Chapter M: Major infectious diseases (28)
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Exports:
$125 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Exports - commodities:
wool, hides, meat, fish, squid
Imports:
$90 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 210
Imports - commodities:
fuel, food and drink, building materials, clothing
Debt - external:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.5302 (2008), 0.4993 (2007), 0.5418 (2006), 0.5493 (2005), 0.5462 (2004)
note: the Falkland pound is at par with the British pound
Communications ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Telephones - main lines in use:
2,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 223
Telephones - mobile cellular:
3,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 212
Telephone system:
general assessment: NA
domestic: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands
international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries
Broadcast media:
television service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster Falkland Islands Radio Service (FIRS), broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007)
Internet country code:
.fk
Internet hosts:
91 (2010) country comparison to the world: 203
Internet users:
2,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 208
Transportation ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Airports:
7 (2010) country comparison to the world: 167
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 5
under 914 m: 5 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 440 km country comparison to the world: 197 paved: 50 km
unpaved: 390 km (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Stanley
Military ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues ::Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
Disputes - international:
Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks
page last updated on January 10, 2011
======================================================================
@Faroe Islands (Europe)
Introduction ::Faroe Islands
Background:
The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self government was granted the Faroese in 1948, who have autonomy over most internal affairs while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union.
Geography ::Faroe Islands
Location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,117 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate:
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (2005)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
NA
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
People ::Faroe Islands
Population:
49,057 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Age structure:
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108)
15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544)
65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 37.1 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 37.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.424% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Birth rate:
12.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate:
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Urbanization:
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.58 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 77.13 years
female: 82.21 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Nationality:
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Scandinavian
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)
Languages:
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Literacy:
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Government ::Faroe Islands
Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:
NA
Capital:
name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 01 N, 6 46 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities
Independence:
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Olaifest (Olavsoka ), 29 July
Constitution:
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.3%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Independence Party 7.2%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
Judicial branch:
none
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
conservationists
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors
National anthem:
name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as an autonomous overseas division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem
Economy ::Faroe Islands
Economy - overview:
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for about 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. In early 2008 the Faroese economy began to slow as a result of smaller catches and historically high oil prices that continue to trouble the economy. Though oil prices have come down, reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09. The slowdown in the Faroese economy followed a strong performance since the mid-1990s with annual growth rates averaging close to 6%, mostly a result of increased fish landings and salmon farming, and high export prices. Unemployment reached its lowest level in the first half of 2008, but increased to 3.9% in 2009 and is rising. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. In addition, budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09, and the economy at both the country and local level is running large deficits. Initial discoveries of oil in the Faroese area give hope for eventual oil production, which may provide a foundation for a more diversified economy and less dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark amounting to about 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$1.642 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.45 billion (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$34,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 16%
industry: 29%
services: 55% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
34,680 (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 201
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 20.5%
services: 69.2% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
3.9% (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 1.2% (2008)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-1.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 6 6.4% (2008)
Agriculture - products:
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Electricity - production:
275.8 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - consumption:
264.4 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
Oil - consumption:
5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 195
Oil - imports:
4,922 bbl/day (2008) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 196
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Exports:
$848 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 157 $634 million (2006)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships
Exports - partners:
Hungary 36.26%, Denmark 21.36%, UK 12.21%, Nigeria 7.72%, US 6.49%, Norway 5.46% (2009)
Imports:
$983 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 $751 million (2006)
Imports - commodities:
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt
Imports - partners:
Denmark 54.42%, Norway 20.76%, Sweden 4.79% (2009)
Debt - external:
$68.1 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 185
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.774 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006)
Communications ::Faroe Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:
20,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular:
57,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194
Telephone system:
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable
Broadcast media:
1 publicly-owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly-owned radio station supplemented by 2 privately-owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies (2008)
Internet country code:
.fo
Internet hosts:
8,936 (2010) country comparison to the world: 128
Internet users:
37,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175
Transportation ::Faroe Islands
Airports:
1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 230
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 194
Merchant marine:
total: 26 country comparison to the world: 91 by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 6, Sweden 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
Military ::Faroe Islands
Military branches:
no regular military forces
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 11,788 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 9,792
females age 16-49: 8,354 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 379
female: 368 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
NA
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands
Disputes - international:
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
page last updated on January 19, 2011
======================================================================
@Fiji (Australia-Oceania)
Introduction ::Fiji
Background:
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.
Geography ::Fiji
Location:
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
18 00 S, 175 00 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 18,274 sq km country comparison to the world: 156 land: 18,274 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
1,129 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation; rectilinear shelf claim added
Climate:
tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
mostly mountains of volcanic origin
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m
Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 10.95%
permanent crops: 4.65%
other: 84.4% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
28.6 cu km (1987)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.07 cu km/yr (14%/14%/71%)
per capita: 82 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion
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, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
includes 332 islands; approximately 110 are inhabited
People ::Fiji
Population:
875,983 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Age structure:
0-14 years: 30.3% (male 146,327/female 140,327)
15-64 years: 64.9% (male 307,077/female 305,886)
65 years and over: 4.8% (male 20,300/female 24,803) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 26.6 years
male: 26.4 years
female: 26.8 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.827% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Birth rate:
21.52 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83
Death rate:
5.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170
Net migration rate:
-7.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 12.42 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 71.03 years country comparison to the world: 136 male: 68.46 years
female: 73.73 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
600 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Nationality:
noun: Fijian(s)
adjective: Fijian
Ethnic groups:
Fijian 57.3% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indian 37.6%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 3.9% (European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 census)
Religions:
Christian 64.5% (Methodist 34.6%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, Anglican 0.8%, other 10.4%), Hindu 27.9%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other or unspecified 0.3%, none 0.7% (2007 census)
Languages:
English (official), Fijian (official), Hindustani
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.7%
male: 95.5%
female: 91.9% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2005)
Education expenditures:
6.2% of GDP (2004) country comparison to the world: 33
Government ::Fiji
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands
conventional short form: Fiji
local long form: Republic of the Fiji Islands/Matanitu ko Viti
local short form: Fiji/Viti
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Suva (on Viti Levu)
geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March
Administrative divisions:
4 divisions and 1 dependency*; Central, Eastern, Northern, Rotuma*, Western
Independence:
10 October 1970 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
Constitution:
enacted on 25 July 1997; effective on 28 July 1998; note - it encourages multiculturalism and makes multiparty government mandatory
Legal system:
based on British system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU (since 30 July 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE (since 10 September 2000); note - although QARASE is still the legal prime minister, he has been confined to his home island; former President ILOILOVATU appointed Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA interim prime minister under the military regime
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among the members of Parliament and responsible to Parliament; note - coup leader Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA has appointed an interim cabinet (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: under the constitution, president elected by the Great Council of Chiefs for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); in 2007 the Great Council of Chiefs was suspended from its role in electing the president; prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Ratu Epeli NAILATIKAU was appointed by Chief Justice Anthony GATES
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (32 seats; 14 members appointed by the president on the advice of the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 appointed by the president on the advice of the Prime Minister, 8 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 1 appointed on the advice of the council of Rotuma) and the House of Representatives (71 seats; 23 members reserved for ethnic Fijians, 19 reserved for ethnic Indians, 3 reserved for other ethnic groups, 1 reserved for the council of Rotuma constituency encompassing the whole of Fiji, and 25 open seats; members serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6-13 May 2006 (next to be held in 2011)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - SDL 44.6%, FLP 39.2%, UPP 0.8%, independents 4.9%, other 10.5%; seats by party - SDL 36, FLP 31, UPP 2, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Court of Appeal; High Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Dodonu Ni Taukei Party or DNT [Fereti S. DEWA]; Fiji Democratic Party or FDP [Filipe BOLE] (a merger of the Christian Democrat Alliance or VLV [Poesci Waqalevu BUNE], Fijian Association Party or FAP, Fijian Political Party or SVT [Sitiveni RABUKA] (primarily Fijian), and New Labor Unity Party or NLUP [Ofa SWANN]); Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY]; General Voters Party or GVP (became part of United General Party); Girmit Heritage Party or GHP; Justice and Freedom Party or AIM; Lio 'On Famor Rotuma Party or LFR; National Federation Party or NFP [Pramond RAE] (primarily Indian); Nationalist Vanua Takolavo Party or NVTLP [Saula TELAWA]; Party of National Unity or PANU [Ponipate LESAVUA]; Party of the Truth or POTT; United Fiji Party/Sogosogo Duavata ni Lewenivanua or SDL [Laisenia QARASE]; United Peoples Party or UPP [Millis Mick BEDDOES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Group Against Racial Discrimination or GARD [Dr. Anirudk SINGH] (for restoration of a democratic government); Viti Landowners Association
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C (suspended), CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Winston THOMPSON
chancery: 2000 M Street, NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320
FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador C. Steven MCGANN
embassy: 31 Loftus Street, Suva
mailing address: P. O. Box 218, Suva
telephone: [679] 331-4466
FAX: [679] 330-0081
Flag description:
light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, bananas, and a white dove
National anthem:
name: "God Bless Fiji"
lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)
note: adopted 1970; the anthem is known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics
Economy ::Fiji
Economy - overview:
Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies though still with a large subsistence sector. Sugar exports, remittances from Fijians working abroad, and a growing tourist industry - with 400,000 to 500,000 tourists annually - are the major sources of foreign exchange. Fiji's sugar has special access to European Union markets but will be harmed by the EU's decision to cut sugar subsidies. Sugar processing makes up one-third of industrial activity but is not efficient. Fiji's tourism industry was damaged by the December 2006 coup and is facing an uncertain recovery time. In 2007 tourist arrivals were down almost 6%, with substantial job losses in the service sector, and GDP dipped. The coup has created a difficult business climate. The EU has suspended all aid until the interim government takes steps toward new elections. Long-term problems include low investment, uncertain land ownership rights, and the government's inability to manage its budget. Overseas remittances from Fijians working in Kuwait and Iraq have decreased significantly. Fiji's current account deficit reached 23% of GDP in 2006.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.792 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 $3.725 billion (2009 est.)
$3.821 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$3.154 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 -2.5% (2009 est.)
-0.1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$4,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155 $4,300 (2009 est.)
$4,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 8.9%
industry: 13.5%
services: 77.6% (2004 est.)
Labor force:
335,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 70%
industry and services: 30% (2001 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (1999) country comparison to the world: 81
Population below poverty line:
25.5% (FY90/91)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.8% (2007) country comparison to the world: 138
Central bank discount rate:
3% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 70 6.32% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
7.85% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 7.97% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$748 million (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.042 billion (31 December 2007)
Stock of broad money:
$NA (31 December 2009)
$1.76 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$NA (31 December 2008)
$1.799 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 104 $568.2 million (31 December 2008)
$522.2 million (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugarcane, coconuts, cassava (tapioca), rice, sweet potatoes, bananas; cattle, pigs, horses, goats; fish
Industries:
tourism, sugar, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber, small cottage industries
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
928 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - consumption:
863 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - consumption:
11,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Oil - exports:
2,455 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - imports:
20,340 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Current account balance:
-$507 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Exports:
$1.202 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 147
Exports - commodities:
sugar, garments, gold, timber, fish, molasses, coconut oil
Exports - partners:
US 15.21%, Australia 12.11%, UK 11.23%, Samoa 5.39%, Tonga 4.74%, Japan 4.44% (2009)
Imports:
$3.12 billion (2006) country comparison to the world: 137
Imports - commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products, food, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Singapore 27.27%, Australia 19.36%, NZ 15.15%, China 6.92%, India 5.23%, Thailand 4.25% (2009)
Debt - external:
$127 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.7313 (2006), 1.691 (2005), 1.7331 (2004), 1.8958 (2003)
Communications ::Fiji
Telephones - main lines in use:
136,800 (2009) country comparison to the world: 135
Telephones - mobile cellular:
640,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 156
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern local, interisland, and international (wire/radio integrated) public and special-purpose telephone, telegraph, and teleprinter facilities; regional radio communications center
domestic: telephone or radio telephone links to almost all inhabited islands; most towns and large villages have automatic telephone exchanges and direct dialing; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 80 per 100 persons
international: country code - 679; access to important cable links between US and Canada as well as between NZ and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific Ocean) (2009)
Broadcast media:
Fiji TV, a publicly-traded company, operates a free-to-air channel as well as the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations - 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters; 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2009)
Internet country code:
.fj
Internet hosts:
17,088 (2010) country comparison to the world: 113
Internet users:
114,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 157
Transportation ::Fiji
Airports:
28 (2010) country comparison to the world: 118
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 24
914 to 1,523 m: 5
under 914 m: 19 (2010)
Railways:
total: 597 km country comparison to the world: 110 narrow gauge: 597 km 0.600-m gauge
note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December (2008)
Roadways:
total: 3,440 km country comparison to the world: 162 paved: 1,692 km
unpaved: 1,748 km (2000)
Waterways:
203 km country comparison to the world: 98 note: 122 km navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges (2008)
Merchant marine:
total: 10 country comparison to the world: 112 by type: passenger 4, passenger/cargo 4, roll on/roll off 2
foreign-owned: 2 (Australia 2) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Lautoka, Levuka, Suva
Military ::Fiji
Military branches:
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Forces, Naval Forces (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 248,020
females age 16-49: 243,468 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 195,414
females age 16-49: 206,386 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 9,131
female: 8,776 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 80
Transnational Issues ::Fiji
Disputes - international:
none
Trafficking in persons:
current situation: Fiji is a source country for children trafficked for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and a destination country for a small number of women from China and India trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Fiji does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government has demonstrated no action to investigate or prosecute traffickers, assist victims, take steps to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts, or support any anti-trafficking information or education campaigns; Fiji has not ratified the 2000 UN TIP Protocol (2009)
page last updated on January 11, 2011
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@Finland (Europe)
Introduction ::Finland
Background:
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland's modern welfare state are a high standard of education, equality promotion, and national social security system; currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.
Geography ::Finland
Location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates:
64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 338,145 sq km country comparison to the world: 64 land: 303,815 sq km
water: 34,330 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries:
total: 2,654 km
border countries: Norway 727 km, Sweden 614 km, Russia 1,313 km
Coastline:
1,250 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain:
mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
highest point: Haltiatunturi 1,328 m
Natural resources:
timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone
Land use:
arable land: 6.54%
permanent crops: 0.02%
other: 93.44% (2005)
Irrigated land:
640 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
110 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.33 cu km/yr (14%/84%/3%)
per capita: 444 cu m/yr (1999)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from manufacturing and power plants contributing to acid rain; water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
People ::Finland
Population:
5,255,068 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.4% (male 438,425/female 422,777)
15-64 years: 66.8% (male 1,773,495/female 1,732,792)
65 years and over: 16.8% (male 357,811/female 524,975) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 42.3 years
male: 40.7 years
female: 44 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.084% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 187
Birth rate:
10.37 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Death rate:
10.15 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Net migration rate:
0.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60
Urbanization:
urban population: 63% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 3.45 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 213 male: 3.75 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.13 years country comparison to the world: 39 male: 75.64 years
female: 82.76 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.73 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
2,400 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Nationality:
noun: Finn(s)
adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups:
Finn 93.4%, Swede 5.6%, Russian 0.5%, Estonian 0.3%, Roma (Gypsy) 0.1%, Sami 0.1% (2006)
Religions:
Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1% (2006)
Languages:
Finnish 91.2% (official), Swedish 5.5% (official), other 3.3% (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) (2007)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100% (2000 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
5.4% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 51
Government ::Finland
Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Finland
conventional short form: Finland
local long form: Suomen tasavalta/Republiken Finland
local short form: Suomi/Finland
Government type:
republic
Capital:
name: Helsinki
geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 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:
20 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Ita-Uusimaa (Finnish), Ostra Nyland (Swedish) [East Newland]; Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Osterbotten (Swedish), Pohjanmaa (Finnish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]
Independence:
6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution:
1 March 2000
Legal system:
civil law system based on Swedish law; the president may request the Supreme Court to review laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Tarja HALONEN (since 1 March 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Mari KIVINIEMI (since 22 June 2010); Deputy Prime Minister Jyrki KATAINEN (since 19 April 2007)
cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 January 2006 (next to be held in January 2012); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister from the majority party or the majority coalition after parliamentary elections and the parliament must approve the appointment; Prime Minister VANHANEN reelected on 17 April 2007
election results: percent of vote - Tarja HALONEN (SDP) 46.3%, Sauli NIINISTO (Kok) 24.1%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 18.6%, Heidi HAUTALA (VIHR) 3.5%; a runoff election between HALONEN and NIINISTO was held 29 January 2006 - HALONEN 51.8%, NIINISTO 48.2%; Matti VANHANEN reelected prime minister; election results 121-71
note: government coalition - Kesk, KOK, VIHR, and SFP
Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 18 March 2007 (next to be held in April 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Kesk 23.1%, Kok 22.3%, SDP 21.4%, VAS 8.8%, VIHR 8.5%, KD 4.9%, SFP 4.5%, True Finns 4.1%, other 3.4%; seats by party - Kesk 51, Kok 50, SDP 45, VAS 17, VIHR 15, SFP 9, KD 7, True Finns 5, other 1 (the constituency of Aland)
Judicial branch:
general courts - deal with criminal and civil cases (include district courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus, whose judges are appointed by the president); administrative courts
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party or Kesk [Mari KIVINIEMI]; Christian Democrats or KD [Paivi RASANEN]; Green Party or VIHR [Anni SINNEMAKI]; Left Alliance or VAS [Paavo ARHINMAKI]; National Coalition Party or Kok [Jyrki KATAINEN]; Social Democratic Party or SDP [Jutta URPILAINEN]; Swedish People's Party or SFP [Stefan WALLIN]; True Finns [Timo SOINI]
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Pekka LINTU
chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800
FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Bruce J. ORECK
embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14B, 00140 Helsinki
mailing address: APO AE 09723
telephone: [358] (9) 616250
FAX: [358] (9) 6162 5800
Flag description:
white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter
National anthem:
name: "Maamme" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland
Economy ::Finland
Economy - overview:
Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita output roughly that of Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Trade is important with exports accounting for over one third of GDP in recent years. Finland is strongly competitive in manufacturing - principally the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Finland excels in high-tech exports such as mobile phones. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export earner, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Finland had been one of the best performing economies within the EU in recent years and its banks and financial markets avoided the worst of global financial crisis. However, the world slowdown hit exports and domestic demand hard in 2009, with Finland experiencing one of the deepest contractions in the euro zone. A recovery of exports stimulated economic growth in 2010, and led to a lowering of unemployment. The recession left a deep mark on general government finances and the debt ratio, turning previously strong budget surpluses into deficits. In the next few years, the great challenge of economic policy will be to implement a post-recession exit strategy in which measures supporting growth will be combined with general government adjustment measures. Longer-term, Finland must address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$185.4 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $181.6 billion (2009 est.)
$197.6 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$232 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
2.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 -8.1% (2009 est.)
1% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$35,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 34 $34,600 (2009 est.)
$37,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 2.6%
industry: 29.1%
services: 68.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
2.68 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture and forestry: 4.5%
industry: 18.2%
construction: 7.3%
commerce: 15.9%
finance, insurance, and business services: 14.5%
transport and communications: 6.9%
public services: 32.7% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
7.9% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 8.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 24.7% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
29.5 (2007) country comparison to the world: 115 25.6 (1991)
Investment (gross fixed):
18.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100
Public debt:
45.4% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59 40.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 0% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 114 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.51% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 5.79% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$108 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 29 $110.4 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$160.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44 $168.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$259.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 $241.6 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$91.02 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 27 $154.4 billion (31 December 2008)
$369.2 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
barley, wheat, sugar beets, potatoes; dairy cattle; fish
Industries:
metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - production:
77.44 billion kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Electricity - consumption:
87.25 billion kWh (2008) country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - exports:
3.335 billion kWh (2008)
Electricity - imports:
16.11 billion kWh (2008)
Oil - production:
8,718 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Oil - consumption:
206,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55
Oil - exports:
130,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Oil - imports:
337,900 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - proved reserves:
NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
Natural gas - production:
NA (2008 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
4.289 billion cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 63
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Natural gas - imports:
4.289 billion cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 34
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Current account balance:
$4.696 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 $3.444 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$73.53 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 40 $62.69 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
electrical and optical equipment, machinery, transport equipment, paper and pulp, chemicals, basic metals; timber
Exports - partners:
Germany 10.32%, Sweden 9.79%, Russia 9%, US 7.85%, Netherlands 5.9%, UK 5.24%, China 4.1% (2009)
Imports:
$69.11 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39 $57.68 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, transport equipment, iron and steel, machinery, textile yarn and fabrics, grains
Imports - partners:
Russia 16.28%, Germany 15.76%, Sweden 14.65%, Netherlands 6.99%, China 5.29%, France 4.22% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$9.128 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $11.45 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$370.8 billion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 23 $339.5 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$87.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $85.71 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$122.2 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $118.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Finland
Telephones - main lines in use:
1.43 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 65
Telephones - mobile cellular:
7.7 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 76
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system with excellent service
domestic: digital fiber-optic fixed-line network and an extensive mobile-cellular network provide domestic needs
international: country code - 358; submarine cables provide links to Estonia and Sweden; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden)
Broadcast media:
a mix of publicly-operated TV stations and privately-owned TV stations; the 2 publicly-owned TV stations recently expanded services and the largest private TV station has introduced several special-interest pay-TV channels; cable and satellite multi-channel subscription services are available; all TV signals have been broadcast digitally since September 2007; analog broadcasts via cable networks were terminated in February 2008; public broadcasting maintains a network of 13 national and 25 regional radio stations; a large number of private radio broadcasters (2008)
Internet country code:
.fi; note - Aland Islands assigned .ax
Internet hosts:
4.394 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 21
Internet users:
4.393 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 55
Transportation ::Finland
Airports:
148 (2010) country comparison to the world: 37
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 75
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m: 14 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 73
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 70 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 694 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 5,794 km country comparison to the world: 31 broad gauge: 5,794 km 1.524-m gauge (3,047 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 78,141 km country comparison to the world: 62 paved: 50,914 km (includes 739 km of expressways)
unpaved: 27,227 km (2009)
Waterways:
7,842 km (includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia; water transport is used frequently in the summer and is widely replaced with sledges on the ice in winter; there are 187,888 lakes in Finland that cover 31,500 km) (2010) country comparison to the world: 18
Merchant marine:
total: 93 country comparison to the world: 53 by type: bulk carrier 1, cargo 26, carrier 1, chemical tanker 6, container 3, passenger 4, passenger/cargo 16, petroleum tanker 5, roll on/roll off 28, vehicle carrier 3
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The 2010 CIA World FactbookChapter M: Major infectious diseases (28)
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