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@Belarus, Communications

Railroads:

5,570 km; does not include industrial lines (1990)

Highways:

total:

98,200 km

paved:

66,100 km

unpaved:

earth 32,100 km (1990)

Inland waterways:

NA km

Pipelines:

crude oil 1,470 km; refined products 1,100 km; natural gas 1,980 km

(1992)

Ports:

none; landlocked

Merchant marine:

claims 5% of former Soviet fleet

Airports:

total:

124

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,060–2,439 m:

note:

a C-130 can land on a 1,060-m airstrip

Telecommunications:

telephone service in Belarus is inadequate for the purposes of either

business or the population; total number of telephones 1,849,000 (31

December 1991); telephone density - 18 for each 100 persons; about 70%

of the telephones are in homes; over 750,000 applications from

households for telephones remain unsatisfied (1992); new investment

centers on international connections and business needs; the new

BelCel NMT 450 cellular system (a joint venture) is now operating in

Minsk but progress has been slower in establishing an INTELSAT earth

station; international traffic still relies on the Moscow

international gateway switch; broadcast receivers - television

3,538,000, radio 3,140,000, radio receivers with multiple speaker

systems for program diffusion 5,615,000

@Belarus, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army, Air Forces, Air Defense Forces, Security Forces (internal and

border troops)

Manpower availability:

males age 15–49 2,520,487; fit for military service 1,981,749; reach

military age (18) annually 71,922 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures:

56.5 billion rubles, NA% of GDP (1993 est.); note - conversion of the

military budget into US dollars using the current exchange rate could

produce misleading results

@Belgium, Geography

Location:

Western Europe, bordering on the North Sea, between France and the

Netherlands

Map references:

Arctic Region, Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

30,510 sq km

land area:

30,230 sq km

comparative area:

slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries:

total 1,385 km, France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km,

Netherlands 450 km

Coastline:

64 km

Maritime claims:

continental shelf:

equidistant line with neighbors

exclusive fishing zone:

equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)

territorial sea:

12 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain:

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged

mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Natural resources:

coal, natural gas

Land use:

arable land:

24%

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

20%

forest and woodland:

21%

other:

34%

Irrigated land:

10 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:

Meuse River, a major source of drinking water, polluted from steel

production wastes; other rivers polluted by animal wastes and

fertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes to acid rain in

neighboring countries

natural hazards:

international agreements:

party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur, Antarctic Treaty,

Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes,

Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone

Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber, Wetlands; signed,

but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air

Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental

Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

Note:

crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals

within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of the EC

@Belgium, People

Population:

10,062,836 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.2% (1994 est.)

Birth rate:

11.71 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate:

10.26 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate:

0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

76.96 years

male:

73.67 years

female:

80.44 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.62 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Belgian(s)

adjective:

Belgian

Ethnic divisions:

Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Languages:

Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% divided along

ethnic lines

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)

total population:

99%

male:

NA%

female:

NA%

Labor force:

4.126 million

by occupation:

services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3%

(1988)

@Belgium, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form:

Belgium

local long form:

Royaume de Belgique

local short form:

Belgique

Digraph:

Type:

constitutional monarchy

Capital:

Brussels

Administrative divisions:

9 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish:

provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege,

Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen

Independence:

4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)

National holiday:

National Day, 21 July (ascension of King Leopold to the throne in

1831)

Constitution:

7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a

constitutional package creating a federal state

Legal system:

civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial

review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with

reservations

Suffrage:

18 years of age, universal and compulsory

Executive branch:

chief of state:

King ALBERT II (since NA August 1993)

head of government:

Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992)

cabinet:

Cabinet; the king appoints the ministers who are chosen by the

legislature

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament

Senate:

(Flemish - Senaat, French - Senat); elections last held 24 November

1991 (next to be held by November 1996); results - percent of vote by

party NA; seats - (184 total; of which 106 are directly elected) CVP

20, SP 14, PVV (now VLD) 13, VU 5, AGALEV 5, VB 5, ROSSEN 1, PS 18,

PRL 9, PSC 9, ECOLO 6, FDF 1

Chamber of Representatives:

(Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, French - Chambre des

Representants); elections last held 24 November 1991 (next to be held

by November 1996); results - CVP 16.7%, PS 13.6%, SP 12.0%, PVV (now

VLD) 11.9%, PRL 8.2%, PSC 7.8%, VB 6.6%, VU 5.9%, ECOLO 5.1%, AGALEV

4.9%, FDF 2.6%, ROSSEM 3.2%, FN 1.5%; seats - (212 total) CVP 39, PS

35, SP 28, PVV (now VLD) 26, PRL 20, PSC 18, FB 12, VU 10, ECOLO 10,

AGALEV 7, FDF 3, ROSSEM 3, FN 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, French - Cour de

Cassation)

Political parties and leaders:

Flemish Social Christian (CVP), Johan van HECKE, president;

Francophone Social Christian (PSC), Melchior WATHELET, president;

Flemish Socialist (SP), Frank VANDENBROUCKE, president; Francophone

Socialist (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN; Flemish Liberals and Democrats

(VLD), Guy VERHOFSTADT, president; Francophone Liberal (PRL), Jean

GOL, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Georges CLERFAYT,

president; Volksunie (VU), Bert ANCIAUX, president; Communist Party

(PCB), Louis VAN GEYT, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN,

chairman; ROSSEM, Jean Pierre VAN ROSSEM; National Front (FN), Werner

van STEEN; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO (Francophone

Ecologists), no president; other minor parties

Other political or pressure groups:

Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian

Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers,

manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical

professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of

Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as the Flemish Action

Committee Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi

Member of:

AG (observer), ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australian Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC,

CE, CERN, COCOM, CSCE, EBRD, EC, ECE, EIB, ESA, FAO, G-9, G-10, GATT,

IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF,

IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO,

MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, PCA, UN, UNCTAD,

UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOSOM, UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTAC, UNTSO,

UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Juan CASSIERS

chancery:

3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 333–6900

FAX:

(202) 333–3079

consulate(s) general:

Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN

embassy:

27 Boulevard du Regent, Brussels

mailing address:

B-1000 Brussels, APO AE 09724

telephone:

[32] (2) 513–3830

FAX:

[32] (2) 511–2725

Flag:

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the

design was based on the flag of France

@Belgium, Economy

Overview:

This small private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central

geographic location, highly developed transport network, and

diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated

mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the

government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of

Walloon. With few natural resources Belgium must import substantial

quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures,

making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets.

Three fourths of its trade is with other EC countries. The economy

grew at a strong 4% pace during the period 1988–90, but economic

growth slowed to a 1% pace in 1991–92 and dropped by 1.5% in 1993.

Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP, and the government is

trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line

with other industrialized countries.

National product:

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $177.5 billion (1993)

National product real growth rate:

−1.5% (1993)

National product per capita:

$17,700 (1993)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

2.8% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate:

13.5% (March 1994)

Budget:

revenues:

$97.8 billion

enditures:

$109.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1989)

Exports:

7 billion (f.o.b., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union

commodities:

iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds,

petroleum products

partners:

EC 75.5%, US 3.7%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1991)

Imports:

$120 billion (c.i.f., 1992) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union

commodities:

fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs

partners:

EC 73%, US 4.8%, oil-exporting less developed countries 4%, former

Communist countries 1.8% (1991)

External debt:

$31.3 billion (1992 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate −0.1% (1993 est.); accounts for 25% of GDP

Electricity:

capacity:

17,500,000 kW

production:

68 billion kWh

consumption per capita:

6,790 kWh (1992)

Industries:

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food

and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum,

coal

Agriculture:

accounts for 2.0% of GDP; emphasis on livestock production - beef,

veal, pork, milk; major crops are sugar beets, fresh vegetables,

fruits, grain, tobacco; net importer of farm products

Illicit drugs:

source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors;

important gateway country for cocaine entering the European market

Economic aid:

donor:

ODA and OOF commitments (1970–89), $5.8 billion

Currency:

1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates:

Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 36.242 (January 1994), 34.597 (1993),

32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991), 33.418 (1990), 39.404 (1989)

Fiscal year:

calendar year

@Belgium, Communications

Railroads:

Belgian National Railways (SNCB) operates 3,568 km 1.435-meter

standard gauge, government owned; 2,563 km double track; 2,207 km

electrified

Highways:

total:

137,876 km

paved:

129,603 km (including 1,631 km of limited access divided highway)

unpaved:

8,273 km (1989)

Inland waterways:

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)

Pipelines:

crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km

Ports:

Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Merchant marine:

21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 36,200 GRT/52,039 DWT, bulk 1,

cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas 1, oil tanker 5

Airports:

total:

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,220–2,439 m:

Telecommunications:

highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated

domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities;

extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network;

4,720,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM, 39 FM, 32 TV; 5

submarine cables; 2 satellite earth stations - Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT

and EUTELSAT systems; nationwide mobile phone system

@Belgium, Defense Forces

Branches:

Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie

Manpower availability:

males age 15–49 2,558,109; fit for military service 2,130,172; reach

military age (19) annually 61,710 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $3.8 billion, 1.8% of GDP (1993)

@Belize, Geography

Location:

Middle America, bordering the Caribbean Sea between Guatemala and

Mexico

Map references:

Central America and the Caribbean, North America, Standard Time Zones

of the World

Area:

total area:

22,960 sq km

land area:

22,800 sq km

comparative area:

slightly larger than Massachusetts

Land boundaries:

total 516 km, Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km

Coastline:

386 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea:

12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south

note:

from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's

territorial sea is 3 miles; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act,

1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for

the negotiation of a definitive agreement on territorial differences

with Guatemala

International disputes:

maritime border with Guatemala in dispute; desultory negotiations to

resolve the dispute have begun

Climate:

tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to February)

Terrain:

flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south

Natural resources:

arable land potential, timber, fish

Land use:

arable land:

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

forest and woodland:

44%

other:

52%

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:

deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents,

agricultural runoff

natural hazards:

frequent devastating hurricanes (September to December) and coastal

flooding (especially in south)

international agreements:

party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Whaling;

signed, but not ratified - Climate Change

Note:

national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan

because of hurricanes; only country in Central America without a

coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

@Belize, People

Population:

208,949 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.42% (1994 est.)

Birth rate:

34.74 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate:

6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate:

−4.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

35.6 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

68.08 years

male:

66.14 years

female:

70.12 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.39 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Belizean(s)

adjective:

Belizean

Ethnic divisions:

mestizo 44%, Creole 30%, Maya 11%, Garifuna 7%, other 8%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 30% (Anglican 12%, Methodist 6%,

Mennonite 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3%, Pentecostal 2%, Jehovah's

Witnesses 1%, other 2%), none 2%, other 6% (1980)

Languages:

English (official), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna (Carib)

Literacy:

age 15 and over having ever attended school (1970)

total population:

91%

male:

91%

female:

91%

Labor force:

51,500

by occupation:

agriculture 30%, services 16%, government 15.4%, commerce 11.2%,

manufacturing 10.3%

note:

shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel (1985)

@Belize, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Belize

former:

British Honduras

Digraph:

Type:

parliamentary democracy

Capital:

Belmopan

Administrative divisions:

6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo

Independence:

21 September 1981 (from UK)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 21 September (1981)

Constitution:

21 September 1981

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor

General Sir Colville YOUNG (since 17 November 1993)

head of government:

Prime Minister Manuel ESQUIVEL (since July 1993); Deputy Prime

Minister Dean BARROW (since NA 1993)

cabinet:

Cabinet; appointed by the governor general on advice from the prime

minister

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Assembly

Senate:

consists of an 8-member body, 5 are appointed on the advice of the

prime minister, 2 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1

after consultation with the Belize Advisory Council

National Assembly:

elections last held 30 June 1993 (next to be held June 1998); results

- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (28 total) PUP 13 UDP 15

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

People's United Party (PUP), George PRICE, Florencio MARIN, Said MUSA;

United Democratic Party (UDP), Manuel ESQUIVEL, Dean LINDO, Dean

BARROW; National Alliance for Belizean Rights, Philip GOLDSON

Other political or pressure groups:

Society for the Promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR), Assad

SHOMAN; United Workers Front, leader NA

Member of:

ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU,

IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL,

IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LAES, LORCS, NAM, OAS, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,

UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Dean LINDO

chancery:

2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 332–9636

FAX:

(202) 332–6888

consulate(s) general:

Miami

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Eugene L. SCASSA

embassy:

Gabourel Lane and Hutson Street, Belize City

mailing address:

P. O. Box 286, Belize City

telephone:

[501] (2) 77161 through 77163

FAX:

[501] (2) 30802

Flag:

blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges;

centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of

arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany

tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade)

on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland

@Belize, Economy

Overview:

The economy is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry,

and merchandising, with tourism and construction assuming increasing

importance. Agriculture accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 75%

of export earnings, while sugar, the chief crop, accounts for almost

40% of hard currency earnings. The US, Belize's main trading partner,

is assisting in efforts to reduce dependency on sugar with an

agricultural diversification program.

National product:

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $550 million (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate:

5.3% (1992)

National product per capita:

$2,700 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

5.5% (1991)

Unemployment rate:

15% (1992 est.)

Budget:

revenues:

$126.8 million

expenditures:

$123.1 million, including capital expenditures of $44.8 million (FY91

est.)

Exports:

$116 million (f.o.b., 1992)

commodities:

sugar, citrus, clothing, fish products, bananas, molasses, wood

partners:

US 51%, UK, other EC (1992)

Imports:

$273 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.)

commodities:

machinery and transportation equipment, food, manufactured goods,

fuels, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

partners:

US 57%, UK 8%, other EC 7%, Mexico (1992)

External debt:

$143.7 million (1991)

Industrial production:

growth rate 3.7% (1990); accounts for 12% of GDP

Electricity:

capacity:

34,532 kW

production:

90 million kWh

consumption per capita:

393 kWh (1992)

Industries:

garment production, citrus concentrates, sugar refining, rum,

beverages, tourism

Agriculture:

accounts for 30% of GDP (including fish and forestry); commercial

crops include sugar cane, bananas, coca, citrus fruits; expanding

output of lumber and cultured shrimp; net importer of basic foods

Illicit drugs:

transshipment point for cocaine; an illicit producer of cannabis for

the international drug trade; eradication program cut marijuana

production from 200 metric tons in 1987 to about 50 metric tons in

1991

Economic aid:

recipient:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70–89), $104 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970–89), $215

million

Currency:

1 Belizean dollar (Bz$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates:

Belizean dollars (Bz$) per US$1 - 2.00 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

@Belize, Communications

Highways:

total:

2,710 km

paved:

500 km

unpaved:

gravel 1,600 km; improved earth 300 km; unimproved earth 310 km

Inland waterways:

825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable

Ports:

Belize City; additional ports for shallow draught craft include

Corozol, Punta Gorda, Big Creek

Merchant marine:

25 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 53,509 GRT/80,345 DWT, bulk 6,

cargo 11, container 2, oil tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 2,

roll-on/roll-off cargo 3

Airports:

total:

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,229–2,439 m:

Telecommunications:

8,650 telephones; above-average system based on microwave radio relay;

broadcast stations - 6 AM, 5 FM, 1 TV, 1 shortwave; 1 Atlantic Ocean

INTELSAT earth station

@Belize, Defense Forces

Branches:

British Forces Belize withdrawn by the end of 1993 except for a small

training detachment, Belize Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air

Force, and Volunteer Guard), Belize National Police

Manpower availability:

males age 15–49 48,789; fit for military service 29,040; reach

military age (18) annually 2,175 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $4.8 million, 1.8% of GDP (1992)

@Benin, Geography

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Nigeria and

Togo

Map references:

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

112,620 sq km

land area:

110,620 sq km

comparative area:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:

total 1,989 km, Burkina 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644

Coastline:

121 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea:

200 nm

International disputes:

none

Climate:

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Natural resources:

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Land use:

arable land:

12%

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

forest and woodland:

35%

other:

45%

Irrigated land:

60 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:

limited supply of safe drinking water; illegal hunting threatens

wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

natural hazards:

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter

international agreements:

party to - Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Nuclear

Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea

Note:

recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north;

no natural harbors

@Benin, People

Population:

5,341,710 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate:

3.33% (1994 est.)

Birth rate:

47.67 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate:

14.36 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate:

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

110.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

51.77 years

male:

49.92 years

female:

53.68 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate:

6.79 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Beninese (singular and plural)

adjective:

Beninese

Ethnic divisions:

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba,

Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religions:

indigenous beliefs 70%, Muslim 15%, Christian 15%

Languages:

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south),

tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population:

23%

male:

32%

female:

16%

Labor force:

1.9 million (1987)

by occupation:

agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%,

industry less than 2%

note:

49% of population of working age (1985)

@Benin, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Benin

conventional short form:

Benin

local long form:

Republique Populaire du Benin

local short form:

Benin

former:

Dahomey

Digraph:

Type:

republic under multiparty democratic rule dropped Marxism-Leninism

December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to

multiparty system completed 4 April 1991

Capital:

Porto-Novo

Administrative divisions:

6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou

Independence:

1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:

National Day, 1 August (1990)

Constitution:

2 December 1990

Legal system:

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state and head of government:

President Nicephore SOGLO (since 4 April 1991); election last held 10

and 24 March 1991; results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32%

cabinet:

Executive Council; appointed by the president

Legislative branch:

unicameral

National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):

elections last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - percent of vote by

party NA; seats - (64 total) UDFP-MDPS-ULD 12, PNDD/PRD 9, PSD/UNSP 8,

NCC 7, RND 7, MNDD/MSUP/UDRN 6, UDS 5, RDL 4, ASD/BSD 3, ADP/UDRS 2,

UNDP 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

Political parties and leaders:

Alliance of the Democratic Union for the Forces of Progress (UDFP),

Timothee ADANLIN; Movement for Democracy and Social Progress (MDPS),

Jean-Roger AHOYO; Union for Liberty and Development (ULD), Marcellin

DEGBE; Alliance of the National Party for Democracy and Development

(PNDD) and the Democratic Renewal Party (PRD), Pascal Chabi KAO;

Alliance of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the National Union

for Solidarity and Progress (UNSP), Bruno AMOUSSOU; Our Common Cause

(NCC), Albert TEVOEDJRE; National Rally for Democracy (RND), Joseph

KEKE; Alliance of the National Movement for Democracy and Development

(MNDD), leader NA; Movement for Solidarity, Union, and Progress

(MSUP), Adebo ADENIYI; Union for Democracy and National Reconstruction

(UDRN), Azaria FAKOREDE; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity

(UDS), Mama Amadou N'DIAYE; Assembly of Liberal Democrats for National

Reconstruction (RDL), Severin ADJOVI; Alliance of the Alliance for

Social Democracy (ASD), Robert DOSSOU; Bloc for Social Democracy

(BSD), Michel MAGNIDE; Alliance of the Alliance for Democracy and

Progress (ADP), Akindes ADEKPEDJOU; Democratic Union for Social

Renewal (UDRS), Bio Gado Seko N'GOYE; National Union for Democracy and

Progress (UNDP), Robert TAGNON; Party for Progress and Democracy,

Thiophile NATA; African Rally for Progress and Solidarity (RAPS),

Florentin MITO-BABA; The Benin Renaissance Party , Desire VIEYRA and

Rosine SOGLO; The Patriotic Union for the Republic (UPR), Jean-Marie

ZAHOUN; Union for the Conservation of Democracy, Bernard HOUEGNON

note:

as of May 1994, Benin had about 60 political parties

Member of:

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, GATT,

IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT,

INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO,

UPU, WADB, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Candide AHOUANSOU

chancery:

2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 232–6656

FAX:

(202) 265–1996

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Ruth A. DAVIS

embassy:

Rue Caporal Anani Bernard, Cotonou

mailing address:

B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone:

[229] 30–06-50, 30–05-13, 30–17-92

FAX:

[229] 30–14-39 and 30–19-74

Flag:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical

green band on the hoist side

@Benin, Economy

Overview:

Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world because of

limited natural resources and a poorly developed infrastructure.

Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of the

labor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings.

The industrial sector contributes only about 10% to GDP and employs 2%

of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hard

currency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products,

primarily cotton. A World Bank supported structural adjustment program

begun in 1989 has helped strengthen the economy through such measures

as trimming the government payroll, reforming the tax system, and

encouraging private investment, both domestic and foreign. Benin has

experienced 3 consecutive years of moderate growth as a result.

National product:

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.2 billion (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate:

3% (1991)

National product per capita:

$1,200 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

3.4% (1990)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues:

$218 million

expenditures:

$355 million, including capital expenditures of $100 million (1991

est.)

Exports:

$328.8 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

crude oil, cotton, palm products, cocoa

partners:

FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%

Imports:

$482.3 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.)

commodities:

foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate

goods, capital goods, light consumer goods

partners:

France 20%, Thailand 8%, Netherlands 7%, US 5%

External debt:

$1 billion (December 1990 est.)

Industrial production:

growth rate −0.7% (1988); accounts for 10% of GDP

Electricity:

capacity:

30,000 kW

production:

25 million kWh

consumption per capita:

5 kWh (1991)

Industries:

textiles, cigarettes, construction materials, beverages, food

production, petroleum

Agriculture:

accounts for 35% of GDP; small farms produce 90% of agricultural

output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum,

cassava, beans, rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, peanuts;

poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption

Economic aid:

recipient:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70–89), $46 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970–89), $1.3

billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979–89), $19 million; Communist

countries (1970–89), $101 million

Currency:

1 CFA franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates:

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 592.05

(January 1994), 283.16 (1993), 264.69 (1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26

(1990), 319.01 (1989)

note:

beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per

French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948

Fiscal year:

calendar year

@Benin, Communications

Railroads:

578 km, all 1.000-meter gauge, single track

Highways:

total:

8,435 km

paved:

1,038 km

unpaved:

crushed stone 2,600 km; improved earth 1,530 km; unimproved earth

3,267 km

Inland waterways:

navigable along small sections, important only locally

Ports:

Cotonou

Airports:

total:

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,220–2,439 m:

Telecommunications:

fair system of open wire, submarine cable, and radio relay microwave;

broadcast stations - 2 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth

station

@Benin, Defense Forces

Branches:

Armed Forces (including Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie

Manpower availability:

males age 15–49 1,209,226; females age 15–49 1,120,105; males fit for

military service 611,257; females fit for military service 573,775;

males reach military age (18) annually 58,293 (1994 est.);

femalesreach military age (18) annually 56,735 (1994 est.); both sexes

are liable for miltary service

Defense expenditures:

exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.7% of GDP (1988 est.)

@Bermuda

Header Affiliation: (dependent territory of the UK)

@Bermuda, Geography

Location: Northern North America, in the western North Atlantic Ocean, 1,050 km east of North Carolina Map references: North America Area: total area: 50 sq km land area: 50 sq km comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 103 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Terrain: low hills separated by fertile depressions Natural resources: limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 20% other: 80% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes (June to November) international agreements: NA Note: some reclaimed land leased by US Government; consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes

@Bermuda, People

Population:

61,158 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate:

0.77% (1994 est.)

Birth rate:

15.14 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate:

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate:

−0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

13.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

75.03 years

male:

73.36 years

female:

76.97 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate:

1.81 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Bermudian(s)

adjective:

Bermudian

Ethnic divisions:

black 61%, white and other 39%

Religions:

Anglican 37%, Roman Catholic 14%, African Methodist Episcopal (Zion)

10%, Methodist 6%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, other 28%

Languages:

English

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1970)

total population:

98%

male:

98%

female:

99%

Labor force:

32,000

by occupation:

clerical 25%, services 22%, laborers 21%, professional and technical

13%, administrative and managerial 10%, sales 7%, agriculture and

fishing 2% (1984)

@Bermuda, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

Bermuda

Digraph:

Type:

dependent territory of the UK

Capital:

Hamilton

Administrative divisions:

9 parishes and 2 municipalities*; Devonshire, Hamilton, Hamilton*,

Paget, Pembroke, Saint George*, Saint Georges, Sandys, Smiths,

Southampton, Warwick

Independence:

none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday:

Bermuda Day, 22 May

Constitution:

8 June 1968

Legal system:

English law

Suffrage:

21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor

Lord David WADDINGTON (since 25 August 1992)

head of government:

Premier John William David SWAN (since NA January 1982); Deputy

Premier J. Irving PEARMAN (since 5 October 1993)

cabinet:

Cabinet; nominated by the premier, appointed by the governor

Legislative branch:

bicameral Parliament

Senate:

consists of an 11-member body appointed by the governor

House of Assembly:

elections last held 5 October 1993 (next to be held by NA October

1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (40 total) UBP

22, PLP 18

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

United Bermuda Party (UBP), John W. D. SWAN; Progressive Labor Party

(PLP), Frederick WADE; National Liberal Party (NLP), Gilbert DARRELL

Other political or pressure groups:

Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU), Ottiwell SIMMONS

Member of:

CARICOM (observer), CCC, ICFTU, INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC

Diplomatic representation in US:

none (dependent territory of the UK)

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

(vacant)

consulate general:

Crown Hill, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, Hamilton

mailing address:

P. O. Box HM325, Hamilton HMBX; PSC 1002, FPO AE 09727–1002

telephone:

(809) 295–1342

FAX:

(809) 295–1592

Flag:

red with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the

Bermudian coat of arms (white and blue shield with a red lion holding

a scrolled shield showing the sinking of the ship Sea Venture off

Bermuda in 1609) centered on the outer half of the flag

@Bermuda, Economy

Overview:

Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world,

having successfully exploited its location by providing luxury tourist

facilities and financial services. The tourist industry attracts more

than 90% of its business from North America. The industrial sector is

small, and agriculture is severely limited by a lack of suitable land.

About 80% of food needs are imported.

National product:

GDP - exchange rate conversion - $1.63 billion (1992)

National product real growth rate:

−1.5% (1991)

National product per capita:

$27,100 (1992)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

4.4% (1991)

Unemployment rate:

6% (1991)

Budget:

revenues:

$327.5 million

expenditures:

$308.9 million, including capital expenditures of $35.4 million (FY91

est.)

Exports:

$60 million (f.o.b., 1991)

commodities:

semitropical produce, light manufactures, re-exports of

pharmaceuticals

partners:

US 55%, UK 32%, Canada 11%, other 2%

Imports:

$468 million (f.o.b.,1991)

commodities:

fuel, foodstuffs, machinery

partners:

US 60%, UK 8%, Venezuela 7%, Canada 5%, Japan 5%, other 15%

External debt:

$NA

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%

Electricity:

capacity:

154,000 kW

production:

504 million kWh

consumption per capita:

8,370 kWh (1992)

Industries:

tourism, finance, structural concrete products, paints,

pharmaceuticals, ship repairing

Agriculture:

accounts for less than 1% of GDP; most basic foods must be imported;

produces bananas, vegetables, citrus fruits, flowers, dairy products

Economic aid:

recipient:

US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70–81), $34 million; Western

(non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970–89), $277

million

Currency:

1 Bermudian dollar (Bd$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates:

Bermudian dollar (Bd$) per US$1 - 1.0000 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year:

1 April - 31 March

@Bermuda, Communications

Highways:

total:

210 km

paved:

210 km

note:

in addition, there are 400 km of paved and unpaved roads that are

privately owned

Ports:

Freeport, Hamilton, Saint George

Merchant marine:

67 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 3,407,518 GRT/5,775,281 DWT,

bulk 15, cargo 4, container 3, liquefied gas 14, oil tanker 20,

refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off cargo 7

note:

a flag of convenience registry

Airports:

total:

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,220–2,439 m:

Telecommunications:

modern, fully automatic telephone system; 52,670 telephones; broadcast

stations - 5 AM, 3 FM, 2 TV; 3 submarine cables; 2 Atlantic Ocean

INTELSAT earth stations

@Bermuda, Defense Forces

Branches:

Bermuda Regiment, Bermuda Police Force, Bermuda Reserve Constabulary

Note:

defense is the responsibility of the UK

@Bhutan, Geography

Location:

Southern Asia, in the Himalayas, between China and India

Map references:

Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

47,000 sq km

land area:

47,000 sq km

comparative area:

slightly more than half the size of Indiana

Land boundaries:

total 1,075 km, China 470 km, India 605 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none; landlocked

International disputes:

none

Climate:

varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in

central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas

Terrain:

mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna

Natural resources:

timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide

Land use:

arable land:

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

forest and woodland:

70%

other:

23%

Irrigated land:

340 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:

soil erosion; limited access to safe drinking water

natural hazards:

violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the

country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon

international agreements:

party to - Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,

Climate Change, Law of the Sea

Note:

landlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls

several key Himalayan mountain passes

@Bhutan, People

Population: 716,380 (July 1994 est.) note: other estimates range as high as 1.7 million (July 1994 est.) Population growth rate: 2.34% (1994 est.) Birth rate: 39.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.) Death rate: 15.93 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 121 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 50.6 years male: 51.15 years female: 50.03 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.42 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bhutanese (singular and plural) adjective: Bhutanese Ethnic divisions: Bhote 50%, ethnic Nepalese 35%, indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Religions: Lamaistic Buddhism 75%, Indian- and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25% Languages: Dzongkha (official), Bhotes speak various Tibetan dialects; Nepalese speak various Nepalese dialects Literacy: total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% Labor force: NA by occupation: agriculture 93%, services 5%, industry and commerce 2% note: massive lack of skilled labor

@Bhutan, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Kingdom of Bhutan

conventional short form:

Bhutan

Digraph:

Type:

monarchy; special treaty relationship with India

Capital:

Thimphu

Administrative divisions:

18 districts (dzongkhag, singular and plural); Bumthang, Chhukha,

Chirang, Daga, Geylegphug, Ha, Lhuntshi, Mongar, Paro, Pemagatsel,

Punakha, Samchi, Samdrup Jongkhar, Shemgang, Tashigang, Thimphu,

Tongsa, Wangdi Phodrang

Independence:

8 August 1949 (from India)

National holiday:

National Day, 17 December (1907) (Ugyen Wangchuck became first

hereditary king)

Constitution:

no written constitution or bill of rights

Legal system:

based on Indian law and English common law; has not accepted

compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

each family has one vote in village-level elections

Executive branch:

Chief of State and Head of Government:

King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK (since 24 July 1972)

Royal Advisory Council (Lodoi Tsokde):

nominated by the king

cabinet:

Council of Ministers (Lhengye Shungtsog); appointed by the king

Legislative branch:

unicameral National Assembly (Tshogdu); no national elections

Judicial branch:

High Court

Political parties and leaders:

no legal parties

Other political or pressure groups:

Buddhist clergy; Indian merchant community; ethnic Nepalese

organizations leading militant antigovernment campaign

Member of:

AsDB, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IMF, INTELSAT, IOC,

ITU, NAM, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO

Diplomatic representation in US:

no formal diplomatic relations; the Bhutanese mission to the UN in New

York has consular jurisdiction in the US

consulate(s) general:

New York

US diplomatic representation:

no formal diplomatic relations, although informal contact is

maintained between the Bhutanese and US Embassies in New Delhi (India)

Flag:

divided diagonally from the lower hoist side corner; the upper

triangle is orange and the lower triangle is red; centered along the

dividing line is a large black and white dragon facing away from the

hoist side

@Bhutan, Economy

Overview:

The economy, one of the world's least developed, is based on

agriculture and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for 90% of

the population and account for about 50% of GDP. Rugged mountains

dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other

infrastructure difficult and expensive. The economy is closely aligned

with that of India through strong trade and monetary links. The

industrial sector is small and technologically backward, with most

production of the cottage industry type. Most development projects,

such as road construction, rely on Indian migrant labor. Bhutan's

hydropower potential and its attraction for tourists are its most

important natural resources; however, the government limits the number

of tourists to 4,000 per year to minimize foreign influence. Much of

the impetus for growth has come from large public-sector companies.

Nevertheless, in recent years, Bhutan has shifted toward decentralized

development planning and greater private initiative. The government

privatized several large public-sector firms, is revamping its trade

regime and liberalizing administerial procedures over industrial

licensing. The government's industrial contribution to GDP decreased

from 13% in 1988 to about 10% in 1992.

National product:

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $500 million (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate:

5% (FY93 est.)

National product per capita:

$700 (1993 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

11% (October 1993)

Unemployment rate:

NA%

Budget:

revenues:

$100 million

expenditures:

$112 million, including capital expenditures of $60 million (FY92

est.)

note:

the government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget

expenditures

Exports:

$66 million (f.o.b., FY93 est.)

commodities:

cardamon, gypsum, timber, handicrafts, cement, fruit, electricity (to

India), precious stones, spices

partners:

India 82%, Bangladesh, Singapore

Imports:

$125 million (c.i.f., FY93 est.)

commodities:

fuel and lubricants, grain, machinery and parts, vehicles, fabrics

partners:

India 60%, Japan, Germany, US, UK

External debt:

$141 million (June 1993)

Industrial production:

growth rate NA%; accounts for 8% of GDP; primarily cottage industry

and home based handicrafts

Electricity:

capacity:

336,000 kW

production:

1.5422 billion kWh

consumption per capita:

2,203 kWh (25.8% is exported to India leaving 1,633 kWh per capita;

1990–91)

Industries:

cement, wood products, processed fruits, alcoholic beverages, calcium

carbide

Agriculture:

accounts for 45% of GDP; based on subsistence farming and animal

husbandry; self-sufficient in food except for foodgrains; other

production - rice, corn, root crops, citrus fruit, dairy products,

eggs

Economic aid:

recipient:

Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments

(1970–89), $115 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979–89), $11 million

Currency:

1 ngultrum (Nu) = 100 chetrum; note - Indian currency is also legal

tender

Exchange rates:

ngultrum (Nu) per US$1 - 31.370 (January 1994), 30.493 (1993), 25.918

(1992), 22.742 (1991), 17.504 (1990), 16.226 (1989); note - the

Bhutanese ngultrum is at par with the Indian rupee

Fiscal year:

1 July - 30 June

@Bhutan, Communications

Highways:

total:

2,165 km

paved:

unpaved:

gravel 1,703 km

undifferentiated:

462 km

Airports:

total:

usable:

with permanent-surface runways:

with runways over 3,659 m:

with runways 2,440–3,659 m:

with runways 1,220–2,439 m:

Telecommunications:

domestic telephone service is very poor with very few telephones in

use; international telephone and telegraph service is by land line

through India; a satellite earth station was planned (1990); broadcast

stations - 1 AM, 1 FM, no TV (1990)

@Bhutan, Defense Forces

Branches:

Royal Bhutan Army, Palace Guard, Militia

Manpower availability:

males age 15–49 424,558; fit for military service 226,851; reach

military age (18) annually 17,310 (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures:

$NA, NA% of GDP

@Bolivia, Geography

Location:

Central South America, between Brazil and Chile

Map references:

South America, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area:

total area:

1,098,580 sq km

land area:

1,084,390 sq km

comparative area:

slightly less than three times the size of Montana

Land boundaries:

total 6,743 km, Argentina 832 km, Brazil 3,400 km, Chile 861 km,

Paraguay 750 km, Peru 900 km

Coastline:

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:

none; landlocked

International disputes:

has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the

Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio

Lauca water rights

Climate:

varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid

Terrain:

rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills,

lowland plains of the Amazon Basin

Natural resources:

tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron

ore, lead, gold, timber

Land use:

arable land:

permanent crops:

meadows and pastures:

25%

forest and woodland:

52%

other:

20%

Irrigated land:

1,650 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:

deforestation contributing to loss of biodiversity; overgrazing; soil

erosion; desertification; industrial pollution of water supplies used

for drinking and irrigation

natural hazards:

flooding in the northeast (March to April)

international agreements:

party to - Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but

not ratified - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental

Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine

Life Conservation, Tropical Timber

Note:

landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable

lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru; cold, thin air of high plateau is

obstacle to efficient fuel combustion, as well as to physical activity

by those unaccustomed to it from birth

@Bolivia, People

Population:

7,719,445 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate:

2.28% (1994 est.)

Birth rate:

32.22 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate:

8.37 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate:

−1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Infant mortality rate:

73.7 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population:

63.31 years

male:

60.86 years

female:

65.88 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate:

4.21 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Nationality:

noun:

Bolivian(s)

adjective:

Bolivian

Ethnic divisions:

Quechua 30%, Aymara 25%, mestizo (mixed European and Indian ancestry)

25%-30%, European 5%-15%

Religions:

Roman Catholic 95%, Protestant (Evangelical Methodist)

Languages:

Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara (official)

Literacy:

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

total population:

78%

male:

85%

female:

71%

Labor force:

3.54 million

by occupation:

agriculture NA, services and utilities 20%, manufacturing, mining and

construction 7% (1993)

@Bolivia, Government

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Bolivia

conventional short form:

Bolivia

local long form:

Republica de Bolivia

local short form:

Bolivia

Digraph:

Type:

republic

Capital:

La Paz (seat of government); Sucre (legal capital and seat of

judiciary)

Administrative divisions:

9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Chuquisaca,

Cochabamba, Beni, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija

Independence:

6 August 1825 (from Spain)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 6 August (1825)

Constitution:

2 February 1967

Legal system:

based on Spanish law and Code Napoleon; has not accepted compulsory

ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:

18 years of age, universal and compulsory (married); 21 years of age,

universal and compulsory (single)

Executive branch:

chief of state and head of government:

President Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA Bustamente (since 6 August 1993);

Vice President Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde (since 6 August 1993);

election last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -

Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA (MNR) 34%, Hugo BANZER Suarez (ADN/MIR

alliance) 20%, Carlos PALENQUE Aviles (CONDEPA) 14%, Max FERNANDEZ

Rojas (UCS) 13%, Antonio ARANIBAR Quiroga (MBL) 5%; no candidate

received a majority of the popular vote; Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA won

a congressional runoff election on 4 August 1993 after forming a

coalition with Max FERNANDEZ and Antonio ARANIBAR

cabinet:

Cabinet; appointed by the president from panel proposed by the Senate

Legislative branch:

bicameral National Congress (Congreso Nacional)

Chamber of Deputies (Camara de Diputados):

elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (130 total) MNR 52, UCS 20, ADN

17, MIR 17, CONDEPA 13, MBL 7, ARBOL 1, ASD 1, EJE 1, PDC 1

Chamber of Senators (Camara de Senadores):

elections last held 6 June 1993 (next to be held May 1997); results -

percent of vote by party NA; seats - (27 total) MNR 17, ADN 4, MIR 4,

CONDEPA 1, UCS 1

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court (Corte Suprema)

Political parties and leaders:

Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR), Jaime PAZ Zamora;

Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), Jorge LANDIVAR; Nationalist

Revolutionary Movement (MNR), Gonzalo SANCHEZ DE LOZADA; Civic

Solidarity Union (UCS), Max FERNANDEZ Rojas; Conscience of the

Fatherland (CONDEPA), Carlos PALENQUE Aviles; Free Bolivia Movement

(MBL), Antonio ARANIBAR; Tupac Katari Revolutionary Liberation

Movement (MRTK-L), Victor Hugo CARDENAS Conde; Christian Democrat

Party (PDC), Jorge AGREDA

Member of:

AG, ECLAC, FAO, GATT, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD,

IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, LAIA,

LORCS, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL,

WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Andres PETRICEVIC

chancery:

3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

(202) 483–4410 through 4412

FAX:

(202) 328–3712

consulate(s) general:

Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Charles R. BOWERS

embassy:

Banco Popular del Peru Building, corner of Calle Mercado and Calle

Colon, La Paz

mailing address:

P. O. Box 425, La Paz, or APO AA 34032

telephone:

[591] (2) 350251 or 350120

FAX:

[591] (2) 359875

Flag:

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the

coat of arms centered on the yellow band; similar to the flag of

Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the

yellow band

@Bolivia, Economy

Overview: With its long history of semifeudal social controls, dependence on volatile prices for its mineral exports, and bouts of hyperinflation, Bolivia has remained one of the poorest and least developed Latin American countries. However, Bolivia has experienced generally improving economic conditions since the PAZ Estenssoro administration (1985–89) introduced market-oriented policies which reduced inflation from 11,700% in 1985 to about 20% in 1988. PAZ Estenssoro was followed as President by Jaime PAZ Zamora (1989–93) who continued the free-market policies of his predecessor, despite opposition from his own party and from Bolivia's once powerful labor movement. By maintaining fiscal discipline, PAZ Zamora helped reduce inflation to 9.3% in 1993, while GDP grew by an annual average of 3.25% during his tenure. Inaugurated in August 1993, President SANCHEZ DE LOZADA has vowed to advance government market-oriented economic reforms he helped launch as PAZ Estenssoro's Planning Minister. A major privatization bill was passed by the Bolivian legislature in late March 1994. National product: GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $15.8 billion (1993 est.) National product real growth rate: 2.2% (1993) National product per capita: $2,100 (1993 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (1993) Unemployment rate: 5.8% (1993) Budget: revenues: $3.19 billion expenditures: $3.19 billion, including capital expenditures of $552.4 million (1994 est.) Exports: $752 million (f.o.b., 1993 est.) commodities: metals 35%, natural gas 26%, other 39% (coffee, soybeans, sugar, cotton, timber) partners: US 16% , Argentina (1992 est.) Imports: $1.17 billion (c.i.f., 1993 est.) commodities: food, petroleum, consumer goods, capital goods partners: US 23.3% (1992) External debt: $3.8 billion (January 1994) Industrial production: growth rate 7% (1992); accounts for almost 30% of GDP Electricity: capacity: 865,000 kW production: 1.834 billion kWh consumption per capita: 250 kWh (1992) Industries: mining, smelting, petroleum, food and beverage, tobacco, handicrafts, clothing; illicit drug industry reportedly produces 15% of its revenues Agriculture: accounts for about 21% of GDP (including forestry and fisheries); principal commodities - coffee, coca, cotton, corn, sugarcane, rice, potatoes, timber; self-sufficient in food Illicit drugs: world's second-largest producer of coca (after Peru) with an estimated 45,500 hectares under cultivation in 1992; voluntary and forced eradication program unable to prevent production from rising to 80,300 metric tons in 1992 from 78,200 tons in 1989; government considers all but 12,000 hectares illicit; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia and Brazil to the US and other international drug markets Economic aid: recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70–89), $990 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970–89), $2.025 billion; Communist countries (1970–89), $340 million Currency: 1 boliviano ($B) = 100 centavos Exchange rates: bolivianos ($B) per US$1 - 4.5 (March 1994), 4.4604 (November 1993), 3.9005 (1992), 3.5806 (1991), 3.1727 (1990), 2.6917 (1989), 2.3502 (1988) Fiscal year: calendar year

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