coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use:
arable land:
25%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
31%
forest and woodland:
29%
other:
13%
Irrigated land:
340 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleting natural resources
natural hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (November to May) international agreements:
party to – Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified – Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea
@Sierra Leone, People
Population:
4,630,037 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.62% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.06 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
18.87 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
141.9 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
46.4 years
male:
43.58 years
female:
49.3 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective:
Sierra Leonean
Ethnic divisions:
13 native African tribes 99% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 39%), Creole, European, Lebanese, and Asian 1% Religions:
Muslim 60%, indigenous beliefs 30%, Christian 10% Languages:
English (official; regular use limited to literate minority), Mende principal vernacular in the south, Temne principal vernacular in the north, Krio the language of the re-settled ex-slave population of the Freetown area and is lingua franca
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write English, Merde, Temne, or Arabic (1990 est.)
total population:
21%
male:
31%
female:
11%
Labor force:
1.369 million (1981 est.)
by occupation:
agriculture 65%, industry 19%, services 16% (1981 est.) note:
only about 65,000 wage earners (1985); 55% of population of working age
@Sierra Leone, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:
Sierra Leone
Digraph:
SL
Type:
military government
Capital:
Freetown
Administrative divisions:
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western* Independence:
27 April 1961 (from UK)
National holiday:
Republic Day, 27 April (1961)
Constitution:
1 October 1991; suspended following 19 April 1992 coup Legal system:
based on English law and customary laws indigenous to local tribes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Supreme Council of State Capt. Valentine E. M. STRASSER (since 29 April 1992)
cabinet:
Council of Secretaries; responsible to the NPRC Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992); Chairman STRASSER promises multi-party elections sometime in 1995
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (suspended after coup of 29 April 1992) Political parties and leaders:
status of existing political parties is unknown following 29 April 1992 coup
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Thomas Kahota KARGBO
chancery:
1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:
(202) 939-9261
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Lauralee M. PETERS
embassy:
Walpole and Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[232] (22) 226-481
FAX:
[232] (22) 225-471
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue
@Sierra Leone, Economy
Overview:
The economic and social infrastructure is not well developed. Subsistence agriculture dominates the economy, generating about one-third of GDP and employing about two-thirds of the working population. Manufacturing, which accounts for roughly 10% of GDP, consists mainly of the processing of raw materials and of light manufacturing for the domestic market. Diamond mining provides an important source of hard currency. In 1990-93, the government, with the support of the IMF and the World Bank, has made substantial progress toward structural reform and better fiscal management. The government readily met all IMF/WB targets in December 1993. The budget deficit had been dramatically reduced; the government workforce had been cut by 25%; large amounts of domestic debt had been retired; arrears to the IMF, World Bank, and other creditors had been reduced. On the negative side, continued incursions by the Liberian rebels, bandits, and army deserters in southern and eastern Sierra Leone have severely strained the economy and threaten economically critical regions of the country.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $4.5 billion (FY93 est.) National product real growth rate:
NA
National product per capita:
$1,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
35% (1992)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$68 million
expenditures:
$118 million, including capital expenditures of $28 million (1992 est.)
Exports:
$149 million (f.o.b., FY92)
commodities:
rutile 51%, bauxite 19%, diamonds 15%, coffee 5% partners:
US, UK, Belgium, Germany, other Western Europe Imports:
$131 million (c.i.f., FY92)
commodities:
foodstuffs 33%, machinery and equipment 19%, fuels 16% partners:
US, EC countries, Japan, China, Nigeria External debt:
$633 million (FY92 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -1.2% (FY91); accounts for 11% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
85,000 kW
production:
185 million kWh
consumption per capita:
45 kWh (1991)
Industries:
mining (diamonds, bauxite, rutile), small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear), petroleum refinery Agriculture:
accounts for over 30% of GDP and two-thirds of the labor force; largely subsistence farming; cash crops – coffee, cocoa, palm kernels; harvests of food staple rice meets 80% of domestic needs; annual fish catch averages 53,000 metric tons
Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $161 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $848 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $18 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $101 million
Currency:
1 leone (Le) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
leones (Le) per US$1 – 578.17 (January 1994), 567.46 (1993), 499.44 (1992), 295.34 (1991), 144.9275 (1990), 58.1395 (1989) Fiscal year:
1 July – 30 June
@Sierra Leone, Communications
Railroads:
84 km 1.067-meter narrow-gauge mineral line is used on a limited basis because the mine at Marampa is closed
Highways:
total:
7,400 km
paved:
1,150 km
unpaved:
crushed stone, gravel 490 km; improved earth 5,760 km Inland waterways:
800 km; 600 km navigable year round Ports:
Freetown, Pepel, Bonthe
Merchant marine:
1 cargo ship (over 1,000 GRT) totaling 5,592 GRT/9,107 DWT Airports:
total:
11
usable:
7
with permanent-surface runways:
3
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
1
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
marginal telephone and telegraph service; national microwave radio relay system unserviceable at present; 23,650 telephones; broadcast stations – 1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Sierra Leone, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Police, Security Forces Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,006,280; fit for military service 487,158 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $6 million, 0.7% of GDP (1988 est.)
@Singapore, Geography
Location:
Southeastern Asia, between Malaysia and Indonesia Map references:
Asia, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
632.6 sq km
land area:
622.6 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
193 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
12 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
two islands in dispute with Malaysia Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; no pronounced rainy or dry seasons; thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days (67% of days in April) Terrain:
lowland; gently undulating central plateau contains water catchment area and nature preserve
Natural resources:
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
arable land:
4%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
5%
other:
84%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
industrial pollution; limited water supply; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to – Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes
@Singapore, People
Population:
2,859,142 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.12% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
16.52 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
5.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
75.95 years
male:
73.17 years
female:
78.94 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.88 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Singaporean(s)
adjective:
Singapore
Ethnic divisions:
Chinese 76.4%, Malay 14.9%, Indian 6.4%, other 2.3% Religions:
Buddhist (Chinese), Muslim (Malays), Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist, Confucianist
Languages:
Chinese (official), Malay (official and national), Tamil (official), English (official)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
88%
male:
93%
female:
84%
Labor force:
1,485,800
by occupation:
financial, business, and other services 30.2%, manufacturing 28.4%, commerce 22.0%, construction 9.0%, other 10.4% (1990)
@Singapore, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Singapore
conventional short form:
Singapore
Digraph:
SN
Type:
republic within Commonwealth
Capital:
Singapore
Administrative divisions:
none
Independence:
9 August 1965 (from Malaysia)
National holiday:
National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution:
3 June 1959, amended 1965; based on preindependence State of Singapore Constitution
Legal system:
based on English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch:
chief of state:
President ONG Teng Cheong (since 1 September 1993) election last held 28 August 1993 (next to be held NA August 1997); results – President ONG was elected with 59% of the vote in the country’s first popular election for president
head of government:
Prime Minister GOH Chok Tong (since 28 November 1990); Deputy Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 28 November 1990) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president, responsible to parliament Legislative branch:
unicameral
Parliament:
elections last held 31 August 1991 (next to be held 31 August 1996); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (81 total) PAP 77, SDP 3, WP 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
government:
People’s Action Party (PAP), GOH Chok Tong, secretary general opposition:
Workers’ Party (WP), J. B. JEYARETNAM; Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), CHIAM See Tong; National Solidarity Party (NSP), leader NA; Barisan Sosialis (BS, Socialist Front), leader NA Member of:
APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, C, CCC, COCOM (cooperating), CP, ESCAP, G-77, GATT, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, LORCS, NAM, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNIKOM, UNTAC, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Sellapan Rama NATHAN
chancery:
1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone:
(202) 667-7555
FAX:
(202) 265-7915
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant)
embassy:
30 Hill Street, Singapore 0617
mailing address:
FPO AP 96534
telephone:
[65] 338-0251
FAX:
[65] 338-5010
Flag:
two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle
@Singapore, Economy
Overview:
Singapore has an open entrepreneurial economy with strong service and manufacturing sectors and excellent international trading links derived from its entrepot history. The economy registered nearly 10% growth in 1993 while stemming inflation. The construction and financial services industries and manufacturers of computer-related components have led economic growth. Rising labor costs continue to be a threat to Singapore’s competitiveness, but there are indications that productivity is keeping up. In applied technology, per capita output, investment, and labor discipline, Singapore has key attributes of a developed country.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $42.4 billion (1993) National product real growth rate:
9.9% (1993)
National product per capita:
$15,000 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
2.7% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$11.9 billion
expenditures:
$10.5 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.9 billion (1994 est.)
Exports:
$61.5 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
computer equipment, rubber and rubber products, petroleum products, telecommunications equipment
partners:
US 21%, Malaysia 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 8%, Thailand 6% (1992) Imports:
$66.4 billion (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities:
aircraft, petroleum, chemicals, foodstuffs partners:
Japan 21%, US 16%, Malaysia 15%, Saudi Arabia 5%, Taiwan 4% External debt:
$0; Singapore is a net creditor
Industrial production:
growth rate 2.3% (1992); accounts for 28% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
4,860,000 kW
production:
18 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
6,420 kWh (1992)
Industries:
petroleum refining, electronics, oil drilling equipment, rubber processing and rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship repair, entrepot trade, financial services, biotechnology Agriculture:
occupies a position of minor importance in the economy; self-sufficient in poultry and eggs; must import much of other food; major crops – rubber, copra, fruit, vegetables Illicit drugs:
transit point for Golden Triangle heroin going to the US, Western Europe, and the Third World; also a major money-laundering center Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-83), $590 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1 billion
Currency:
1 Singapore dollar (S$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Singapore dollars (S$) per US$1 – 1.6032 (January 1994), 1.6158 (1993), 1.6290 (1992), 1.7276 (1991), 1.8125 (1990), 1.9503 (1989) Fiscal year:
1 April – 31 March
@Singapore, Communications
Railroads:
38 km of 1.000-meter gauge
Highways:
total:
2,644 km (1985)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Singapore
Merchant marine:
533 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 10,656,067 GRT/17,009,400 DWT, bulk 87, cargo 125, chemical tanker 14, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 8, container 80, liquefied gas 4, livestock carrier 1, oil tanker 179, passenger-cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 3, roll-on/roll-off cargo 6, specialized tanker 2, vehicle carrier 20 note:
many Singapore flag ships are foreign owned Airports:
total:
10
usable:
10
with permanent-surface runways:
10
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
3
Telecommunications:
good domestic facilities; good international service; good radio and television broadcast coverage; 1,110,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 13 AM, 4 FM, 2 TV; submarine cables extend to Malaysia (Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia, and the Philippines; satellite earth stations – 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT and 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT
@Singapore, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Navy, Air Force, People’s Defense Force, Police Force Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 857,824; fit for military service 630,055 Defense expenditures:
exchange rate conversion – $2.7 billion, 6% of GDP (1993 est.)
@Slovakia, Geography
Location:
Central Europe, between Hungary and Poland Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
48,845 sq km
land area:
48,800 sq km
comparative area:
about twice the size of New Hampshire Land boundaries:
total 1,355 km, Austria 91 km, Czech Republic 215 km, Hungary 515 km, Poland 444 km, Ukraine 90 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none; landlocked
International disputes:
Gabcikovo Dam dispute with Hungary; unresolved property issues with Czech Republic over redistribution of former Czechoslovak federal property
Climate:
temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain:
rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
Natural resources:
brown coal and lignite; small amounts of iron ore, copper and manganese ore; salt
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:
acid rain damaging forests
natural hazards:
NA
international agreements:
party to – Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified – Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change
Note:
landlocked
@Slovakia, People
Population:
5,403,505 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.53% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
14.55 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
9.28 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.81 years
male:
68.66 years
female:
77.2 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Slovak(s)
adjective:
Slovak
Ethnic divisions:
Slovak 85.6%, Hungarian 10.8%, Gypsy 1.5% (the 1992 census figures underreport the Gypsy/Romany community, which could reach 500,000 or more), Czech 1.1%, Ruthenian 15,000, Ukrainian 13,000, Moravian 6,000, German 5,000, Polish 3,000
Religions:
Roman Catholic 60.3%, atheist 9.7%, Protestant 8.4%, Orthodox 4.1%, other 17.5%
Languages:
Slovak (official), Hungarian
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
2.484 million
by occupation:
industry 33.2%, agriculture 12.2%, construction 10.3%, communication and other 44.3% (1990)
@Slovakia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Slovak Republic
conventional short form:
Slovakia
local long form:
Slovenska Republika
local short form:
Slovensko
Digraph:
LO
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Bratislava
Administrative divisions:
4 departments (kraje, singular – Kraj) Bratislava, Zapadoslovensky, Stredoslovensky, Vychodoslovensky
Independence:
1 January 1993 (from Czechoslovakia) National holiday:
Anniversary of Slovak National Uprising, August 29 (1944) Constitution:
ratified 1 September 1992; fully effective 1 January 1993 Legal system:
civil law system based on Austro-Hungarian codes; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; legal code modified to comply with the obligations of Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and to expunge Marxist-Leninist legal theory Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Michal KOVAC (since 8 February 1993); election last held 8 February 1993 (next to be held NA 1998); results – Michal KOVAC elected by the National Council
head of government:
Prime Minister Jozef MORAVCIK (since 16 March 1994) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the president on recommendation of the prime minister
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Council (Narodni Rada):
elections last held 5-6 June 1992 (next to be held 31 September-1October 1994); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (150 total) Movement for a Democratic Slovakia 55, Party of the Democratic Left 28, Christian Democratic Movement 18, Slovak National Party 9, National Democratic Party 5, Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement/Coexistence 14, Democratic Union of Slovakia 16, independents 5
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, Vladimir MECIAR, chairman; Party of the Democratic Left, Peter WEISS, chairman; Christian Democratic Movement, Jan CARNOGURSKY; Slovak National Party, Jan SLOTA, chairman; Hungarian Christian Democratic Movement, Vojtech BUGAR; National Democratic Party – New Alternative, Ludovit CERNAK, chairman; Democratic Union of Slovakia, Jozef MORAVCIK, chairman; Coexistence Movement, Miklos DURAY, chairman
Other political or pressure groups: Green Party; Social Democratic Party in Slovakia; Freedom Party; Slovak Christian Union; Hungarian Civic Party Member of:
BIS, CCC, CE (guest), 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 (observer), ISO, ITU, LORCS, NACC, NSG, PCA, UN (as of 8 January 1993), UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMUR, UNPROFOR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Bravislav LICHARDUS chancery:
(temporary) Suite 330, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone:
(202) 965-5161
FAX:
(202) 965-5166
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassdor Theodore RUSSELL
embassy:
Hviezdoslavovo Namesite 4, 81102 Bratislava mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[42] (7) 330-861
FAX:
[42] (7) 335-439
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red superimposed with the Slovak cross in a shield centered on the hoist side; the cross is white centered on a background of red and blue
@Slovakia, Economy
Overview:
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two independent states – the Czech Republic and Slovakia – on 1 January 1993 has complicated the task of moving toward a more open and decentralized economy. The old Czechoslovakia, even though highly industrialized by East European standards, suffered from an aging capital plant, lagging technology, and a deficiency in energy and many raw materials. In January 1991, approximately one year after the end of communist control of Eastern Europe, the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic launched a sweeping program to convert its almost entirely state-owned and controlled economy to a market system. In 1991-92 these measures resulted in privatization of some medium- and small-scale economic activity and the setting of more than 90% of prices by the market – but at a cost in inflation, unemployment, and lower output. For Czechoslovakia as a whole inflation in 1991 was roughly 50% and output fell 15%. In 1992 in Slovakia, inflation slowed to an estimated 8.7% and the estimated fall in GDP was a more moderate 7%. In 1993 GDP fell roughly 5%, with the disruptions from the separation from the Czech lands probably accounting for half the decline; exports to the Czech Republic fell about 35%. Bratislava adopted an austerity program in June and devalued its currency 10% in July. In 1993, inflation rose an estimated 23%, unemployment topped 14%, and the budget deficit exceeded the IMF target of $485 million by over $200 million. By yearend 1993 Bratislava estimated that 29% of GDP was being produced in the private sector. The forecast for 1994 is gloomy; Bratislava optimistically projects no growth in GDP, 17% unemployment, a $425 million budget deficit, and 12% inflation. At best, if Slovakia stays on track with the IMF, GDP could fall by only 2-3% in 1994 and unemployment could be held under 18%, but a currency devaluation will likely drive inflation above 15%.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $31 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
-5% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$5,800 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
23% (1993 est.)
Unemployment rate:
14.4% (1993 est.)
Budget:
revenues:
$4.5 billion
expenditures:
$5.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993 est.) Exports:
$5.13 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment; chemicals; fuels, minerals, and metals; agricultural products
partners:
Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, France, US, UK
Imports:
$5.95 billion (f.o.b., 1993 est.)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment; fuels and lubricants; manufactured goods; raw materials; chemicals; agricultural products partners:
Czech Republic, CIS republics, Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, UK, Italy
External debt:
$3.2 billion hard currency indebtedness (31 December 1993) Industrial production:
growth rate -13.5% (December 1993 over December 1992) Electricity:
capacity:
6,800,000 kW
production:
24 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
4,550 kWh (1992)
Industries:
brown coal mining, chemicals, metal-working, consumer appliances, fertilizer, plastics, armaments
Agriculture:
largely self-sufficient in food production; diversified crop and livestock production, including grains, potatoes, sugar beets, hops, fruit, hogs, cattle, and poultry; exporter of forest products Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe
Economic aid:
donor:
the former Czechoslovakia was a donor – $4.2 billion in bilateral aid to non-Communist less developed countries (1954-89) Currency:
1 koruna (Sk) = 100 halierov
Exchange rates:
koruny (Sk) per US$1 – 32.9 (December 1993), 28.59 (December 1992), 28.26 (1992), 29.53 (1991), 17.95 (1990), 15.05 (1989); note – values before 1993 reflect Czechoslovak exchange rate Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Slovakia, Communications
Railroads:
3,669 km total (1990)
Highways:
total:
17,650 km (1990)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Inland waterways:
NA km
Pipelines:
petroleum products NA km; natural gas 2,700 km Ports:
maritime outlets are in Poland (Gdynia, Gdansk, Szczecin), Croatia (Rijeka), Slovenia (Koper), Germany (Hamburg, Rostock); principal river ports are Komarno on the Danube and Bratislava on the Danube Merchant marine:
total 19 (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWT, bulk 13, cargo 6
note:
most under the flag of Saint Vincent Airports:
total:
46
usable:
32
with permanent-surface runways:
7
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
6
with runways 1,060-2,439 m:
18
note:
a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip Telecommunications:
NA
@Slovakia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Army, Air and Air Defense Forces, Civil Defense, Railroad Units Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,426,290; fit for military service 1,095,604; reach military age (18) annually 48,695 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
8.2 billion koruny, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note – conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
@Slovenia, Geography
Location:
Balkan State, Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Austria and Croatia
Map references:
Ethnic Groups in Eastern Europe, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
20,296 sq km
land area:
20,296 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total 1,045 km, Austria 262 km, Croatia 501 km, Italy 199 km, Hungary 83 km
Coastline:
32 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
dispute with Croatia over fishing rights in the Adriatic and over some border areas; the border issue is currently under negotiation Climate:
Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Terrain:
a short coastal strip on the Adriatic, an alpine mountain region adjacent to Italy, mixed mountain and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
Natural resources:
lignite coal, lead, zinc, mercury, uranium, silver Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
2%
meadows and pastures:
20%
forest and woodland:
45%
other:
23%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
Sava River polluted with domestic and industrial waste; heavy metals and toxic chemicals along coastal waters; forest damage near Koper from air pollution originating at metallurgical and chemical plants natural hazards:
subject to flooding and earthquakes international agreements:
party to – Air Pollution, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity, Climate Change
@Slovenia, People
Population:
1,972,227 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.23% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
11.81 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
9.5 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
8.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
74.36 years
male:
70.49 years
female:
78.44 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.67 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Slovene(s)
adjective:
Slovenian
Ethnic divisions:
Slovene 91%, Croat 3%, Serb 2%, Muslim 1%, other 3% Religions:
Roman Catholic 96% (including 2% Uniate), Muslim 1%, other 3% Languages:
Slovenian 91%, Serbo-Croatian 7%, other 2% Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
786,036
by occupation:
agriculture 2%, manufacturing and mining 46%
@Slovenia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form:
Slovenia
local long form:
Republika Slovenije
local short form:
Slovenija
Digraph:
SI
Type:
emerging democracy
Capital:
Ljubljana
Administrative divisions:
60 provinces (pokajine, singular – pokajina) Ajdovscina, Brezice, Celje, Cerknica, Crnomelj, Dravograd, Gornja Radgona, Grosuplje, Hrastnik Lasko, Idrija, Ilirska Bistrica, Izola, Jesenice, Kamnik, Kocevje, Koper, Kranj, Krsko, Lenart, Lendava, Litija, Ljubljana-Bezigrad, Ljubljana-Center, Ljubljana-Moste-Polje, Ljubljana-Siska, Ljubljana-Vic-Rudnik, Ljutomer, Logatec, Maribor, Metlika, Mozirje, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ormoz, Pesnica, Piran, Postojna, Ptuj, Radlje Ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne Na Koroskem, Ribnica, Ruse, Sentjur Pri Celju, Sevnica, Sezana, Skofja Loka, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje Pri Jelsah, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trzic, Velenje, Vrhnika, Zagorje Ob Savi, Zalec
Independence:
25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 23 December 1991, effective 23 December 1991 Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
16 years of age, if employed; 18 years of age, universal Executive branch:
chief of state:
President Milan KUCAN (since 22 April 1990); election last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results – Milan KUCAN reelected by direct popular vote
head of government:
Prime Minister Janez DRNOVSEK (since 14 May 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Lojze PETERLE (since NA)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly
State Assembly:
elections last held 6 December 1992 (next to be held NA 1996); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (total 90) LDS 22, SKD 15, United List (former Communists and allies) 14, Slovene National Party 12, SLS 10, Democratic Party 6, ZS 5, SDSS 4, Hungarian minority 1, Italian minority 1
State Council:
will become operational after next election in 1996; in the election of 6 December 1992 40 members were elected to represent local and socioeconomic interests
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Constitutional Court Political parties and leaders:
Slovene Christian Democrats (SKD), Lozje PETERLE, chairman; Liberal Democratic (LDS), Janez DRNOVSEK, chairman; Social-Democratic Party of Slovenia (SDSS), Joze PUCNIK, chairman; Socialist Party of Slovenia (SSS), Viktor ZAKELJ, chairman; Greens of Slovenia (ZS), Dusan PLUT, chairman; National Democratic, Rajko PIRNAT, chairman; Democratic Peoples Party, Marjan PODOBNIK, chairman; Reformed Socialists (former Communist Party), Ciril RIBICIC, chairman; United List (former Communists and allies); Slovene National Party, leader NA; Democratic Party, Igor BAVCAR; Slovene People’s Party (SLS), Ivan OMAN note:
parties have changed as of the December 1992 elections Other political or pressure groups:
none
Member of:
CCC, CE, CEI, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ernest PETRIC
chancery:
1525 New Hampshir Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20036 telephone:
(202) 667-5363
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador E. Allan WENDT
embassy:
P.O. Box 254, Prazakova 4, 61000 Ljubljana mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[386] (61) 301-427/472/485
FAX:
[386] (61) 301-401
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag centered in the white and blue bands
@Slovenia, Economy
Overview:
Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav republics, with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav average, indeed not far below the levels in neighboring Austria and Italy. Because of its strong ties to Western Europe and the small scale of damage during its brief fight for independence from Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the former Yugoslav republics for economic recovery over the next few years. The dissolution of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-term dislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example, overall industrial production has fallen 26% since 1990; particularly hard hit have been the iron and steel, machine-building, chemical, and textile industries. Meanwhile, the continued fighting in other former Yugoslav republics has led to further destruction of long-established trade channels and to an influx of tens of thousands of Croatian and Bosnian refugees. The key program for breaking up and privatizing major industrial firms was established in late 1992. Despite slow progress in privatization Slovenia has reasonable prospects for an upturn in 1994. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are Slovenia’s comparatively well-educated work force, its developed infrastructure, and its Western business attitudes, but instability in Croatia is a deterrent. Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy, and a little Western investment would go a long way. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $15 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
0% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$7,600 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
22.9% (1993)
Unemployment rate:
15.5% (1993)
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports:
$5.1 billion (f.o.b., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 38%, other manufactured goods 44%, chemicals 9%, food and live animals 4.6%, raw materials 3%, beverages and tobacco less than 1% (1992)
partners:
Germany 27%, Croatia 14%, Italy 13%, France 9% (1992) Imports:
$5.3 billion (c.i.f., 1993)
commodities:
machinery and transport equipment 35%, other manufactured goods 26.7%, chemicals 14.5%, raw materials 9.4%, fuels and lubricants 7%, food and live animals 6% (1992)
partners:
Germany 23%, Croatia 14%, Italy 14%, France 8%, Austria 8% (1992) External debt:
$1.9 billion
Industrial production:
growth rate -2.8% (1993); accounts for 30% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
2,900,000 kW
production:
10 billion kWh
consumption per capita:
5,090 kWh (1992)
Industries:
ferrous metallurgy and rolling mill products, aluminum reduction and rolled products, lead and zinc smelting, electronics (including military electronics), trucks, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools Agriculture:
accounts for 5% of GDP; dominated by stock breeding (sheep and cattle) and dairy farming; main crops – potatoes, hops, hemp, flax; an export surplus in these commodities; Slovenia must import many other agricultural products and has a negative overall trade balance in this sector
Illicit drugs:
NA
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 tolar (SlT) = 100 stotins
Exchange rates:
tolars (SIT) per US$1 – 112 (June 1993), 28 (January 1992) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Slovenia, Communications
Railroads:
1,200 km, 1.435 m gauge (1991)
Highways:
total:
14,553 km
paved:
10,525 km
unpaved:
gravel 4,028 km
Inland waterways:
NA
Pipelines:
crude oil 290 km; natural gas 305 km Ports:
coastal – Koper
Merchant marine:
19 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 309,502 GRT/521,997 DWT controlled by Slovenian owners, bulk 13, cargo 6 note:
most under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; no ships remain under the Slovenian flag
Airports:
total:
14
usable:
13
with permanent-surface runways:
6
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
2
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
2
Telecommunications:
130,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 6 AM, 5 FM, 7 TV; 370,000 radios; 330,000 TVs
@Slovenia, Defense Forces
Branches:
Slovene Defense Forces
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 513,885; fit for military service 411,619; reach military age (19) annually 15,157 (1994 est.) Defense expenditures:
13.5 billion tolars, 4.5% of GDP (1993); note – conversion of the military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results
@Solomon Islands, Geography
Location:
Oceania, Melanesia, just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
Map references:
Oceania, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
28,450 sq km
land area:
27,540 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
5,313 km
Maritime claims:
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain:
mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Natural resources:
fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
93%
other:
4%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
deforestation; soil erosion; limited arable land natural hazards:
subject to typhoons, but they are rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors international agreements:
party to – Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling; signed, but not ratified – Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea Note:
located just east of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific Ocean
@Solomon Islands, People
Population:
385,811 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.43% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
38.93 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
4.63 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
27.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
70.48 years
male:
68.05 years
female:
73.03 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
5.73 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Solomon Islander(s)
adjective:
Solomon Islander
Ethnic divisions:
Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%, European 0.8%, Chinese 0.3%, other 0.4%
Religions:
Anglican 34%, Roman Catholic 19%, Baptist 17%, United (Methodist/Presbyterian) 11%, Seventh-Day Adventist 10%, other Protestant 5%
Languages:
Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca, English spoken by 1%-2% of population
note:
120 indigenous languages
Literacy:
total population:
NA%
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Labor force:
23,448 economically active
by occupation:
agriculture, forestry, and fishing 32.4%, services 25%, construction, manufacturing, and mining 7.0%, commerce, transport, and finance 4.7% (1984)
@Solomon Islands, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Solomon Islands
former:
British Solomon Islands
Digraph:
BP
Type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Honiara
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces and 1 town*; Central, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, Temotu, Western
Independence:
7 July 1978 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
Constitution:
7 July 1978
Legal system:
common law
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir George LEPPING (since 27 June 1989, previously acted as governor general since 7 July 1988)
head of government:
Prime Minister Francis Billy HILLY (since June 1993); Deputy Prime Minister Francis SAEMALA (since June 1993) cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice of the prime minister from members of parliament
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Parliament:
elections last held NA May 1993 (next to be held NA 1997); results – percent of vote by party NA; seats – (47 total) National Unity Group 21, PAP 8, National Action Party 6, LP 4, UP 3, Christian Fellowship 2, NFP 1, independents 2
Judicial branch:
High Court
Political parties and leaders:
People’s Alliance Party (PAP); United Party (UP), leader NA; Solomon Islands Liberal Party (SILP), Bartholemew ULUFA’ALU; Nationalist Front for Progress (NFP), Andrew NORI; Labor Party (LP), Joses TUHANUKU; National Action Party, leader NA; Christian Fellowship, leader NA; National Unity Group, Solomon MAMALONI
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
(vacant); ambassador traditionally resides in Honiara (Solomon Islands)
US diplomatic representation:
embassy closed July 1993; the ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands
Flag:
divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green
@Solomon Islands, Economy
Overview:
The bulk of the population depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of their livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. The economy suffered from a severe cyclone in mid-1986 that caused widespread damage to the infrastructure. In 1993, the government was working with the IMF to develop a structural adjustment program to address the country’s fiscal deficit.
National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $900 million (1991 est.) National product real growth rate:
1.8% (1991 est.)
National product per capita:
$2,500 (1991 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
13% (1992 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$48 million
expenditures:
$107 million, including capital expenditures of $45 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$84 million (f.o.b., 1991)
commodities:
fish 46%, timber 31%, palm oil 5%, cocoa, copra partners:
Japan 39%, UK 23%, Thailand 9%, Australia 5%, US 2% (1991) Imports:
$110 million (c.i.f., 1991)
commodities:
plant and machinery manufactured goods, food and live animals, fuel partners:
Australia 34%, Japan 16%, Singapore 14%, NZ 9% External debt:
$128 million (1988 est.)
Industrial production:
growth rate -3.8% (1991 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
21,000 kW
production:
39 million kWh
consumption per capita:
115 kWh (1990)
Industries:
copra, fish (tuna)
Agriculture:
including fishing and forestry, accounts for 31% of GDP; mostly subsistence farming; cash crops – cocoa, beans, coconuts, palm kernels, timber; other products – rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs; not self-sufficient in food grains; 90% of the total fish catch of 44,500 metric tons was exported (1988) Economic aid:
recipient:
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1980-89), $250 million
Currency:
1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Solomon Islands dollars (SI$) per US$1 – 3.2383 (November 1993), 2.9281 (1992), 2.7148 (1991), 2.5288 (1990), 2.2932 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Solomon Islands, Communications
Highways:
total:
1,300 km
paved:
30 km
unpaved:
gravel 290 km; earth 980 km
note:
in addition, there are 800 km of private logging and plantation roads of varied construction (1982)
Ports:
Honiara, Ringi Cove
Airports:
total:
31
usable:
30
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:
4
Telecommunications:
3,000 telephones; broadcast stations – 4 AM, no FM, no TV; 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station
@Solomon Islands, Defense Forces
Branches:
Police Force
Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@Somalia, Geography
Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the northwestern Indian Ocean, south of the Arabian Peninsula
Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
637,660 sq km
land area:
627,340 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total 2,366 km, Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km Coastline:
3,025 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
International disputes:
southern half of boundary with Ethiopia is a Provisional Administrative Line; territorial dispute with Ethiopia over the Ogaden Climate:
desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), cooler southwest monsoon (May to October); irregular rainfall; hot, humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Natural resources:
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
meadows and pastures:
46%
forest and woodland:
14%
other:
38%
Irrigated land:
1,600 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
use of contaminated water contributes to health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification natural hazards:
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer international agreements:
party to – Endangered Species, Law of the Sea; signed, but not ratified – Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban Note:
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
@Somalia, People
Population:
6,666,873 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
3.24% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
45.97 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
13.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate:
125.8 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
54.75 years
male:
54.49 years
female:
55.01 years (1994 est.)
Total fertility rate:
7.25 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality:
noun:
Somali(s)
adjective:
Somali
Ethnic divisions:
Somali 85%, Bantu, Arabs 30,000, Europeans 3,000, Asians 800 Religions:
Sunni Muslim
Languages:
Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population:
24%
male:
36%
female:
14%
Labor force:
2.2 million (very few are skilled laborers) by occupation:
pastoral nomad 70%, agriculture, government, trading, fishing, handicrafts, and other 30%
note:
53% of population of working age (1985)
@Somalia, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Somalia
former:
Somali Republic
Digraph:
SO
Type:
none
Capital:
Mogadishu
Administrative divisions:
18 regions (plural – NA, singular – gobolka); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe, Jubbada Hoose, Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe, Shabeellaha Hoose, Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed
Independence:
1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960, to form the Somali Republic) National holiday:
NA
Constitution:
25 August 1979, presidential approval 23 September 1979 Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Somalia has no functioning government; presidential elections last held 23 December 1986 (next to be held NA); results – President SIAD was reelected without opposition
Legislative branch:
unicameral People’s Assembly
People’s Assembly (Golaha Shacbiga): elections last held 31 December 1984 (next to be held NA); results – SRSP was the only party; seats – (177 total, 171 elected) SRSP 171; note – the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the regime of Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre on 27 January 1991; the provisional government has promised that a democratically elected government will be established Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (non-functioning)
Political parties and leaders:
the United Somali Congress (USC) ousted the former regime on 27 January 1991; formerly the only party was the Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party (SRSP), headed by former President and Commander in Chief of the Army Maj. Gen. Mohamed SIAD Barre Other political or pressure groups:
numerous clan and subclan factions are currently vying for power Member of:
ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IGADD, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
Somalian Embassy ceased operations on 8 May 1991 US diplomatic representation:
the US Embassy in Mogadishu was evacuated and closed indefinitely in January 1991; United States Liaison Office (USLO) opened in December 1992
Flag:
light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; design based on the flag of the UN (Italian Somaliland was a UN trust territory)
@Somalia, Economy
Overview:
One of the world’s poorest and least developed countries, Somalia has few resources. Moreover, much of the economy has been devastated by the civil war. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihoods make up more than half of the population. Crop production generates only 10% of GDP and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market. The small industrial sector is based on the processing of agricultural products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP. Greatly increased political turmoil in 1991-93 has resulted in a substantial drop in output, with widespread famine. National product:
GDP – purchasing power equivalent – $3.4 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate:
NA%
National product per capita:
$500 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
210% (1989)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues:
$NA
expenditures:
$NA, including capital expenditures of $NA Exports:
$58 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
bananas, live animals, fish, hides partners:
Saudi Arabia, Italy, FRG (1986)
Imports:
$249 million (1990 est.)
commodities:
petroleum products, foodstuffs, construction materials partners:
US 13%, Italy, FRG, Kenya, UK, Saudi Arabia (1986) External debt:
$1.9 billion (1989)
Industrial production:
growth rate 0% (1990); accounts for 4% of GDP Electricity:
capacity:
former 75,000 kW is almost completely shut down by the destruction of the civil war; UN, relief organizations, and foreign military units in Somalia use their own portable power systems production:
NA
consumption per capita:
NA
Industries:
a few small industries, including sugar refining, textiles, petroleum refining; probably shut down by the widespread destruction during the civil war
Agriculture:
dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep, goats); crops – bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food; distribution of food disrupted by civil strife; fishing potential largely unexploited Economic aid:
recipient:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $639 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $3.8 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $1.1 billion; Communist countries (1970-89), $336 million
Currency:
1 Somali shilling (So. Sh.) = 100 cents Exchange rates:
Somali shillings (So. Sh.) per US$1 – 2,616 (1 July 1993), 4,200 (December 1992), 3,800.00 (December 1990), 490.7 (1989) Fiscal year:
calendar year
@Somalia, Communications
Highways:
total:
22,500 km
paved:
2,700 km
unpaved:
gravel 3,000 km; improved, stabilized earth 16,800 km (1992) Pipelines:
crude oil 15 km
Ports:
Mogadishu, Berbera, Chisimayu (Kismaayo), Bender Cassim (Boosaaso) Merchant marine:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,554 GRT/6,892 DWT, cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1
Airports:
total:
76
usable:
59
with permanent-surface runways:
8
with runways over 3,659 m:
2
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
6
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
24
Telecommunications:
the public telecommunications system was completely destroyed or dismantled by the civil war factions; all relief organizations depend on their own private systems (1993)
@Somalia, Defense Forces
Branches:
NA
Manpower availability:
males age 15-49 1,630,864; fit for military service 915,368 Defense expenditures:
$NA, NA% of GDP
@South Africa, Geography
Location:
Southern Africa, at the extreme southern tip of the continent Map references:
Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World Area:
total area:
1,219,912 sq km
land area:
1,219,912 sq km
comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of Texas note:
includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island)
Land boundaries:
total 4,750 km, Botswana 1,840 km, Lesotho 909 km, Mozambique 491 km, Namibia 855 km, Swaziland 430 km, Zimbabwe 225 km Coastline:
2,798 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
the dispute with Namibia over Walvis Bay and 12 offshore islands has been resolved and these territories were transferred to Namibian sovereignty on 1 March 1994; Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom
Climate:
mostly semiarid; subtropical along coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain:
vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Natural resources:
gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
10%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
65%
forest and woodland:
3%
other:
21%
Irrigated land:
11,280 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage threatens to outpace supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; soil erosion; desertification
natural hazards:
subject to prolonged droughts
international agreements:
party to – Antarctic Treaty, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified – Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea
Note:
South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland
@South Africa, People
Population:
43,930,631 (July 1994 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.62% (1994 est.)
Birth rate:
33.58 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate:
7.53 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate:
0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)