

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)

National holiday:

Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)

Constitution:

8 December 1991; revised 29 October 2003

Legal system:

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

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Traian BASESCU (since 20 December 2004); note - President Traian BASESCU was suspended by vote of parliament on 19 April 2007, but resumed his duties on 23 May 2007 after a popular referendum confirmed that his impeachment should not stand

head of government: Prime Minister Emil BOC (since 22 December 2008)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister

elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 28 November 2004 with runoff between the top two candidates held 12 December 2004 (next to be held in November-December 2009); prime minister appointed by the president with the consent of the Parliament

election results: percent of vote - Traian BASESCU 51.23%, Adrian NASTASE 48.77%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate or Senat (137 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (334 seats; members are elected by popular vote in a mixed electoral system to serve four-year terms)

elections: Senate - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held in November 2012); Chamber of Deputies - last held 30 November 2008 (next expected to be held November 2012)

election results: Senate - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 34.2%, PDL 33.6%, PNL 18.7%, UDMR 6.4%, other 7.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 49, PDL 51, PNL 28, UDMR 9; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by alliance/party - PSD-PC 33.1%, PDL 32.4%, PNL 18.6%, UDMR 6.2%, ethnic minorities 3.6%, other 6.1%; seats by alliance/party - PSD-PC 114, PDL 115, PNL 65, UDMR 22, ethnic minorities 18

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice (comprised of 11 judges appointed for three-year terms by the president in consultation with the Superior Council of Magistrates, which is comprised of the minister of justice, the prosecutor general, two civil society representatives appointed by the Senate, and 14 judges and prosecutors elected by their peers); a separate body, the Constitutional Court, validates elections and makes decisions regarding the constitutionality of laws, treaties, ordinances, and internal rules of the Parliament; it is comprised of nine members serving nine-year terms, with three members each appointed by the president, the Senate, and the Chamber of Deputies

Political parties and leaders:

Conservative Party or PC [Daniela POPA] (formerly Humanist Party or PUR); Democratic Liberal Party or PDL [Emil BOC]; Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Bela MARKO]; National Liberal Party or PNL [Calin Popescu-TARICEANU]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Mircea Dan GEOANA] (formerly Party of Social Democracy in Romania or PDSR)

Political pressure groups and leaders:

other: various human rights and professional associations

International organization participation:

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUC, NAM (guest), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Adrian Cosmin VIERITA

chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 332-4846, 4848, 4851, 4852

FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748

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

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D'Affaires Jeri GUTHRIE-CORN

embassy: Strada Tudor Arghezi 7-9, Bucharest

mailing address: pouch: American Embassy Bucharest, US Department of State, 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC 20521-5260 (pouch)

telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300

FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442

Flag description:

three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the national coat of arms that used to be centered in the yellow band has been removed; now similar to the flag of Chad, also resembles the flags of Andorra and Moldova

Economy ::Romania

Economy - overview:

Romania, which joined the European Union on 1 January 2007, began the transition from Communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. The country emerged in 2000 from a punishing three-year recession thanks to strong demand in EU export markets. Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to handicap its business environment. Inflation rose in 2007-08, driven in part by strong consumer demand and high wage growth, rising energy costs, a nation-wide drought affecting food prices, and a relaxation of fiscal discipline. Romania's strong GDP growth moderated markedly in the last quarter of 2008 as the country began to feel the effects of a global downturn in financial markets and trade, and growth is expected to be much weaker in 2009. Romania hopes to adopt the euro by 2014.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$272 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $254 billion (2007 est.)

$239.2 billion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$200.1 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 6.2% (2007 est.)

7.9% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$12,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $11,400 (2007 est.)

$10,700 (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 8.1%

industry: 36%

services: 55.9% (2008 est.)

Labor force:

9.32 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 29.7%

industry: 23.2%

services: 47.1% (2006)

Unemployment rate:

4.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 4.1% (2007 est.)

Population below poverty line:

25% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: 1.2%

highest 10%: 20.8% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:

32 (2008) country comparison to the world: 103 28.8 (2003)

Investment (gross fixed):

33.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Budget:

revenues: $65.29 billion

expenditures: $74.99 billion (2008 est.)

Public debt:

14.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 23.6% of GDP (2004 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

7.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 4.8% (2007 est.)

Central bank discount rate:

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

14.99% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 55 13.35% (31 December 2007)

Stock of money:

$25.3 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $25.17 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$36.09 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $34.96 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$72.85 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 43 $58.76 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$19.92 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 59 $44.93 billion (31 December 2007)

$32.78 billion (31 December 2006)

Agriculture - products:

wheat, corn, barley, sugar beets, sunflower seed, potatoes, grapes; eggs, sheep

Industries:

electric machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, light machinery and auto assembly, mining, timber, construction materials, metallurgy, chemicals, food processing, petroleum refining

Industrial production growth rate:

7.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Electricity - production:

58.28 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Electricity - consumption:

49.44 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Electricity - exports:

5.169 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:

921 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:

115,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Oil - consumption:

219,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54

Oil - exports:

115,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Oil - imports:

217,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Oil - proved reserves:

600 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - production:

11.42 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - consumption:

16.92 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - exports:

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 128

Natural gas - imports:

5.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Natural gas - proved reserves:

63 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 60

Current account balance:

-$24.81 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178 -$23.02 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:

$49.41 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $40.32 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, textiles and footwear, metals and metal products, machinery and equipment, minerals and fuels, chemicals, agricultural products

Exports - partners:

Germany 16.5%, Italy 15.6%, France 7.4%, Turkey 6.6%, Hungary 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.2% (2008)

Imports:

$76.17 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $64.54 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:

machinery and equipment, fuels and minerals, chemicals, textile and products, metals, agricultural products

Imports - partners:

Germany 16.3%, Italy 11.4%, Hungary 7.4%, Russia 6%, France 5.7%, Turkey 4.9%, Austria 4.9%, Kazakhstan 4.6%, China 4.2% (2008)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:

$39.47 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33 $39.96 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Debt - external:

$102.2 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 36 $NA (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

$72.61 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $62.86 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:

$921 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $1.238 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Exchange rates:

lei (RON) per US dollar - 2.5 (2008 est.), 2.43 (2007), 2.809 (2006), 3 (2005), 3 (2004)

Communications ::Romania

Telephones - main lines in use:

5.036 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 31

Telephones - mobile cellular:

24.467 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 34

Telephone system:

general assessment: the telecommunications sector is being expanded and modernized; domestic and international service improving rapidly, especially mobile-cellular services

domestic: more than 90 percent of telephone network is automatic; fixed-line teledensity exceeds 20 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, expanding rapidly, roughly 110 telephones per 100 persons

international: country code - 40; the Black Sea Fiber Optic System provides connectivity to Bulgaria and Turkey; satellite earth stations - 10; digital, international, direct-dial exchanges operate in Bucharest (2008)

Radio broadcast stations:

698 (station frequency type NA) (2006)

Television broadcast stations:

623 (plus 200 repeaters) (2006)

Internet country code:

.ro

Internet hosts:

2.188 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 31

Internet users:

6.132 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 37

Transportation ::Romania

Airports:

53 (2009) country comparison to the world: 89

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 25

over 3,047 m: 4

2,438 to 3,047 m: 10

1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 28

914 to 1,523 m: 7

under 914 m: 21 (2009)

Heliports:

2 (2009)

Pipelines:

gas 3,588 km; oil 2,424 km (2008)

Railways:

total: 10,788 km country comparison to the world: 21 broad gauge: 57 km 1.524-m gauge

standard gauge: 10,731 km 1.435-m gauge (3,965 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:

total: 198,817 km country comparison to the world: 26 paved: 60,043 km (includes 228 km of expressways)

unpaved: 138,774 km (2004)

Waterways:

1,731 km country comparison to the world: 48 note: includes 1,075 km on Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals (2006)

Merchant marine:

total: 17 country comparison to the world: 103 by type: cargo 11, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 2, roll on/roll off 1

registered in other countries: 49 (Cambodia 1, Georgia 16, North Korea 4, Liberia 2, Malta 8, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 3, Panama 7, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 3, Syria 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals:

Braila, Constanta, Galati, Tulcea

Military ::Romania

Military branches:

Land Forces, Naval Forces, Romanian Air Force (Fortele Aeriene Romane, FAR), Special Operations (2009)

Military service age and obligation:

18-35 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription officially ended October 2006; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive contracts for 3-year terms until age 36 (2009)

Manpower available for military service:

males age 16-49: 5,682,299

females age 16-49: 5,557,098 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:

males age 16-49: 4,542,720

females age 16-49: 4,604,484 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 124,356

female: 118,430 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures:

1.9% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Transnational Issues ::Romania

Disputes - international:

the ICJ gave Ukraine until December 2006 to reply, and Romania until June 2007 to issue a rejoinder, in their dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania also opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea

Illicit drugs:

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

page last updated on November 11, 2009

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

@Russia (Central Asia)

Introduction ::Russia

Background:

Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy, was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new Romanov Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Repeated devastating defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the imperial household. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the following decades until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize Communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 splintered the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent republics. Since then, Russia has shifted its post-Soviet democratic ambitions in favor of a centralized semi-authoritarian state whose legitimacy is buttressed, in part, by carefully managed national elections, former President PUTIN's genuine popularity, and the prudent management of Russia's windfall energy wealth. Russia has severely disabled a Chechen rebel movement, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.

Geography ::Russia

Location:

Northern Asia (the area west of the Urals is considered part of Europe), bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean

Geographic coordinates:

60 00 N, 100 00 E

Map references:

Asia

Area:

total: 17,098,242 sq km country comparison to the world: 1 land: 16,377,742 sq km

water: 720,500 sq km

Area - comparative:

approximately 1.8 times the size of the US

Land boundaries:

total: 20,241.5 km

border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 290 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 17.5 km, Latvia 292 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,441 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Ukraine 1,576 km

Coastline:

37,653 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:

ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast

Terrain:

broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

highest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Natural resources:

wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber

note: formidable obstacles of climate, terrain, and distance hinder exploitation of natural resources

Land use:

arable land: 7.17%

permanent crops: 0.11%

other: 92.72% (2005)

Irrigated land:

46,000 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

4,498 cu km (1997)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 76.68 cu km/yr (19%/63%/18%)

per capita: 535 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia

Environment - current issues:

air pollution from heavy industry, emissions of coal-fired electric plants, and transportation in major cities; industrial, municipal, and agricultural pollution of inland waterways and seacoasts; deforestation; soil erosion; soil contamination from improper application of agricultural chemicals; scattered areas of sometimes intense radioactive contamination; groundwater contamination from toxic waste; urban solid waste management; abandoned stocks of obsolete pesticides

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Sulfur 94

Geography - note:

largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak

People ::Russia

Population:

140,041,247 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Age structure:

0-14 years: 14.8% (male 10,644,833/female 10,095,011)

15-64 years: 71.5% (male 48,004,040/female 52,142,313)

65 years and over: 13.7% (male 5,880,877/female 13,274,173) (2009 est.)

Median age:

total: 38.4 years

male: 35.2 years

female: 41.6 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate:

-0.467% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 226

Birth rate:

11.1 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

Death rate:

16.06 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 16

Net migration rate:

0.28 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Urbanization:

urban population: 73% 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: 0.92 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.44 male(s)/female

total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

total: 10.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 152 male: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 66.03 years country comparison to the world: 162 male: 59.33 years

female: 73.14 years (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.41 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 194

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:

1.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:

940,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

40,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: intermediate

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne disease: tickborne encephalitis

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: Russian(s)

adjective: Russian

Ethnic groups:

Russian 79.8%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 2%, Bashkir 1.2%, Chuvash 1.1%, other or unspecified 12.1% (2002 census)

Religions:

Russian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.)

note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of Soviet rule

Languages:

Russian, many minority languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.2% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):

total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2006)

Education expenditures:

3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 117

Government ::Russia

Country name:

conventional long form: Russian Federation

conventional short form: Russia

local long form: Rossiyskaya Federatsiya

local short form: Rossiya

former: Russian Empire, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic

Government type:

federation

Capital:

name: Moscow

geographic coordinates: 55 45 N, 37 35 E

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

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

note: Russia is divided into 11 time zones

Administrative divisions:

46 oblasts (oblastey, singular - oblast), 21 republics (respublik, singular - respublika), 4 autonomous okrugs (avtonomnykh okrugov, singular - avtonomnyy okrug), 9 krays (krayev, singular - kray), 2 federal cities (goroda, singular - gorod), and 1 autonomous oblast (avtonomnaya oblast')

oblasts: Amur (Blagoveshchensk), Arkhangel'sk, Astrakhan', Belgorod, Bryansk, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Ivanovo, Kaliningrad, Kaluga, Kemerovo, Kirov, Kostroma, Kurgan, Kursk, Leningrad, Lipetsk, Magadan, Moscow, Murmansk, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Orenburg, Orel, Penza, Pskov, Rostov, Ryazan', Sakhalin (Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk), Samara, Saratov, Smolensk, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), Tambov, Tomsk, Tula, Tver', Tyumen', Ul'yanovsk, Vladimir, Volgograd, Vologda, Voronezh, Yaroslavl'

republics: Adygeya (Maykop), Altay (Gorno-Altaysk), Bashkortostan (Ufa), Buryatiya (Ulan-Ude), Chechnya (Groznyy), Chuvashiya (Cheboksary), Dagestan (Makhachkala), Ingushetiya (Magas), Kabardino-Balkariya (Nal'chik), Kalmykiya (Elista), Karachayevo-Cherkesiya (Cherkessk), Kareliya (Petrozavodsk), Khakasiya (Abakan), Komi (Syktyvkar), Mariy-El (Yoshkar-Ola), Mordoviya (Saransk), North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz), Sakha [Yakutiya] (Yakutsk), Tatarstan (Kazan'), Tyva (Kyzyl), Udmurtiya (Izhevsk)

autonomous okrugs: Chukotka (Anadyr'), Khanty-Mansi (Khanty-Mansiysk), Nenets (Nar'yan-Mar), Yamalo-Nenets (Salekhard)

krays: Altay (Barnaul), Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy), Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Perm', Primorskiy [Maritime] (Vladivostok), Stavropol', Zabaykal'sk (Chita)

federal cities: Moscow [Moskva], Saint Petersburg [Sankt-Peterburg]

autonomous oblast: Yevrey [Jewish] (Birobidzhan)

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Independence:

24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Russia Day, 12 June (1990)

Constitution:

adopted 12 December 1993

Legal system:

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state: President Dmitriy Anatolyevich MEDVEDEV (since 7 May 2008)

head of government: Premier Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN (since 8 May 2008); First Deputy Premiers Igor Ivanovich SHUVALOV and Viktor Alekseyevich ZUBKOV (since 12 May 2008); Deputy Premiers Sergey Borisovich IVANOV (since 12 May 2008), Dmitriy Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008), Aleksey Leonidovich KUDRIN (since 24 September 2007), Igor Ivanovich SECHIN (since 12 May 2008), Sergey Semenovich SOBYANIN (since 12 May 2008), Aleksandr Dmitriyevich ZHUKOV (since 9 March 2004), and Dmitry Nikolayevich KOZAK (since 14 October 2008)

cabinet: Ministries of the Government or "Government" composed of the premier and his deputies, ministers, and selected other individuals; all are appointed by the president

note: there is also a Presidential Administration (PA) that provides staff and policy support to the president, drafts presidential decrees, and coordinates policy among government agencies; a Security Council also reports directly to the president

elections: president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 2 March 2008 (next to be held in March 2012); note - no vice president; if the president dies in office, cannot exercise his powers because of ill health, is impeached, or resigns, the premier serves as acting president until a new presidential election is held, which must be within three months; premier appointed by the president with the approval of the Duma

election results: Dmitriy MEDVEDEV elected president; percent of vote - Dmitry MEDVEDEV 70.2%, Gennady ZYUGANOV 17.7%, Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKY 9.4%, Andrey BOGDANOV 1.3%

Legislative branch:

bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of an upper house, the Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (168 seats; as of July 2000, members appointed by the top executive and legislative officials in each of the 84 federal administrative units - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and the federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg; serve four-year terms) and a lower house, the State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats; as of 2007, all members elected by proportional representation from party lists winning at least 7% of the vote; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: State Duma - last held 2 December 2007 (next to be held in December 2011)

election results: State Duma - United Russia 64.3%, CPRF 11.5%, LDPR 8.1%, Just Russia 7.7%, other 8.4%; total seats by party - United Russia 315, CPRF 57, LDPR 40, Just Russia 38

Judicial branch:

Constitutional Court; Supreme Court; Supreme Arbitration Court; judges for all courts are appointed for life by the Federation Council on the recommendation of the president

Political parties and leaders:

A Just Russia [Sergey MIRONOV]; Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy Andreyevich ZYUGANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir Volfovich ZHIRINOVSKIY]; Patriots of Russia [Gennadiy SEMIGIN]; People's Union [Sergey BABURIN]; Right Cause [Leonid Yakovlevich GOZMAN, Boris Yuriyevich TITOV, and Georgiy Georgiyevich BOVT] (registration pending; formed from merger of Union of Right Forces, Democratic Party of Russia, and Civic Force); United Russia [Vladimir Vladimirovich PUTIN]; Yabloko Party [Sergey Sergeyevich MITROKHIN]

Political pressure groups and leaders:

All-Russian Confederation of Labor; Baikal Environmental Wave; Federation of Independent Labor Unions of Russia; Freedom of Choice Interregional Organization of Automobilists; Glasnost Defense Foundation; Golos Association in Defense of Voters' Rights; Greenpeace Russia; Human Rights Watch (Russian chapter); Institute for Collective Action; Memorial (human rights group); Movement Against Illegal Migration; Pamjat (preservation of historical monuments and recording of history); Russian Orthodox Church; Russian-Chechen Friendship Society; SOVA Analytical-Information Center; Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers; World Wildlife Fund (Russian chapter)

International organization participation:

APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BSEC, CBSS, CE, CERN (observer), CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, G-20, G-8, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), OECD (accession state), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UN Security Council, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNOMIG, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Sergey Ivanovich KISLYAK

chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700, 5701, 5704, 5708

FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735

consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador John R. BEYRLE

embassy: Bolshoy Deviatinskiy Pereulok No. 8, 121099 Moscow

mailing address: PSC-77, APO AE 09721

telephone: [7] (495) 728-5000

FAX: [7] (495) 728-5090

consulate(s) general: Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Yekaterinburg

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red

Economy ::Russia

Economy - overview:

Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 5.6%, following 10 straight years of growth averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investment growth and personal income growth have averaged above 10%, but both grew at slower rates in 2008. Growth in 2008 was driven largely by non-tradable services and domestic manufacturing, rather than exports. During the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily and the middle class continued to expand. Russia also improved its international financial position, running balance of payments surpluses since 2000. Foreign exchange reserves grew from $12 billion in 1999 to almost $600 billion by end July 2008, which include $200 billion in two sovereign wealth funds: a reserve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case of a fall in the price of oil and a national welfare fund to help fund pensions and infrastructure development. Total foreign debt is almost one-third of GDP. The state component of foreign debt has declined, but commercial short-term debt to foreigners has risen strongly. These positive trends began to reverse in the second half of 2008. Investor concerns over the Russia-Georgia conflict, corporate governance issues, and the global credit crunch in September caused the Russian stock market to fall by roughly 70%, primarily due to margin calls that were difficult for many Russian companies to meet. The global crisis also affected Russia's banking system, which faced liquidity problems. Moscow responded quickly in early October 2008, initiating a rescue plan of over $200 billion that was designed to increase liquidity in the financial sector, to help firms refinance foreign debt, and to support the stock market. The government also unveiled a $20 billion tax cut plan and other safety nets for society and industry. Meanwhile, a 70% drop in the price of oil since mid-July further exacerbated imbalances in external accounts and the federal budget. In mid-November, mini-devaluations of the currency by the Central Bank caused increased capital flight and froze domestic credit markets, resulting in growing unemployment, wage arrears, and a severe drop in production. Foreign exchange reserves dropped to around $435 billion by end 2008, as the Central Bank defended an overvalued ruble. In the first year of his term, President MEDVEDEV outlined a number of economic priorities for Russia including improving infrastructure, innovation, investment, and institutions; reducing the state's role in the economy; reforming the tax system and banking sector; developing one of the biggest financial centers in the world, combating corruption, and improving the judiciary. The Russian government needs to diversify the economy further, as energy and other raw materials still dominate Russian export earnings and federal budget receipts. Russia's infrastructure requires large investments and must be replaced or modernized if the country is to achieve broad-based economic growth. Corruption, lack of trust in institutions, and more recently, exchange rate uncertainty and the global economic crisis continue to dampen domestic and foreign investor sentiment. Russia has made some progress in building the rule of law, the bedrock of a modern market economy, but much work remains on judicial reform. Moscow continues to seek accession to the WTO and has made some progress, but its timeline for entry into the organization continues to slip, and the negotiating atmosphere has soured in the wake of the Georgia and global economic crises.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$2.271 trillion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $2.151 trillion (2007 est.)

$1.99 trillion (2006 est.)

note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$1.677 trillion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

5.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 8.1% (2007 est.)

7.7% (2006 est.)