GDP: purchasing power parity - $74 million (1996 est.); supplemented by annual payments from France of about $65 million
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,000 (1996 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (1991-96 average)
Labor force: 3,000 (1997)
Labor force - by occupation: fishing 18%, industry (mainly fish-processing) 41%, services 41% (1996 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9.8% (1997)
Budget: revenues: $70 million expenditures: $60 million, including capital expenditures of $24 million (1996 est.)
Industries: fish processing and supply base for fishing fleets; tourism
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 40 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 37 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: vegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Exports: $5 million (f.o.b., 1997)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, mollusks and crustaceans, fox and mink pelts
Exports - partners: US, France, UK, Canada, Portugal
Imports: $66 million (c.i.f., 1997 est.)
Imports - commodities: meat, clothing, fuel, electrical equipment, machinery, building materials
Imports - partners: Canada, France, US, Netherlands, UK
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: approximately $65 million in annual grants from France
Currency: 1 French franc (F) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: euros per US$1 - 0.98673 (January 2000), 0.93863 (1999); French francs (F) per US$1 - 5.65 (January 1999), 5.8995 (1998), 5.8367 (1997), 5.1155 (1996), 4.9915 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 4,000 (1994)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 0 (1994)
Telephone system: domestic: NA international: radiotelephone communication with most countries in the world; 1 earth station in French domestic satellite system
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 4,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 0 (there are, however, two repeaters which rebroadcast programs from France, Canada, and the US) (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 114 km paved: 69 km unpaved: 45 km (1994 est.)
Ports and harbors: Saint Pierre
Merchant marine: none (1999 est.)
Airports: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Military
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
@Saint Pierre and Miquelon:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Introduction
Background: Disputed between France and Great Britain in the 18th century, Saint Vincent was ceded to the latter in 1783. Autonomy was granted in 1969, and independence in 1979.
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km) land: 389 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season
(May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m
Natural resources: hydropower, cropland
Land use: arable land: 10% permanent crops: 18% permanent pastures: 5% forests and woodland: 36% other: 31% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint
Vincent is a constant threat
Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:People
Population: 115,461 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30% (male 17,868; female 17,263) 15-64 years: 63% (male 37,377; female 35,623) 65 years and over: 7% (male 3,144; female 4,186) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.43% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 18.25 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 6.21 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 17.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.3 years male: 70.6 years female: 74.06 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.11 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s) adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups: black 66%, mixed 19%, East Indian 6%, Carib Amerindian 2%
Religions: Anglican 47%, Methodist 28%, Roman Catholic 13%,
Seventh-Day Adventist, Hindu, other Protestant
Languages: English, French patois
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 96% male: 96% female: 96% (1970 est.)
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Government
Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Data code: VC
Government type: parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth
Capital: Kingstown
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint
Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: 27 October 1979
Legal system: based on English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir Charles ANTROBUS (since NA) head of government: Prime Minister James F. MITCHELL (since 30 July 1984) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats, 15 elected representatives and 6 appointed senators; representatives are elected by popular vote from single-member constituencies to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 15 June 1998 (next to be held by NA May 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NDP 8, ULP 7
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (based on Saint
Lucia), one judge of the Supreme Court resides in Saint Vincent
Political parties and leaders: National Reform Party or NRP [Joel MIGUEL]; New Democratic Party or NDP ; Progressive Labor Party or PLP ; United People's Movement or UPM ; Unity Labor Party or ULP (formed by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
International organization participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, ECLAC,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, OAS, OECS, OPANAL,
OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kingsley C. A. LAYNE chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: (202) 364-6730 FAX: (202) 364-6736
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador in Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Economy
Economy - overview: Agriculture, dominated by banana production, is the most important sector of this lower-middle-income economy. The services sector, based mostly on a growing tourist industry, is also important. The government has been relatively unsuccessful at introducing new industries, and a high unemployment rate of 22% continues. The continuing dependence on a single crop represents the biggest obstacle to the islands' development; tropical storms wiped out substantial portions of crops in both 1994 and 1995. The tourism sector has considerable potential for development over the next decade. Recent growth has been stimulated by strong activity in the construction sector and an improvement in tourism. There is a small manufacturing sector and a small offshore financial sector whose particularly restrictive secrecy laws have caused some international concern.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $309 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $2,600 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 10.6% industry: 17.5% services: 71.9% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1999 est.)
Labor force: 67,000 (1984 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 26%, industry 17%, services 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 22% (1997 est.)
Budget: revenues: $85.7 million expenditures: $98.6 million, including capital expenditures of $25.7 million (1997 est.)
Industries: food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: -0.9% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 64 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 67.19% hydro: 32.81% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 60 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: bananas, coconuts, sweet potatoes, spices; small numbers of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats; fish
Exports: $47.8 million (1998 est.)
Exports - commodities: bananas 39%, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch, tennis racquets
Exports - partners: Caricom countries 49%, UK 16%, US 10% (1995)
Imports: $180 million (1998 est.)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, chemicals and fertilizers, minerals and fuels
Imports - partners: US 36%, Caricom countries 28%, UK 13% (1995)
Debt - external: $83.6 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient: $47.5 million (1995); note - EU $34.5 million (1998)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 20,500 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 83 (1993)
Telephone system: domestic: islandwide, fully automatic telephone system; VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to the other islands of the Grenadines international: VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; new SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and to Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 77,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus three repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 18,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 1,040 km paved: 320 km unpaved: 720 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Kingstown
Merchant marine: total: 825 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 7,253,092 GRT/10,894,566 DWT ships by type: barge carrier 1, bulk 142, cargo 400, chemical tanker 31, combination bulk 10, combination ore/oil 5, container 47, liquified gas 5, livestock carrier 5, multi-functional large load carrier 3, passenger 3, petroleum tanker 60, refrigerated cargo 41, roll-on/roll-off 51, short-sea passenger 12, specialized tanker 8, vehicle carrier 1 (1999 est.) note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships from 20 countries among which are Croatia 17, Slovenia 7, China 5, Greece 5, UAE 3, Norway 2, Japan 2, and Ukraine 2 (1998 est.)
Airports: 6 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Military
Military branches: Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (includes Special Service Unit), Coast Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $NA
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American drugs destined for the US and Europe
______________________________________________________________________
SAMOA COUNTRY FLAG OF SAMOA
______________________________________________________________________
SAN MARINO
@San Marino:Introduction
Background: The world's third smallest state also claims to be the world's oldest republic, founded by Saint Marinus (for whom the country is named) in 301 A. D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.
@San Marino:Geography
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 60.5 sq km land: 60.5 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain: rugged mountains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m highest point: Monte Titano 749 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use: arable land: 17% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 83% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear Test Ban signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
@San Marino:People
Population: 26,937 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16% (male 2,181; female 2,038) 15-64 years: 68% (male 8,992; female 9,425) 65 years and over: 16% (male 1,849; female 2,452) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.49% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 10.88 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 7.65 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 11.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.14 years male: 77.57 years female: 85.02 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.29 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian
Literacy: definition: age 10 and over can read and write total population: 96% male: 97% female: 95% (1976 est.)
@San Marino:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of San Marino conventional short form: San Marino local long form: Repubblica di San Marino local short form: San Marino
Data code: SM
Government type: republic
Capital: San Marino
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle
Independence: 301 (by tradition)
National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3
September (301)
Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution
Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: cochiefs of state Captain Regent Loris FRANCINI and Captain Regent Alberto CECCHETTI (for the period 1 April 1999-30 September 1999) head of government: Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs Gabriele GATTI (since NA July 1986) cabinet: Congress of State elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term elections: cochiefs of state (captain regents) elected by the Great and General Council for a six-month term; election last held NA September 1999 (next to be held NA March 2000); secretary of state for foreign and political affairs elected by the Great and General Council for a five-year term; election last held NA June 1998 (next to be held NA June 2003) election results: Loris FRANCINI and Alberto CECCETTI elected captain regents; percent of legislative vote - NA; Gabriele GATTI reelected secretary of state for foreign and political affairs; percent of legislative vote - NA note: the popularly elected parliament (Grand and General Council) selects two of its members to serve as the Captains Regent (cochiefs of state) for a six-month period; they preside over meetings of the Grand and General Council and its cabinet (Congress of State) which has ten other members, all selected by the Grand and General Council; assisting the captains regent are three secretaries of state - Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Finance - and several additional secretaries; the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs has assumed many of the prerogatives of a prime minister
Legislative branch: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 31 May 1998 (next to be held by NA May 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - PDCS 40.8%, PSS 23.3%, PPDS 18.6%, APDS 9.8%, RC 3.3%, SR 4.2%; seats by party - PDCS 25, PSS 14, PPDS 11, APDS 6, RC 2, SR 2
Judicial branch: Council of Twelve or Consiglio dei XII
Political parties and leaders: Communist Refoundation or RC [Giuseppe
AMICHI]; Democratic Movement or MD ; San Marino
Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Cesare Antonio GASPERONI,
secretary general]; San Marino Popular Democratic Party or APDS
; San Marino Progressive Democratic Party or PPDS
; San Marino Socialist Party or PSS
; Socialists for Reform or SR
International organization participation: CE, ECE, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WToO
Diplomatic representation in the US: San Marino does not have an embassy in the US honorary consulate(s) general: Washington, DC, and New York honorary consulate(s): Detroit
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in San Marino; the US Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word LIBERTAS (Liberty)
@San Marino:Economy
Economy - overview: The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 1997 more than 3.3 million tourists visited San Marino. The key industries are banking, wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $500 million (1997 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: NA%
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $20,000 (1997 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (1997)
Labor force: 15,600 (1995)
Labor force - by occupation: services 60%, industry 38%, agriculture 2% (1998 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.6% (April 1996)
Budget: revenues: $320 million expenditures: $320 million, including capital expenditures of $26 million (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: NA kWh
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Electricity - exports: NA kWh
Electricity - imports: NA kWh note: electricity supplied by Italy
Agriculture - products: wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Exports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Exports - commodities: building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, ceramics
Imports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy
Imports - commodities: wide variety of consumer manufactures, food
Debt - external: $NA
Economic aid - recipient: $NA
Currency: 1 Italian lira (Lit) = 100 centesimi; note - also mints its own coins
Exchange rates: euros per US$1 - 0.9867 (January 2000), 0.9386 (1999); Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,668.7 (January 1998), 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996), 1,628.9 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@San Marino:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 18,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 3,010 (1998)
Telephone system: domestic: automatic telephone system completely integrated into Italian system international: microwave radio relay and cable connections to Italian network; no satellite earth stations
Radio broadcast stations: AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 16,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (San Marino residents also receive broadcasts from Italy) (1997)
Televisions: 9,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (1999)
@San Marino:Transportation
Railways: 0 km; note - there is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore
Highways: total: 220 km paved: NA km unpaved: NA km
Ports and harbors: none
Airports: none
@San Marino:Military
Military branches: Voluntary Military Force, Police Force
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $700,000 (FY98)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: NA%
@San Marino:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
______________________________________________________________________
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
@Sao Tome and Principe:Introduction
Background: Discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, the islands' sugar-based economy gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. Although independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The first free elections were held in 1991.
@Sao Tome and Principe:Geography
Location: Western Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, straddling the Equator, west of Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1,001 sq km land: 1,001 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: more than five times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 209 km
Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 36% permanent pastures: 1% forests and woodland: 0% other: 61% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion and exhaustion
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
@Sao Tome and Principe:People
Population: 159,883 (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 48% (male 38,588; female 37,624) 15-64 years: 48% (male 37,216; female 39,959) 65 years and over: 4% (male 2,961; female 3,535) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.16% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 42.98 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 50.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.25 years male: 63.84 years female: 66.7 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.08 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sao Tomean(s) adjective: Sao Tomean
Ethnic groups: mestico, angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), forros (descendants of freed slaves), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese)
Religions: Christian 80% (Roman Catholic, Evangelical Protestant,
Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages: Portuguese (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73% male: 85% female: 62% (1991 est.)
@Sao Tome and Principe:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe conventional short form: Sao Tome and Principe local long form: Republica Democratica de Sao Tome e Principe local short form: Sao Tome e Principe
Data code: TP
Government type: republic
Capital: Sao Tome
Administrative divisions: 2 provinces; Principe, Sao Tome note: Principe has had self-government since 29 April 1995
Independence: 12 July 1975 (from Portugal)
National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1975)
Constitution: approved March 1990; effective 10 September 1990
Legal system: based on Portuguese legal system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Miguel TROVOADA (since 4 April 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Guilherma Posser da COSTA (since 30 December 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the proposal of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 30 June and 21 July 1996 (next to be held NA July 2001); prime minister chosen by the National Assembly and approved by the president election results: Miguel TROVOADA reelected president in Sao Tome's second multiparty presidential election; percent of vote - Miguel TROVOADA 52.74%, Manuel Pinto da COSTA 47.26%
Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 8 November 1998 (next to be held NA November 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - MLSTP-PSD 56%, PCD 14.5%, ADI 29%; seats by party - MLSTP-PSD 31, ADI 16, PCD 8
Judicial branch: Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the National
Assembly
Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Front or FDC
; Democratic Opposition Coalition or CODO [leader
NA]; Independent Democratic Action or ADI ; Movement for
the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or
MLSTP-PSD ; Party for Democratic Convergence or
PCD ; other small parties
International organization participation: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEEAC, ECA,
FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat
(nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: Sao Tome and Principe does not have an embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN, headed by First Secretary Domingos Augusto FERREIRA, located at 122 East 42nd Street, Suite 1604, New York, NY 10168, telephone (212) 317-0533
Diplomatic representation from the US: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe on a nonresident basis and makes periodic visits to the islands
Flag description: three horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (double width), and green with two black five-pointed stars placed side by side in the center of the yellow band and a red isosceles triangle based on the hoist side; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
@Sao Tome and Principe:Economy
Economy - overview: This small poor island economy has become increasingly dependent on cocoa since independence 25 years ago. However, cocoa production has substantially declined because of drought and mismanagement. The resulting shortage of cocoa for export has created a persistent balance-of-payments problem. Sao Tome has to import all fuels, most manufactured goods, consumer goods, and a significant amount of food. Over the years, it has been unable to service its external debt and has had to depend on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. Considerable potential exists for development of a tourist industry, and the government has taken steps to expand facilities in recent years. The government also has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies, but economic growth has remained sluggish. Sao Tome is also optimistic that significant petroleum discoveries are forthcoming in its territorial waters in the oil-rich waters of the Gulf of Guinea. Corruption scandals continue to weaken the economy.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $169 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.5% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,100 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 23% industry: 19% services: 58% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.5% (yearend 1999 est.)
Labor force: NA
Labor force - by occupation: population mainly engaged in subsistence agriculture and fishing note: shortages of skilled workers
Unemployment rate: 50% in the formal business sector (1998 est.)
Budget: revenues: $58 million expenditures: $114 million, including capital expenditures of $54 million (1993 est.)
Industries: light construction, textiles, soap, beer; fish processing; timber
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity - production: 15 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 46.67% hydro: 53.33% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 14 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, copra, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, bananas, papayas, beans; poultry; fish
Exports: $4.9 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities: cocoa 90%, copra, coffee, palm oil (1997)
Exports - partners: Netherlands 51%, Germany 6%, Portugal 6% (1997)
Imports: $19.5 million (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities: machinery and electrical equipment, food products, petroleum products
Imports - partners: Portugal 26%, France 18%, Angola, Belgium, Japan (1997)
Debt - external: $274 million (1998)
Economic aid - recipient: $57.3 million (1995)
Currency: 1 dobra (Db) = 100 centimos
Exchange rates: dobras (Db) per US$1 - 7,200.0 (October 1999), 7,104.05 (1998), 4,552.5 (1997), 2,203.2 (1996), 1,420.3 (1995)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Sao Tome and Principe:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 3,000 (1995)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: domestic: minimal system international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 38,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997)
Televisions: 23,000 (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): NA
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transportation
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 320 km paved: 218 km unpaved: 102 km (1996 est.)
Ports and harbors: Santo Antonio, Sao Tome
Merchant marine: total: 9 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 43,587 GRT/34,802 DWT ships by type: cargo 4, container 1, refrigerated cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off 3 (1999 est.)
Airports: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1999 est.)
@Sao Tome and Principe:Military
Military branches: Army, Navy, Security Police
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 32,933 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 17,391 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $1 million (FY94)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.5% (FY94)
@Sao Tome and Principe:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
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SAUDI ARABIA
@Saudi Arabia:Introduction
Background: In 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the 1930s, the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices are all major governmental concerns.
@Saudi Arabia:Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, north of Yemen
Geographic coordinates: 25 00 N, 45 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 1,960,582 sq km land: 1,960,582 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than one-fifth the size of the US
Land boundaries: total: 4,415 km border countries: Iraq 814 km, Jordan 728 km, Kuwait 222 km, Oman 676 km, Qatar 60 km, UAE 457 km, Yemen 1,458 km
Coastline: 2,640 km
Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: harsh, dry desert with great extremes of temperature
Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper
Land use: arable land: 2% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 56% forests and woodland: 1% other: 41% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 4,350 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements: party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note: extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal
@Saudi Arabia:People
Population: 22,023,506 note: includes 5,360,526 non-nationals (July 2000 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 4,781,695; female 4,607,038) 15-64 years: 55% (male 7,093,567; female 4,969,848) 65 years and over: 2% (male 309,638; female 261,720) (2000 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.28% (2000 est.)
Birth rate: 37.47 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.43 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.18 male(s)/female total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.77 years male: 66.11 years female: 69.51 years (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.3 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saudi(s) adjective: Saudi or Saudi Arabian
Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Religions: Muslim 100%
Languages: Arabic
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.8% male: 71.5% female: 50.2% (1995 est.)
@Saudi Arabia:Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia conventional short form: Saudi Arabia local long form: Al Mamlakah al Arabiyah as Suudiyah local short form: Al Arabiyah as Suudiyah
Data code: SA
Government type: monarchy
Capital: Riyadh
Administrative divisions: 13 provinces (mintaqat, singular -
mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al
Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il,
Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk
Independence: 23 September 1932 (unification)
National holiday: Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
Constitution: governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993
Legal system: based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: none
Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 13 June 1982); Crown Prince and First Deputy Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (half-brother to the monarch, heir to the throne since 13 June 1982, regent from 1 January to 22 February 1996); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members elections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch: a consultative council (90 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms)
Judicial branch: Supreme Council of Justice
Political parties and leaders: none allowed
International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF,
BIS, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-19, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM,
IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC,
UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: (202) 342-3800 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wyche FOWLER, Jr. embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: (1) 488-3800 FAX: (1) 488-7360 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)
Flag description: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green is the traditional color of Islam
@Saudi Arabia:Economy
Economy - overview: This is an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 40% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. About 35% of GDP comes from the private sector. Roughly 4 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and service sectors. Saudi Arabia was a key player in the successful efforts of OPEC and other oil producing countries to raise the price of oil in 1999 to its highest level since the Gulf War by reducing production. Although oil prices are expected to remain relatively high in 2000, Riyadh expects to have a $7.5 billion budget deficit in part because of increased spending for education and other social problems. The government in 1999 announced plans to begin privatizing the electricity companies, which follows the ongoing privatization of the telecommunications company. The government is expected to continue calling for private sector growth to lessen the kingdom's dependence on oil and increase employment opportunities for the swelling Saudi population. Shortages of water and rapid population growth will constrain government efforts to increase self-sufficiency in agricultural products.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $191 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 1.6% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $9,000 (1999 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 6% industry: 47% services: 47% (1998 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.2% (1999)
Labor force: 7 million note: 35% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture 12%, industry 25%, services 63% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA%
Budget: revenues: $41.9 billion expenditures: $49.4 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)
Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals, cement, construction, fertilizer, plastics
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (1997 est.)
Electricity - production: 110.132 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Electricity - consumption: 102.423 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1998)
Agriculture - products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk
Exports: $48 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90%
Exports - partners: Japan 17%, US 15%, South Korea 11%, Singapore 8%,
India 4%, France 4% (1998)
Imports: $28 billion (f.o.b., 1999)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles
Imports - partners: US 21%, UK 9%, Japan 9%, Germany 6%, France 5%,
Italy 4% (1998)
Debt - external: $28 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid - donor: pledged $100 million in 1993 to fund reconstruction of Lebanon; since 1993, Saudi Arabia has committed $208 million for assistance to the Palestinians
Currency: 1 Saudi riyal (SR) = 100 halalah
Exchange rates: Saudi riyals (SR) per US$1 - 3.7450 (fixed rate since
June 1986)
Fiscal year: calendar year
@Saudi Arabia:Communications
Telephones - main lines in use: 3.1 million (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 1 million note: in 1998, the government contracted for the installation of 575,000 additional Group Speciale Mobile (GSM) cellular telephone lines over 15 months to raise the total number of subscribers to more than one million; Riyadh planned to further expand the GSM system in 1999 by adding an additional one million lines (1998)
Telephone system: modern system domestic: extensive microwave radio relay and coaxial and fiber-optic cable systems international: microwave radio relay to Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Yemen, and Sudan; coaxial cable to Kuwait and Jordan; submarine cable to Djibouti, Egypt and Bahrain; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (3 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 43, FM 31, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios: 6.25 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 117 (1997)
Televisions: 5.1 million (1997)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 6 (1999)
@Saudi Arabia:Transportation
Railways: total: 1,390 km standard gauge: 1,390 km 1.435-m gauge (448 km double track) (1992)
Highways: total: 146,524 km paved: 44,104 km unpaved: 102,420 km (1997 est.)
Pipelines: crude oil 6,400 km; petroleum products 150 km; natural gas 2,200 km (includes natural gas liquids 1,600 km)
Ports and harbors: Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh,
Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al
Sinaiyah
Merchant marine: total: 70 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,071,003 GRT/1,388,802 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 7, container 5, liquified gas 1, livestock carrier 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 4, roll-on/roll-off 12, short-sea passenger 8 (1999 est.)
Airports: 205 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 31 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 133 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 77 914 to 1,523 m: 39 under 914 m: 13 (1999 est.)
Heliports: 4 (1999 est.)
@Saudi Arabia:Military
Military branches: Land Force (Army), Navy, Air Force, Air Defense
Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces (paramilitary)
Military manpower - military age: 17 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 5,786,089 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 3,225,809 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 221,026 (2000 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $18.1 billion (FY97)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 12% (FY97)
@Saudi Arabia:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: large section of boundary with Yemen not defined; location and status of boundary with UAE is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement; Kuwaiti ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands is disputed by Saudi Arabia; June 1999 agreement has furthered the goal of definitively establishing the border with Qatar
Illicit drugs: death penalty for traffickers; increasing consumption of heroin and cocaine
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