sector dominated by fishing and sheep raising; crops limited to forage and small garden vegetables; 1988 fish catch of 133,500 metric tons Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Danish krone (DKr) = 100 oere
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKr) per US$1 – 6.771 (January 1994), 6.484 (1993), 6.036 (1992), 6.396 (1991), 6.189 (1990), 7.310 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Greenland, Communications
Highways:
total:
150 km
paved:
60 km
unpaved:
90 km
Ports:
Kangerluarsoruseq (Faeringehavn), Paamiut (Frederikshaab), Nuuk (Godthaab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Julianehaab, Maarmorilik, North Star Bay
Airports:
total:
11
usable:
8
with permanent-surface runways:
5
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
adequate domestic and international service provided by cables and microwave radio relay; 17,900 telephones; broadcast stations – 5 AM, 7 (35 repeaters) FM, 4 (9 repeaters) TV; 2 coaxial submarine cables; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Greenland, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is responsibility of Denmark
@Grenada, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 150 im north of Trinidad and Tobago
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
340 sq km
land area:
340 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
121 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Terrain:
volcanic in origin with central mountains Natural resources:
timber, tropical fruit, deepwater harbors Land use:
arable land:
15%
permanent crops:
26%
meadows and pastures:
3%
forest and woodland:
9%
other:
47%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November
international agreements:
party to – Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified – Climate Change
Note:
islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
@Grenada, People
Population:
94,109 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.35% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
30.28 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
6.19 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-20.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
12.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.4 years
male:
68 years
female:
72.85 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.93 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Grenadian(s)
adjective:
Grenadian
Ethnic divisions:
black African
Religions:
Roman Catholic, Anglican, other Protestant sects Languages:
English (official), French patois Literacy:
age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970) total population:
98%
male:
98%
female:
98%
Labor force:
36,000
by occupation:
services 31%, agriculture 24%, construction 8%, manufacturing 5%, other 32% (1985)
@Grenada, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Grenada
Digraph:
GJ
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Saint George’s
Administrative divisions:
6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petit Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Independence:
7 February 1974 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 February (1974) Constitution:
19 December 1973
Legal system:
based on English common law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Reginald Oswald PALMER (since 6 August 1992) head of government:
Prime Minister Nicholas BRATHWAITE (since 13 March 1990) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament
Senate:
consists of a 13-member body, 10 appointed by the government and 3 by the Leader of the Opposition
House of Representatives:
elections last held on 13 March 1990 (next to be held by NA March 1995); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (15 total) NDC 7, GULP 4, TNP 2, NNP 2
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nicholas BRATHWAITE; Grenada United Labor Party (GULP), Sir Eric GAIRY; The National Party (TNP), Ben JONES; New National Party (NNP), Keith MITCHELL; Maurice Bishop Patriotic Movement (MBPM), Terrence MARRYSHOW Member of:
ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Denneth MODESTE
chancery:
1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:
(202) 265-2561
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Charge d’Affaires Ollie P. ANDERSON embassy:
Point Salines, Saint George’s
mailing address:
P. O. Box 54, Saint George’s, Grenada, W.I. telephone:
(809) 444-1173 through 1178
FAX:
(809) 444-4820
Flag:
a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side) with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is the world’s second-largest producer of nutmeg, after Indonesia); the seven stars represent the seven administrative divisions
@Grenada, Economy
Overview:
The economy is essentially agricultural and centers on the traditional production of spices and tropical plants. Agriculture accounts for about 15% of GDP and 80% of exports and employs 24% of the labor force. Tourism is the leading foreign exchange earner, followed by agricultural exports. Manufacturing remains relatively undeveloped, but is expected to grow, given a more favorable private investment climate since 1983. The economy achieved an impressive average annual growth rate of 5.5% in 1986-91 but stalled in 1992. Unemployment remains high at about 25%.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $250 million (1992 est.) National product real growth rate:
-0.4% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1992 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
25% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$78 million
expenditures:
$51 million, including capital expenditures of $22 million (1991 est.) Exports:
$19.9 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, fruit and vegetables, clothing, mace partners:
Netherlands, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, United States Imports:
$103.2 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities:
food 25%, manufactured goods 22%, machinery 20%, chemicals 10%, fuel 6% (1989)
partners:
US 29%, UK, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan, Canada (1989) External debt:
$109 million (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.8% (1992 est.); accounts for 9% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
12,500 kW
production:
26 million kWh
consumption per capita:
310 kWh (1992)
Industries:
food and beverage, textile, light assembly operations, tourism, construction
Agriculture:
accounts for 15% of GDP and 80% of exports; bananas, cocoa, nutmeg, and mace account for two-thirds of total crop production; world’s second-largest producer and fourth-largest exporter of nutmeg and mace; small-size farms predominate, growing a variety of citrus fruits, avocados, root crops, sugarcane, corn, and vegetables Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY84-89), $60 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $70 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $32 million Currency:
1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 – 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Grenada, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,000 km
paved:
600 km
unpaved:
otherwise improved 300 km; unimproved earth 100 km Ports:
Saint George’s
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
automatic, islandwide telephone system with 5,650 telephones; new SHF radio links to the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to the islands of Trinidad and Carriacou; broadcast stations – 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV
@Grenada, Defense Forces
Branches:
Royal Grenada Police Force, Coast Guard Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Guadeloupe
Header
Affiliation:
(overseas department of France)
@Guadeloupe, Geography
Location:
Caribbean, in the Caribbean Sea, 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean Area:
total area:
1,780 sq km
land area:
1,760 sq km
comparative area:
10 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
306 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
subtropical tempered by trade winds; relatively high humidity Terrain:
Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation
Natural resources:
cultivable land, beaches and climate that foster tourism Land use:
arable land:
18%
permanent crops:
5%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
24%
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an active volcano
international agreements:
NA
@Guadeloupe, People
Population:
428,947 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.55% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
17.68 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
76.97 years
male:
73.91 years
female:
80.14 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.04 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Guadeloupian(s)
adjective:
Guadeloupe
Ethnic divisions:
black or mulatto 90%, white 5%, East Indian, Lebanese, Chinese less than 5%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95%, Hindu and pagan African 5% Languages:
French, creole patois
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1982) total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
91%
Labor force:
120,000
by occupation:
services, government, and commerce 53.0%, industry 25.8%, agriculture 21.2%
@Guadeloupe, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Department of Guadeloupe
conventional short form:
Guadeloupe
local long form:
Departement de la Guadeloupe
local short form:
Guadeloupe
Digraph:
GP
Type:
overseas department of France
Capital:
Basse-Terre
Administrative divisions:
none (overseas department of France) Independence:
none (overseas department of France) National holiday:
National Day, Taking of the Bastille, 14 July (1789) Constitution:
28 September 1958 (French Constitution) Legal system:
French legal system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Francois MITTERRAND (since 21 May 1981) head of government:
Prefect Franck PERRIEZ (since NA 1992); President of the General Council Dominique LARIFA (since NA); President of the Regional Council Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY (since 22 March 1992) cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
unicameral General Council and unicameral Regional Council General Council:
elections last held NA March 1992 (next to be held by NA 1996); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (43 total) FRUI.G 13, RPR/DUD 13, PPDG 8, FGPS 3, PCG 3 UPLG 1, PSG 1, independent 1 Regional Council:
elections last held on 31 January 1993 (next to be held by 16 March 1998); results – RPR/DUD 48.30%, FGPS 17.09%, FRUI.G 7.44%, PPDG 8.90%, UPLG 7.75% PCG 6.05%; seats – (41 total) seats by party NA French Senate:
elections last held in September 1986 (next to be held September 1995); Guadeloupe elects two representatives; results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (2 total) PCG 1, PS 1 French National Assembly:
elections last held on 21 and 28 March1993 (next to be held March 1998); Guadeloupe elects four representatives; results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (4 total) PS 1, RPR 1, PCG 1, independent 1 Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel) with jurisdiction over Guadeloupe, French Guiana, and Martinique
Political parties and leaders:
Rally for the Republic (RPR), Aldo BLAISE; Communist Party of Guadeloupe (PCG), Christian Medard CELESTE; Socialist Party (FGPS), Georges LOUISOR; Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG), Lucien PERATIN; FGPS Dissidents (FRUI.G); Union for French Democracy (UDF), Simon BARLAGNE; Union for the Center Rally (URC; coalition of the FGPS, RPR, and UDF); Guadeloupe Objective (OG), Lucette MICHAUX-CHEVRY; Progressive Democratic Party (PPDG), Henri BANGOU
Other political or pressure groups: Popular Union for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (UPLG); Popular Movement for Independent Guadeloupe (MPGI); General Union of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG); General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (CGT-G); Christian Movement for the Liberation of Guadeloupe (KLPG) Member of:
FZ, WCL, WFTU
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (overseas department of France) US diplomatic representation:
none (overseas department of France) Flag:
the flag of France is used
@Guadeloupe, Economy
Overview:
The economy depends on agriculture, tourism, light industry, and services. It is also dependent upon France for large subsidies and imports. Tourism is a key industry, with most tourists from the US. In addition, an increasingly large number of cruise ships visit the islands. The traditionally important sugarcane crop is slowly being replaced by other crops, such as bananas (which now supply about 50% of export earnings), eggplant, and flowers. Other vegetables and root crops are cultivated for local consumption, although Guadeloupe is still dependent on imported food, which comes mainly from France. Light industry consists mostly of sugar and rum production. Most manufactured goods and fuel are imported. Unemployment is especially high among the young.
National product:
GDP – exchange rate conversion – $2.9 billion (1991) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$8,400 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.7% (1990)
Unemployment rate:
31.3% (1990)
Budget:
revenues:
$333 million
expenditures:
$671 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989) Exports:
$168 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
bananas, sugar, rum
partners:
France 68%, Martinique 22% (1987)
Imports:
$1.2 billion (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
vehicles, foodstuffs, clothing and other consumer goods, construction materials, petroleum products
partners:
France 64%, Italy, FRG, US (1987)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
171,500 kW
production:
441 million kWh
consumption per capita:
1,080 kWh (1992)
Industries:
construction, cement, rum, sugar, tourism Agriculture:
cash crops – bananas, sugarcane; other products include tropical fruits and vegetables; livestock – cattle, pigs, goats; not self-sufficient in food
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-88), $4 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $8.235 billion
Currency:
1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
French francs (F) per US$1 – 5.9205 (January 1994), 5.6632 (1993), 5.2938 (1992), 5.6421 (1991), 5.4453 (1990), 6.3801 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Guadeloupe, Communications
Railroads:
privately owned, narrow-gauge plantation lines Highways:
total:
1,940 km
paved:
1,600 km
unpaved:
gravel, earth 340 km
Ports:
Pointe-a-Pitre, Basse-Terre
Airports:
total:
9
usable:
9
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
domestic facilities inadequate; 57,300 telephones; interisland microwave radio relay to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Martinique; broadcast stations – 2 AM, 8 FM (30 private stations licensed to broadcast FM), 9 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT ground station
@Guadeloupe, Defense Forces
Branches:
French Forces, Gendarmerie
Note:
defense is responsibility of France
@Guam
Header
Affiliation:
(territory of the US)
@Guam, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Micronesia, in the North Pacific Ocean, 5,955 km west-southwest of Honolulu, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
541.3 sq km
land area:
541.3 sq km
comparative area:
slightly more than three times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coraline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in south
Natural resources:
fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan) Land use:
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
11%
meadows and pastures:
15%
forest and woodland:
18%
other:
45%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; subject to relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August) international agreements:
NA
Note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
@Guam, People
Population:
149,620 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.48% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.66 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
3.86 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
15.17 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
74.29 years
male:
72.42 years
female:
76.13 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.39 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Guamanian(s)
adjective:
Guamanian
Ethnic divisions:
Chamorro 47%, Filipino 25%, Caucasian 10%, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and other 18%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 98%, other 2%
Languages:
English, Chamorro, Japanese
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population:
96%
male:
96%
female:
96%
Labor force:
46,930 (1990)
by occupation:
federal and territorial government 40%, private 60% (trade 18%, services 15.6%, construction 13.8%, other 12.6%) (1990)
@Guam, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Territory of Guam
conventional short form:
Guam
Digraph:
GQ
Type:
organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital:
Agana
Administrative divisions:
none (territory of the US)
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Guam Discovery Day (first Monday in March) (1521); Liberation Day, 21 July
Constitution:
Organic Act of 1 August 1950
Legal system:
modeled on US; federal laws apply
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government:
Governor Joseph A. ADA (since November 1986); Lieutenant Governor Frank F. BLAS (since NA); election last held on 6 November 1990 (next to be held NA November 1994); results – Joseph F. ADA reelected cabinet:
executive departments; heads appointed by the governor with the consent of the Guam legislature
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislature:
elections last held on 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (21 total) Democratic 14, Republican 7
US House of Representatives:
elections last held 9 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); Guam elects one delegate; results – Robert UNDERWOOD was elected as delegate; seats – (1 total) Democrat 1 Judicial branch:
Federal District Court, Territorial Superior Court Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party (controls the legislature); Republican Party (party of the Governor)
Member of:
ESCAP (associate), IOC, SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (territory of the US)
US diplomatic representation:
none (territory of the US)
Flag:
territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, outrigger canoe with sail, and a palm tree with the word GUAM superimposed in bold red letters; US flag is the national flag
@Guam, Economy
Overview:
The economy depends mainly on US military spending and on revenues from tourism. Over the past 20 years the tourist industry has grown rapidly, creating a construction boom for new hotels and the expansion of older ones. Visitors numbered about 900,000 in 1992. The slowdown in Japanese economic growth has been reflected in less vigorous growth in the tourism sector. About 60% of the labor force works for the private sector and the rest for government. Most food and industrial goods are imported, with about 75% from the US. In early 1994, Guam faces the problem of building up the civilian economic sector to offset the impact of military downsizing. National product:
GNP – purchasing power equivalent – $2 billion (1991 est.) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$14,000 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
2% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$525 million
expenditures:
$395 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991) Exports:
$34 million (f.o.b., 1984)
commodities:
mostly transshipments of refined petroleum products, construction materials, fish, food and beverage products partners:
US 25%, Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 63%, other 12% Imports:
$493 million (c.i.f., 1984)
commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, food, manufactured goods partners:
US 23%, Japan 19%, other 58%
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
500,000 kW
production:
2.3 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
16,300 kWh (1990)
Industries:
US military, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles Agriculture:
relatively undeveloped with most food imported; fruits, vegetables, eggs, pork, poultry, beef, copra
Economic aid:
although Guam receives no foreign aid, it does receive large transfer payments from the general revenues of the US Federal Treasury into which Guamanians pay no income or excise taxes; under the provisions of a special law of Congress, the Guamanian Treasury, rather than the US Treasury, receives federal income taxes paid by military and civilian Federal employees stationed in Guam Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Fiscal year:
1 October – 30 September
@Guam, Communications
Highways:
total:
674 km (all-weather roads)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Apra Harbor
Airports:
total:
5
usable:
4
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,200-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
26,317 telephones (1989); broadcast stations – 3 AM, 3 FM, 3 TV; 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT ground stations
@Guam, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
@Guatemala, Geography
Location:
Middle America, between Honduras and Mexico Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
108,890 sq km
land area:
108,430 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Tennessee
Land boundaries:
total 1,687 km, Belize 266 km, El Salvador 203 km, Honduras 256 km, Mexico 962 km
Coastline:
400 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
the outer edge of the continental shelf exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
maritime border with Belize in dispute; desultory negotiations to resolve the dispute have begun
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow coastal plains and rolling limestone plateau (Peten)
Natural resources:
petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle Land use:
arable land:
12%
permanent crops:
4%
meadows and pastures:
12%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
32%
Irrigated land:
780 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution natural hazards:
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with frequent violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast subject to hurricanes and other tropical storms international agreements:
party to – Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified – Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea
Note:
no natural harbors on west coast
@Guatemala, People
Population:
10,721,387 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.58% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
35.42 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-2.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
53.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
64.42 years
male:
61.86 years
female:
67.1 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.76 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Guatemalan(s)
adjective:
Guatemalan
Ethnic divisions:
Ladino 56% (mestizo – mixed Indian and European ancestry), Indian 44% Religions:
Roman Catholic, Protestant, traditional Mayan Languages:
Spanish 60%, Indian language 40% (18 Indian dialects, including Quiche, Cakchiquel, Kekchi)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
55%
male:
63%
female:
47%
Labor force:
2.5 million
by occupation:
agriculture 60%, services 13%, manufacturing 12%, commerce 7%, construction 4%, transport 3%, utilities 0.7%, mining 0.3% (1985)
@Guatemala, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Guatemala
conventional short form:
Guatemala
local long form:
Republica de Guatemala
local short form:
Guatemala
Digraph:
GT
Type:
republic
Capital:
Guatemala
Administrative divisions:
22 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Independence:
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution:
31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986 note:
suspended on 25 May 1993 by President SERRANO; reinstated on 5 June 1993 following ouster of president
Legal system:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Ramiro DE LEON Carpio (since 6 June 1993); Vice President Arturo HERBRUGER (since 18 June 1993); election runoff held on 11 January 1991 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results – Jorge SERRANO Elias (MAS) 68.1%, Jorge CARPIO Nicolle (UCN) 31.9% note:
President SERRANO resigned on 1 June 1993 shortly after dissolving Congress and the judiciary; on 6 June 1993, Ramiro DE LEON Carpio was chosen as the new president by a vote of Congress; he will finish off the remainder of SERRANO’s five-year term which expires in 1995 cabinet:
Council of Ministers; named by the president Legislative branch:
unicameral
Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la Republica): last held on 11 November 1990 (next to be held 11 November 1995); results – UCN 25.6%, MAS 24.3%, DCG 17.5%, PAN 17.3%, MLN 4.8%, PSD/AP-5 3.6%, PR 2.1%; seats – (116 total) UCN 38, DCG 27, MAS 18, PAN 12, Pro-Rios Montt 10, MLN 4, PR 1, PSD/AP-5 1, independent 5 note:
by agreement of 11 November 1993, a special election is to be held in mid-1994 to elect a new congress
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders:
National Centrist Union (UCN), (vacant); Solidarity Action Movement (MAS), Oliverio GARCIA Rodas; Christian Democratic Party (DCG), Alfonso CABRERA Hidalgo; National Advancement Party (PAN), Alvaro ARZU Irigoyen; National Liberation Movement (MLN), Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon; Social Democratic Party (PSD), Mario SOLARZANO Martinez; Popular Alliance 5 (AP-5), Max ORLANDO Molina; Revolutionary Party (PR), Carlos CHAVARRIA Perez; National Authentic Center (CAN), Hector MAYORA Dawe; Democratic Institutional Party (PID), Oscar RIVAS; Nationalist United Front (FUN), Gabriel GIRON; Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG), Efrain RIOS Montt
Other political or pressure groups: Coordinating Comittee of Agricultural, Comercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations (CACIF); Mutual Support Group (GAM); Agrarian Owners Group (UNAGRO); Committee for Campesino Unity (CUC); leftist guerrilla movement known as Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union (URNG) has four main factions – Guerrilla army of the Poor (EGP); Revolutionary Organization of the People in Arms (ORPA); Rebel Armed Forces (FAR); Guatemalan Labor Party (PGT/O) Member of:
BCIE, CACM, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA (observer), LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Edmond MULET Lesseur
chancery:
2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 745-4952 through 4954
FAX:
(202) 745-1908
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Marilyn McAFEE (since 28 May 1993) embassy:
7-01 Avenida de la Reforma, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address:
APO AA 34024
telephone:
[502] (2) 31-15-41
FAX:
[502] (2) 31-88-55
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles and a pair of crossed swords and framed by a wreath
@Guatemala, Economy
Overview:
The economy is based on family and corporate agriculture, which accounts for 26% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and supplies two-thirds of exports. Manufacturing, predominantly in private hands, accounts for about 18% of GDP and 12% of the labor force. In both 1990 and 1991, the economy grew by 3%, the fourth and fifth consecutive years of mild growth. In 1992 growth picked up to almost 5% as government policies favoring competition and foreign trade and investment took stronger hold. In 1993, despite political unrest, this momentum continued, foreign investment held up, and growth was estimated at 4%.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent- $31.3 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.6% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
6.1%; underemployment 30%-40% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues:
$604 million (1990)
expenditures:
$808 million, including capital expenditures of $134 million (1990) Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
coffee, sugar, bananas, cardamon, beef partners:
US 37%, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Germany, Honduras Imports:
$2.6 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
fuel and petroleum products, machinery, grain, fertilizers, motor vehicles
partners:
US 45%, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Germany External debt:
$2.2 billion ( 1992 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 1.9% (1991 est.); accounts for 18% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
847,600 kW
production:
2.5 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
260 kWh (1992)
Industries:
sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism
Agriculture:
accounts for 26% of GDP; most important sector of economy; contributes two-thirds of export earnings; principal crops – sugarcane, corn, bananas, coffee, beans, cardamom; livestock – cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens; food importer
Illicit drugs:
transit country for cocaine shipments; illicit producer of opium poppy and cannabis for the international drug trade; the government has an active eradication program for cannabis and opium poppy Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-90), $1.1 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $7.92 billion
Currency:
1 quetzal (Q) = 100 centavos
Exchange rates:
free market quetzales (Q) per US$1 – 5.8542 (January 1994), 5,6354 (1993), 5.1706 (1992), 5.0289 (1991), 4.4858 (1990), 2.8161 (1989); note – black-market rate 2.800 (May 1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Guatemala, Communications
Railroads:
1,019 km 0.914-meter gauge, single track; 917 km government owned, 102 km privately owned
Highways:
total:
26,429 km
paved:
2,868 km
unpaved:
gravel 11,421 km; unimproved earth 12,140 km Inland waterways:
260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season
Pipelines:
crude oil 275 km
Ports:
Puerto Barrios, Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 4,129 GRT/6,450 DWT Airports:
total:
523
usable:
465
with permanent-surface runways:
11
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
20
Telecommunications:
fairly modern network centered in the city of Guatemala; 97,670 telephones; broadcast stations – 91 AM, no FM, 25 TV, 15 shortwave; connection into Central American Microwave System; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Guatemala, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 2,491,582; fit for military service 1,629,222; reach military age (18) annually 119,545 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $121 million, 1% of GDP (1993)
@Guernsey
Header
Affiliation:
(British crown dependency)
@Guernsey, Geography
Location:
Western Europe, in the English Channel, 52 km west of France between UK and France
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total area:
194 sq km
land area:
194 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Washington, DC note:
includes Alderney, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and some other smaller islands
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
50 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast
Terrain:
mostly level with low hills in southwest Natural resources:
cropland
Land use:
arable land:
NA%
permanent crops:
NA%
meadows and pastures:
NA%
forest and woodland:
NA%
other:
NA%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
NA
Note:
large, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port
@Guernsey, People
Population:
63,719 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.01% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.21 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
9.97 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
6.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
6.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
78.15 years
male:
75.45 years
female:
80.88 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.68 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Channel Islander(s)
adjective:
Channel Islander
Ethnic divisions:
UK and Norman-French descent
Religions:
Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist
Languages:
English, French; Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
@Guernsey, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Bailiwick of Guernsey
conventional short form:
Guernsey
Digraph:
GK
Type:
British crown dependency
Capital:
Saint Peter Port
Administrative divisions:
none (British crown dependency)
Independence:
none (British crown dependency)
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice Legal system:
English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) head of government:
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. Gen. Sir Michael WILKINS (since NA 1990); Bailiff Mr. Graham Martyn DOREY (since February 1992)
cabinet:
Advisory and Finance Committee (other committees); appointed by the States
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Assembly of the States:
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results – no percent of vote by party since all are independents; seats – (60 total, 33 elected), all independents
Judicial branch:
Royal Court
Political parties and leaders:
none; all independents
Member of:
none
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (British crown dependency)
US diplomatic representation:
none (British crown dependency)
Flag:
white with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) extending to the edges of the flag
@Guernsey, Economy
Overview:
Financial services account from more than 50% of total income. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Bank profits (1992) registered a record 26% growth. Fund management and insurance are the two other major income generators.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate: 9% (1987)
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (1988)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$208.9 million
expenditures:
$173.9 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988) Exports:
$NA
commodities:
tomatoes, flowers and ferns, sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
coal, gasoline, and oil
partners:
UK (regarded as internal trade)
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
173,000 kW
production:
525 million kWh
consumption per capita:
9,060 kWh (1992)
Industries:
tourism, banking
Agriculture:
tomatoes, flowers (mostly grown in greenhouses), sweet peppers, eggplant, other vegetables, fruit; Guernsey cattle Economic aid:
none
Currency:
1 Guernsey (#G) pound = 100 pence
Exchange rates:
Guernsey pounds (#G) per US$1 – 0.6699 (January 1994), 0.6658 (1993), 0.5664 (1992), 0.5652 (1991), 0.5603 (1990), 0.6099 (1989); note – the Guernsey pound is at par with the British pound Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Guernsey, Communications
Highways:
total:
NA
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Saint Peter Port, Saint Sampson
Airports:
total:
2
usable:
2
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
1
Telecommunications:
broadcast stations – 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 41,900 telephones; 1 submarine cable
@Guernsey, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Guinea, Geography
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
245,860 sq km
land area:
245,860 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d’Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km Coastline:
320 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Natural resources:
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish Land use:
arable land:
6%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
12%
forest and woodland:
42%
other:
40%
Irrigated land:
240 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
@Guinea, People
Population:
6,391,536 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.45% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
44.08 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
19.6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
44.13 years
male:
41.9 years
female:
46.43 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.85 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Guinean(s)
adjective:
Guinean
Ethnic divisions:
Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, indigenous tribes 10% Religions:
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7% Languages:
French (official); each tribe has its own language Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
24%
male:
35%
female:
13%
Labor force:
2.4 million (1983)
by occupation:
agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4% note:
88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985)
@Guinea, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:
Guinea
local long form:
Republique de Guinee
local short form:
Guinee
former:
French Guinea
Digraph:
GV
Type:
republic
Capital:
Conakry
Administrative divisions:
33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular – region administrative); Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
Independence:
2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:
Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984) Constitution:
23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale) Legal system:
based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Lansana CONTE, elected in the first multi-party election 19 December 1993 prior to the election he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April 1984
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president Legislative branch:
unicameral
People’s National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire): the People’s National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984 coup; framework established in December 1991 for a new National Assembly with 114 seats; legislative elections are scheduled for 1994 Judicial branch:
Court of Appeal (Cour d’Appel)
Political parties and leaders:
political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992 pro-government:
Party for Unity and Progress (PUP) other:
Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP), Siradiou DIALLO
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Elhadj Boubacar BARRY
chancery:
2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 483-9420
FAX:
(202) 483-8688
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM
embassy:
2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry mailing address:
B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone:
(224) 44-15-20 through 24
FAX:
(224) 44-15-22
Flag:
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band
@Guinea, Economy
Overview:
Although possessing major mineral and hydropower resources and considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world’s bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991. Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $3.1 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
3.2% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
16.6% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$449 million
expenditures:
$708 million, including capital expenditures of $361 million (1990 est.)
Exports:
$622 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
commodities:
bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels
partners:
US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12% Imports:
$768 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, and other grain
partners:
France 26%, Cote d’Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6% External debt:
2.5 billion (1992)
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
113,000 kW
production:
300 million kWh
consumption per capita:
40 kWh (1989)
Industries:
bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries
Agriculture:
accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence farming; principal products – rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock – cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in food grains Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.465 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446 million
Currency:
1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes Exchange rates:
Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 – 810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30 September 1992), 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383 (1986)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Guinea, Communications
Railroads:
1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge Highways:
total:
30,100 km
paved:
1,145 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone 12,955 km (of which barely 4,500 are currently all-weather roads); unimproved earth 16,000 km (1987) Inland waterways:
1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft Ports:
Conakry, Kamsar
Airports:
total:
15
usable:
15
with permanent-surface runways:
4
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
3
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
10
Telecommunications:
poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication stations, and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 3 AM 1 FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Guinea, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, Presidential Guard, Republican Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,440,297; fit for military service 726,543 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)
@Guinea-Bissau, Geography
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and Senegal
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
36,120 sq km
land area:
28,000 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut Land boundaries:
total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km Coastline:
350 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
Guinea-Bissau and Senegal signed an agreement resolving their maritime boundary in 1993
Climate:
tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east Natural resources:
unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber Land use:
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
43%
forest and woodland:
38%
other:
7%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires
international agreements:
party to – Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not ratifed – Biodiversity, Climate Change
@Guinea-Bissau, People
Population:
1,098,231 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.37% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
40.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
17.03 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
120 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
47.44 years
male:
45.79 years
female:
49.15 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.51 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Guinea-Bissauan(s)
adjective:
Guinea-Bissauan
Ethnic divisions:
African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
Religions:
indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5% Languages:
Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
36%
male:
50%
female:
24%
Labor force:
403,000 (est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5% note:
population of working age 53% (1983)
@Guinea-Bissau, Government