head of government:
Prime Minister Paias WINGTI (since 17 July 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Julius CHAN (since July 1992) cabinet:
National Executive Council; appointed by the governor on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Parliament:
(sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly) elections last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results – percent by party NA; seats – (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18 (association with political parties is fluid)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Party), Jack GENIA; People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Paias WINGTI; People’s Action Party (PAP), Akoka DOI; People’s Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS Member of:
ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Kepas WATANGIA chancery:
3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:
(202) 745-3680
FAX:
(202) 745-3679
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Richard TEARE
embassy:
Armit Street, Port Moresby
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, or APO AE 96553 telephone:
[675] 211-455 or 594, 654
FAX:
[675] 213-423
Flag:
divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered
@Papua New Guinea, Economy
Overview:
Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts for about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy. Robust growth in 1991-92 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a large new gold mine helped the advance. The economy remained strong in 1993, primarily because of continued growth in the mining and oil sectors. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $8.2 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
1.2% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (1992-93)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$1.33 billion
expenditures:
$1.49 billion, including capital expenditures of $225 million (1993 est.)
Exports:
$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
commodities:
gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, lobster partners:
Australia, Japan, South Korea, UK, US Imports:
$1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals
partners:
Australia, Japan, US, Singapore, New Zealand, UK External debt:
$2.2 billion (April 1991)
Industrial production:
growth rate 21% (1992); accounts for 31% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
400,000 kW
production:
1.6 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
400 kWh (1992)
Industries:
copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production, mining of gold, silver, and copper, construction, tourism Agriculture:
Accounts for 28% of GDP; livelihood for 85% of population; fertile soils and favorable climate permits cultivating a wide variety of crops; cash crops – coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels; other products – tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork; net importer of food for urban centers Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $40.6 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $17 million Currency:
1 kina (K) = 100 toea
Exchange rates:
kina (K) per US$1 – 1.0281 (January 1994), 1.0221 (1993), 1.0367 (1992), 1.0504 (1991), 1.0467 (1990), 1.1685 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Papua New Guinea, Communications
Railroads:
none
Highways:
total:
19,200 km
paved:
640 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 10,960 km; unimproved earth 7,600 km
Inland waterways:
10,940 km
Ports:
Anewa Bay, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul Merchant marine:
11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,337 GRT/25,669 DWT, bulk 2, cargo 3, combination ore/oil 5, container 1 Airports:
total:
504
usable:
462
with permanent-surface runways:
18
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
39
Telecommunications:
services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiobroadcast, radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radiocommunication services; submarine cables extend to Australia and Guam; more than 70,000 telephones (1987); broadcast stations – 31 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV (1987); 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Papua New Guinea, Defense Forces
Branches:
Papua New Guinea Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force) Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,080,316; fit for military service 601,369 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $55 million, 1.8% of GDP (1993 est.)
@Paracel Islands, Geography
Location:
Southeastern Asia, 400 km east of Vietnam in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way between Vietnam and the Philippines Map references:
Asia
Area:
total area:
NA sq km
land area:
NA sq km
comparative area:
NA
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
518 km
Maritime claims:
NA
International disputes:
occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam Climate:
tropical
Terrain:
NA
Natural resources:
none
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
100%
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
Environment:
current issues:
NA
natural hazards:
subject to typhoons
international agreements:
NA
@Paracel Islands, People
Population:
no indigenous inhabitants; note – there are scattered Chinese garrisons
@Paracel Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Paracel Islands
Digraph:
PF
@Paracel Islands, Economy
Overview:
no economic activity
@Paracel Islands, Communications
Ports:
small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island currently under expansion
Airports:
1 on Woody Island
@Paracel Islands, Defense Forces
Note:
occupied by China
@Paraguay, Geography
Location:
Central South America, between Argentina and Brazil Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
406,750 sq km
land area:
397,300 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than California
Land boundaries:
total 3,920 km, Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,290 km Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
short section of the boundary with Brazil, just west of Salto del Guaira (Guaira Falls) on the Rio Parana, has not been determined Climate:
varies from temperate in east to semiarid in far west Terrain:
grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere
Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Land use:
arable land:
20%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
39%
forest and woodland:
35%
other:
5%
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal present health hazards for many urban residents natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified – Nuclear Test Ban Note:
landlocked; buffer between Argentina and Brazil
@Paraguay, People
Population:
5,213,772 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.76% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
32.03 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
4.48 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
25.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.28 years
male:
71.74 years
female:
74.9 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
4.29 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Paraguayan(s)
adjective:
Paraguayan
Ethnic divisions:
mestizo (Spanish and Indian) 95%, white and Indian 5% Religions:
Roman Catholic 90%, Mennonite and other Protestant denominations Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
90%
male:
92%
female:
88%
Labor force:
1.692 million (1993 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture, industry and commerce, services, government (1986)
@Paraguay, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:
Paraguay
local long form:
Republica del Paraguay
local short form:
Paraguay
Digraph:
PA
Type:
republic
Capital:
Asuncion
Administrative divisions:
19 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento); Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Chaco, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Nueva Asuncion, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro
Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Days, 14-15 May (1811) Constitution:
25 August 1967; Constituent Assembly rewrote the Constitution that was promulgated on 20 June 1992
Legal system:
based on Argentine codes, Roman law, and French codes; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory up to age 60 Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Juan Carlos WASMOSY (since 15 August 1993); Vice President Roberto Angel SEIFART (since 15 August 1993); election last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held May 1998); results – Juan Carlos WASMOSY 40.09%, Domingo LAINO 32.06%, Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS 23.04% cabinet:
Council of Ministers; nominated by the president Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress (Congreso)
Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores): elections last held 9 May 1993 (next to be held May 1998); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (45 total) Colorado Party 20, PLRA 17, EN 8
Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados): elections last held on 9 May 1993 (next to be held by May 1998); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (80 total) Colorado Party 38, PLRA 33, EN 9
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders:
Colorado Party, Eugenio SANABRIA CANTERO, president; Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA), Domingo LAINO; National Encounter (EN), Guillermo CABALLERO VARGAS (the EN party includes the following minor parties: Christian Democratic Party (PDC), Jose Angel BURRO; Febrerista Revolutionary Party (PRF), Euclides ACEVEDO; Popular Democratic Party (PDP), Hugo RICHER)
Other political or pressure groups: Confederation of Workers (CUT); Roman Catholic Church Member of:
AG (observer), CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, MERCOSUR, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Juan Esteban AGUIRRE Martinez chancery:
2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:
(202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX:
(202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general:
New Orleans and New York
consulate(s):
Miami
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge D’Affaires Gerald McCOLLOCH embassy:
1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Asuncion mailing address:
C. P. 402, Asuncion, or APO AA 34036-0001 telephone:
[595] (21) 213-715
FAX:
[595] (21) 213-728
Flag:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears the seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words Paz y Justicia (Peace and Justice) capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles)
@Paraguay, Economy
Overview:
Agriculture, including forestry, accounts for about 25% of GDP, employs about 45% of the labor force, and provides the bulk of exports, led by soybeans and cotton. Paraguay lacks substantial mineral or petroleum resources but possesses a large hydropower potential. Since 1981 economic performance has declined compared with the boom period of 1976-81, when real GDP grew at an average annual rate of nearly 11%. During the period 1982-86 real GDP fell in three of five years, inflation jumped to an annual rate of 32%, and foreign debt rose. Factors responsible for the erratic behavior of the economy were the completion of the Itaipu hydroelectric dam, bad weather for crops, and weak export prices for agricultural commodities. In 1987 the economy experienced a minor recovery because of improved weather conditions and stronger international prices for key agricultural exports. The recovery continued through 1990, on the strength of bumper crops in 1988-89. In a major step to increase its economic activity in the region, Paraguay in March 1991 joined the Southern Cone Common Market (MERCOSUR), which includes Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. In 1992, the government, through an unorthodox approach, reduced external debt with both commercial and official creditors by purchasing a sizable amount of the delinquent commercial debt in the secondary market at a substantial discount. The government had paid 100% of remaining official debt arrears to the US, Germany, France, and Spain. All commercial debt arrears have been rescheduled. For the long run, the government must press forward with general, market-oriented economic reforms. Growth of 3.5% in 1993 was spurred by higher-than-expected agricultural output and rising international commodity prices. Inflation picked up steam in fourth quarter 1993 because of rises in public sector salaries and utility rates. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $15.2 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
3.5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
20.4% (1993 )
Unemployment rate:
11% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$1.2 billion
expenditures:
$1.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $487 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$728 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
cotton, soybean, timber, vegetable oils, meat products, coffee, tung oil
partners:
EC 37%, Brazil 25%, Argentina 10%, Chile 6%, US 6% Imports:
$1.38 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.)
commodities:
capital goods, foodstuffs, consumer goods, raw materials, fuels partners:
Brazil 30%, EC 20%, US 18%, Argentina 8%, Japan 7% External debt:
$1.2 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.2% (1991 est.); accounts for 20% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
5,257,000 kW
production:
16.2 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,280 kWh (1992)
Industries:
meat packing, oilseed crushing, milling, brewing, textiles, other light consumer goods, cement, construction Agriculture:
accounts for 26% of GDP and 44% of labor force; cash crops – cotton, sugarcane, soybeans; other crops – corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava, fruits, vegetables; animal products – beef, pork, eggs, milk; surplus producer of timber; self-sufficient in most foods Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; important transshipment point for Bolivian cocaine headed for the US and Europe
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $172 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.1 billion
Currency:
1 guarani (G) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
guaranies (G) per US$ – 1,861.3 (January 1994), 1,744.3 (1993), 1,500.3 (1992), 447.5 (March 1992), 1,325.2 (1991), 1,229.8 (1990), 1,056.2 (1989), 550.00 (fixed rate 1986-February 1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Paraguay, Communications
Railroads:
970 km total; 440 km 1.435-meter standard gauge, 60 km 1.000-meter gauge, 470 km various narrow gauge (privately owned) Highways:
total:
28,300 km
paved:
2,600 km
unpaved:
gravel 500 km; earth 25,200 km
Inland waterways:
3,100 km
Ports:
Asuncion, Villeta, Ciudad del Este Merchant marine:
13 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 16,747 GRT/19,513 DWT, cargo 11, oil tanker 2
note:
1 naval cargo ship is sometimes used commercially Airports:
total:
969
usable:
827
with permanent-surface runways:
7
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
5
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
93
Telecommunications:
meager telephone service; principal switching center in Asuncion; fair intercity microwave net; 78,300 telephones; telephone density – 16 telephones per 1,000 persons; broadcast stations – 40 AM, no FM, 5 TV, 7 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Paraguay, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy (including Naval Air and Marines), Air Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,249,470; fit for military service 907,533; reach military age (17) annually 53,126 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $100 million, 1.6% of GDP (1994 est.)
@Peru, Geography
Location:
Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean between Chile and Ecuador
Map references:
South America, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1,285,220 sq km
land area:
1.28 million sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries:
total 6,940 km, Bolivia 900 km, Brazil 1,560 km, Chile 160 km, Colombia 2,900 km, Ecuador 1,420 km
Coastline:
2,414 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
three sections of the boundary with Ecuador are in dispute Climate:
varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west Terrain:
western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Natural resources:
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land use:
arable land:
3%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
21%
forest and woodland:
55%
other:
21%
Irrigated land:
12,500 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima
natural hazards:
subject to earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, mild volcanic activity international agreements:
party to – Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling; signed, but not ratified – Tropical Timber Note:
shares control of Lago Titicaca, world’s highest navigable lake, with Bolivia
@Peru, People
Population:
23,650,671 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.86% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
25.55 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
54.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.62 years
male:
63.44 years
female:
67.9 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.11 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Peruvian(s)
adjective:
Peruvian
Ethnic divisions:
Indian 45%, mestizo (mixed Indian and European ancestry) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3% Religions:
Roman Catholic
Languages:
Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
85%
male:
92%
female:
29%
Labor force:
8 million (1992)
by occupation:
government and other services 44%, agriculture 37%, industry 19% (1988 est.)
@Peru, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Peru
conventional short form:
Peru
local long form:
Republica del Peru
local short form:
Peru
Digraph:
PE
Type:
republic
Capital:
Lima
Administrative divisions:
24 departments (departamentos, singular – departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note:
the 1979 Constitution and legislation enacted from 1987 to 1990 mandate the creation of regions (regiones, singular – region) intended to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 existing departments – Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima. Because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities. The 1993 Constitution maintains the regionalization process with some modifications that will limit the powers of the regional governments. The new constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments. Independence:
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution:
31 December 1993
Legal system:
based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990); election last held on 10 June 1990 (next to be held NA April 1995); results – Alberto FUJIMORI 56.53%, Mario VARGAS Llosa 33.92%, other 9.55%
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president note:
Prime Minister Efrain GOLDENBERG Schreiber (since February 1994) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Democratic Constituent Congress (CCD): elections last held 25 November 1992 (next to be held April 1995); seats – (80 total) New Majority/Change 90 44, Popular Christian Party 8, Independent Moralization Front 7, Renewal 6, Movement of the Democratic Left 4, Democratic Coordinator 4, others 7; note – several major parties (American Popular Revolutionary Alliance, Popular Action) did not participate; with the next election the congress will be expanded to 100 seats
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia) Political parties and leaders:
note:
Peru’s political party system has become fragmented in recent years with independent movements proliferating; key parties are listed New Majority/Change 90 (Cambio 90), Alberto FUJIMORI; Popular Christian Party (PPC), Luis BEDOYA Reyes; Popular Action Party (AP), Raul DIEZ CANSECO; American Popular Revolutionary Alliance (APRA), Armando VILLANUEVA del CAMPO; Independent Moralizing Front (FIM), Fernando OLIVERA Vega; National Renewal, Rafael REY Rey; Democratic Coordinator, Jose BARBA Caballero; Democratic Left Movement, Henry PEASE; Solidarity and Democracy (SODE), Manuel MOREYRA; National Front of Workers and Peasants (FRENATRACA), Roger CACARES Other political or pressure groups:
leftist guerrilla groups include Shining Path, Abimael GUZMAN Reynoso (imprisoned); Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, Nestor SERPA and Victor POLAY (imprisoned)
Member of:
AG, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, GATT, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG (suspended), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ricardo LUNA Mendoza
chancery:
1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone:
(202) 833-9860 through 9869
FAX:
(202) 659-8124
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), and San Francisco
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Alvin P. ADAMS, Jr.
embassy:
corner of Avenida Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and Avenida Espana, Lima mailing address:
P. O. Box 1991, Lima 1, Unit 3822, or APO AA 34031 telephone:
[51] (14) 33-8000
FAX:
[51] (14) 31-6682
Flag:
three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
@Peru, Economy
Overview:
The Peruvian economy is becoming increasingly market oriented, with major privatizations scheduled for 1994 in the mining and telecommunications industries. In the 1980s the economy suffered from hyperinflation, declining per capita output, and mounting external debt. Peru was shut off from IMF and World Bank support in the mid-1980s because of its huge debt arrears. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a third consecutive yearly contraction of economic activity, but the slide halted late that year, and output rose 2.4% in 1991. After a burst of inflation as the austerity program eliminated government price subsidies, monthly price increases eased to the single-digit level and by December 1991 dropped to the lowest increase since mid-1987. Lima obtained a financial rescue package from multilateral lenders in September 1991, although it faced $14 billion in arrears on its external debt. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch. In 1993 the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 6%. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $70 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
6% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$3,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
39% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15%; underemployment 70% (1992 est.) Budget:
revenues:
$2 billion
expenditures:
$1.7 billion, including capital expenditures of $300 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$3.7 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton
partners:
US 25%, Japan 9%, Italy, Germany
Imports:
$4.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
partners:
US 30%, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Brazil External debt:
$22 billion (1993 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -5% (1992 est.); accounts for 32% of GDP, including petroleum
Electricity:
capacity:
5,042,000 kW
production:
17.434 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
760 kWh (1992)
Industries:
mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Agriculture:
accounts for 13% of GDP, about 35% of labor force; commercial crops – coffee, cotton, sugarcane; other crops – rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; animal products – poultry, red meats, dairy, wool; not self-sufficient in grain or vegetable oil; fish catch of 6.9 million metric tons (1990)
Illicit drugs:
world’s largest coca leaf producer with about 108,800 hectares under cultivation in 1993; source of supply for most of the world’s coca paste and cocaine base; at least 85% of coca cultivation is for illicit production; most of cocaine base is shipped to Colombian drug dealers for processing into cocaine for the international drug market Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $1.7 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.3 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $577 million Currency:
1 nuevo sol (S/.) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates:
nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1 – 2.180 (January 1994), 1.988 (1993), 1.245 (1992), 0.772 (1991), 0.187 (1990), 0.0027 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Peru, Communications
Railroads:
1,801 km total; 1,501 km 1.435-meter gauge, 300 km 0.914-meter gauge Highways:
total:
69,942 km
paved:
7,459 km
unpaved:
improved earth 13,538 km; unimproved earth 48,945 km Inland waterways:
8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km Lago Titicaca
Pipelines:
crude oil 800 km; natural gas and natural gas liquids 64 km Ports:
Callao, Ilo, Iquitos, Matarani, Talara Merchant marine:
17 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 142,425 GRT/229,746 DWT, bulk 3, cargo 10, oil tanker 2, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 1 note:
in addition, 6 naval tankers and 1 naval cargo are sometimes used commercially
Airports:
total:
252
usable:
222
with permanent-surface runways:
37
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
24
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
54
Telecommunications:
fairly adequate for most requirements; nationwide microwave system; 544,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 273 AM, no FM, 140 TV, 144 shortwave; satellite earth stations – 2 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT, 12 domestic
@Peru, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army (Ejercito Peruano), Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru), National Police Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 6,199,785; fit for military service 4,188,706; reach military age (20) annually 246,427 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $500 million, about 2% of GDP (1991)
@Philippines, Geography
Location:
Southeastern Asia, between Indonesia and China Map references:
Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
300,000 sq km
land area:
298,170 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Arizona
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf:
to depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea up to 285 nm in breadth International disputes:
involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; claims Malaysian state of Sabah
Climate:
tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Natural resources:
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper Land use:
arable land:
26%
permanent crops:
11%
meadows and pastures:
4%
forest and woodland:
40%
other:
19%
Irrigated land:
16,200 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; air pollution in Manila natural hazards:
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; subject to landslides, active volcanoes, destructive earthquakes, tsunamis
international agreements:
party to – Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified – Climate Change, Tropical Timber
@Philippines, People
Population:
69,808,930 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.92% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
27.34 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
6.94 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
50.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
65.39 years
male:
62.88 years
female:
68.02 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.35 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Filipino(s)
adjective:
Philippine
Ethnic divisions:
Christian Malay 91.5%, Muslim Malay 4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 3% Religions:
Roman Catholic 83%, Protestant 9%, Muslim 5%, Buddhist and other 3% Languages:
Pilipino (official; based on Tagalog), English (official) Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
90%
male:
90%
female:
90%
Labor force:
24.12 million
by occupation:
agriculture 46%, industry and commerce 16%, services 18.5%, government 10%, other 9.5% (1989)
@Philippines, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of the Philippines
conventional short form:
Philippines
local long form:
Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form:
Pilipinas
Digraph:
RP
Type:
republic
Capital:
Manila
Administrative divisions:
72 provinces and 61 chartered cities*; Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Angeles*, Antique, Aurora, Bacolod*, Bago*, Baguio*, Bais*, Basilan, Basilan City*, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Batangas City*, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Butuan*, Cabanatuan*, Cadiz*, Cagayan, Cagayan de Oro*, Calbayog*, Caloocan*, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Canlaon*, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cavite City*, Cebu, Cebu City*, Cotabato*, Dagupan*, Danao*, Dapitan*, Davao City* Davao, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Dipolog*, Dumaguete*, Eastern Samar, General Santos*, Gingoog*, Ifugao, Iligan*, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Iloilo City*, Iriga*, Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, La Carlota*, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Laoag*, Lapu-Lapu*, La Union, Legaspi*, Leyte, Lipa*, Lucena*, Maguindanao, Mandaue*, Manila*, Marawi*, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Naga*, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Olongapo*, Ormoc*, Oroquieta*, Ozamis*, Pagadian*, Palawan, Palayan*, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasay*, Puerto Princesa*, Quezon, Quezon City*, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Roxas*, Samar, San Carlos* (in Negros Occidental), San Carlos* (in Pangasinan), San Jose*, San Pablo*, Silay*, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao*, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tacloban*, Tagaytay*, Tagbilaran*, Tangub*, Tarlac, Tawitawi, Toledo*, Trece Martires*, Zambales, Zamboanga*, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur Independence:
4 July 1946 (from US)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 June (1898) (from Spain) Constitution:
2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 Legal system:
based on Spanish and Anglo-American law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
15 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: President Fidel Valdes RAMOS (since 30 June 1992); Vice President Joseph Ejercito ESTRADA (since 30 June 1992); election last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1998); results – Fidel Valdes RAMOS won 23.6% of votes, a narrow plurality cabinet:
Executive Secretary; appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments
Legislative branch:
bicameral Congress (Kongreso)
Senate (Senado):
elections last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1995); results – LDP 66%, NPC 20%, Lakas-NUCD 8%, Liberal 6%; seats – (24 total) LDP 15, NPC 5, Lakas-NUCD 2, Liberal 1, Independent 1 House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan): elections last held 11 May 1992 (next election to be held NA May 1995); results – LDP 43.5%; Lakas-NUCD 25%, NPC 23.5%, Liberal 5%, KBL 3%; seats – (200 total) LDP 87, NPC 45, Lakas-NUCD 41, Liberal 15, NP 6, KBL 3, Independent 3
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Filipino Struggle (Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipinas, Laban), Edgardo ESPIRITU; People Power-National Union of Christian Democrats (Lakas ng Edsa, NUCD and Partido Lakas Tao, Lakas/NUCD); Fidel V. RAMOS, President of the Republic, Raul MANGLAPUS, Jose de VENECIA, secretary general; Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Eduardo COJUANGCO; Liberal Party, Jovito SALONGA; People’s Reform Party (PRP), Miriam DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO; New Society Movement (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan; KBL), Imelda MARCOS; Nacionalista Party (NP), Salvador H. LAUREL, president
Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-24, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Raul Chaves RABE
chancery:
1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone:
(202) 483-1414
FAX:
(202) 328-7614
consulate(s) general:
Agana (Guam), Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle
consulate(s):
San Diego and San Jose (Saipan)
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador John D. NEGROPONTE
embassy:
1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila 1000 mailing address:
APO AP 96440
telephone:
[632] 521-7116
FAX:
[632] 522-4361
consulate(s) general:
Cebu
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a white equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; in the center of the triangle is a yellow sun with eight primary rays (each containing three individual rays) and in each corner of the triangle is a small yellow five-pointed star
@Philippines, Economy
Overview:
Domestic output in this primarily agricultural economy failed to grow in 1992 and rose only slightly in 1993. Drought and power supply problems hampered production, while inadequate revenues prevented government pump priming. Worker remittances helped to supplement GDP. A marked increase in capital goods imports, particularly power generating equipment, telecommunications equipment, and electronic data processors, contributed to 20% import growth in both 1992 and 1993.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $171 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
1.4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7.6% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
9.2% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$11.5 billion
expenditures:
$13 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.7 billion (1994 est.)
Exports:
$11.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
electronics, textiles, coconut products, cooper, fish partners:
US 39%, Japan 18%, Germany 5%, UK 5%, Hong Kong 5% (1992) Imports:
$17.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
raw materials 40%, capital goods 25%, petroleum products 10% partners:
Japan 21%, US 18%, Taiwan 7%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Hong Kong 5%, South Korea 5% (1992)
External debt:
$34.1 billion (September 1993)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1% (1992 est.); accounts for 34% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
7,850,000 kW
production:
28 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
420 kWh (1992)
Industries:
textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, wood products, food processing, electronics assembly, petroleum refining, fishing Agriculture:
accounts for about 20% of GDP and about 45% of labor force; major crops – rice, coconuts, corn, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, mangos; animal products – pork, eggs, beef; net exporter of farm products; fish catch of 2 million metric tons annually Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis for the international drug trade; growers are producing more and better quality cannabis despite government eradication efforts; transit point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for the US
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $3.6 billion; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-88), $7.9 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $5 million; Communist countries (1975-89), $123 million
Currency:
1 Philippine peso (P) = 100 centavos Exchange rates:
Philippine pesos (P) per US$1 – 27.725 (January 1994), 22.120 (1993), 25.512 (1992), 27.479 (1991), 24.311 (1990), 21.737 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Philippines, Communications
Railroads:
378 km operable on Luzon, 34% government owned (1982) Highways:
total:
157,450 km
paved:
22,400 km
unpaved:
gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 85,050 km; unimproved earth 50,000 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
3,219 km; limited to shallow-draft (less than 1.5 m) vessels Pipelines:
petroleum products 357 km
Ports:
Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Iloilo, Legaspi, Manila, Subic Bay
Merchant marine:
553 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 8,451,047 GRT/13,934,255 DWT, bulk 241, cargo 145, chemical tanker 1, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 1, container 8, liquefied gas 3, livestock carrier 9, oil tanker 33, passenger 1, passenger-cargo 13, refrigerated cargo 27, roll-on/roll-off cargo 14, short-sea passenger 12, vehicle carrier 35
note:
many Philippine flag ships are foreign owned and are on the register for the purpose of long-term bare-boat charter back to their original owners who are principally in Japan and Germany Airports:
total:
270
usable:
238
with permanent-surface runways:
74
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
9
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
57
Telecommunications:
good international radio and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate; 872,900 telephones; broadcast stations – 267 AM (including 6 US), 55 FM, 33 TV (including 4 US); submarine cables extended to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan; satellite earth stations – 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT, 2 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT, and 11 domestic
@Philippines, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy (including Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 17,668,781; fit for military service 12,479,312; reach military age (20) annually 733,880 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $731 million, 1.4% of GNP (1992)
@Pitcairn Islands
Header
Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)
@Pitcairn Islands, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Polynesia in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Peru and New Zealand
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
47 sq km
land area:
47 sq km
comparative area:
about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
51 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical, hot, humid, modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
Terrain:
rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Natural resources:
miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish 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:
subject to typhoons (especially November to March) international agreements:
NA
@Pitcairn Islands, People
Population:
71 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.93% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
NA
Death rate:
NA
Net migration rate:
NA
Infant mortality rate:
NA
Life expectancy at birth:
NA
Total fertility rate:
NA
Nationality:
noun:
Pitcairn Islander(s)
adjective:
Pitcairn Islander
Ethnic divisions:
descendants of the Bounty mutineers Religions:
Seventh-Day Adventist 100%
Languages:
English (official), Tahitian/English dialect Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
NA
by occupation:
no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing
@Pitcairn Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form:
Pitcairn Islands
Digraph:
PC
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Adamstown
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday:
Celebration of the Birthday of the Queen (second Saturday in June) Constitution:
Local Government Ordinance of 1964 Legal system:
local island by-laws
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal with three years residency Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (non-resident) of the Pitcairn Islands David Joseph MOSS (since NA September 1990); Commissioner (non-resident) G.D. HARRAWAY (since NA; is the liason person between the governor and the Island Council) head of government:
Island Magistrate and Chairman of the Island Council Jay WARREN (since NA)
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Island Council:
elections last held NA (next to be held NA); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (11 total, 5 elected) number of seats by party NA Judicial branch:
Island Court
Political parties and leaders:
NA
Other political or pressure groups: NA
Member of:
SPC
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag:
blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms is yellow, green, and light blue with a shield featuring a yellow anchor
@Pitcairn Islands, Economy
Overview:
The inhabitants exist on fishing and subsistence farming. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugar cane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships.
National product:
GDP $NA
National product real growth rate: NA%
National product per capita:
$NA
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
NA%
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$430,000
expenditures:
$429,000, including capital expenditures of $NA (1987 est.) Exports:
$NA
commodities:
fruits, vegetables, curios
partners:
NA
Imports:
$NA
commodities:
fuel oil, machinery, building materials, flour, sugar, other foodstuffs
partners:
NA
External debt:
$NA
Industrial production:
growth rate NA%
Electricity:
capacity:
110 kW
production:
300,000 kWh
consumption per capita:
5,360 kWh (1990)
Industries:
postage stamp sales, handicrafts
Agriculture:
based on subsistence fishing and farming; wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown; must import grain products Economic aid:
recipient:
ODA bilateral commitments (1992-93), $84,000 Currency:
1 New Zealand dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
New Zealand dollars (NZ$) per US$1 – 1.7771 (January 1994), 1.8495 (1993), 1.8584 (1992), 1.7265 (1991), 1.6750 (1990), 1.6711 (1989) Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
@Pitcairn Islands, Communications
Railroads:
none
Highways:
total:
6.4 km
unpaved:
earth 6.4 km
Ports:
Bounty Bay
Airports:
none
Telecommunications:
24 telephones; party line telephone service on the island; broadcast stations – 1 AM, no FM, no TV; diesel generator provides electricity
@Pitcairn Islands, Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Poland, Geography
Location:
Central Europe, between Germany and Belarus Map references:
Asia, Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
312,680 sq km
land area:
304,510 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
total 3,114 km, Belarus 605 km, Czech Republic 658 km, Germany 456 km, Lithuania 91 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 432 km, Slovakia 444 km, Ukraine 428 km
Coastline:
491 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
temperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Terrain:
mostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Natural resources:
coal, sulfur, copper, natural gas, silver, lead, salt Land use:
arable land:
46%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
13%
forest and woodland:
28%
other:
12%
Irrigated land:
1,000 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
forest damage due to air pollution; improper means for disposal of large amounts of hazardous and industrial waste; severe water pollution from industrial and municipal sources; severe air pollution results from emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plants natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to – Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands; signed, but not ratified – Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain
@Poland, People
Population:
38,654,561 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.35% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
13.44 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
9.4 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
13.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.66 years
male:
68.64 years
female:
76.91 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.94 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Pole(s)
adjective:
Polish
Ethnic divisions:
Polish 97.6%, German 1.3%, Ukrainian 0.6%, Byelorussian 0.5% (1990 est.)
Religions:
Roman Catholic 95% (about 75% practicing), Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and other 5%
Languages:
Polish
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1978) total population:
98%
male:
99%
female:
98%
Labor force:
17.329 million
by occupation:
industry and construction 32.0%, agriculture 27.6%, trade, transport, and communications 14.7%, government and other 24.6% (1992)
@Poland, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Poland
conventional short form:
Poland
local long form:
Rzeczpospolita Polska
local short form:
Polska
Digraph:
PL
Type:
democratic state
Capital:
Warsaw
Administrative divisions:
49 provinces (wojewodztwa, singular – wojewodztwo); Biala Podlaska, Bialystok, Bielsko Biala, Bydgoszcz, Chelm, Ciechanow, Czestochowa, Elblag, Gdansk, Gorzow, Jelenia Gora, Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Krakow, Krosno, Legnica, Leszno, Lodz, Lomza, Lublin, Nowy Sacz, Olsztyn, Opole, Ostroleka, Pila, Piotrkow, Plock, Poznan, Przemysl, Radom, Rzeszow, Siedlce, Sieradz, Skierniewice, Slupsk, Suwalki, Szczecin, Tarnobrzeg, Tarnow, Torun, Walbrzych, Warszawa, Wloclawek, Wroclaw, Zamosc, Zielona Gora Independence:
11 November 1918 (independent republic proclaimed) National holiday:
Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
Constitution:
interim “small constitution” came into effect in December 1992 replacing the Communist-imposed Constitution of 22 July 1952; new democratic Constitution being drafted
Legal system:
mixture of Continental (Napoleonic) civil law and holdover Communist legal theory; changes being gradually introduced as part of broader democratization process; limited judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Lech WALESA (since 22 December 1990); election first round held 25 November 1990, second round held 9 December 1990 (next to be held NA November 1995); results – second round Lech WALESA 74.7%, Stanislaw TYMINSKI 25.3%
head of government:
Prime Minister Waldemar PAWLAK (since 26 October 1993) cabinet:
Council of Ministers; responsible to the president and the Sejm Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly (Zgromadzenie Narodowe) Senate (Senat):
elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held no later than NA October 1997); seats – (100 total)
post-Solidarity bloc:
UW 6, NSZZ 12, BBWR 2
non-Communist, non-Solidarity:
independents 7, unaffiliated 1, vacant 1 (to be filled in a 19 June election)
Communist origin or linked:
PSL 34, SLD 37
Diet (Sejm):
elections last held 19 September 1993 (next to be held no later than NA October 1997); seats – (460 total)
post-Solidarity bloc:
UW 74, UP 41, BBWR 16
non-Communist, non-Solidarity:
KPN 22
Communist origin or linked:
SLD 171, PSL 132
note:
4 seats were won by ethnic Germans Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
post-Solidarity parties:
Freedom Union (WD; UD and Liberal Democratic Congress merged to form Freedom Union), Tadeusz MAZOWIECKI; Christian-National Union (ZCHN), Wieslaw CHRZANOWSKI; Centrum (PC), Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI; Peasant Alliance (PL), Gabriel JANOWSKI; Solidarity Trade Union (NSZZ), Marian KRZAKLEWSKI; Union of Labor (UP), Ryszard BUGAJ; Christian-Democratic Party (PCHD), Pawel LACZKOWSKI; Conservative Party, Alexander HALL; Nonparty Bloc for the Support of the Reforms (BBWR) non-Communist, non-Solidarity:
Confederation for an Independent Poland (KPN), Leszek MOCZULSKI; Polish Economic Program (PPG), Janusz REWINSKI; Christian Democrats (CHD), Andrzej OWSINSKI; German Minority (MN), Henryk KROL; Union of Real Politics (UPR), Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE; Democratic Party (SD), Antoni MACKIEWICZ; Party X, Stanislaw Tyminski Communist origin or linked:
Social Democracy (SDRP, party of Poland), Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI; Polish Peasants’ Party (PSL), Waldemar PAWLAK; Democratic Left Alliance, Aleksander KWASNIEWSKI
Other political or pressure groups: powerful Roman Catholic Church; Solidarity (trade union); All Poland Trade Union Alliance (OPZZ), populist program Member of:
BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CCC, CE, CEI, CERN, COCOM (cooperating), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NACC, NAM (guest), NSG, OAS (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNDOF, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNIKOM, UNOMIG, UNPROFOR, UNTAC, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Jerzy KOZMINSKI
chancery:
2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:
(202) 234-3800 through 3802
FAX:
(202) 328-6271
consulate(s) general:
Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Nicholas A. REY
embassy:
Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, Warsaw
mailing address:
American Embassy Warsaw, Unit 1340, or APO AE 09213-1340 telephone:
[48] (2) 628-3041
FAX:
[48] (2) 628-8298
consulate(s) general:
Krakow, Poznan
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; similar to the flags of Indonesia and Monaco which are red (top) and white
@Poland, Economy
Overview:
Poland is continuing the difficult transition to a market economy that began on 1 January 1990, when the new democratic government instituted “shock therapy” by decontrolling prices, slashing subsidies, and drastically reducing import barriers. The economy contracted sharply in 1990 and 1991, but in 1992 real GDP grew 1% despite a severe drought. Real GDP expanded about 4% in 1993, the highest rate in Europe except for Albania. About half of GDP now comes from the private sector even though privatization of the large state-owned enterprises is proceeding slowly and most industry remains in state hands. The pattern of industrial production is changing rapidly; output of textiles and construction materials is well above 1990 levels, while output of basic metals remains depressed. Inflation, which had exceeded 50% monthly in late 1989, was down to about 37% for all of 1993, as the government held the budget deficit below 3% of GDP. Unemployment has risen steadily, however, to about 16%. The trade deficit is also a problem, in part due to recession in Western Europe, Poland’s main customer. The new government elected in September 1993 is politically to the left of its predecessor but is continuing the reform process.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $180.4 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
4.1% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$4,680 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
37% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
15.7% (December 1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$24.3 billion
expenditures:
$27.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.5 billion (1993 est.)
Exports:
$13.5 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery 24%, metals 17%, chemicals 12%, fuels and power 11%, food 10% (1992)
partners:
Germany 31.4%, Netherlands 6.0%, Italy 5.6%, Russia 5.5% (1992) Imports:
$15.6 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
fuels and power 17%, machinery 36%, chemicals 17%, food 8% (1992) partners:
Germany 23.9%, Russia 8.5%, Italy 6.9%, UK 6.7% (1992) External debt:
$47 billion (1993); note – Poland’s Western government creditors promised in 1991 to forgive 30% of Warsaw’s $35 billion official debt immediately and to forgive another 20% in 1994; foreign banks agreed in early 1994 to forgive 45% of their $12 billion debt claim Industrial production:
growth rate 7% (1993)
Electricity:
capacity:
31,530,000 kW
production:
137 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
3,570 kWh (1992)
Industries:
machine building, iron and steel, extractive industries, chemicals, shipbuilding, food processing, glass, beverages, textiles Agriculture:
accounts for 7% of GDP and a much larger share of labor force; 75% of output from private farms, 25% from state farms; productivity remains low by European standards; leading European producer of rye, rapeseed, and potatoes; wide variety of other crops and livestock; major exporter of pork products; normally self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs:
illicit producers of opium for domestic consumption and amphetamines for the international market; transshipment point for Asian and Latin American illicit drugs to Western Europe Economic aid:
donor:
bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89), $2.2 billion
recipient:
Western governments and institutions have pledged $8 billion in grants and loans since 1989, but most of the money has not been disbursed Currency:
1 zloty (Zl) = 100 groszy
Exchange rates:
zlotych (Zl) per US$1 – 21,080 (January 1994), 18,115 (1993), 13,626 (1992), 10,576 (1991), 9,500 (1990), 1,439.18 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Poland, Communications
Railroads:
26,250 km total; 23,857 km 1.435-meter gauge, 397 km 1.520-meter gauge, 1,996 km narrow gauge; 8,987 km double track; 11,510 km electrified; government owned (1991)
Highways:
total:
360,629 km (excluding farm, factory and forest roads) paved:
220,000 km (220 km of which are limited access expressways) unpaved:
140,629 km (1988)
Inland waterways:
3,997 km navigable rivers and canals (1991) Pipelines:
crude oil 1,986 km; petroleum products 360 km; natural gas 4,600 km (1992)
Ports:
Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Swinoujscie; principal inland ports are Gliwice on Kanal Gliwicki, Wrocaw on the Oder, and Warsaw on the Vistula
Merchant marine:
173 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,327,855 GRT/3,458,445 DWT, bulk 89, cargo 57, chemical tanker 4, container 8, oil tanker 1, passenger 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 8, short-sea passenger 5 note:
Poland owns 3 ships operating under Liberian registry Airports:
total:
209
usable: