Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (65)
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 142 male: 15.44 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 73.02 years country comparison to the world: 112 male: 68.33 years
female: 77.85 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.93 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Seychellois (singular and plural)
adjective: Seychellois
Ethnic groups:
mixed French, African, Indian, Chinese, and Arab
Religions:
Roman Catholic 82.3%, Anglican 6.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.1%, other Christian 3.4%, Hindu 2.1%, Muslim 1.1%, other non-Christian 1.5%, unspecified 1.5%, none 0.6% (2002 census)
Languages:
Creole 91.8%, English 4.9% (official), other 3.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 91.8%
male: 91.4%
female: 92.3% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
6.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 31
Government ::Seychelles
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form: Seychelles
local long form: Republic of Seychelles
local short form: Seychelles
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Victoria
geographic coordinates: 4 38 S, 55 27 E
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
23 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Louis, Anse Royale, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand' Anse (on Mahe), Grand' Anse (on Praslin), La Digue, La Riviere Anglaise, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe La Rue, Port Glaud, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Independence:
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
Constitution:
18 June 1993
Legal system:
based on English common law, French civil law, and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President James Alix MICHEL (since 14 April 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President James MICHEL (since 14 April 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for two more terms); election last held 28-30 July 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: President James MICHEL elected president; percent of vote - James MICHEL 53.73%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN 45.71%, Philippe BOULLE 0.56%; note - this was the first election in which President James MICHEL participated; he was originally sworn in as president after former president France Albert RENE stepped down in April 2004
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (34 seats; 25 members elected by popular vote, 9 allocated on a proportional basis to parties winning at least 10% of the vote; to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 10-12 May 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - SPPF 56.2%, SNP 43.8%; seats by party - SPPF 23, SNP 11
Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal; Supreme Court; judges for both courts are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party or DP [James MANCHAM, Paul CHOW]; Seychelles National Party or SNP [Wavel RAMKALAWAN] (formerly the United Opposition or UO); People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL [France Albert RENE, James MICHEL] (the governing party)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Roman Catholic Church
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Ronald JUMEAU
chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785
FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786
Diplomatic representation from the US:
the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles
Flag description:
five oblique bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, red, white, and green (bottom) radiating from the bottom of the hoist side
Economy ::Seychelles
Economy - overview:
Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the upper-middle income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourist sector, which employs about 30% of the labor force and provides more than 70% of hard currency earnings, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and other services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of farming, fishing, and small-scale manufacturing. GDP grew about 7-8% per year in 2006-07, driven by tourism and a boom in tourism-related construction. The Seychelles rupee was allowed to depreciate in 2006 after being overvalued for years and fell by 10% in the first 9 months of 2007. Despite these actions, the Seychelles economy has struggled to maintain its gains and in 2008 suffered from food and oil price shocks, a foreign exchange shortage, high inflation and large financing gaps, with GDP growth reduced to about 3% in 2008. In July 2008 the government defaulted on a Euro amortizing note worth roughly US$80 million, leading to a downgrading of Seychelles credit rating. Seychelles requested an IMF Stand-By Agreement in December 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.821 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $1.838 billion (2007 est.)
$1.675 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$822 million (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 9.7% (2007 est.)
9.3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$21,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 $21,400 (2007 est.)
$19,800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 28.9%
services: 69.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
39,560 (2006) country comparison to the world: 191
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 3%
industry: 23%
services: 74% (2006)
Unemployment rate:
2% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
13.7% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Budget:
revenues: $260.5 million
expenditures: $291.2 million (2008 est.)
Public debt:
74.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 122.8% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
37% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 220 5.3% (2007 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 90 5.13% (31 December 2007)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.81% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 10.89% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$164.8 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 107 $330.8 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$188.5 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $249 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$375.6 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 117 $660.2 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
coconuts, cinnamon, vanilla, sweet potatoes, cassava (tapioca), bananas; poultry; tuna
Industries:
fishing, tourism, processing of coconuts and vanilla, coir (coconut fiber) rope, boat building, printing, furniture; beverages
Industrial production growth rate:
2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - production:
250 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Electricity - consumption:
232.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Oil - consumption:
7,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Oil - imports:
7,653 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 121
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Current account balance:
-$430 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 -$274.8 million (2007 est.)
Exports:
$495 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $391.7 million (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
canned tuna, frozen fish, cinnamon bark, copra, petroleum products (reexports)
Exports - partners:
UK 21.1%, France 19.1%, Mauritius 10.1%, Japan 7.9%, Italy 7.8%, Netherlands 6% (2008)
Imports:
$1.018 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $804 million (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 17.5%, Singapore 12.4%, France 10.3%, Spain 8.1%, Germany 7%, India 5.4%, South Africa 4.7% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$64 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151 $40.8 million (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.422 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 $1.059 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Seychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 8 (2008 est.), 6.5 (2007), 5.5 (2006), 5.5 (2005), 5.5 (2004)
Communications ::Seychelles
Telephones - main lines in use:
23,200 (2008) country comparison to the world: 188
Telephones - mobile cellular:
85,300 (2008) country comparison to the world: 184
Telephone system:
general assessment: effective system
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is 130 telephones per 100 persons; radiotelephone communications between islands in the archipelago
international: country code - 248; direct radiotelephone communications with adjacent island countries and African coastal countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 2 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (plus 9 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
.sc
Internet hosts:
324 (2009) country comparison to the world: 179
Internet users:
32,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 179
Transportation ::Seychelles
Airports:
14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 149
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 458 km country comparison to the world: 193 paved: 440 km
unpaved: 18 km (2003)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 country comparison to the world: 121 by type: cargo 1, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6
foreign-owned: 3 (Hong Kong 1, Nigeria 1, South Africa 1) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Victoria
Military ::Seychelles
Military branches:
Seychelles Defense Force: Army, Coast Guard (includes Naval Wing, Air Wing), National Guard (2005)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 23,598
females age 16-49: 24,424 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 19,702
females age 16-49: 19,780 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 714
female: 685 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Transnational Issues ::Seychelles
Disputes - international:
together with Mauritius, Seychelles claims the Chagos Archipelago (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Sierra Leone (Africa)
Introduction ::Sierra Leone
Background:
Democracy is slowly being reestablished after the civil war from 1991 to 2002 that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). The military, which took over full responsibility for security following the departure of UN peacekeepers at the end of 2005, is increasingly developing as a guarantor of the country's stability. The armed forces remained on the sideline during the 2007 presidential election, but still look to the UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) - a civilian UN mission - to support efforts to consolidate peace. The new government's priorities include furthering development, creating jobs, and stamping out endemic corruption.
Geography ::Sierra Leone
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
Geographic coordinates:
8 30 N, 11 30 W
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total: 71,740 sq km country comparison to the world: 118 land: 71,620 sq km
water: 120 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina
Land boundaries:
total: 958 km
border countries: Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km
Coastline:
402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
Terrain:
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite
Land use:
arable land: 7.95%
permanent crops: 1.05%
other: 91% (2005)
Irrigated land:
300 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
160 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.38 cu km/yr (5%/3%/92%)
per capita: 69 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
Environment - current issues:
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
People ::Sierra Leone
Population:
6,440,053 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Age structure:
0-14 years: 44.5% (male 1,407,226/female 1,460,366)
15-64 years: 52.2% (male 1,613,554/female 1,750,250)
65 years and over: 3.2% (male 95,533/female 113,124) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 17.5 years
male: 17.2 years
female: 17.8 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.282% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Birth rate:
44.73 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 5
Death rate:
21.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 80 note: refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2009 est.)
Urbanization:
urban population: 38% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.9% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 154.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 2 male: 171.57 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 136.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 41.24 years country comparison to the world: 219 male: 38.92 years
female: 43.64 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.88 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 12
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
55,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 62
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)
Nationality:
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective: Sierra Leonean
Ethnic groups:
20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century), refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians
Religions:
Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%
Languages:
English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
total population: 35.1%
male: 46.9%
female: 24.4% (2004 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 6 years (2001)
Education expenditures:
3.8% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 116
Government ::Sierra Leone
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form: Sierra Leone
local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form: Sierra Leone
Government type:
constitutional democracy
Capital:
name: Freetown
geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 13 15 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*
Independence:
27 April 1961 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:
1 October 1991; amended several times
Legal system:
based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007)
cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 11 August 2007 and 8 September 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: second round results; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 54.6%, Solomon BEREWA 45.4%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 11 August 2007 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 59, SLPP 43, PMDC 10
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Appeals Court; High Court
Political parties and leaders:
All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]; Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Darlington MORRISON]; People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]; Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Solomon BEREWA]; numerous others
Political pressure groups and leaders:
other: student unions; trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS
chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador June Carter PERRY
embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [232] (22) 515 000 or (76) 515 000
FAX: [232] (22) 515 355
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
Economy ::Sierra Leone
Economy - overview:
Sierra Leone is an extremely poor nation with tremendous inequality in income distribution. While it possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, its physical and social infrastructure is not well developed, and serious social disorders continue to hamper economic development. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. Manufacturing consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Alluvial diamond mining remains the major source of hard currency earnings accounting for nearly half of Sierra Leone's exports. The fate of the economy depends upon the maintenance of domestic peace and the continued receipt of substantial aid from abroad, which is essential to offset the severe trade imbalance and supplement government revenues. The IMF has completed a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility program that helped stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation. A recent increase in political stability has led to a revival of economic activity such as the rehabilitation of bauxite and rutile mining.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$4.388 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $4.159 billion (2007 est.)
$3.909 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.953 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 6.4% (2007 est.)
7.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 217 $800 (2007 est.)
$800 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 49%
industry: 31%
services: 21% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
2.207 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 116
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Population below poverty line:
70.2% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
62.9 (1989) country comparison to the world: 5
Budget:
revenues: $96 million
expenditures: $351 million (2000 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.7% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Central bank discount rate:
NA% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
24.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 12 25% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$184.6 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$177.7 million (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$162.9 million (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Industries:
diamond mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
80 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - consumption:
74.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
2.99 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Oil - consumption:
9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Oil - exports:
502.4 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Oil - imports:
8,316 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 133
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Current account balance:
-$63 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Exports:
$216 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 179
Exports - commodities:
diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish
Exports - partners:
Belgium 35.6%, US 20.1%, India 15.2%, France 4.9% (2008)
Imports:
$560 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 185
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals
Imports - partners:
China 10.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 8.8%, US 7.8%, Belgium 6.6%, UK 6.6%, Thailand 5.2%, India 4.2% (2008)
Debt - external:
$1.61 billion (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Exchange rates:
leones (SLL) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2,961.7 (2006), 2,889.6 (2005), 2,701.3 (2004), 2,347.9 (2003)
Communications ::Sierra Leone
Telephones - main lines in use:
31,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 176
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.009 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 144
Telephone system:
general assessment: marginal telephone service
domestic: the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base
international: country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001)
Television broadcast stations:
2 (1999)
Internet country code:
.sl
Internet hosts:
273 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180
Internet users:
13,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 196
Transportation ::Sierra Leone
Airports:
9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 158
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 1 (2009)
Heliports:
2 (2009)
Roadways:
total: 11,300 km country comparison to the world: 134 paved: 904 km
unpaved: 10,396 km (2002)
Waterways:
800 km (600 km year round) (2007) country comparison to the world: 73
Merchant marine:
total: 182 country comparison to the world: 37 by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 143, carrier 2, chemical tanker 3, container 6, liquefied gas 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 10, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2
foreign-owned: 95 (Belgium 1, China 15, Egypt 3, Greece 1, Hong Kong 1, Lebanon 1, Nigeria 1, Panama 1, Romania 3, Russia 11, Syria 18, Taiwan 1, Turkey 15, Ukraine 10, UAE 8, UK 2, US 1, Yemen 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands
Military ::Sierra Leone
Military branches:
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); no conscription (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,315,561 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 692,469
females age 16-49: 762,239 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 71,524
female: 75,491 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 73
Transnational Issues ::Sierra Leone
Disputes - international:
as domestic fighting among disparate ethnic groups, rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone gradually abate, the number of refugees in border areas has begun to slowly dwindle; Sierra Leone considers excessive Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands including the hamlet of Yenga occupied since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
refugees (country of origin): 27,311 (Liberia) (2007)
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Singapore (East & Southeast Asia)
Introduction ::Singapore
Background:
Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but separated two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.
Geography ::Singapore
Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 697 sq km country comparison to the world: 192 land: 687 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - Northeastern monsoon (December to March) and Southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Terrain:
lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Natural resources:
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land: 1.47%
permanent crops: 1.47%
other: 97.06% (2005)
Irrigated land:
NA
Total renewable water resources:
0.6 cu km (1975)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.19 cu km/yr (45%/51%/4%)
per capita: 44 cu m/yr (1975)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
industrial pollution; limited natural fresh water resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
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:
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
People ::Singapore
Population:
4,657,542 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Age structure:
0-14 years: 14.4% (male 348,382/female 324,050)
15-64 years: 76.7% (male 1,737,972/female 1,833,415)
65 years and over: 8.9% (male 184,393/female 229,330) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 39 years
male: 38.5 years
female: 39.4 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.998% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
Birth rate:
8.82 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216
Death rate:
4.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196
Net migration rate:
5.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 224 male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.98 years country comparison to the world: 4 male: 79.37 years
female: 84.78 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.09 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
4,200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 126
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 118
Nationality:
noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups:
Chinese 76.8%, Malay 13.9%, Indian 7.9%, other 1.4% (2000 census)
Religions:
Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Taoist 8.5%, Hindu 4%, Catholic 4.8%, other Christian 9.8%, other 0.7%, none 14.8% (2000 census)
Languages:
Mandarin 35%, English 23%, Malay 14.1%, Hokkien 11.4%, Cantonese 5.7%, Teochew 4.9%, Tamil 3.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.8%, other 0.9% (2000 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.5%
male: 96.6%
female: 88.6% (2000 census)
Education expenditures:
3.7% of GDP (2001) country comparison to the world: 122
Government ::Singapore
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
local long form: Republic of Singapore
local short form: Singapore
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Capital:
name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:
3 June 1959; amended 1965 (based on pre-independence State of Singapore Constitution)
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: President S R NATHAN (since 1 September 1999)
note: uses S R NATHAN but his full name and the one used in formal communications is Sellapan RAMANATHAN
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 12 August 2004); Senior Minister Shunmugam JAYAKUMAR (since 1 April 2009); Minister Mentor LEE Kuan Yew (since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Minister TEO Chee Huan (since 1 April 2009) and Deputy Prime Minister WONG Kan Seng (since 1 September 2005)
cabinet: appointed by president, responsible to parliament
elections: president elected by popular vote for six-year term; appointed on 17 August 2005 (next election to be held by August 2011); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or leader of majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by president
election results: Sellapan Rama (S R) NATHAN appointed president in August 2005 after Presidential Elections Committee disqualified three other would-be candidates; scheduled election not held
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - in addition, there are up to nine nominated members; up to three losing opposition candidates who came closest to winning seats may be appointed as "nonconstituency" members
elections: last held on 6 May 2006 (next to be held by 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 66.6%, WP 16.3%, SDA 13%, SDP 4.1%; seats by party - PAP 82, WP 1, SDA 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (chief justice is appointed by the president with the advice of the prime minister, other judges are appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice); Court of Appeals
Political parties and leaders:
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]; Reform Party [NG Teck Siong]; Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [CHIAM See Tong]; Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [CHEE Soon Juan]; Workers' Party or WP [Sylvia LIM Swee Lian]
note: SDA includes Singapore Justice Party or SJP, Singapore National Malay Organization or PKMS, Singapore People's Party or SPP
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none
International organization participation:
ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNMIT, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador CHAN Heng Chee
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Daniel L. SHIELDS III
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: FPO AP 96507-0001
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
FAX: [65] 6476-9340
Flag description:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
Economy ::Singapore
Economy - overview:
Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly in consumer electronics, information technology products, pharmaceuticals, and on a growing service sector. Real GDP growth averaged 7% between 2004 and 2007, but dropped to 1.1% in 2008 as a result of the global financial crisis. The economy contracted in the last three quarters of 2008. Prime Minister LEE and other senior officials have dampened expectations for a quick rebound in 2009. Over the longer term, the government hopes to establish a new growth path that will be less vulnerable to global demand cycles especially for information technology products. It has attracted major investments in pharmaceuticals and medical technology production and will continue efforts to establish Singapore as Southeast Asia's financial and high-tech hub.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$237.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $235.3 billion (2007 est.)
$218.3 billion (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$181.9 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 173 7.8% (2007 est.)
8.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$51,600 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $51,700 (2007 est.)
$48,600 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0%
industry: 27.8%
services: 72.2% (2008 est.)
Labor force:
2.94 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture 0%, industry 22.6%, services 77.4% (2007)
Unemployment rate:
2.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 2.1% (2007 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 4.4%
highest 10%: 23.2% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
48.1 (2008) country comparison to the world: 30
Investment (gross fixed):
28.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Budget:
revenues: $29.25 billion
expenditures: $26.48 billion (2008 est.)
Public debt:
99.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 102.5% of GDP (2004 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 2.1% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.38% (31 December 2008)
Stock of money:
$52.57 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 21 $44.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of quasi money:
$179 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 15 $162.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of domestic credit:
$143.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 33 $129.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$268.6 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 28 $353.5 billion (31 December 2007)
$276.3 billion (31 December 2006)
Agriculture - products:
orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
Industries:
electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences, entrepot trade
Industrial production growth rate:
-0.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Electricity - production:
38.67 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - consumption:
36.6 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
8,553 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Oil - consumption:
896,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 23
Oil - exports:
1.289 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Oil - imports:
2.109 million bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - consumption:
8.27 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 115
Natural gas - imports:
8.27 billion cu m country comparison to the world: 27 note: from Indonesia and Malaysia (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 135
Current account balance:
$25.78 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $39.11 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$342.7 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 $303.1 billion (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment (including electronics), consumer goods, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, mineral fuels
Exports - partners:
Malaysia 12.1%, Indonesia 10.5%, Hong Kong 10.3%, China 9.2%, US 7.1%, Japan 4.9%, Australia 4.1% (2008)
Imports:
$309.6 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $254 billion (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals, foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners:
Malaysia 11.9%, US 11.8%, China 10.5%, Japan 8.1%, South Korea 5.6%, Indonesia 5.5%, Saudi Arabia 4.6% (2008)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$174.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $163 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Debt - external:
$25.52 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $25.59 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$250.2 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20 $232.8 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$173.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 $169.9 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
Exchange rates:
Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - 1.415 (2008 est.), 1.507 (2007), 1.5889 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902 (2004)
Communications ::Singapore
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.857 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 59
Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.375 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 77
Telephone system:
general assessment: excellent service
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; launched 3G wireless service in February 2005; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 175 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 65; numerous submarine cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and US; satellite earth stations -4; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2008)
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 0, FM 19, shortwave 1 (2008)
Television broadcast stations:
1 (broadcasting on 8 channels); additional reception of numerous UHF and VHF signals originating in Malaysia and Indonesia (2008)
Internet country code:
.sg
Internet hosts:
864,943 (2009) country comparison to the world: 43
Internet users:
3.37 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 55
Transportation ::Singapore
Airports:
8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 164
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Pipelines:
gas 106 km (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,297 km country comparison to the world: 164 paved: 3,297 km (includes 150 km of expressways) (2007)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,292 country comparison to the world: 5 by type: bulk carrier 167, cargo 87, carrier 5, chemical tanker 209, container 273, liquefied gas 96, petroleum tanker 386, refrigerated cargo 5, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 7, vehicle carrier 53
foreign-owned: 774 (Australia 12, Bangladesh 2, Belgium 8, Chile 6, China 14, Cyprus 1, Denmark 87, France 1, Germany 24, Greece 15, Hong Kong 47, India 13, Indonesia 66, Italy 5, Japan 131, South Korea 3, Malaysia 27, Norway 143, Slovenia 1, Sweden 20, Switzerland 2, Taiwan 72, Thailand 23, UAE 12, UK 17, US 22)
registered in other countries: 331 (Australia 1, Bahamas 17, Belize 2, Bolivia 1, Cambodia 4, Cayman Islands 10, Comoros 1, Cyprus 3, Dominica 7, France 2, Honduras 12, Hong Kong 18, Indonesia 27, Isle of Man 1, Kiribati 4, Liberia 32, Malaysia 16, Marshall Islands 18, Mongolia 9, Norway 1, Panama 100, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Thailand 2, Tuvalu 23, US 12, unknown 2) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Singapore
Transportation - note:
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military ::Singapore
Military branches:
Singapore Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (includes Air Defense) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers) (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,277,862 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,033,961
females age 16-49: 1,104,952 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 27,715
female: 26,290 (2009 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.9% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 20
Transnational Issues ::Singapore
Disputes - international:
disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in November 2007, the ICJ will hold public hearings as a consequence of the Memorials and Countermemorials filed by the parties in 2003 and 2005 over sovereignty of Pedra Branca Island/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge; Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait
Illicit drugs:
drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering
page last updated on November 11, 2009
======================================================================
@Slovakia (Europe)
Introduction ::Slovakia
Background:
The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I allowed the Slovaks to join the closely related Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. Following the chaos of World War II, Czechoslovakia became a Communist nation within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. Soviet influence collapsed in 1989 and Czechoslovakia once more became free. The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro area on 1 January 2009.
Geography ::Slovakia
Location:
Central Europe, south of Poland
Geographic coordinates:
48 40 N, 19 30 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 49,035 sq km country comparison to the world: 130 land: 48,105 sq km
water: 930 sq km
Area - comparative:
about twice the size of New Hampshire
Land boundaries:
total: 1,474 km
border countries: Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 197 km, Hungary 676 km, Poland 420 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain:
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Bodrok River 94 m
highest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Natural resources:
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt; arable land
Land use:
arable land: 29.23%
permanent crops: 2.67%
other: 68.1% (2005)
Irrigated land:
1,830 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
50.1 cu km (2003)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.04
per capita: 193 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants presents human health risks; acid rain damaging forests
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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys
People ::Slovakia
Population:
5,463,046 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.8% (male 442,168/female 422,055)
15-64 years: 71.7% (male 1,952,527/female 1,965,646)
65 years and over: 12.5% (male 254,510/female 426,140) (2009 est.)
Median age:
total: 36.9 years
male: 35.2 years
female: 38.6 years (2009 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.137% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Birth rate:
10.6 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 183
Death rate:
9.53 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Net migration rate:
0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Urbanization:
urban population: 56% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.84 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 171 male: 7.99 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.4 years country comparison to the world: 78 male: 71.47 years
female: 79.53 years (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.35 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Nationality:
noun: Slovak(s)
adjective: Slovak
Ethnic groups:
Slovak 85.8%, Hungarian 9.7%, Roma 1.7%, Ruthenian/Ukrainian 1%, other and unspecified 1.8% (2001 census)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 68.9%, Protestant 10.8%, Greek Catholic 4.1%, other or unspecified 3.2%, none 13% (2001 census)
Languages:
Slovak (official) 83.9%, Hungarian 10.7%, Roma 1.8%, Ukrainian 1%, other or unspecified 2.6% (2001 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.6%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.6% (2004)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
3.9% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 111
Government ::Slovakia
Country name:
conventional long form: Slovak Republic
conventional short form: Slovakia
local long form: Slovenska Republika
local short form: Slovensko
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Bratislava
geographic coordinates: 48 09 N, 17 07 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:
8 regions (kraje, singular - kraj); Banskobystricky, Bratislavsky, Kosicky, Nitriansky, Presovsky, Trenciansky, Trnavsky, Zilinsky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
Constitution:
ratified 1 September 1992, effective 1 January 1993; changed in September 1998; amended February 2001
note: the change in September 1998 allowed direct election of the president; the amendment of February 2001 allowed Slovakia to apply for NATO and EU membership
Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Organization on Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ivan GASPAROVIC (since 15 June 2004)
head of government: Prime Minister Robert FICO (since 4 July 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers Dusan CAPLOVIC, Robert KALINAK, Stefan HARABIN, Jan MIKOLAJ (since 4 July 2006)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 21 March and 4 April 2009 (next to be held no later than April 2014); following National Council elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president
election results: Ivan GASPAROVIC reelected president in runoff; percent of vote - Ivan GASPAROVIC 55.5%, Iveta RADICOVA 44.5%
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic or Narodna Rada Slovenskej Republiky (150 seats; members are elected on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 17 June 2006 (next to be held in 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - Smer 29.1%, SDKU 18.4%, SMK 11.7%, SNS 11.7%, LS-HZDS 8.8%, KDH 8.3%, other 12%; seats by party - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 31, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 16, KDH 14; note - seats by party as of December 2008 - Smer 50, SDKU-DS 28, SMK 20, SNS 19, LS-HZDS 15, KDH 9, nonaffiliated 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are elected by the National Council); Constitutional Court (judges appointed by president from group of nominees approved by the National Council); Special Court (judges elected by a council of judges and appointed by president)
Political parties and leaders:
parties in the Parliament:: Christian Democratic Movement or KDH [Pavol HRUSOVSKY]; Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO]; Party of the Hungarian Coalition or SMK [Pal CSAKY]; People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia or LS-HZDS [Vladimir MECIAR]; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union-Democratic Party or SDKU-DS [Mikulas DZURINDA]; Slovak National Party or SNS [Jan SLOTA]
selected parties outside the Parliament:: Agrarian Party of the Provinces or ASV [Vladimir GOZORA]; Alliance of the New Citizen or ANO [Pavol RUSKO]; Civic Conservative Party or OKS [Peter ZAJAC]; Free Forum [Zuzana MARTINAKOVA]; Mission 21 - New Christian Democracy or MISIA 21 [Ivan SIMKO]; Movement for Democracy or HZD [Jozef GRAPA]; Party of the Democratic Left or SDL [Ladislav KOZMON]; Prosperita Slovenska or PS [Frantisek A. ZVRSKOVEC]; Slovak Communist Party or KSS [Jozef HRDLICKA]; Slovak People's Party or SLS [Jozef SASIK]; Union of the Workers of Slovakia or ZRS [Jan LUPTAK]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Association of Towns and Villages or ZMOS; Confederation of Trade Unions or KOZ; Entrepreneurs Association of Slovakia or ZPS; Federation of Employers' Associations of the Slovak Republic; National Union of Employers or RUZ; Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry or SOPK; The Business Alliance of Slovakia or PAS
International organization participation:
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU (associate partner), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter BURIAN
chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054
FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Keith EDDINS
embassy: Hviezdoslavovo Namestie 4, 81102 Bratislava
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The 2009 CIA World FactbookChapter M: Major infectious diseases (65)
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