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field-national-anthem

A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not. Topic: Afghanistanname: "Milli Surood" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA note: adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups Topic: Akrotirinote: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Albanianame: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag) lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU note: adopted 1912 Topic: Algerianame: "Kassaman" (We Pledge) lyrics/music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces Topic: American Samoaname: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa) lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States) Topic: Andorraname: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne) lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative Topic: Angolaname: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola) lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO note: adopted 1975 Topic: Anguillaname: "God Bless Anguilla" lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Antigua and Barbudaname: Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee lyrics/music: Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS note: adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Argentinaname: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem) lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain Topic: Armenianame: "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland) lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics Topic: Arubaname: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country) lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands) Topic: Australianame: Advance Australia Fair lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK note 1: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) note 2: the well-known and much-loved bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda" is often referred to as Australia's unofficial national anthem; the original lyrics were written in 1895 by Australian poet Banjo PATERSON, and were first published as sheet music in 1903; since 2012, a Waltzing Matilda Day has been held annually on 6 April, the anniversary of the first performance of the song in 1895 Topic: Austrianame: "Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn) lyrics/music: Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed) note 1: adopted 1947; the anthem is also known as "Land der Berge, Land am Strome" (Land of the Mountains, Land by the River); Austria adopted a new national anthem after World War II to replace the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which had been appropriated by Germany in 1922 and was thereafter associated with the Nazi regime; a gendered version of the lyrics was adopted by the Austrian Federal Assembly in fall 2011 and became effective 1 January 2012 note 2: the beloved waltz "The Blue Danube" ("An der schoenen, blauen Donau"), composed in 1866 by the Austrian composer Johann STRAUSS II, is consistently referred to as Austria's unofficial national anthem  Topic: Azerbaijanname: "Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan) lyrics/music: Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV note: adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, "Azerbaijan Marsi" did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union Topic: Bahamas, Thename: "March On, Bahamaland!" lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Bahrainname: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain) lyrics/music: unknown note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom Topic: Bangladeshname: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal) lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem Topic: Barbadosname: "The National Anthem of Barbados" lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need" Topic: Belarusname: "My, Bielarusy" (We Belarusians) lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI note: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus) Topic: Belgiumname: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant) lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT note: adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe Topic: Belizename: Land of the Free lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Beninname: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day) lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON note: adopted 1960 Topic: Bermudaname: Hail to Bermuda lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Bhutanname: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom) lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI note: adopted 1953 Topic: Bolivianame: "Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI note: adopted 1852 Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaname: "Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina) lyrics/music: none officially; Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC note: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2009 and others in 2016 were not approved; a parliamentary committee launched a new initiative for lyrics in February 2018 Topic: Botswananame: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land) lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE note: adopted 1966 Topic: Brazilname: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem) lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted Topic: British Virgin Islandsnote: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Bruneiname: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap note: adopted 1951 Topic: Bulgarianame: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland) lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV note: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War Topic: Burkina Fasoname: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory) lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player Topic: Burmaname: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar) lyrics/music: SAYA TIN note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work Topic: Burundiname: "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO note: adopted 1962 Topic: Cabo Verdename: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA note: adopted 1996 Topic: Cambodianame: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime Topic: Cameroonname: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers) lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 and officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ Topic: Canadaname: "O Canada" lyrics/music: Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE note: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Cayman Islandsname: "Beloved Isle Cayman" lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Central African Republicname: "La Renaissance" (The Renaissance) lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory Topic: Chadname: "La Tchadienne" (The Chadian) lyrics/music: Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD note: adopted 1960 Topic: Chilename: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile) lyrics/music: Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; however, as a protest, some citizens refused to sing this verse; it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990 Topic: Chinaname: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers) lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er note: adopted 1949; the anthem, though banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as "Zhongguo Guoge" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, "Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm" Topic: Christmas Islandnote: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnote: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia) Topic: Colombianame: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ Topic: Comorosname: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands) lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH note: adopted 1978 Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thename: "Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese) lyrics/music: Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi note: adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire; but readopted in 1997 Topic: Congo, Republic of thename: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese) lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991 Topic: Cook Islandsname: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty) lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics Topic: Costa Ricaname: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica) lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903 Topic: Cote d'Ivoirename: "L'Abidjanaise" (Song of Abidjan) lyrics/music: Mathieu EKRA, Joachim BONY, and Pierre Marie COTY/Pierre Marie COTY and Pierre Michel PANGO note: adopted 1960; although the nation's capital city moved from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro in 1983, the anthem still owes its name to the former capital Topic: Croatianame: "Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland) lyrics/music: Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; "Lijepa nasa domovino," whose lyrics were written in 1835, served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891 Topic: Cubaname: "La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song) lyrics/music: Pedro FIGUEREDO note: adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem Topic: Curacaoname: "Himmo di Korsou" (Anthem of Curacao) lyrics/music: Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature Topic: Cyprusname: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey Topic: Czechianame: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?) lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP note: adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993 Topic: Denmarkname: "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Country); "Kong Christian" (King Christian) lyrics/music: Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown note: Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested Topic: Dhekelianote: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Djiboutiname: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti) lyrics/music: Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH note: adopted 1977 Topic: Dominicaname: "Isle of Beauty" lyrics/music: Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN note: adopted 1967 Topic: Dominican Republicname: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island Topic: Ecuadorname: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland) lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung Topic: Egyptname: "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland) lyrics/music: Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH note: adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was created after the signing of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem Topic: El Salvadorname: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador) lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes, the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest Topic: Equatorial Guineaname: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path) lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed) note: adopted 1968 Topic: Eritreaname: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea) lyrics/music: SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion note: adopted 1993; upon independence from Ethiopia Topic: Estonianame: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy) lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics Topic: Eswatininame: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi) lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles Topic: Ethiopianame: "Whedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia" (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia) lyrics/music: DEREJE Melaku Mengesha/SOLOMON Lulu note: adopted 1992 Topic: European Unionname: "Ode to Joy" lyrics/music: no lyrics/Ludwig VAN BEETHOVEN, arranged by Herbert VON KARAJAN note: official EU anthem since 1985; the anthem is meant to represent all of Europe rather than just the organization, conveying ideas of peace, freedom, and unity Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)name: "Song of the Falklands" lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Faroe Islandsname: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land) lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem Topic: Fijiname: "God Bless Fiji" lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT) note: adopted 1970; known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics Topic: Finlandname: "Maamme" (Our Land) lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland Topic: Francename: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars Topic: French Polynesianame: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui) lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (the compositional group created both the lyrics and music) note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsnote: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Gabonname: "La Concorde" (The Concorde) lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS note: adopted 1960 Topic: Gambia, Thename: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland" lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya" Topic: Georgianame: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty) lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE) note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted Topic: Germanyname: "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans) lyrics/music: August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN note: adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany Topic: Ghananame: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup Topic: Gibraltarname: "Gibraltar Anthem" lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Greecename: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS note: adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses "Hymn to Liberty" as its anthem Topic: Greenlandname: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (Our Country, Who's Become So Old also translated as You Our Ancient Land) lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem Topic: Grenadaname: "Hail Grenada" lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO note: adopted 1974 Topic: Guamname: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians) lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States) Topic: Guatemalaname: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala) lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911 Topic: Guernseyname: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear) lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Guineaname: "Liberte" (Liberty) lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA note: adopted 1958 Topic: Guinea-Bissauname: "Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country) lyrics/music: Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He note: adopted 1974; a delegation from then Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to struggle for independence Topic: Guyananame: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER note: adopted 1966 Topic: Haitiname: "La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song) lyrics/music: Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD note: adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)name: "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March); often called The Pontifical Hymn lyrics/music: Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD note: adopted 1950 Topic: Hondurasname: "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (National Anthem of Honduras) lyrics/music: Augusto Constancio COELLO/Carlos HARTLING note: adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung Topic: Hong Kongnote: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China) Topic: Hungaryname: "Himnusz" (Hymn) lyrics/music: Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL note: adopted 1844 Topic: Icelandname: "Lofsongur" (Song of Praise) lyrics/music: Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON note: adopted 1944; also known as "O, Gud vors lands" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874 Topic: Indianame: "Jana-Gana-Mana" (Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People) lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE note: adopted 1950; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote Bangladesh's national anthem Topic: Indonesianame: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia) lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN note: adopted 1945 Topic: Iranname: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran) lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI note 1: adopted 1990; Iran has had six national anthems; the first, entitled "Salam-e Shah" (Royal Salute) was in use from 1873-1909; next came "Salamati-ye Dowlat-e Elliye-ye Iran" (Salute of the Sublime State of Persia, 1909-1933); it was followed by "Sorud-e melli" (The Imperial Anthem of Iran; 1933-1979), which chronicled the exploits of the Pahlavi Dynasty; "Ey Iran" (Oh Iran) functioned unofficially as the national anthem for a brief period between the ouster of the Shah in 1979 and the early days of the Islamic Republic in 1980; "Payandeh Bada Iran" (Long Live Iran) was used between 1980 and 1990 during the time of Ayatollah KHOMEINI note 2: a recording of the current Iranian national anthem is unavailable since the US Navy Band does not record anthems for countries from which the US does not anticipate official visits; the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran Topic: Iraqname: "Mawtini" (My Homeland) lyrics/music: Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL note: adopted 2004; following the ouster of SADDAM Husayn, Iraq adopted "Mawtini," a popular folk song throughout the Arab world; also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people Topic: Irelandname: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song) lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland's Call" is often used at athletic events where citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team Topic: Isle of Manname: "Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth) lyrics/music: William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present Topic: Israelname: "Hatikvah" (The Hope) lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart) Topic: Italyname: "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians) lyrics/music: Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO note: adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy) Topic: Jamaicaname: "Jamaica, Land We Love" lyrics/music: Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE note: adopted 1962 Topic: Japanname: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign) lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor Topic: Jerseyname: "Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home) lyrics/music: Gerard LE FEUVRE note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Jordanname: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan) lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions Topic: Kazakhstanname: "Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan) lyrics/music: Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV note: adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics Topic: Kenyaname: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation) lyrics/music: Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song Topic: Kiribatiname: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati) lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA note: adopted 1979 Topic: Korea, Northname: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun note: adopted 1947; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine) Topic: Korea, Southname: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics Topic: Kosovoname: Europe lyrics/music: no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups Topic: Kuwaitname: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions Topic: Kyrgyzstanname: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic) lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV note: adopted 1992 Topic: Laosname: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People) lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy Topic: Latvianame: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia) lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990 Topic: Lebanonname: "Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!) lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA note: adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition Topic: Lesothoname: "Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers) lyrics/music: Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR note: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook Topic: Liberianame: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!" lyrics/music: Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia Topic: Libyaname: "Libya, Libya, Libya" lyrics/music: Al Bashir AL AREBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB note: also known as "Ya Beladi" or "Oh, My Country!"; adopted 1951; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; during the QADHAFI years between 1969 and 2011, the anthem was "Allahu Akbar," (God is Great) a marching song of the Egyptian Army in the 1956 Suez War Topic: Liechtensteinname: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine) lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen" Topic: Lithuanianame: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song) lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990 Topic: Luxembourgname: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William) lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg Topic: Macaunote: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China) Topic: Madagascarname: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA note: adopted 1959 Topic: Malawiname: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi) lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA note: adopted 1964 Topic: Malaysianame: "Negaraku" (My Country) lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states Topic: Maldivesname: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute) lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne" Topic: Maliname: "Le Mali" (Mali) lyrics/music: Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO note: adopted 1962; also known as "Pour L'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and "A ton appel Mali" (At Your Call, Mali) Topic: Maltaname: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem) lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer Topic: Marshall Islandsname: "Forever Marshall Islands" lyrics/music: Amata KABUA note: adopted 1981 Topic: Mauritanianame: "Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania) lyrics/music: Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY note: adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing; Mauritania in November 2017 adopted a new national anthem, "Bilada-l ubati-l hudati-l kiram" (The Country of Fatherhood is the Honorable Gift) composed by Rageh Daoud (sound file of the new anthem is forthcoming) Topic: Mauritiusname: "Motherland" lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL note: adopted 1968 Topic: Mexiconame: "Himno Nacional Mexicano" (National Anthem of Mexico) lyrics/music: Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA/Jaime Nuno ROCA note: adopted 1943, in use since 1854; also known as "Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra" (Mexicans, to the War Cry); according to tradition, Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA, an accomplished poet, was uninterested in submitting lyrics to a national anthem contest; his fiancee locked him in a room and refused to release him until the lyrics were completed Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofname: "Patriots of Micronesia" lyrics/music: unknown/August Daniel BINZER note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes BRAHMS' "Festival Overture" and Gustav MAHLER's "Third Symphony" Topic: Moldovaname: "Limba noastra" (Our Language) lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA note: adopted 1994 Topic: Monaconame: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco) lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions Topic: Mongolianame: "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia) lyrics/music: Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions Topic: Montenegroname: "Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May) lyrics/music: Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC note: adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song Topic: Montserratnote: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Morocconame: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif) lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970 Topic: Mozambiquename: "Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland) lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown note: adopted 2002 Topic: Namibianame: "Namibia, Land of the Brave" lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB note: adopted 1991 Topic: Nauruname: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru) lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS note: adopted 1968 Topic: Nepalname: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers) lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king Topic: Netherlandsname: "Het Wilhelmus" (The William) lyrics/music: Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown note: adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt Topic: New Caledonianame: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers) lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir) note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: New Zealandname: "God Defend New Zealand" lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played Topic: Nicaraguaname: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua) lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876 Topic: Nigername: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien) lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET note: adopted 1961 Topic: Nigerianame: "Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey" lyrics/music: John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B.A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P.O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE note: adopted 1978; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest Topic: Niuename: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven) lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA note: adopted 1974 Topic: Norfolk Islandname: "Come Ye Blessed" lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: North Macedonianame: "Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI note: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsname: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea) lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States) Topic: Norwayname: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country) lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem Topic: Omanname: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem) lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit Topic: Pakistanname: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA note: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land) Topic: Palauname: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau) lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL note: adopted 1980 Topic: Panamaname: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn) lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE note: adopted 1925 Topic: Papua New Guineaname: "O Arise All You Sons" lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY note: adopted 1975 Topic: Paraguayname: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934 Topic: Peruname: "Himno Nacional del Peru" (National Anthem of Peru) lyrics/music: Jose DE LA TORRE Ugarte/Jose Bernardo ALZEDO note: adopted 1822; the song won a national anthem contest Topic: Philippinesname: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used Topic: Pitcairn Islandsname: "We From Pitcairn Island" lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Polandname: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka) lyrics/music: Jozef WYBICKI/traditional note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied Topic: Portugalname: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese) lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event Topic: Puerto Riconame: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican) lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States) Topic: Qatarname: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Amiri Salute) lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar Topic: Romanianame: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!) lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution Topic: Russianame: "Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii" (National Anthem of the Russian Federation) lyrics/music: Sergey Vladimirovich MIKHALKOV/Aleksandr Vasilyevich ALEKSANDROV note: in 2000, Russia adopted the tune of the anthem of the former Soviet Union (composed in 1939); the lyrics, also adopted in 2000, were written by the same person who authored the Soviet lyrics in 1943 Topic: Rwandaname: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country) lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA note: adopted 2001 Topic: Saint Barthelemyname: "L'Hymne a St. Barthelemy" (Hymn to St. Barthelemy) lyrics/music: Isabelle Massart DERAVIN/Michael VALENTI note: local anthem in use since 1999; as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhanote: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisname: "Oh Land of Beauty!" lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES note: adopted 1983 Topic: Saint Lucianame: "Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia" lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS note: adopted 1967 Topic: Saint Martinname: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land" lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" remains official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" remains official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonnote: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesname: "St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!" lyrics/music: Phyllis Joyce MCCLEAN PUNNETT/Joel Bertram MIGUEL note: adopted 1967 Topic: Samoaname: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom) lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise) Topic: San Marinoname: "Inno Nazionale della Repubblica" (National Anthem of the Republic) lyrics/music: no lyrics/Federico CONSOLO note: adopted 1894; the music for the lyric-less anthem is based on a 10th century chorale piece Topic: Sao Tome and Principename: "Independencia total" (Total Independence) lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA note: adopted 1975 Topic: Saudi Arabianame: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King) lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984 Topic: Senegalname: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons) lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title Topic: Serbianame: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice) lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO note: adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries Topic: Seychellesname: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite) lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET note: adopted 1996 Topic: Sierra Leonename: "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA note: adopted 1961 Topic: Singaporename: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore) lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay Topic: Sint Maartenname: O Sweet Saint Martin's Land lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands) Topic: Slovakianame: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras) lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku" (She was digging a well) Topic: Slovenianame: "Zdravljica" (A Toast) lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism Topic: Solomon Islandsname: "God Save Our Solomon Islands" lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA note: adopted 1978 Topic: Somalianame: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag) lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE note: adopted 2012; written in 1959 Topic: South Africaname: "National Anthem of South Africa" lyrics/music: Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers note: adopted 1994; a combination of "N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica" (God Bless Africa) and "Die Stem van Suid Afrika" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (i.e., the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems Topic: South Sudanname: "South Sudan Oyee!" (Hooray!) lyrics/music: collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers note: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest Topic: Spainname: "Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain) lyrics/music: no lyrics/unknown note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem is the first anthem to be officially adopted, but it has no lyrics; in the years prior to 1931 it became known as "Marcha Real" (The Royal March); it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by "Himno de Riego" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events Topic: Sri Lankaname: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka) lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE note: adopted 1951 Topic: Sudanname: "Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land) lyrics/music: Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN note: adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military Topic: Surinamename: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname) lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893 and contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo Topic: Svalbardnote: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)note: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway) Topic: Swedenname: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free) lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional note: in use since 1844; also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies Topic: Switzerlandname: the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm) lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG note: unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages Topic: Syrianame: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland) lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem Topic: Taiwanname: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China) lyrics/music: HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-yun note: adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings Topic: Tajikistanname: "Surudi milli" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Gulnazar KELDI/Sulaimon YUDAKOV note: adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet republic but adopted new lyrics Topic: Tanzanianame: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa) lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem Topic: Thailandname: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand) lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/Phra JENDURIYANG note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies Topic: Timor-Lestename: "Patria" (Fatherland) lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared Topic: Togoname: "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers) lyrics/music: Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992 Topic: Tokelauname: "Te Atua" (For the Almighty) lyrics/music: unknown/Falani KALOLO note: adopted 2008; in preparation for eventual self governance, Tokelau held a national contest to choose an anthem; as a territory of New Zealand, "God Defend New Zealand" and "God Save the Queen" are official (see New Zealand) Topic: Tonganame: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands) lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoname: "Forged From the Love of Liberty" lyrics/music: Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE note: adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962 Topic: Tunisianame: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland) lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)name: "Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March) lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932 Topic: Turkmenistanname: "Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem) lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV note: adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsname: "This Land of Ours" lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Tuvaluname: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty) lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto Topic: Ugandaname: "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!" lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA note: adopted 1962 Topic: Ukrainename: "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished) lyrics/music: Paul CHUBYNSKYI/Mikhail VERBYTSKYI note: music adopted 1991, lyrics adopted 2003; song first performed in 1864 at the Ukraine Theatre in Lviv; the lyrics, originally written in 1862, were revised in 2003 Topic: United Arab Emiratesname: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE) lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia Topic: United Kingdomname: "God Save the Queen" lyrics/music: unknown note: in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem of the UK; it is known as either "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King," depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem of many Commonwealth nations Topic: United Statesname: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song"; only the first verse is sung Topic: Uruguayname: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung Topic: Uzbekistanname: "O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan) lyrics/music: Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV note: adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics Topic: Vanuatuname: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We) lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French Topic: Venezuelaname: "Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People) lyrics/music: Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA note: adopted 1881; lyrics written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence Topic: Vietnamname: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops) lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem Topic: Virgin Islandsname: "Virgin Islands March" lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States) Topic: Wallis and Futunanote: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Worldname: virtually every country has a national anthem; most (but not all) anthems have lyrics, which are usually in the national or most common language of the country; states with more than one national language may offer several versions of their anthem note: the world's oldest national anthem is the "Het Wilhelmus" (The William) of the Netherlands, which dates to the 17th century; the first national anthem to be officially adopted (1795) was "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) of France; Japan claims to have the world's shortest national anthem, entitled "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign), it consists of 11 measures of music (the lyrics are also the world's oldest, dating to the 10th century or earlier); the world's longest national anthem is that of Greece, "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) with 158 stanzas - only two of which are used; both Denmark and New Zealand have two official national anthems Topic: Yemenname: "al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic) lyrics/music: Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990 Topic: Zambianame: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free) lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem Topic: Zimbabwename: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Northern Ndebele language] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe) lyrics/music: Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA note: adopted 1994

20220901

field-climate

This entry includes a brief description of typical weather regimes throughout the year; in the World entry only, it includes four subfields that describe climate extremes: ten driest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes. ten wettest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes. ten coldest places on earth (lowest average monthly temperature) describes temperature measured in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well as the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes. ten hottest places on earth (highest average monthly temperature) describes the temperature measured both in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.ten wettest places on earth (average annual precipitation) describes the annual average precipitation measured in both millimeters and inches for selected countries with climate extremes.ten coldest places on earth (lowest average monthly temperature) describes temperature measured in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well as the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes.ten hottest places on earth (highest average monthly temperature) describes the temperature measured both in degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit as well the month of the year for selected countries with climate extremes. Topic: Afghanistanarid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers Topic: Akrotiritemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Topic: Albaniamild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter Topic: Algeriaarid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Topic: American Samoatropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Andorratemperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Topic: Angolasemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Topic: Anguillatropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Topic: Antarcticathe coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth; severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing; summers characterized by continuous daylight, while winters bring continuous darkness; persistent high pressure over the interior brings dry, subsiding air that results in very little cloud cover Topic: Antigua and Barbudatropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Arctic Oceanpolar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature range; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow Topic: Argentinamostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Topic: Armeniahighland continental, hot summers, cold winters Topic: Arubatropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandstropical Topic: Atlantic Oceantropical cyclones (hurricanes) develop off the coast of Africa near Cabo Verde and move westward into the Caribbean Sea; hurricanes can occur from May to December but are most frequent from August to November Topic: Australiagenerally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Topic: Austriatemperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers Topic: Azerbaijandry, semiarid steppe Topic: Bahamas, Thetropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Topic: Bahrainarid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Topic: Bangladeshtropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October) Topic: Barbadostropical; rainy season (June to October) Topic: Belaruscold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Topic: Belgiumtemperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Topic: Belizetropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Topic: Benintropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Topic: Bermudasubtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Topic: Bhutanvaries; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas Topic: Boliviavaries with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinahot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast Topic: Botswanasemiarid; warm winters and hot summers Topic: Bouvet Islandantarctic Topic: Brazilmostly tropical, but temperate in south Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorytropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds Topic: British Virgin Islandssubtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Topic: Bruneitropical; hot, humid, rainy Topic: Bulgariatemperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers Topic: Burkina Fasothree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desertthree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert Topic: Burmatropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) Topic: Burundiequatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January) Topic: Cabo Verdetemperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic Topic: Cambodiatropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Cameroonvaries with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north Topic: Canadavaries from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Topic: Cayman Islandstropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) Topic: Central African Republictropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Topic: Chadtropical in south, desert in north Topic: Chiletemperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Topic: Chinaextremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north Topic: Christmas Islandtropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds Topic: Clipperton Islandtropical; humid, average temperature 20-32 degrees Celsius, wet season (May to October) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year Topic: Colombiatropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Topic: Comorostropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator Topic: Cook Islandstropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Topic: Coral Sea Islandstropical Topic: Costa Ricatropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October) Topic: CroatiaMediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Topic: Cubatropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Topic: Curacaotropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/yeartropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year Topic: Cyprustemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Topic: Czechiatemperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Topic: Denmarktemperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers Topic: Dhekeliatemperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters Topic: Djiboutidesert; torrid, dry Topic: Dominicatropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Topic: Dominican Republictropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Topic: Ecuadortropical along coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations; tropical in Amazonian jungle lowlands Topic: Egyptdesert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Topic: El Salvadortropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Topic: Equatorial Guineatropical; always hot, humid Topic: Eritreahot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands Topic: Estoniamaritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Topic: Eswatinivaries from tropical to near temperate Topic: Ethiopiatropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Topic: European Unioncold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)cold marine; strong westerly winds, cloudy, humid; rain occurs on more than half of days in year; average annual rainfall is 60 cm in Stanley; occasional snow all year, except in January and February, but typically does not accumulate Topic: Faroe Islandsmild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy Topic: Fijitropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Topic: Finlandcold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes Topic: Francemetropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral; French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation; Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November); Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral;French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation;Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average;Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November);Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) Topic: French Polynesiatropical, but moderate Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity; Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy; Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy; Iles Eparses: tropicalIle Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul: oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity; Iles Crozet: windy, cold, wet, and cloudy; Iles Kerguelen: oceanic, cold, overcast, windy; Iles Eparses: tropical Topic: Gabontropical; always hot, humid Topic: Gambia, Thetropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May) Topic: Gaza Striptemperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers Topic: Georgiawarm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Topic: Germanytemperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Topic: Ghanatropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north Topic: GibraltarMediterranean with mild winters and warm summers Topic: Greecetemperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers Topic: Greenlandarctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters Topic: Grenadatropical; tempered by northeast trade winds Topic: Guamtropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Guatemalatropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Topic: Guernseytemperate with mild winters and cool summers; about 50% of days are overcast Topic: Guineagenerally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Topic: Guinea-Bissautropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds Topic: Guyanatropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Topic: Haititropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsantarctic Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) Topic: Hondurassubtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains Topic: Hong Kongsubtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall Topic: Hungarytemperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Topic: Icelandtemperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers Topic: Indiavaries from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north Topic: Indian Oceannortheast monsoon (December to April), southwest monsoon (June to October); tropical cyclones occur during May/June and October/November in the northern Indian Ocean and January/February in the southern Indian Ocean Topic: Indonesiatropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Topic: Iranmostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Topic: Iraqmostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Topic: Irelandtemperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Topic: Isle of Mantemperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time Topic: Israeltemperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Topic: Italypredominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Topic: Jamaicatropical; hot, humid; temperate interior Topic: Jan Mayenarctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Topic: Japanvaries from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Topic: Jerseytemperate; mild winters and cool summers Topic: Jordanmostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Topic: Kazakhstancontinental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Topic: Kenyavaries from tropical along coast to arid in interior Topic: Kiribatitropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Topic: Korea, Northtemperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters Topic: Korea, Southtemperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters Topic: Kosovoinfluenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December Topic: Kuwaitdry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Topic: Kyrgyzstandry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone Topic: Laostropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) Topic: Latviamaritime; wet, moderate winters Topic: LebanonMediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; the Lebanon Mountains experience heavy winter snows Topic: Lesothotemperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers Topic: Liberiatropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Topic: LibyaMediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Topic: Liechtensteincontinental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers Topic: Lithuaniatransitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers Topic: Luxembourgmodified continental with mild winters, cool summers Topic: Macausubtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers Topic: Madagascartropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Topic: Malawisub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Topic: Malaysiatropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Topic: Maldivestropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August) Topic: Malisubtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Topic: MaltaMediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers Topic: Marshall Islandstropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt Topic: Mauritaniadesert; constantly hot, dry, dusty Topic: Mauritiustropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Topic: Mexicovaries from tropical to desert Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Topic: Moldovamoderate winters, warm summers Topic: MonacoMediterranean with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers Topic: Mongoliadesert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) Topic: MontenegroMediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland Topic: Montserrattropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation Topic: MoroccoMediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquetropical to subtropical Topic: Namibiadesert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic Topic: Naurutropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) Topic: Navassa Islandmarine, tropical Topic: Nepalvaries from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Topic: Netherlandstemperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Topic: New Caledoniatropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid Topic: New Zealandtemperate with sharp regional contrasts Topic: Nicaraguatropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands Topic: Nigerdesert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south Topic: Nigeriavaries; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Topic: Niuetropical; modified by southeast trade winds Topic: Norfolk Islandsubtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation Topic: North Macedoniawarm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October Topic: Norwaytemperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Topic: Omandry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Topic: Pacific Oceanplanetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Topic: Pakistanmostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Topic: Palautropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Topic: Panamatropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May) Topic: Papua New Guineatropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Topic: Paracel Islandstropical Topic: Paraguaysubtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Topic: Peruvaries from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Topic: Philippinestropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) Topic: Pitcairn Islandstropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Topic: Polandtemperate with cold, cloudy, moderately severe winters with frequent precipitation; mild summers with frequent showers and thundershowers Topic: Portugalmaritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Topic: Puerto Ricotropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Topic: Qatararid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Topic: Romaniatemperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms Topic: Russiaranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast Topic: Rwandatemperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Topic: Saint Barthelemytropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid; Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)Saint Helena: tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; Ascension Island: tropical marine; mild, semi-arid; Tristan da Cunha: temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Topic: Saint Luciatropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August Topic: Saint Martintemperature averages 27-29 degrees Celsius all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; hurricane season stretches from July to November Topic: Saint Pierre and Miqueloncold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November) Topic: Samoatropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) Topic: San MarinoMediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers Topic: Sao Tome and Principetropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May) Topic: Saudi Arabiaharsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Topic: Senegaltropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Topic: Serbiain the north, continental climate (cold winters and hot, humid summers with well-distributed rainfall); in other parts, continental and Mediterranean climate (relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns) Topic: Seychellestropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May) Topic: Sierra Leonetropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Topic: Singaporetropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Topic: Sint Maartentropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to Novembertropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November Topic: Slovakiatemperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Topic: SloveniaMediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Topic: Solomon Islandstropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes Topic: Somaliaprincipally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Topic: South Africamostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsvariable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Topic: South Sudanhot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north Topic: Southern Oceansea temperatures vary from about 10 degrees Celsius to -2 degrees Celsius; cyclonic storms travel eastward around the continent and frequently are intense because of the temperature contrast between ice and open ocean; the ocean area from about latitude 40 south to the Antarctic Circle has the strongest average winds found anywhere on Earth; in winter the ocean freezes outward to 65 degrees south latitude in the Pacific sector and 55 degrees south latitude in the Atlantic sector, lowering surface temperatures well below 0 degrees Celsius; at some coastal points intense persistent drainage winds from the interior keep the shoreline ice-free throughout the winter Topic: Spaintemperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast Topic: Spratly Islandstropical Topic: Sri Lankatropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October) Topic: Sudanhot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November) Topic: Surinametropical; moderated by trade winds Topic: Svalbardarctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Topic: Swedentemperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north Topic: Switzerlandtemperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Topic: Syriamostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Topic: Taiwantropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year Topic: Tajikistanmid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Topic: Tanzaniavaries from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Topic: Thailandtropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Topic: Timor-Lestetropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Topic: Togotropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Topic: Tokelautropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) Topic: Tongatropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagotropical; rainy season (June to December) Topic: Tunisiatemperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Topic: Turkeytemperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Topic: Turkmenistansubtropical desert Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry Topic: Tuvalutropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Topic: Ugandatropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast Topic: Ukrainetemperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Topic: United Arab Emiratesdesert; cooler in eastern mountains Topic: United Kingdomtemperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast Topic: United Statesmostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains note: many consider Denali, the highest peak in the US, to be the world’s coldest mountain because of its combination of high elevation and its subarctic location at 63 degrees north latitude; permanent snow and ice cover over 75 percent of the mountain, and enormous glaciers, up to 45 miles long and 3,700 feet thick, spider out from its base in every direction; it is home to some of the world’s coldest and most violent weather, where winds of over 150 miles per hour and temperatures of -93˚F have been recorded.   Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each yearBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year Topic: Uruguaywarm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown Topic: Uzbekistanmostly mid-latitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east Topic: Vanuatutropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April Topic: Venezuelatropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Topic: Vietnamtropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) Topic: Virgin Islandssubtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November Topic: Wake Islandtropical Topic: Wallis and Futunatropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius Topic: West Banktemperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Topic: Worlda wide equatorial band of hot and humid tropical climates, bordered north and south by subtropical temperate zones that separate two large areas of cold and dry polar climates Ten Driest Places on Earth (Average Annual Precipitation): McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica 0 mm (0 in) Arica, Chile 0.76 mm (0.03 in) Al Kufrah, Libya 0.86 mm (0.03 in) Aswan, Egypt 0.86 mm (0.03 in) Luxor, Egypt 0.86 mm (0.03 in) Ica, Peru 2.29 mm (0.09 in) Wadi Halfa, Sudan 2.45 mm (0.1 in) Iquique, Chile 5.08 mm (0.2 in) Pelican Point, Namibia 8.13 mm (0.32 in) El Arab (Aoulef), Algeria 12.19 mm (0.48 in) Ten Wettest Places on Earth (Average Annual Precipitation): Mawsynram, India 11,871 mm (467.4 in) Cherrapunji, India 11,777 mm (463.7 in) Tutunendo, Colombia 11,770 mm (463.4 in) Cropp River, New Zealand 11,516 mm (453.4 in) San Antonia de Ureca, Equatorial Guinea 10,450 mm (411.4 in) Debundsha, Cameroon 10,299 mm (405.5 in) Big Bog, US (Hawaii) 10,272 mm (404.4 in) Mt Waialeale, US (Hawaii) 9,763 mm (384.4 in) Kukui, US (Hawaii) 9,293 mm (365.9 in) Emeishan, China 8,169 mm (321.6 in) Ten Coldest Places on Earth (Lowest Average Monthly Temperature): Verkhoyansk, Russia (Siberia) -47°C (-53°F) January Oymyakon, Russia (Siberia) -46°C (-52°F) January Eureka, Canada -38.4°C (-37.1°F) February Isachsen, Canada -36°C (-32.8°F) February Alert, Canada -34°C (-28°F) February Kap Morris Jesup, Greenland -34°C (-29°F) March Cornwallis Island, Canada -33.5°C (-28.3°F) February Cambridge Bay, Canada -33.5°C (28.3°F) February Ilirnej, Russia -33°C (-28°F) January Resolute, Canada -33°C (-27.4°F) February Ten Hottest Places on Earth (Highest Average Monthly Temperature): Death Valley, US (California) 39°C (101°F) July Iranshahr, Iran 38.3°C (100.9°F) June Ouallene, Algeria 38°C (100.4°F) July Kuwait City, Kuwait 37.7°C (100°F) July Medina, Saudi Arabia 36°C (97°F) July Buckeye, US (Arizona) 34°C (93°F) July Jazan, Saudi Arabia 33°C (91°F) June Al Kufrah, Libya 31°C (87°F) July Alice Springs, Australia 29°C (84°F) January Tamanrasset, Algeria 29°C (84°F) June Topic: Yemenmostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east Topic: Zambiatropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Topic: Zimbabwetropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

20220901

field-economy-of-the-area-administered-by-turkish-cypriots

20220901

countries-thailand-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Thailand. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay more than 30 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [66] (2) 205-4000; US Embassy Bangkok, 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; acsbkk@state.gov; https://th.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 66 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 191; Fire: 199; Police: 191 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid Currency (Code): Baht (THB) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C, O Major Languages: Thai, Malay, Burmese Major Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1% Time Difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Bangkok (includes Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew & Wat Pho, Prasart Museum); Railay Beach; Koh Phi Phi; Sunday Walking Street; Khao Yai National Park; Ban Chiang; Chang Mai Major Sports: Muay thai (Thai boxing), soccer, badminton, golf, tennis Cultural Practices: Marigolds and carnations are associated with funerals and thus make poor gifts. Tipping Guidelines: A 10% tip is adequate in restaurants, but check to see if a service charge has been added; if so, leave behind some loose change. It is common to round up the fare to the nearest bill in taxi cabs. Most hotels include a 10% service charge in the bill, but you can tip bellhops $1-2 (USD) for carrying bags to a room. Leave housekeeping 20 baht under your pillow. Souvenirs: Buddha statues, silk harem pants and other fabric items, Hill Tribe bags, spices and sauces Traditional Cuisine: Pad Thai — stir-fried rice noodles with scrambled eggs, fish sauce, dried shrimp, tamarind pulp, bean sprouts, roasted crushed peanuts, and tofu; if meat is added it is typically chicken or porkPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

20220901

references-guide-to-country-profiles

Topic: Introduction Topic: Geography Topic: People and Society Topic: Environment Topic: Government Topic: Economy Topic: Energy Topic: Communications Topic: Transportation Topic: Military and Security Topic: Terrorism Topic: Transnational Issues

20220901

countries-nepal-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Nepal due to the potential for isolated political violence.  Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: +977 1 423-4000, +977 1 400-7272; US Embassy in Kathmandu, Embassy of the United States of America, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal; usembktm@state.gov; https://np.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 977 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 228094; Fire: local number; Police: 100 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south Currency (Code): Nepalese rupees (NPR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, M Major Languages: Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Bajjika, Magar, Doteli, Urdu, Avadhi, Limbu, Gurung, Baitadeli; note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue Major Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4% Time Difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: An IDP is required, and after 15 days, a local license is required. Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Kathmandu (includes Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square); Bhaktapur; Pokhara; Annapurna Circuit trek; Chitwan National Park; Lumbini (Buddha Birthplace) Major Sports: Soccer, cricket, swimming, volleyball, tennis, martial arts Cultural Practices: After food has touched ones lips, many Nepalese consider it unclean. This belief applies to drinking from bottled water, or offering to share snacks. Tipping Guidelines: At restaurants, if a service charge has not been included, 10% of the bill is an acceptable tip. Porters may be tipped $2-4 (USD) per day, guides $3-5 (USD) per day.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022

20220901

countries-united-states-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: A foreign national or alien entering the US is generally required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a US Consular Official, unless they are a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or are a lawful permanent resident of the US or a citizen of Canada. The VWP allows foreign nationals from certain countries to be admitted to the US under limited conditions and for a limited time without obtaining a visa. The foreign national must arrive on an approved carrier (if coming by air or sea), stay no more than 90 days (for pleasure, medical purposes, and/or business), and be able to prove they are not inadmissible. The foreign national is still required to have a passport. To obtain a list of VWP-eligible countries and VWP passport requirements, please visit https: www.dhs.gov and/or visa waiver program requirements. Note: all travelers transiting the US are subject to US customs and/or immigration laws. US Embassy/Consulate: N/A Telephone Code: 1 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Mostly temperate but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains Currency (Code): Dollar (USD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hawaiian Major Religions: Protestant 46.5%, Roman Catholic 20.8%, Jewish 1.9%, Mormon 1.6%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 0.9%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, Buddhist 0.7%, Hindu 0.7% Time Difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November; note: the 50 United States cover six time zones Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested for non-US citizens. Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Grand Canyon; Niagara Falls; Statue of Liberty; Washington, DC (includes White House, National Mall); Yellowstone National Park; Yosemite National Park; Denali National Park; Times Square; Golden Gate Bridge; Mesa Verde; Disney World/Land in Florida/California; Hawaii (includes Oahu, Maui, and island of Hawaii); Utah’s national parks; Las Vegas Major Sports: American Football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, tennis Cultural Practices: Honking your car horn unnecessarily can make drivers angry in America. Tipping Guidelines: At restaurants, tip 15-20% of the bill, based on quality of service; if the service is bad, it’s customary to tip as low as 10%. For bartenders, tip $1 per drink or 15-20% of the total bill. Tip taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare. Tip housekeeping $2-3 per night; tip room service $1-2 per delivery, regardless of service charge; tip bellhops $1-2 per bag, or more if the bags are very heavy; $2-5 for valet; $1-2 for doormen if they hail a taxi; $5 and higher for concierge depending on the difficulty of the request. Souvenirs: Regional food items such as sauces, preserves, and candy; pottery; regional art including paintings and wood-carved items; Native American handcrafted items such as turquoise and beaded jewelry, sand paintings, and woven goods Traditional Cuisine: Hamburger; Hot dogPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022

20220901

field-broadcast-media

This entry provides information on the approximate number of public and private TV and radio stations in a country, as well as basic information on the availability of satellite and cable TV services. Topic: Afghanistansince 15 August 2021, independent media outlets have decreased in number due to financial hardships, departure of staff from the country, and restrictions placed by the Taliban; media workers report self-censoring criticism of the Taliban; before 15 August 2021, the former Afghan Government-owned broadcaster, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), operated a series of radio and television stations in Kabul and the provinces and the country had an estimated 174 private radio stations and 83 TV stations; television and radio are key media platforms; only about a fifth of Afghans in urban areas use the internet, mostly through smartphones, and young adults are significantly more likely to use the internet (2021) Topic: AkrotiriBritish Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area Topic: AlbaniaAlbania has more than 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally; Albanian TV broadcasts are also available to Albanian-speaking populations in neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; Albania's TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; the government has pledged to provide analog-to-digital converters to low-income families affected by this decision; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Algeriastate-run Radio-Television Algerienne operates the broadcast media and carries programming in Arabic, Berber dialects, and French; use of satellite dishes is widespread, providing easy access to European and Arab satellite stations; state-run radio operates several national networks and roughly 40 regional radio stations Topic: American Samoa3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations Topic: Andorra1 public TV station and 2 public radio stations; about 10 commercial radio stations; good reception of radio and TV broadcasts from stations in France and Spain; upgraded to terrestrial digital TV broadcasting in 2007; roughly 25 international TV channels available (2019) Topic: Angolastate controls all broadcast media with nationwide reach; state-owned Televisao Popular de Angola (TPA) provides terrestrial TV service on 2 channels; a third TPA channel is available via cable and satellite; TV subscription services are available; state-owned Radio Nacional de Angola (RNA) broadcasts on 5 stations; about a half-dozen private radio stations broadcast locally Topic: Anguilla1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned Topic: Antigua and Barbudastate-controlled Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) operates 1 TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; ABS operates 1 radio station; roughly 15 radio stations, some broadcasting on multiple frequencies Topic: Argentinagovernment owns a TV station and radio network; more than 2 dozen TV stations and hundreds of privately owned radio stations; high rate of cable TV subscription usage Topic: ArmeniaArmenia’s government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast in Armenia under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in late 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations (2019)Armenia’s government-run Public Television network operates alongside 100 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; three Russian TV companies are broadcast in Armenia under interstate agreements; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; several major international broadcasters are available, including CNN; Armenian TV completed conversion from analog to digital broadcasting in late 2016; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside 18 privately owned radio stations Topic: Aruba2 commercial TV stations; cable TV subscription service provides access to foreign channels; about 19 commercial radio stations broadcast (2017) Topic: Australiathe Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as ABC Australia, a TV service that broadcasts in the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2022) Topic: Austriaworldwide cable and satellite TV are available; the public incumbent ORF competes with three other major, several regional domestic, and up to 400 international TV stations; TV coverage is in principle 100%, but only 90% use broadcast media; Internet streaming not only complements, but increasingly replaces regular TV stations (2019) Topic: Azerbaijan3 state-run and 1 public TV channels; 4 domestic commercial TV stations and about 15 regional TV stations; cable TV services are available in Baku; 1 state-run and 1 public radio network operating; a small number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting; local FM relays of Baku commercial stations are available in many localities; note - all broadcast media is pro-government, and most private broadcast media outlets are owned by entities directly linked to the government Topic: Bahamas, TheThe Bahamas has 4 major TV providers that provide service to all major islands in the archipelago; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes freely with 4 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; there are 32 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, 31 are privately owned FM radio stations operating on New Providence, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco Island, and on smaller islands in the country; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio broadcasting network that has national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2019) Topic: Bahrainstate-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2019) Topic: Bangladeshstate-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) broadcasts throughout the country. Some channels, such as BTV World, operate via satellite. The government also owns a medium wave radio channel and some private FM radio broadcast news channels. Of the 41 Bangladesh approved TV stations, 26 are currently being used to broadcast. Of those, 23 operate under private management via cable distribution. Collectively, TV channels can reach more than 50 million people across the country. Topic: Barbadosgovernment-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also operates a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen radio stations, consisting of a CBC-operated network operating alongside privately owned radio stations (2019) Topic: Belarus7 state-controlled national TV channels; Polish and Russian TV broadcasts are available in some areas; state-run Belarusian Radio operates 5 national networks and an external service; Russian and Polish radio broadcasts are available (2019) Topic: Belgiuma segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network coexisting with private broadcasters Topic: Belize8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2019) Topic: Beninstate-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station providing a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2019) Topic: Bermuda3 TV stations; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; roughly 13 radio stations operating Topic: Bhutanstate-owned TV station established in 1999; cable TV service offers dozens of Indian and other international channels; first radio station, privately launched in 1973, is now state-owned; 5 private radio stations are currently broadcasting (2012) Topic: Bolivialarge number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3 public TV broadcasters: Radio and TV of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation TV (operating 2 networks), and Republika Srpska Radio-TV; a local commercial network of 5 TV stations; 3 private, near-national TV stations and dozens of small independent TV broadcasting stations; 3 large public radio broadcasters and many private radio stations (2019) Topic: Botswana2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 4 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2019) Topic: Brazilstate-run Radiobras operates a radio and a TV network; more than 1,000 radio stations and more than 100 TV channels operating - mostly privately owned; private media ownership highly concentrated Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryArmed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) broadcasts over 3 separate frequencies for US and UK military personnel stationed on the islands Topic: British Virgin Islands1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations Topic: Bruneistate-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters Topic: Bulgaria4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas Topic: Burkina Fasosince the official inauguration of Terrestrial Digital Television (TNT) in December 2017, Burkina Faso now has 14 digital TV channels among which 2 are state-owned; there are more than 140 radio stations (commercial, religious, community) available throughout the country including a national and regional state-owned network; the state-owned Radio Burkina and the private Radio Omega are among the most widespread stations and both include broadcasts in French and local languages (2019) Topic: Burmagovernment controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations with 1 of the stations controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; access to satellite TV is limited; 1 state-controlled domestic radio station and 9 FM stations that are joint state-private ventures; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in parts of Burma; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast in Burma; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite to audiences in Burma; in March 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters, allowing them digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) and will rely upon MRTV’s transmission infrastructure; following the February 2021 military coup, the regime revoked the media licenses of most independent outlets, including the free-to-air licenses for DVB and Mizzima (2022) Topic: Burundistate-controlled Radio Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates a TV station and a national radio network; 3 private TV stations and about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2019) Topic: Cabo Verdestate-run TV and radio broadcast network plus a growing number of private broadcasters; Portuguese public TV and radio services for Africa are available; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Cambodiamixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 27 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 11 stations either jointly operated or privately owned with some broadcasting from several locations; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available (2019); 84 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; one international broadcaster is available (2019) as well as one Chinese joint venture television station with the Ministry of Interior; several television and radio operators broadcast online only (often via Facebook) (2019) Topic: Cameroongovernment maintains tight control over broadcast media; state-owned Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), broadcasting on both a TV and radio network, was the only officially recognized and fully licensed broadcaster until August 2007, when the government finally issued licenses to 2 private TV broadcasters and 1 private radio broadcaster; about 70 privately owned, unlicensed radio stations operating but are subject to closure at any time; foreign news services required to partner with state-owned national station (2019) Topic: Canada2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private-commercial networks also with multiple network affiliates; overall, about 150 TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable systems provide access to a wide range of stations including US stations; mix of public and commercial radio broadcasters with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the public radio broadcaster, operating 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to indigenous populations in the north; roughly 1,119 licensed radio stations (2016) Topic: Cayman Islands4 TV stations; cable and satellite subscription services offer a variety of international programming; government-owned Radio Cayman operates 2 networks broadcasting on 5 stations; 10 privately owned radio stations operate alongside Radio Cayman Topic: Central African Republicgovernment-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides limited domestic TV broadcasting; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2017) Topic: Chad1 state-owned TV station; 2 privately-owned TV stations; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; over 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2017) Topic: Chilenational and local terrestrial TV channels, coupled with extensive cable TV networks; the state-owned Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) network is self-financed through commercial advertising revenues and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations Topic: Chinaall broadcast media are owned by, or affiliated with, the Chinese Communisty Party (CCP) or a government agency; no privately owned TV or radio stations; state-run Chinese Central TV, provincial, and municipal stations offer more than 2,000 channels; the Central Propaganda Department as well as local (provincial, municipal) sends directives to all domestic media outlets to guide its reporting with the government maintaining authority to approve all programming; foreign-made TV programs must be approved/censored prior to broadcast; increasingly, PRC nationals turn to online platforms (Bilibili, Tencent Video, iQiyi, etc) to access PRC and international films and television shows.  Video platforms have to abide by regulations issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), which align with censorship policies from CCP propaganda authorities. (2022) Topic: Christmas Island1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017) Topic: Colombiacombination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019) Topic: Comorosnational state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station; a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thestate-owned TV broadcast station with near national coverage; more than a dozen privately owned TV stations - 2 with near national coverage; 2 state-owned radio stations are supplemented by more than 100 private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available Topic: Congo, Republic of the1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available Topic: Cook Islands1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019) Topic: Costa Ricaover two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station nationwide; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirestate-controlled Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirieinne (RTI) is made up of 2 radios stations (Radio Cote d'Ivoire and Frequence2) and 2 television stations (RTI1 and RTI2), with nationwide coverage, broadcasts mainly in French; after 2011 post-electoral crisis, President OUATTARA's administration reopened RTI Bouake', the broadcaster's office in Cote d'Ivoire's 2nd largest city, where facilities were destroyed during the 2002 rebellion; Cote d'Ivoire is also home to 178 proximity radios stations, 16 religious radios stations, 5 commercial radios stations, and 5 international radios stations, according to the Haute Autorite' de la Communication Audiovisuelle (HACA); govt now runs radio UNOCIFM, a radio station previously owned by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire; in Dec 2016, the govt announced 4 companies had been granted licenses to operate -Live TV, Optimum Media Cote d'Ivoire, the Audiovisual Company of Cote d'Ivoire (Sedaci), and Sorano-CI, out of the 4 companies only one has started operating (2019) Topic: Croatiathe national state-owned public broadcaster, Croatian Radiotelevision, operates 4 terrestrial TV networks, a satellite channel that rebroadcasts programs for Croatians living abroad, and 6 regional TV centers; 2 private broadcasters operate national terrestrial networks; 29 privately owned regional TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; state-owned public broadcaster operates 4 national radio networks and 23 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks and 117 local radio stations (2019) Topic: Cubagovernment owns and controls all broadcast media: five national TV channels (Cubavision, Tele Rebelde, Multivision, Educational Channel 1 and 2), two international channels (Cubavision Internacional and Caribe), 16 regional TV stations, 6 national radio networks, and multiple regional stations; the Cuban Government beams over the Radio-TV Marti signal; although private ownership of electronic media is prohibited, several online independent news sites exist; those that are not openly critical of the government are often tolerated; the others are blocked by the government; there are no independent TV channels, but several outlets have created strong audiovisual content (El Toque, for example); a community of young Youtubers is also growing, mostly with channels about sports, technology and fashion; Christian denominations are creating original video content to distribute via social media (2019) Topic: Curacaogovernment-run TeleCuracao operates a TV station and a radio station; 2 other privately owned TV stations and several privately owned radio stations (2019) Topic: Cyprusmixture of state and privately run TV and radio services; the public broadcaster operates 2 TV channels and 4 radio stations; 6 private TV broadcasters, satellite and cable TV services including telecasts from Greece and Turkey, and a number of private radio stations are available; in areas administered by Turkish Cypriots, there are 2 public TV stations, 4 public radio stations, and 7 privately owned TV and 21 radio broadcast stations plus 6 radio and 4 TV channels of local universities, plus 1 radio station of military, security forces and 1 radio station of civil defense cooperation, as well as relay stations from Turkey (2019) Topic: Czechia22 TV stations operate nationally, with 17 of them in private hands; publicly operated Czech Television has 5 national channels; throughout the country, there are some 350 TV channels in operation, many through cable, satellite, and IPTV subscription services; 63 radio broadcasters are registered, operating over 80 radio stations, including 7 multiregional radio stations or networks; publicly operated broadcaster Czech Radio operates 4 national, 14 regional, and 4 Internet stations; both Czech Radio and Czech Television are partially financed through a license fee (2019) Topic: Denmarkstrong public-sector TV presence with state-owned Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 6 channels and publicly owned TV2 operating roughly a half-dozen channels; broadcasts of privately owned stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 nationwide FM radio stations, 10 digital audio broadcasting stations, and 14 web-based radio stations; 140 commercial and 187 community (non-commercial) radio stations (2019) Topic: DhekeliaBritish Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Topic: Djiboutistate-owned Radiodiffusion-Television de Djibouti operates the sole terrestrial TV station, as well as the only 2 domestic radio networks; no private TV or radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Dominicano terrestrial TV service available; subscription cable TV provider offers some locally produced programming plus channels from the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean; state-operated radio broadcasts on 6 stations; privately owned radio broadcasts on about 15 stations (2019) Topic: Dominican Republiccombination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2019) Topic: Ecuadorthe Communication Council, an official entity, carried out a media registry in Ecuador in December 2020.  It registered 956 media outlets, 89% are private, 5% are public and 6% belong to small communities. The government controls most of the 44 public media, this includes national media and multiple local radio stations. In addition, of the 956 registered media, 58% are radio and 18% print. Two provinces have the largest number of media outlets: Guayas has 172 media outlets and Pichincha has 130 media outlets. (2020) so also sent to the National Assembly a new regulation proposal that is still under discussion. (2022)the Communication Council, an official entity, carried out a media registry in Ecuador in December 2020.  It registered 956 media outlets, 89% are private, 5% are public and 6% belong to small communities. The government controls most of the 44 public media, this includes national media and multiple local radio stations. In addition, of the 956 registered media, 58% are radio and 18% print. Two provinces have the largest number of media outlets: Guayas has 172 media outlets and Pichincha has 130 media outlets. (2020) so also sent to the National Assembly a new regulation proposal that is still under discussion. Topic: Egyptmix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks, as well as a few satellite channels; dozens of private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available for free; some limited satellite services are also available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 30 stations belonging to 8 networks; privately-owned radio includes 8 major stations, 4 of which belong to 1 network (2019) Topic: El Salvadormultiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and 1 government-owned radio broadcast station; transition to digital transmission to begin in 2018 along with adaptation of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T) Topic: Equatorial Guineathe state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 private TV station owned by the president's eldest son (who is the Vice President), 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are generally accessible (2019) Topic: Eritreagovernment controls broadcast media with private ownership prohibited; 1 state-owned TV station; state-owned radio operates 2 networks; purchases of satellite dishes and subscriptions to international broadcast media are permitted (2019) Topic: Estoniathe publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services Topic: Eswatini1 state-owned TV station; satellite dishes are able to access South African providers; state-owned radio network with 3 channels; 1 private radio station (2019) Topic: Ethiopia6 public TV stations broadcasting nationally and 10 public radio broadcasters; 7 private radio stations and 19 community radio stations (2017) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)TV service provided by a multi-channel service provider; radio services provided by the public broadcaster, Falkland Islands Radio Service, broadcasting on both AM and FM frequencies, and by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) (2007) Topic: Faroe Islands1 publicly owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly owned radio station supplemented by 3 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies Topic: FijiFiji TV, a publicly traded company, operates a free-to-air channel; Digicel Fiji operates the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations - 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters; 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available Topic: Finlanda mix of 3 publicly operated TV stations and numerous privately owned TV stations; several free and special-interest pay-TV channels; cable and satellite multi-channel subscription services are available; all TV signals are broadcast digitally; Internet television, such as Netflix and others, is available; public broadcasting maintains a network of 13 national and 25 regional radio stations; a large number of private radio broadcasters and access to Internet radio Topic: Francea mix of both publicly operated and privately owned TV stations; state-owned France television stations operate 4 networks, one of which is a network of regional stations, and has part-interest in several thematic cable/satellite channels and international channels; a large number of privately owned regional and local TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable services provide a large number of channels; public broadcaster Radio France operates 7 national networks, a series of regional networks, and operates services for overseas territories and foreign audiences; Radio France Internationale, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a leading international broadcaster; a large number of commercial FM stations, with many of them consolidating into commercial networks Topic: French PolynesiaFrench public overseas broadcaster Reseau Outre-Mer provides 2 TV channels and 1 radio station; 1 government-owned TV station; a small number of privately owned radio stations (2019) Topic: Gabonstate owns and operates 2 TV stations and 2 radio broadcast stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are available Topic: Gambia, The1 state-run TV-channel; one privately-owned TV-station; 1 Online TV-station; three state-owned radio station and 31 privately owned radio stations; eight community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country  (2019)1 state-run TV-channel; one privately-owned TV-station; 1 Online TV-station; three state-owned radio station and 31 privately owned radio stations; eight community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available, some via shortwave radio; cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable in some parts of the country  Topic: Gaza Strip1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessible Topic: GeorgiaThe Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2, and the Batumi-based Adjara TV, and the State Budget funds all three; there are also a number of independent commercial television broadcasters, such as Imedi, Rustavi 2, Pirveli TV, Maestro, Kavkasia, Georgian Dream Studios (GDS), Obiektivi, Mtavari Arkhi, and a small Russian language operator TOK TV; Tabula and Post TV are web-based television outlets; all of these broadcasters and web-based television outlets, except GDS, carry the news; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based television station called Unanimity; there are 26 regional television broadcasters across Georgia that are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters and/or the Alliance of Georgian Broadcasters; the broadcaster organizations seek to strengthen the regional media's capacities and distribution of regional products: a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations (2019) Topic: Germanya mixture of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; 70 national and regional public broadcasters compete with nearly 400 privately owned national and regional TV stations; more than 90% of households have cable or satellite TV; hundreds of radio stations including multiple national radio networks, regional radio networks, and a large number of local radio stations Topic: Ghanastate-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately owned TV stations and a large number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable Topic: GibraltarGibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) provides TV and radio broadcasting services via 1 TV station and 4 radio stations; British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) operates 1 radio station; broadcasts from Spanish radio and TV stations are accessible Topic: Greecebroadcast media dominated by the private sector; roughly 150 private TV channels, about 10 of which broadcast nationwide; 1 government-owned terrestrial TV channel with national coverage; 3 privately owned satellite channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV services available; upwards of 1,500 radio stations, all of them privately owned; government-owned broadcaster has 2 national radio stations Topic: Greenlandthe Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2019) Topic: Grenadamultiple publicly and privately owned television and radio stations; Grenada Information Service (GIS) is government-owned and provides television and radio services; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; Meaningful Television (MTV) broadcasts island-wide and is part of a locally-owned media house, Moving Target Company, that also includes an FM radio station and a weekly newspaper; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA) and is available island wide; approximately 25 private radio stations also broadcast throughout the country (2019) Topic: Guamabout a dozen TV channels, including digital channels; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations Topic: Guatemala4 privately owned national terrestrial TV channels dominate TV broadcasting; multi-channel satellite and cable services are available; 1 government-owned radio station and hundreds of privately owned radio stations (2019) Topic: Guernseymultiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey with relays in Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney; satellite packages are available; BBC Radio Guernsey and 1 other radio station operating Topic: GuineaGovernment maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private television stations; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services  (2022)Government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a dozen private television stations; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services  Topic: Guinea-Bissau1 state-owned TV station, Televisao da Guine-Bissau (TGB) and a second station, Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP) Africa, is operated by Portuguese public broadcaster (RTP); 1 state-owned radio station, several private radio stations, and some community radio stations; multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Guyanagovernment-dominated broadcast media; the National Communications Network (NCN) TV is state-owned; a few private TV stations relay satellite services; the state owns and operates 2 radio stations broadcasting on multiple frequencies capable of reaching the entire country; government limits on licensing of new private radio stations has constrained competition in broadcast media Topic: Haitiper 2019 data released by Haitian telecommunications regulator CONATEL (Conseil National des Télécommunications), there are 398 legal sound broadcasting stations on the territory, including about 60 community radio stations, and 7 radio stations on the AM band; the FM band in Haiti is oversaturated by 158%; most radio stations broadcast 17 to 19 hours a day; there are 105 television stations operating in Haiti, including 36 TV stations in Port- au- Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; a large number of broadcasting stations operate irregularly and some stations operate with technical parameters that do not comply with established standards, thus causing harmful interference to existing telecommunications systems; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations (2019)per 2019 data released by Haitian telecommunications regulator CONATEL (Conseil National des Télécommunications), there are 398 legal sound broadcasting stations on the territory, including about 60 community radio stations, and 7 radio stations on the AM band; the FM band in Haiti is oversaturated by 158%; most radio stations broadcast 17 to 19 hours a day; there are 105 television stations operating in Haiti, including 36 TV stations in Port- au- Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; a large number of broadcasting stations operate irregularly and some stations operate with technical parameters that do not comply with established standards, thus causing harmful interference to existing telecommunications systems; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)the Vatican Television Center (CTV) transmits live broadcasts of the Pope's Sunday and Wednesday audiences, as well as the Pope's public celebrations; CTV also produces documentaries; Vatican Radio is the Holy See's official broadcasting service broadcasting via shortwave, AM and FM frequencies, and via satellite and Internet connections; Vatican News website partners with Vatican Radio and provides Catholic news provided by the Vatican (2021) Topic: Hondurasmultiple privately owned terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by multiple cable TV networks; Radio Honduras is the lone government-owned radio network; roughly 300 privately owned radio stations Topic: Hong Kong4 commercial terrestrial TV networks each with multiple stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; 3 licensed broadcasters of terrestrial radio, one of which is government funded, operate about 12 radio stations; note - 4 digital radio broadcasters operated in Hong Kong from 2010 to 2017, but all digital radio services were terminated in September 2017 due to weak market demand (2019) Topic: Hungarymixed system of state-supported public service broadcast media and private broadcasters; the 5 publicly owned TV channels and the 2 main privately owned TV stations are the major national broadcasters; a large number of special interest channels; highly developed market for satellite and cable TV services with about two-thirds of viewers utilizing their services; 4 state-supported public-service radio networks; a large number of local stations including commercial, public service, nonprofit, and community radio stations; digital transition completed at the end of 2013; government-linked businesses have greatly consolidated ownership in broadcast and print media (2019) Topic: Icelandstate-owned public TV broadcaster (RUV) operates 21 TV channels nationally (RUV and RUV 2, though RUV 2 is used less frequently);  RUV broadcasts nationally, every household in Iceland is required to have RUV as it doubles as the emergency broadcast network; RUV also operates stringer offices in the north (Akureyri) and the east (Egilsstadir) but operations are all run out of RUV headquarters in Reykjavik;  there are 3 privately owned TV stations;  Stod 2 (Channel 2) is owned by Syn, following 365 Media and Vodafone merger, and is headquartered in Reykjavik;  Syn also operates 4 sports channels under Stod 2;  N4 is the only television station headquartered outside of Reykjavik, in Akureyri, with local programming for the north, south, and east of Iceland;  Hringbraut is the newest station and is headquartered in Reykjavik;  all of these television stations have nationwide penetration as 100% of households have multi-channel services though digital and/or fiber-optic connections RUV operates 3 radio stations (RAS 1, RAS2, and Rondo) as well as 4 regional stations (but they mostly act as range extenders for RUV radio broadcasts nationwide);  there is 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), that broadcasts nationwide, and 3 other radio stations that broadcast to the most densely populated regions of the country.  In addition there are upwards of 20 radio stations that operate regionally (2019)RUV operates 3 radio stations (RAS 1, RAS2, and Rondo) as well as 4 regional stations (but they mostly act as range extenders for RUV radio broadcasts nationwide);  there is 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), that broadcasts nationwide, and 3 other radio stations that broadcast to the most densely populated regions of the country.  In addition there are upwards of 20 radio stations that operate regionally Topic: IndiaDoordarshan, India's public TV network, has a monopoly on terrestrial broadcasting and operates about 20 national, regional, and local services; a large and increasing number of privately owned TV stations are distributed by cable and satellite service providers; in 2020, 130 million households paid for cable and satellite television across India and as of 2018, cable and satellite TV offered over 850 TV channels; government controls AM radio with All India Radio operating domestic and external networks; news broadcasts via radio are limited to the All India Radio Network; since 2000, privately owned FM stations have been permitted and their numbers have increased rapidly (2020) Topic: Indonesiamixture of about a dozen national TV networks - 1 public broadcaster, the remainder private broadcasters - each with multiple transmitters; more than 100 local TV stations; widespread use of satellite and cable TV systems; public radio broadcaster operates 6 national networks, as well as regional and local stations; overall, more than 700 radio stations with more than 650 privately operated (2019) Topic: Iranstate-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates 19 nationwide channels including a news channel, about 34 provincial channels, and several international channels; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV are capable of being seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use is subjectively tolerated, authorities confiscate satellite dishes from time to time; IRIB operates 16 nationwide radio networks, a number of provincial stations, and an external service; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2019) Topic: Iraqthe number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; government-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly funded Iraqi Media Network; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to an estimated 70% of viewers and many of the broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2019) Topic: Irelandpublicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 4 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2019) Topic: Isle of Mannational public radio broadcasts over 3 FM stations and 1 AM station; 2 commercial broadcasters operating with 1 having multiple FM stations; receives radio and TV services via relays from British TV and radio broadcasters Topic: Israelthe Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019) Topic: Italytwo Italian media giants dominate - the publicly owned Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) with 3 national terrestrial stations and privately owned Mediaset with 3 national terrestrial stations; a large number of private stations and Sky Italia - a satellite TV network; RAI operates 3 AM/FM nationwide radio stations; about 1,300 commercial radio stations Topic: Jamaica3 free-to-air TV stations, subscription cable services, and roughly 30 radio stations (2019) Topic: Jan Mayena coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994 Topic: Japana mixture of public and commercial broadcast TV and radio stations; 6 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; the large number of radio and TV stations available provide a wide range of choices; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2019) Topic: Jerseymultiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey; satellite packages available; BBC Radio Jersey and 1 other radio station operating Topic: Jordanradio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available Topic: Kazakhstanthe state owns nearly all radio and TV transmission facilities and operates national TV and radio networks; there are 96 TV channels, many of which are owned by the government, and 4 state-run radio stations; some former state-owned media outlets have been privatized; households with satellite dishes have access to foreign media; a small number of commercial radio stations operate along with state-run radio stations; recent legislation requires all media outlets to register with the government and all TV providers to broadcast in digital format by 2018; broadcasts reach some 99% of the population as well as neighboring countries (2018) Topic: Kenyaabout a half-dozen large-scale privately owned media companies with TV and radio stations, as well as a state-owned TV broadcaster, provide service nationwide; satellite and cable TV subscription services available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; many private radio stations broadcast on a national level along with over 100 private and non-profit regional stations broadcasting in local languages; TV transmissions of all major international broadcasters available, mostly via paid subscriptions; direct radio frequency modulation transmissions available for several foreign government-owned broadcasters (2019) Topic: Kiribatimulti-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017) Topic: Korea, Northno independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 government-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2019) Topic: Korea, Southmultiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations Topic: Kuwaitstate-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged; satellite TV available and pan-Arab TV stations are especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Kyrgyzstanstate-funded public TV broadcaster KTRK has nationwide coverage; also operates Ala-Too 24 news channel which broadcasts 24/7 and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR and Channel 5 are state-owned stations with national reach; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 stations are struggling to increase their own content up to 50% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting primarily programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; 3 Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations also exist (2019) Topic: Laos6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane - 3 government-operated and the others commercial; 17 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated stations in Vientiane; Chinese and Vietnamese programming relayed via satellite from Lao National TV; broadcasts available from stations in Thailand and Vietnam in border areas; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies - 1 AM, 1 SW, and 3 FM; LNR's AM and FM programs are relayed via satellite constituting a large part of the programming schedules of the provincial radio stations; Thai radio broadcasts available in border areas and transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are also accessible Topic: Latviaseveral national and regional commercial TV stations are foreign-owned, 2 national TV stations are publicly owned; system supplemented by privately owned regional and local TV stations; cable and satellite multi-channel TV services with domestic and foreign broadcasts available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 4 radio networks with dozens of stations throughout the country; dozens of private broadcasters also operate radio stations Topic: Lebanon7 TV stations, 1 of which is state owned; more than 30 radio stations, 1 of which is state owned; satellite and cable TV services available; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible through partner stations (2019) Topic: Lesotho1 state-owned TV station and 2 state-owned radio stations; government controls most private broadcast media; satellite TV subscription service available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters obtainable (2019) Topic: Liberia8 private and 1 government-owned TV station; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; approximately 20 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with approximately 80 more local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 4 international (including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Radio France Internationale) broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Libyastate-funded and private TV stations; some provinces operate local TV stations; pan-Arab satellite TV stations are available; state-funded radio (2019) Topic: Liechtensteinrelies on foreign terrestrial and satellite broadcasters for most broadcast media services; first Liechtenstein-based TV station established August 2008; Radio Liechtenstein operates multiple radio stations; a Swiss-based broadcaster operates one radio station in Liechtenstein Topic: Lithuaniapublic broadcaster operates 3 channels with the third channel - a satellite channel - introduced in 2007; various privately owned commercial TV broadcasters operate national and multiple regional channels; many privately owned local TV stations; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services available; publicly owned broadcaster operates 3 radio networks; many privately owned commercial broadcasters, with repeater stations in various regions throughout the country Topic: LuxembourgLuxembourg has a long tradition of operating radio and TV services for pan-European audiences and is home to Europe's largest privately owned broadcast media group, the RTL Group, which operates 46 TV stations and 29 radio stations in Europe; also home to Europe's largest satellite operator, Societe Europeenne des Satellites (SES); domestically, the RTL Group operates TV and radio networks; other domestic private radio and TV operators and French and German stations available; satellite and cable TV services available Topic: Macaulocal government dominates broadcast media; 2 television stations operated by the government with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; 1 cable TV and 4 satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2019) Topic: Madagascarstate-owned Radio Nationale Malagasy (RNM) and Television Malagasy (TVM) have an extensive national network reach; privately owned radio and TV broadcasters in cities and major towns; state-run radio dominates in rural areas; relays of 2 international broadcasters are available in Antananarivo (2019) Topic: Malawiradio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national broadcasting reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns around the country; the largest TV network is government-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Malaysiastate-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019) Topic: Maldivesstate-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned TV stations and 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned radio stations (2019) Topic: Malinational public TV broadcaster; 2 privately owned companies provide subscription services to foreign multi-channel TV packages; national public radio broadcaster supplemented by a large number of privately owned and community broadcast stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Malta2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, 2 of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2019) Topic: Marshall Islandsno TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; American Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and television service to Kwajalein Atoll (2019) Topic: Mauritania12 TV stations: 6 government-owned and 6 private (the 6th was started in early 2022, owed by the President of Mauritanian Businessmen); in October 2017, the government suspended most private TV stations due to non-payment of broadcasting fees, but they later negotiated payment options with the government and are back since 2019. There are 19 radio broadcasters: 15 government-owned, 4 (Radio Nouakchott Libre, Radio Tenwir, Radio Kobeni and Mauritanid) private; all 4 private radio stations broadcast from Nouakchott; of the 15 government stations, 4 broadcast from Nouakchott (Radio Mauritanie, Radio Jeunesse, Radio Koran and Mauritanid) and the other 12 broadcast from each of the 12 regions outside Nouakchott; Radio Jeunesse and Radio Koran are now also being re-broadcast in all the regions. (2022) Topic: Mauritiusthe government maintains control over TV broadcasting through the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which only operates digital TV stations since June 2015; MBC is a shareholder in a local company that operates 2 pay-TV stations; the state retains the largest radio broadcast network with multiple stations; several private radio broadcasters have entered the market since 2001; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Mexicotelecom reform in 2013 enabled the creation of new broadcast television channels after decades of a quasi-monopoly; Mexico has 885 TV stations and 1,841 radio stations and most are privately owned; the Televisa group once had a virtual monopoly in TV broadcasting, but new broadcasting groups and foreign satellite and cable operators are now available; in 2016, Mexico became the first country in Latin America to complete the transition from analog to digital transmissions, allowing for better image and audio quality and a wider selection of programming from networks (2022) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofno TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half-dozen radio stations (2009) Topic: Moldovastate-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; a total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2019) Topic: MonacoTV Monte-Carlo operates a TV network; cable TV available; Radio Monte-Carlo has extensive radio networks in France and Italy with French-language broadcasts to France beginning in the 1960s and Italian-language broadcasts to Italy beginning in the 1970s; other radio stations include Riviera Radio and Radio Monaco Topic: Mongoliafollowing a law passed in 2005, Mongolia's state-run radio and TV provider converted to a public service provider; also available are 68 radio and 160 TV stations, including multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Montenegrostate-funded national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks; 4 local public TV stations and 14 private TV stations; 14 local public radio stations, 35 private radio stations, and several on-line media (2019) Topic: MontserratRadio Montserrat, a public radio broadcaster, transmits on 1 station and has a repeater transmission to a second station; repeater transmissions from the GEM Radio Network of Trinidad and Tobago provide another 2 radio stations; cable and satellite TV available (2007) Topic: Morocco2 TV broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks with RTM operating one; the government-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2019) Topic: Mozambique1 state-run TV station supplemented by private TV station; Portuguese state TV's African service, RTP Africa, and Brazilian-owned TV Miramar are available; state-run radio provides nearly 100% territorial coverage and broadcasts in multiple languages; a number of privately owned and community-operated stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: Namibia1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available Topic: Nauru1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2019) Topic: Nepalstate operates 3 TV stations, as well as national and regional radio stations; 117 television channels are licensed, among those 71 are cable television channels, three are distributed through Direct-To-Home (DTH) system, and four are digital terrestrial; 736 FM radio stations are licensed and at least 314 of those radio stations are community radio stations (2019) Topic: Netherlandsmore than 90% of households are connected to cable or satellite TV systems that provide a wide range of domestic and foreign channels; public service broadcast system includes multiple broadcasters, 3 with a national reach and the remainder operating in regional and local markets; 2 major nationwide commercial television companies, each with 3 or more stations, and many commercial TV stations in regional and local markets; nearly 600 radio stations with a mix of public and private stations providing national or regional coverage Topic: New Caledoniathe publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast Topic: New Zealandstate-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks and state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available, as are a range of streaming services (2019) Topic: Nicaraguamultiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are government-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both government-affiliated and privately owned (2019) Topic: Nigerstate-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available Topic: Nigerianearly 70 federal government-controlled national and regional TV stations; all 36 states operate TV stations; several private TV stations operational; cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; network of federal government-controlled national, regional, and state radio stations; roughly 40 state government-owned radio stations typically carry their own programs except for news broadcasts; about 20 private radio stations; transmissions of international broadcasters are available; digital broadcasting migration process completed in three states in 2018 (2019) Topic: Niue1 government-owned TV station with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 government-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2019) Topic: Norfolk Island1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009) Topic: North Macedoniapublic service TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 3 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; additionally, there are 10 regional TV stations that broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters, 54 TV channels with concession for cable TV, 9 regional TV stations with concessions for cable TV; 4 satellite TV channels broadcasting on a national level, 21 local commercial TV channels, and a large number of cable operators that offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates over 3 stations; there are 4 privately owned radio stations that broadcast nationally; 17 regional radio stations, and 49 local commercial radio stations (2019) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands1 TV broadcast station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio broadcast stations (2009) Topic: Norwaystate-owned public radio-TV broadcaster operates 3 nationwide TV stations, 3 nationwide radio stations, and 16 regional radio stations; roughly a dozen privately owned TV stations broadcast nationally and roughly another 25 local TV stations broadcasting; nearly 75% of households have access to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 2 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationwide and another 240 stations operate locally; Norway is the first country in the world to phase out FM radio in favor of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), a process scheduled for completion in late 2017 (2019) Topic: Oman1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and several additional stations now operating (2019) Topic: Pakistantelevision is the most popular and dominant source of news in Pakistan with over 120 satellite tv stations licensed by the country’s electronic media regulatory body, PEMRA ,and 40 media companies/channels with landing rights permission; state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is the largest television network in the country and serves over 90% of the population with the largest terrestrial infrastructure of the country; PTV consists of nine TV Channels and PTV networks give special coverage to Kashmir; Pakistanis have access to over 100 private cable and satellite channels; 6 channels are considered the leaders for news reporting and current affairs programing in the country; state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC or Radio Pakistan) has the largest radio audience in the country, particularly in the rural areas; Radio Pakistan’s AM/SW/FM stations cover 98 percent of the population and 80 percent of the total area in the country; all major newspapers have online editions and all major print publications operate websites; freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the country are fragile (2021) Topic: Palauno broadcast TV stations; a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 4 local cable stations, rebroadcasts (on a delayed basis) of a number of US stations, as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels; about a half dozen radio stations (1 government-owned) (2019) Topic: Panamamultiple privately owned TV networks and a government-owned educational TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV subscription services are available; more than 100 commercial radio stations (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinea4 TV stations: 1 commercial station operating since 1987, 1 state-run station launched in 2008, 1 digital free-to-view network launched in 2014, and 1 satellite network Click TV (PNGTV) launched in 2015; the state-run National Broadcasting Corporation operates 3 radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations; several commercial radio stations with multiple transmission points as well as several community stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible (2018) Topic: Paraguay6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019) Topic: Peru10 major TV networks of which only one, Television Nacional de Peru, is state owned; multi-channel cable TV services are available; in excess of 5,000 radio stations including a substantial number of indigenous language stations (2021) Topic: Philippinesmultiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers, and some 1,400 radio stations; the Philippines adopted Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial standard for digital terrestrial television in November 2013 and is scheduled to complete the switch from analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2023 (2019) Topic: Pitcairn Islandssatellite TV from Fiji-based Sky Pacific offering a wide range of international channels Topic: Polandstate-run public TV operates 2 national channels supplemented by 16 regional channels and several niche channels; privately owned entities operate several national TV networks and a number of special interest channels; many privately owned channels broadcasting locally; roughly half of all households are linked to either satellite or cable TV systems providing access to foreign television networks; state-run public radio operates 5 national networks and 17 regional radio stations; 2 privately owned national radio networks, several commercial stations broadcasting to multiple cities, and many privately owned local radio stations (2019) Topic: PortugalRadio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP), the publicly owned TV broadcaster, operates 4 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations; viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations Topic: Puerto Ricomore than 30 TV stations operating; cable TV subscription services are available; roughly 125 radio stations Topic: QatarTV and radio broadcast licensing and access to local media markets are state controlled; home of the satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera, which was originally owned and financed by the Qatari government but has evolved to independent corporate status; Al-Jazeera claims editorial independence in broadcasting; local radio transmissions include state, private, and international broadcasters on FM frequencies in Doha; in August 2013, Qatar's satellite company Es'hailSat launched its first communications satellite Es'hail 1 (manufactured in the US), which entered commercial service in December 2013 to provide improved television broadcasting capability and expand availability of voice and Internet; Es'hailSat launched its second commercial satellite in 2018 with aid of SpaceX (2019) Topic: Romaniaa mixture of public and private TV stations; there are 7 public TV stations (2 national, 5 regional) using terrestrial broadcasting and 187 private TV stations (out of which 171 offer local coverage) using terrestrial broadcasting, plus 11 public TV stations using satellite broadcasting and 86 private TV stations using satellite broadcasting; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 4 national networks and regional and local stations, having in total 20 public radio stations by terrestrial broadcasting plus 4 public radio stations by satellite broadcasting; there are 502 operational private radio stations using terrestrial broadcasting and 26 private radio stations using satellite broadcasting Topic: Russia13 national TV stations with the federal government owning 1 and holding a controlling interest in a second; state-owned Gazprom maintains a controlling interest in 2 of the national channels; government-affiliated Bank Rossiya owns controlling interest in a fourth and fifth, while a sixth national channel is owned by the Moscow city administration; the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian military, respectively, own 2 additional national channels; roughly 3,300 national, regional, and local TV stations with over two-thirds completely or partially controlled by the federal or local governments; satellite TV services are available; 2 state-run national radio networks with a third majority-owned by Gazprom; roughly 2,400 public and commercial radio stations Topic: Rwanda13 TV stations; 35 radio stations registered, including international broadcasters, government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV services available Topic: Saint Barthelemy2 local TV broadcasters; 5 FM radio channels (2021) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena has no local TV station; 2 local radio stations, one of which is relayed to Ascension Island; satellite TV stations rebroadcast terrestrially; Ascension Island has no local TV station but has 1 local radio station and receives relays of broadcasts from 1 radio station on Saint Helena; broadcasts from the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) are available, as well as TV services for the US military; Tristan da Cunha has 1 local radio station and receives BFBS TV and radio broadcasts Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisthe government operates a national TV network that broadcasts on 2 channels; cable subscription services provide access to local and international channels; the government operates a national radio network; a mix of government-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate roughly 15 radio stations (2019) Topic: Saint Lucia3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station operating on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; a mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate nearly 25 radio stations including repeater transmission stations (2019) Topic: Saint Martin1 local TV station; access to about 20 radio stations, including RFO Guadeloupe radio broadcasts via repeater Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon8 TV stations, all part of the French Overseas Network, and local cable provided by SPM Telecom; 3 of 4 radio stations on St. Pierre and on Miquelon are part of the French Overseas Network (2021) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSt. Vincent and the Grenadines Broadcasting Corporation operates 1 TV station and 5 repeater stations that provide near total coverage to the multi-island state; multi-channel cable TV service available; a partially government-funded national radio service broadcasts on 1 station and has 2 repeater stations; about a dozen privately owned radio stations and repeater stations Topic: Samoastate-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned television broadcast stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned radio station; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019) Topic: San Marinostate-owned public broadcaster operates 1 TV station and 3 radio stations; receives radio and TV broadcasts from Italy (2019) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe1 government-owned TV station; 1 government-owned radio station; 3 independent local radio stations authorized in 2005 with 2 operating at the end of 2006; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available Topic: Saudi Arabiabroadcast media are state-controlled; state-run TV operates 4 networks; Saudi Arabia is a major market for pan-Arab satellite TV broadcasters; state-run radio operates several networks; multiple international broadcasters are available Topic: Senegalstate-run Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) broadcasts TV programs from five cities in Senegal; in most regions of the country, viewers can receive TV programming from at least 7 private broadcasters; a wide range of independent TV programming is available via satellite; RTS operates a national radio network and a number of regional FM stations; at least 7 community radio stations and 18 private-broadcast radio stations are available; transmissions of at least 5 international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar (2019) Topic: Seychellesthe national broadcaster, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which is funded by taxpayer money, operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; a privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel also provides local programming multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available through 2 providers; the national broadcaster operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; there are 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria (2019)the national broadcaster, Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which is funded by taxpayer money, operates the only terrestrial TV station, which provides local programming and airs broadcasts from international services; a privately owned Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel also provides local programming multi-channel cable and satellite TV are available through 2 providers; the national broadcaster operates 1 AM and 1 FM radio station; there are 2 privately operated radio stations; transmissions of 2 international broadcasters are accessible in Victoria Topic: Sierra Leone1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available  (2019)1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available  Topic: Singaporestate controls broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; a total of 19 domestic radio stations broadcasting, with MediaCorp operating 11, Singapore Press Holdings, also government-linked, another 5, 2 controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association and one owned by BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available as is BBC; a number of Internet service radio stations are also available (2019) Topic: Slovakiastate-owned public broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), operates 2 national TV stations and multiple national and regional radio networks; roughly 50 privately owned TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 40% of households are connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV; 32 privately owned radio stations Topic: Sloveniapublic TV broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV), operates a system of national and regional TV stations; 35 domestic commercial TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 60% of households are connected to multi-channel cable TV; public radio broadcaster operates 3 national and 4 regional stations; more than 75 regional and local commercial and non-commercial radio stations Topic: Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) does not broadcast television; multi-channel pay-TV is available; SIBC operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; there are 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite feed (since 2009) (2019) Topic: Somalia2 private TV stations rebroadcast Al-Jazeera and CNN; Somaliland has 1 government-operated TV station and Puntland has 1 private TV station; the transitional government operates Radio Mogadishu; 1 SW and roughly 10 private FM radio stations broadcast in Mogadishu; several radio stations operate in central and southern regions; Somaliland has 1 government-operated radio station; Puntland has roughly a half-dozen private radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2019) Topic: South Africathe South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) operates 4 TV stations, 3 are free-to-air and 1 is pay TV; e.tv, a private station, is accessible to more than half the population; multiple subscription TV services provide a mix of local and international channels; well-developed mix of public and private radio stations at the national, regional, and local levels; the SABC radio network, state-owned and controlled but nominally independent, operates 18 stations, one for each of the 11 official languages, 4 community stations, and 3 commercial stations; more than 100 community-based stations extend coverage to rural areas Topic: South Sudana single TV channel and a radio station are controlled by the government; several community and commercial FM stations are operational, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts are available (2019)a single TV channel and a radio station are controlled by the government; several community and commercial FM stations are operational, mostly sponsored by outside aid donors; some foreign radio broadcasts are available Topic: Spaina mixture of both publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; overall, hundreds of TV channels are available including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV systems available; multiple national radio networks, a large number of regional radio networks, and a larger number of local radio stations; overall, hundreds of radio stations  (2019)a mixture of both publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; overall, hundreds of TV channels are available including national, regional, local, public, and international channels; satellite and cable TV systems available; multiple national radio networks, a large number of regional radio networks, and a larger number of local radio stations; overall, hundreds of radio stations  Topic: Sri Lankagovernment operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations Topic: SudanFollowing the establishment of Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government in August 2019, government-owned broadcasters became increasingly independent from government and military control. Following the October 2021 military takeover, additional restrictions were imposed on these government-owned broadcasters, which now practice a heightened degree of self-censorship but still operate more independently than in the pre-2019 environment. (2022) Topic: Suriname2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2019) Topic: Svalbardthe Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) began direct TV transmission to Svalbard via satellite in 1984; Longyearbyen households have access to 3 NRK radio and 2 TV stations Topic: Swedenpublicly owned TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial networks plus regional stations; multiple privately owned TV broadcasters operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 50 local TV stations; widespread access to pan-Nordic and international broadcasters through multi-channel cable and satellite TV; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 national stations and a network of 25 regional channels; roughly 100 privately owned local radio stations with some consolidating into near national networks; an estimated 900 community and neighborhood radio stations broadcast intermittently Topic: Switzerlandthe publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 17 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage ) (2019)the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 17 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage ) Topic: Syriastate-run TV and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and 5 satellite channels; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2018) Topic: Taiwan5 nationwide television networks operating roughly 22 TV stations; more than 300 satellite TV channels are available; about 60% of households utilize multi-channel cable TV; 99.9% of households subscribe to digital cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 171 radio stations (2019) Topic: Tajikistanstate-run TV broadcasters transmit nationally on 9 TV and 10 radio stations, and regionally on 4 stations; 31 independent TV and 20 radio stations broadcast locally and regionally; many households are able to receive Russian and other foreign stations via cable and satellite (2016) Topic: Tanzaniaaccording to statistics from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Tanzania had 45 television stations as of 2020; 13 of those stations provided national content services (commercially broadcasting free-to-air television); there are 196 radio stations, most operating at the district level, but also including 5 independent nationally broadcasting stations and 1 state-owned national radio station; international broadcasting is available through satellite television which is becoming increasingly widespread; there are 3 major satellite TV providers (2020) Topic: Thailand26 digital TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally, 6 terrestrial TV stations in Bangkok broadcast nationally via relay stations - 2 of the stations are owned by the military, the other 4 are government-owned or controlled, leased to private enterprise, and all are required to broadcast government-produced news programs twice a day; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services are available; radio frequencies have been allotted for more than 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2017) Topic: Timor-Leste7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019) Topic: Togo1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; five private TV stations broadcast locally; cable TV service is available; state-owned radio network with two stations (in Lome and Kara); several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019) Topic: TokelauSky TV access for around 30% of the population; each atoll operates a radio service that provides shipping news and weather reports (2019) Topic: Tonga1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2019) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago6 free-to-air TV networks, 2 of which are state-owned; 24 subscription providers (cable and satellite); over 36 radio frequencies (2019) Topic: Tunisia2 state-owned TV stations; 10 private TV stations broadcast locally; satellite TV service is available; state-owned radio network with 2 stations; several dozen private radio stations and community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019) Topic: TurkeyTurkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and 567 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; 1,007 private radio broadcast stations (2019)Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and 567 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; 1,007 private radio broadcast stations Topic: Turkmenistanbroadcast media is government controlled and censored; 7 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes and programming provide an alternative to the state-run media; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by removing satellite dishes Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsno local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations Topic: Tuvaluno TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV stations; 1 government-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays of programming from international broadcasters (2019) Topic: Ugandapublic broadcaster, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC), operates radio and TV networks; 31 Free-To-Air (FTA) TV stations, 2 digital terrestrial TV stations, 3 cable TV stations, and 5 digital satellite TV stations; 258 operational FM stations Topic: UkraineUkraine’s media landscape is dominated by oligarch-owned news outlets, which are often politically motivated and at odds with one another and/or the government; while polls suggest most Ukrainians still receive news from traditional media sources, social media is a crucial component of information dissemination in Ukraine; almost all Ukrainian politicians and opinion leaders communicate with the public via social media and maintain at least one social media page, if not more; this allows them direct communication with audiences, and news often breaks on Facebook or Twitter before being picked up by traditional news outlets Ukraine television serves as the principal source of news; the largest national networks are controlled by oligarchs: TRK Ukraina is owned by Rinat Akhmetov; Studio 1+1 is owned by Ihor Kolomoyskyy; Inter is owned by Dmytro Firtash and Serhiy Lyovochkin; and StarlightMedia channels (ICTV, STB, and Novyi Kanal) are owned by Victor Pinchuk;  a set of 24-hour news channels also have clear political affiliations: pro-Ukrainian government Channel 5 and Pryamyi are linked to President Petro Poroshenko; 24 is owned by opposition, but not pro-Russian, politicians; UA: Suspilne is a public television station under the umbrella of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine; while it is often praised by media experts for balanced coverage, it lags in popularity; Ukrainian Radio, institutionally linked to UA: Suspilne, is one of only two national talk radio networks, with the other being the privately owned Radio NV (2021)Ukraine television serves as the principal source of news; the largest national networks are controlled by oligarchs: TRK Ukraina is owned by Rinat Akhmetov; Studio 1+1 is owned by Ihor Kolomoyskyy; Inter is owned by Dmytro Firtash and Serhiy Lyovochkin; and StarlightMedia channels (ICTV, STB, and Novyi Kanal) are owned by Victor Pinchuk;  a set of 24-hour news channels also have clear political affiliations: pro-Ukrainian government Channel 5 and Pryamyi are linked to President Petro Poroshenko; 24 is owned by opposition, but not pro-Russian, politicians; UA: Suspilne is a public television station under the umbrella of the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine; while it is often praised by media experts for balanced coverage, it lags in popularity; Ukrainian Radio, institutionally linked to UA: Suspilne, is one of only two national talk radio networks, with the other being the privately owned Radio NV Topic: United Arab Emiratesexcept for the many organizations now operating in media free zones in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, most TV and radio stations remain government-owned; widespread use of satellite dishes provides access to pan-Arab and other international broadcasts; restrictions since June 2017 on some satellite channels and websites originating from or otherwise linked to Qatar (2018) Topic: United Kingdompublic service broadcaster, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world; BBC operates multiple TV networks with regional and local TV service; a mixed system of public and commercial TV broadcasters along with satellite and cable systems provide access to hundreds of TV stations throughout the world; BBC operates multiple national, regional, and local radio networks with multiple transmission sites; a large number of commercial radio stations, as well as satellite radio services are available (2018) Topic: United States4 major terrestrial TV networks with affiliate stations throughout the country, plus cable and satellite networks, independent stations, and a limited public broadcasting sector that is largely supported by private grants; overall, thousands of TV stations broadcasting; multiple national radio networks with many affiliate stations; while most stations are commercial, National Public Radio (NPR) has a network of some 900 member stations; satellite radio available; in total, over 15,000 radio stations operating (2018) Topic: Uruguaymixture of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2019) Topic: Uzbekistanthe government controls media; 17 state-owned broadcasters - 13 TV and 4 radio - provide service to virtually the entire country; about 20 privately owned TV stations, overseen by local officials, broadcast to local markets; privately owned TV stations are required to lease transmitters from the government-owned Republic TV and Radio Industry Corporation; in 2019, the Uzbek Agency for Press and Information was reorganized into the Agency of Information and Mass Communications and became part of the Uzbek Presidential Administration with recent appointment of the Uzbek President's elder daughter as it deputy director (2019) Topic: Vanuatu1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV is available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; programming from multiple international broadcasters is available Topic: VenezuelaVenezuela has a mixture of state-run and private broadcast media that are subject to high levels of regime control, including the shuttering of opposition-leaning media outlets; 13 public service networks, 61 privately owned TV networks, a privately owned news channel with limited national coverage, and a regime-backed Pan-American channel; 3 regime-run radio networks officially control roughly 65 news stations and another 30 stations targeted at specific audiences; regime-sponsored community broadcasters include 235 radio stations and 44 TV stations; the number of private broadcast radio stations has been declining, but many still remain in operation (2021) Topic: Vietnamgovernment controls all broadcast media exercising oversight through the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); government-controlled national TV provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), operates a network of several channels with regional broadcasting centers; programming is relayed nationwide via a network of provincial and municipal TV stations; law limits access to satellite TV but many households are able to access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; government-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on several channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations throughout Vietnam (2018) Topic: Virgin Islandsabout a dozen TV broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations Topic: Wake IslandAmerican Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio/TV broadcasts (2018) Topic: Wallis and Futunathe publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019) Topic: West Bankthe Palestinian Authority operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; about 20 private TV and 40 radio stations; both Jordanian TV and satellite TV are accessible Topic: Yemenstate-run TV with 2 stations; state-run radio with 2 national radio stations and 5 local stations; stations from Oman and Saudi Arabia can be accessed Topic: Zambiaaccording to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country (2019)according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country Topic: Zimbabwegovernment owns all local radio and TV stations; foreign shortwave broadcasts and satellite TV are available to those who can afford antennas and receivers; in rural areas, access to TV broadcasts is extremely limited; analog TV only, no digital service (2017)

20220901

countries-fiji-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration. The population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable.Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration. The population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Topic: Geography Area: total: 18,274 sq km land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Topic: People and Society Population: 943,737 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: iTaukei 56.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5% (European, part European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 est.) Languages: English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official) Religions: Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Suva (on Viti Levu) Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE (since 12 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA (since 22 September 2014) Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (51 seats; members directly elected in a nationwide, multi-seat constituency by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: tourism-based Pacific island economy, susceptible to sea-level rises; new energy infrastructure investments; major foreign direct investment; COVID-19 crippled tourism sector; privatizing state-owned enterprises; military coups have destabilized labor forcetourism-based Pacific island economy, susceptible to sea-level rises; new energy infrastructure investments; major foreign direct investment; COVID-19 crippled tourism sector; privatizing state-owned enterprises; military coups have destabilized labor force Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.86 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,000 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, taro, poultry, vegetables, coconuts, eggs, milk, ginger, sweet potatoes Industries: tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber Exports: $1.23 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 29%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 7%, Japan 6%, Tonga 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: water, refined petroleum, fish, raw sugar, gold (2019) Imports: $1.97 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Singapore 18%, Australia 13%, China 13.8%, New Zealand 11%, France 11%, South Korea 8% (2017) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, aircraft, cars, wheat, broadcasting equipment (2019) Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

countries-anguilla

Topic: Photos of Anguilla Topic: Introduction Background: Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. On 7 September 2017, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 91 sq km land: 91 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about one-half the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 61 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Elevation: highest point: Crocus Hill 73 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 61.1% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) Geography - note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles Map description: Anguilla map showing the major island of Anguilla and its nearby small islands that comprise this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.Anguilla map showing the major island of Anguilla and its nearby small islands that comprise this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 18,741 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan Ethnic groups: African/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin Languages: English (official) Religions: Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.63% (male 1,991/female 1,922) 15-24 years: 13.9% (male 1,269/female 1,246) 25-54 years: 42.27% (male 3,428/female 4,218) 55-64 years: 12.42% (male 993/female 1,254) 65 years and over: 9.78% (2020 est.) (male 874/female 895) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 35.7 years male: 33.7 years female: 37.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.8% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.01 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 10.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.2 years male: 79.59 years female: 84.89 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2017 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 61.1% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla etymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape Government type: parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Capital: name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the capital's location between several hills Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) Constitution: history: several previous; latest 1 April 1982 amendments: amended 1990, 2012, 2017, 2019 Legal system: common law based on the English model Citizenship: see United Kingdom Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM (since 18 January 2021) head of government: Premier Dr. Ellis WEBSTER (since 30 June 2020); note -  starting in 2019, the title of head of government was changed to premier from chief minister of Anguilla cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APM 7, AUF 4; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3% Judicial branch: highest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, though none on Anguilla judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court Political parties and leaders: Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP Anguilla National Alliance or ANA Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]; (formerly Anguilla United Movement or AUM) Anguilla United Front or AUF [Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE] (alliance includes ADP, ANA) International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000 Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength National symbol(s): dolphin National anthem: name: "God Bless Anguilla" lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, is unsuited for agriculture, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the recovery of the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $175.4 million (2009 est.) $191.7 million (2008 est.) $108.9 million (2004 est.) Real GDP growth rate: -8.5% (2009 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,200 (2008 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $175.4 million (2009 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.3% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3% (2017 est.) industry: 10.5% (2017 est.) services: 86.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services Industrial production growth rate: 4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6,049 (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 74.1% industry: 3% services: 18% agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% (2000 est.) manufacturing: 3% (2000 est.) construction: 18% (2000 est.) transportation and utilities: 10% (2000 est.) commerce: 36% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 8% (2002) Population below poverty line: 23% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 81.92 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 80.32 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$23.2 million (2017 est.) -$25.3 million (2016 est.) Exports: $7.9 million (2017 est.) $3.9 million (2016 est.) Exports - commodities: lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum Imports: $186.2 million (2017 est.) $170.1 million (2016 est.) Imports - commodities: fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $76.38 million (31 December 2017 est.) $48.14 million (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $41.04 million (31 December 2013) $8.8 million (1998) Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2017 est.) 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2018 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 26,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 182 (2018 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 42 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 182 per 100 persons (2018) international: country code - 1-264; landing points for the SSCS, ECFS, GCN and Southern Caribbean Fiber with submarine cable links to Caribbean islands and to the US; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned Internet country code: .ai Internet users: total: 12,489 (2019 est.) percent of population: 82% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2018 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VP-A Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 175 km (2004) paved: 82 km (2004) unpaved: 93 km (2004) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

20220901

field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold-country-comparison

20220901

field-maritime-claims

This entry includes the following claims, the definitions of which are excerpted from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which alone contains the full and definitive descriptions: territorial sea - the sovereignty of a coastal state extends beyond its land territory and internal waters to an adjacent belt of sea, described as the territorial sea in the UNCLOS (Part II); this sovereignty extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as its underlying seabed and subsoil; every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles; the normal baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea is the mean low-water line along the coast as marked on large-scale charts officially recognized by the coastal state; where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the territorial seas of both states are measured; the UNCLOS describes specific rules for archipelagic states. contiguous zone - according to the UNCLOS (Article 33), this is a zone contiguous to a coastal state's territorial sea, over which it may exercise the control necessary to: prevent infringement of its customs, fiscal, immigration, or sanitary laws and regulations within its territory or territorial sea; punish infringement of the above laws and regulations committed within its territory or territorial sea; the contiguous zone may not extend beyond 24 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured (e.g., the US has claimed a 12-nautical mile contiguous zone in addition to its 12-nautical mile territorial sea); where the coasts of two states are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither state is entitled to extend its contiguous zone beyond the median line, every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baseline from which the contiguous zone of both states are measured. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) - the UNCLOS (Part V) defines the EEZ as a zone beyond and adjacent to the territorial sea in which a coastal state has: sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters superjacent to the seabed and of the seabed and its subsoil, and with regard to other activities for the economic exploitation and exploration of the zone, such as the production of energy from the water, currents, and winds; jurisdiction with regard to the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures; marine scientific research; the protection and preservation of the marine environment; the outer limit of the exclusive economic zone shall not exceed 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. continental shelf - the UNCLOS (Article 76) defines the continental shelf of a coastal state as comprising the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance; the continental margin comprises the submerged prolongation of the landmass of the coastal state, and consists of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, the slope and the rise; wherever the continental margin extends beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline, coastal states may extend their claim to a distance not to exceed 350 nautical miles from the baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2,500-meter isobath, which is a line connecting points of 2,500 meters in depth; it does not include the deep ocean floor with its oceanic ridges or the subsoil thereof. exclusive fishing zone - while this term is not used in the UNCLOS, some states (e.g., the United Kingdom) have chosen not to claim an EEZ but rather to claim jurisdiction over the living resources off their coast; in such cases, the term exclusive fishing zone is often used; the breadth of this zone is normally the same as the EEZ or 200 nautical miles. Topic: Afghanistannone (landlocked) Topic: Albaniaterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Algeriaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 32-52 nm Topic: American Samoaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Andorranone (landlocked) Topic: Angolaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Anguillaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: AntarcticaAustralia, Chile, and Argentina claim Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) rights or similar over 200 nm extensions seaward from their continental claims, but like the claims themselves, these zones are not accepted by other countries; 22 of 29 Antarctic Treaty consultative parties have made no claims to Antarctic territory, although Russia and the United States have reserved the right to do so, and no country can make a new claim; also see the Disputes - international entry Topic: Antigua and Barbudaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Argentinaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Armenianone (landlocked) Topic: Arubaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Australiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Austrianone (landlocked) Topic: Azerbaijannone (landlocked) Topic: Bahamas, Theterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Bahrainterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined Topic: Bangladeshterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin Topic: Barbadosterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Belarusnone (landlocked) Topic: Belgiumterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors Topic: Belizeterritorial 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 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Beninterritorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Bermudaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Bhutannone (landlocked) Topic: Bolivianone (landlocked) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaNA Topic: Botswananone (landlocked) Topic: Bouvet Islandterritorial sea: 4 nm Topic: Brazilterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryterritorial sea: 12 nm Environment (Protection and Preservation) Zone: 200 nm Topic: British Virgin Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Bruneiterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line Topic: Bulgariaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Burkina Fasonone (landlocked) Topic: Burmaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Burundinone (landlocked) Topic: Cabo Verdeterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Cambodiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Cameroonterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Topic: Canadaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Cayman Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Central African Republicnone (landlocked) Topic: Chadnone (landlocked) Topic: Chileterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200/350 nm Topic: Chinaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Christmas Islandterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Clipperton Islandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Colombiaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Comorosterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: since 2011, the DRC has had a Common Interest Zone agreement with Angola for the mutual development of off-shore resources Topic: Congo, Republic of theterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Cook Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Coral Sea Islandsterritorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Costa Ricaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Cote d'Ivoireterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Croatiaterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Cubaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Curacaoterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Cyprusterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Czechianone (landlocked) Topic: Denmarkterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Djiboutiterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Dominicaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Dominican Republicterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Ecuadorterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm note: Ecuador has declared its right to extend its continental shelf to 350 nm measured from the baselines of the Galapagos Archipelago Topic: Egyptterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or the equidistant median line with Cyprus continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: El Salvadorterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Equatorial Guineaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Eritreaterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Estoniaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia Topic: Eswatininone (landlocked) Topic: Ethiopianone (landlocked) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Faroe Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Topic: Fijiterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Finlandterritorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm) contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden, Estonia, and Russia Topic: Franceterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean Sea) continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: French Polynesiaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm from Iles Kerguelen and Iles Eparses (does not include the rest of French Southern and Antarctic Lands); Juan de Nova Island and Tromelin Island claim a continental shelf of 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Gabonterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Gambia, Theterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: extent not specified exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Gaza Stripsee entry for Israel note: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further noticenote: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice Topic: Georgiaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Germanyterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Ghanaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Gibraltarterritorial sea: 3 nm Topic: Greeceterritorial sea: 6 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Greenlandterritorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line Topic: Grenadaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Guamterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Guatemalaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Guernseyterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Topic: Guineaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Guinea-Bissauterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Guyanaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Topic: Haititerritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)none (landlocked) Topic: Hondurasterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm Topic: Hong Kongterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Hungarynone (landlocked) Topic: Icelandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Indiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Indonesiaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Iranterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf continental shelf: natural prolongation Topic: Iraqterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified Topic: Irelandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Isle of Manterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Topic: Israelterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: to depth of exploitation Topic: Italyterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Jamaicaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Jan Mayenterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Japanterritorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and the Korea and Tsushima Straits contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Jerseyterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Topic: Jordanterritorial sea: 3 nm Topic: Kazakhstannone (landlocked) Topic: Kenyaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Kiribatiterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Korea, Northterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Topic: Korea, Southterritorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified Topic: Kosovonone (landlocked) Topic: Kuwaitterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Kyrgyzstannone (landlocked) Topic: Laosnone (landlocked) Topic: Latviaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Lebanonterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Lesothonone (landlocked) Topic: Liberiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Libyaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 62 nm note: Gulf of Sidra closing line - 32 degrees, 30 minutes north Topic: Liechtensteinnone (landlocked) Topic: Lithuaniaterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Luxembourgnone (landlocked) Topic: Macaunot specified Topic: Madagascarterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m isobath Topic: Malawinone (landlocked) Topic: Malaysiaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea Topic: Maldivesterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Malinone (landlocked) Topic: Maltaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm Topic: Marshall Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Mauritaniaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Mauritiusterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Topic: Mexicoterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Moldovanone (landlocked) Topic: Monacoterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Topic: Mongolianone (landlocked) Topic: Montenegroterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: defined by treaty Topic: Montserratterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Moroccoterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Mozambiqueterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Namibiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Nauruterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Navassa Islandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Nepalnone (landlocked) Topic: Netherlandsterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: New Caledoniaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: New Zealandterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Nicaraguaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: natural prolongation Topic: Nigernone (landlocked) Topic: Nigeriaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Niueterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Norfolk Islandterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: North Macedonianone (landlocked) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Norwayterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Omanterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Pakistanterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Palauterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Panamaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or edge of continental margin Topic: Papua New Guineaterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguaynone (landlocked) Topic: Peruterritorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Philippinesterritorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea as wide as 285 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation Topic: Pitcairn Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Polandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: defined by international treaties Topic: Portugalterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Puerto Ricoterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Qatarterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line Topic: Romaniaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Russiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Rwandanone (landlocked) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Saint Luciaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Samoaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: San Marinonone (landlocked) Topic: Sao Tome and Principeterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Saudi Arabiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: not specified Topic: Senegalterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Serbianone (landlocked) Topic: Seychellesterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Sierra Leoneterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Topic: Singaporeterritorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice Topic: Sint Maartenterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Slovakianone (landlocked) Topic: Sloveniaterritorial sea: 12 nm Topic: Solomon Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Somaliaterritorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: South Africaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: South Sudannone (landlocked) Topic: Spainterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (applies only to the Atlantic Ocean) Topic: Spratly IslandsNA Topic: Sri Lankaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Sudanterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 18 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Surinameterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Svalbardterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extends to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Swedenterritorial sea: 12 nm (adjustments made to return a portion of straits to high seas) exclusive economic zone: agreed boundaries or midlines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Switzerlandnone (landlocked) Topic: Syriaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Topic: Taiwanterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Tajikistannone (landlocked) Topic: Tanzaniaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Thailandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Timor-Lesteterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Togoterritorial sea: 30 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Tokelauterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Tongaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Tunisiaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea Topic: Turkmenistannone (landlocked) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: Tuvaluterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Ugandanone (landlocked) Topic: Ukraineterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m or to the depth of exploitation Topic: United Arab Emiratesterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: United Kingdomterritorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Topic: United Statesterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Uruguayterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin Topic: Uzbekistannone (doubly landlocked) Topic: Vanuatuterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Topic: Venezuelaterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Topic: Vietnamterritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Virgin Islandsterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Wake Islandterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: Wallis and Futunaterritorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Topic: West Banknone (landlocked) Topic: Worlda variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive economic zone - 200 nm; additional zones provide for exploitation of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nma variety of situations exist, but in general, most countries make the following claims measured from the mean low-tide baseline as described in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: territorial sea - 12 nm, contiguous zone - 24 nm, and exclusive economic zone - 200 nm; additional zones provide for exploitation of continental shelf resources and an exclusive fishing zone; boundary situations with neighboring states prevent many countries from extending their fishing or economic zones to a full 200 nm Topic: Yementerritorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Topic: Zambianone (landlocked) Topic: Zimbabwenone (landlocked)

20220901

countries-paraguay

Topic: Photos of Paraguay Topic: Introduction Background: Several Indigenous groups, principally belonging to the Guarani language family, inhabited the area of modern Paraguay before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, when the territory was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811 with the help of neighboring states. In the aftermath of independence, a series of military dictators ruled the country until 1870. During the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1864-70) - fought against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century and experienced a tumultuous series of political regimes. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 23 00 S, 58 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 406,752 sq km land: 397,302 sq km water: 9,450 sq km Area - comparative: about three times the size of New York state; slightly smaller than California Land boundaries: total: 4,655 km border countries (3): Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Terrain: grassy plains and wooded hills east of Rio Paraguay; Gran Chaco region west of Rio Paraguay mostly low, marshy plain near the river, and dry forest and thorny scrub elsewhere Elevation: highest point: Cerro Pero 842 m lowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m mean elevation: 178 m Natural resources: hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone Land use: agricultural land: 53.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42.8% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 2.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,362 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System Population distribution: most of the population resides in the eastern half of the country; to the west lies the Gran Chaco (a semi-arid lowland plain), which accounts for 60% of the land territory, but only 2% of the overall population Natural hazards: local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) Geography - note: note 1: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in eastern and southern part of country note 2: pineapples are probably indigenous to the southern Brazil-Paraguay region  Map description: Paraguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Paraguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 7,356,409 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Paraguayan(s) adjective: Paraguayan Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian ancestry) 95%, other 5% Languages: Spanish (official) and Guarani (official) 46.3%, only Guarani 34%, only Spanish 15.2%, other (includes Portuguese, German, other Indigenous languages) 4.1%, no response 0.4%; note - data represent predominant household language (2012 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 est.) Demographic profile: Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France.Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France. Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.41% (male 857,303/female 826,470) 15-24 years: 17.71% (male 640,400/female 633,525) 25-54 years: 42.63% (male 1,532,692/female 1,532,851) 55-64 years: 8.37% (male 306,100/female 295,890) 65 years and over: 7.88% (2020 est.) (male 267,351/female 299,103) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.5 youth dependency ratio: 49.9 elderly dependency ratio: 10.6 potential support ratio: 9.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.7 years male: 29.5 years female: 29.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.14% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population resides in the eastern half of the country; to the west lies the Gran Chaco (a semi-arid lowland plain), which accounts for 60% of the land territory, but only 2% of the overall population Urbanization: urban population: 62.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.452 million ASUNCION (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.9 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 84 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.37 years male: 75.72 years female: 81.15 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.89 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 68.4% (2016) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.2% (2019) Physicians density: 1.05 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 0.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 90.6% of population total: 96.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 9.4% of population total: 3.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 19,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 11.5% (2020 est.) male: 18.6% (2020 est.) female: 4.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.3% (2016) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 3.6% women married by age 18: 21.6% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.5% male: 94.9% female: 94.2% (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.1% male: 13.1% female: 23.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution; rivers suffer from toxic dumping; tanneries release mercury and chromium into rivers and streams; loss of wetlands; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban, Tropical Timber 2006 Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 11.16 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7.41 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 27.65 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: subtropical to temperate; substantial rainfall in the eastern portions, becoming semiarid in the far west Land use: agricultural land: 53.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 10.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42.8% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 2.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 62.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.21% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,818,501 tons (2015 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 362 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 154 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.897 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 387.77 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay conventional short form: Paraguay local long form: Republica del Paraguay local short form: Paraguay etymology: the precise meaning of the name Paraguay is unclear, but it seems to derive from the river of the same name; one explanation has the name meaning "water of the Payagua" (an indigenous tribe that lived along the river) Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Asuncion geographic coordinates: 25 16 S, 57 40 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends last Sunday in March etymology: the name means "assumption" and derives from the original name given to the city at its founding in 1537, Nuestra Senora Santa Maria de la Asuncion (Our Lady Saint Mary of the Assumption) Administrative divisions: 17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro Independence: 14-15 May 1811 (from Spain); note - the uprising against Spanish authorities took place during the night of 14-15 May 1811 and both days are celebrated in Paraguay National holiday: Independence Day, 14-15 May (1811) (observed 15 May); 14 May is celebrated as Flag Day Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992 amendments: proposed at the initiative of at least one quarter of either chamber of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; amended 2011 Legal system: civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75 Executive branch: chief of state: President Mario ABDO BENITEZ (since 15 August 2018); Vice President Hugo Adalberto VELAZQUEZ Moreno (since 15 August 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mario ABDO BENITEZ (since 15 August 2018); Vice President Hugo Adalberto VELAZQUEZ Moreno (since 15 August 2018) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: 2018: Mario ABDO BENITEZ elected president; percent of vote - Mario ABDO BENITEZ (ANR) 49%, Efrain ALEGRE (PLRA) 45.1%, Juan Bautista YBANEZ 3.4%, other 2.5% 2013: Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES (ANR) 48.5%, Efrain ALEGRE (PLRA) 39%, Mario FERREIRO (AP) 6.2%, Anibal CARRILLO (FG) 3.5%, other 2.8% Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 17 departments and capital city - by closed-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 32.52%, PLRA 24.18%, FG 11.83%, PPQ 6.77%, MH 4.47%, PDP 3.66%, MCN 2.48%, UNACE 2.12%, other 11.97%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 17, PLRA 13, FG 6, PPQ 3, MH 2, PDP 2, MCN 1, UNACE 1; composition - men 38, women 7, percent of women 15.6% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 39.1%, PLRA 17.74%, Ganar Alliance 12.08%, PPQ 4.46%, MH 3.19%; other 23.43%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 42, PLRA 17, Ganar Alliance 13, PPQ 3, MH 2, other 3; composition - men 66, women 14, percent of women 17.5%; note - total National Congress percent of women 16.8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division) judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace Political parties and leaders: Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Pedro ALLIANA] Avanza Pais coalition or AP [Adolfo FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Carlos FILIZZOLA] Ganar Alliance (alliance between PLRA and Guasu Front) Movimiento Cruzada Nacional or MCN Movimiento Hagamos or MH [Antonio "Tony" APURIL] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO] Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado] Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael FILIZZOLA] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Efrain ALEGRE] Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT [Sixto PEREIRA Galeano] Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Miguel CARRIZOSA] International organization participation: CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Antonio DOS SANTOS BEDOYA (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 2400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington DC  20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6960 FAX: [1] (202) 234-4508 email address and website: eeuuembaparsc@mre.gov.py; secretaria@embaparusa.gov.py consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marc OSTFIELD (since 9 March 2022) embassy: 1776 Mariscal Lopez Avenue, Asuncion mailing address: 3020 Asuncion Place, Washington DC  20521-3020 telephone: [595] (21) 248-3000 FAX: [595] (21) 213-728 email address and website: ParaguayACS@state.gov https://py.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity note: the three color bands resemble those on the flag of the Netherlands; one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Moldova and Saudi Arabia National symbol(s): lion; national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!) lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue Topic: Economy Economic overview: Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain.   On a per capita basis, real income has grown steadily over the past five years as strong world demand for commodities, combined with high prices and favorable weather, supported Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the fifth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. Severe drought and outbreaks of hoof-and-mouth disease in 2012 led to a brief drop in beef and other agricultural exports. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted.   The Paraguayan Government recognizes the need to diversify its economy and has taken steps in recent years to do so. In addition to looking for new commodity markets in the Middle East and Europe, Paraguayan officials have promoted the country’s low labor costs, cheap energy from its massive Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, and single-digit tax rate on foreign firms. As a result, the number of factories operating in the country – mostly transplants from Brazil - has tripled since 2014.   Corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth. Judicial corruption is endemic and is seen as the greatest barrier to attracting more foreign investment. Paraguay has been adverse to public debt throughout its history, but has recently sought to finance infrastructure improvements to attract foreign investment.Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has grown steadily over the past five years as strong world demand for commodities, combined with high prices and favorable weather, supported Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the fifth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. Severe drought and outbreaks of hoof-and-mouth disease in 2012 led to a brief drop in beef and other agricultural exports. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted. The Paraguayan Government recognizes the need to diversify its economy and has taken steps in recent years to do so. In addition to looking for new commodity markets in the Middle East and Europe, Paraguayan officials have promoted the country’s low labor costs, cheap energy from its massive Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, and single-digit tax rate on foreign firms. As a result, the number of factories operating in the country – mostly transplants from Brazil - has tripled since 2014. Corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth. Judicial corruption is endemic and is seen as the greatest barrier to attracting more foreign investment. Paraguay has been adverse to public debt throughout its history, but has recently sought to finance infrastructure improvements to attract foreign investment. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $87.98 billion (2020 est.) $88.87 billion (2019 est.) $89.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.8% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2020 est.) $12,600 (2019 est.) $12,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $38.94 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.6% (2017 est.) 4.1% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB+ (2018) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: BB (2014) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 17.9% (2017 est.) industry: 27.7% (2017 est.) services: 54.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 46.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.2% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: soybeans, sugar cane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, beef, milk, oranges, oil palm fruit Industries: sugar processing, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 3.428 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26.5% industry: 18.5% services: 55% (2008) Unemployment rate: 5.7% (2017 est.) 6% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.1% male: 13.1% female: 23.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 23.5% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 46.2 (2018 est.) 53.2 (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.) Budget: revenues: 5.524 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.968 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 19.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 14.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$298 million (2017 est.) $416 million (2016 est.) Exports: $11.81 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.27 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $14.36 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Brazil 32%, Argentina 22%, Chile 8%, Russia 8% (2019) Exports - commodities: soybeans and soybean products, electricity, beef, corn, insulated wiring (2019) Imports: $10.62 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.15 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.88 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Brazil 24%, United States 22%, China 17%, Argentina 10%, Chile 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, cars, pesticides, refined petroleum, tires (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.877 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.881 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $16.622 billion (2019 est.) $16.238 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: guarani (PYG) per US dollar - 7,045 (2020 est.) 6,426 (2019 est.) 5,915.4 (2018 est.) 5,160.4 (2014 est.) 4,462.2 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 8.831 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 12,718,590,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 31.748 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.47 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 56,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 40,760 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.896 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 3,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 7.893 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 62.775 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 249,231 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7,865,050 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: limited progress on structural reform and deficient infrastructure of the landlocked country are obstacles to telecom platform; monopolized fixed-line service; effective competition in mobile market, serving 96% of population through LTE; deployment of fiber; South Korean investment in education centers; operator enabled 109 free Internet points across the country and is looking to expand to 430 points in 2022; Inter-American Development Bank loan supports modernization within regulatory framework; dependent on neighboring countries for access to submarine cables; major importer of broadcasting equipment from the USA (2022) domestic: deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers; Internet market also open to competition; fixed-line just over 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular just over 105 per 100 of the population (2020) international: country code - 595; Paraguay's landlocked position means they must depend on neighbors for interconnection with submarine cable networks, making it cost more for broadband services; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2019) Internet country code: .py Internet users: total: 4.92 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 64% (2021 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 562,369 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 560,631 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.97 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZP Airports: total: 799 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 784 1,524 to 2,437 m: 23 914 to 1,523 m: 290 under 914 m: 471 (2021) Railways: total: 30 km (2014) standard gauge: 30 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 78,811 km (2020) paved: 8,573 km (2020) unpaved: 70,238 km (2020) Waterways: 3,100 km (2012) (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná River systems) Merchant marine: total: 110 by type: container ship 3, general cargo 25, oil tanker 5, other 77 (2021) note: as of 2017, Paraguay registered 2,012 fluvial vessels of which 1,741 were commercial barges Ports and terminals: river port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army (Ejercito), Navy (Armada, includes marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea) Ministry of Internal Affairs: the National Police of Paraguay includes the Special Police Operations Force (Fuerza de Operaciones Policiales Especiales) (2022) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.) 1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $590 million) 1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $590 million) 0.9% of GDP (2017) (approximately $550 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 15,000 active duty personnel (10,000 Army; 3,500 Navy; 1,500 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Paraguayan military forces inventory is comprised of mostly older equipment from a variety of foreign suppliers, particularly Brazil and the US; since 2010, Paraguay has acquired small quantities of mostly second-hand military equipment from several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Israel, Taiwan, and the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy (conscripts also serve in the National Police); volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2022) note: as of 2021, women made up about 6% of the active military Military - note: as of 2022, the armed forces were conducting operations against the Paraguayan People's Army (Ejército del Pueblo Paraguayo, EPP), a Marxist-nationalist insurgent group operating in the rural northern part of the country along the border with Brazil; they were also assisting internal security forces in countering narco-trafficking networks Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Hizballah (2022) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Paraguay-Argentina-Brazil: unruly region at convergence of Paraguay-Argentina-Brazil borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for violent extremist organizationsParaguay-Argentina-Brazil: unruly region at convergence of Paraguay-Argentina-Brazil borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for violent extremist organizations Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,900 (Venezuela) (2022) Illicit drugs: cannabis cultivation and the trafficking of Andean cocaine in the tri-border area shared with Argentina, and Brazil facilitates money laundering, violence and other criminal activity. cannabis cultivation and the trafficking of Andean cocaine in the tri-border area shared with Argentina, and Brazil facilitates money laundering, violence and other criminal activity. 

20220901

countries-somalia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Somalia due to COVID-19, crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required. US Embassy/Consulate: Mogadishu, Somalia (reopened October 2019 on the grounds of the Mogadishu Airport); US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the embassy in Kenya; [254] (20) 363-6000; US Embassy Nairobi, United Nations Avenue Nairobi, PO Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya_ACS@state.gov; https://so.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 252 Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Somalia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons Currency (Code): Somali shillings (SOS) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C Major Languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English Major Religions: Sunni Muslim Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Mogadishu; cave art of Laas Geel; Hargeisa; sea beaches of Berbera; Kismayo National Park Major Sports: Soccer, track and field Cultural Practices: The left hand is considered unclean and should not be used for shaking hands. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not obligatory. For exceptional service, an additional tip is always welcome. Hotels and restaurants tend to include a tip of 5-10%, but luxury hotels and high-end restaurants may charge 10-15% of the total bill in the form of a service charge.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, April 05, 2022

20220901

field-maternal-mortality-ratio-country-comparison

20220901

countries-france

Topic: Photos of France Topic: Introduction Background: France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: metropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain; French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname; Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico; Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago; Mayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique; Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascarmetropolitan France: Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain; French Guiana: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname; Guadeloupe: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico; Martinique: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago; Mayotte: Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique; Reunion: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: metropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E; French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W; Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W; Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W; Mayotte: 12 50 S, 45 10 E; Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 Emetropolitan France: 46 00 N, 2 00 E; French Guiana: 4 00 N, 53 00 W; Guadeloupe: 16 15 N, 61 35 W; Martinique: 14 40 N, 61 00 W; Mayotte: 12 50 S, 45 10 E; Reunion: 21 06 S, 55 36 E Map references: metropolitan France: Europe; French Guiana: South America; Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean; Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean; Mayotte: Africa; Reunion: Worldmetropolitan France: Europe; French Guiana: South America; Guadeloupe: Central America and the Caribbean; Martinique: Central America and the Caribbean; Mayotte: Africa; Reunion: World Area: total: 643,801 sq km ; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France) land: 640,427 sq km ; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France) water: 3,374 sq km ; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France) note: the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion Area - comparative: slightly more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 3,956 km border countries (8): Andorra 55 km; Belgium 556 km; Germany 418 k; Italy 476 km; Luxembourg 69 km; Monaco 6 km; Spain 646 km; Switzerland 525 km metropolitan France - total: 2751 French Guiana - total: 1205 Coastline: 4,853 km metropolitan France: 3,427 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (does not apply to the Mediterranean Sea) continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral; French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation; Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November); Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral;French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation;Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average;Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November);Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) Terrain: metropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east; French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains; Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin; Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano; Mayotte: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks; Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coastmetropolitan France: mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east; French Guiana: low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains; Guadeloupe: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin; Martinique: mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano; Mayotte: generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks; Reunion: mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast Elevation: highest point: Mont Blanc 4,810 lowest point: Rhone River delta -2 m mean elevation: 375 m note: to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit Natural resources: metropolitan France: coal, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, uranium, antimony, arsenic, potash, feldspar, fluorspar, gypsum, timber, arable land, fish, French Guiana, gold deposits, petroleum, kaolin, niobium, tantalum, clay Land use: agricultural land: 52.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 33.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.5% (2018 est.) forest: 29.2% (2018 est.) other: 18.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 26,420 sq km (2012) 26,950 sq km metropolitan France: 26,000 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Geneva (shared with Switzerland) - 580 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Loire (115,282 sq km), Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km) Major aquifers: Paris Basin Population distribution: much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second Natural hazards: metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean; overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanism: Montagne Pelee (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in May 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufriere (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean last erupted from July 1976 to March 1977; these volcanoes are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southmetropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean;overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding;volcanism: Montagne Pelee (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in May 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufriere (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean last erupted from July 1976 to March 1977; these volcanoes are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south Geography - note: largest West European nation; most major French rivers - the Meuse, Seine, Loire, Charente, Dordogne, and Garonne - flow northward or westward into the Atlantic Ocean, only the Rhone flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea Map description: France map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.France map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies. Topic: People and Society Population: 68,305,148 (2022 est.) note: the above figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233 Nationality: noun: Frenchman(men), Frenchwoman(women) adjective: French Ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), Indochinese, Basque minorities note: overseas departments: Black, White, Mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian Languages: French (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard); note - overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 47%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 2%, Buddhists 2%, Orthodox 1%, Jewish 1%, other 1%, none 33%, unspecified 9% note: France maintains a tradition of secularism and has not officially collected data on religious affiliation since the 1872 national census, which complicates assessments of France's religious composition; an 1872 law prohibiting state authorities from collecting data on individuals' ethnicity or religious beliefs was reaffirmed by a 1978 law emphasizing the prohibition of the collection or exploitation of personal data revealing an individual's race, ethnicity, or political, philosophical, or religious opinions; a 1905 law codified France's separation of church and state Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.36% (male 6,368,767/female 6,085,318) 15-24 years: 11.88% (male 4,122,981/female 3,938,938) 25-54 years: 36.83% (male 12,619,649/female 12,366,120) 55-64 years: 12.47% (male 4,085,564/female 4,376,272) 65 years and over: 20.46% (2020 est.) (male 6,029,303/female 7,855,244) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 62.4 youth dependency ratio: 28.7 elderly dependency ratio: 33.7 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 41.7 years male: 40 years female: 43.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.32% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 11.66 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.54 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second Urbanization: urban population: 81.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 11.142 million PARIS (capital), 1.748 million Lyon, 1.620 million Marseille-Aix-en-Provence, 1.073 million Lille, 1.049 million Toulouse, 991,000 Bordeaux (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.9 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.59 years male: 79.53 years female: 85.79 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 78.4% (2010/11) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 11.1% (2019) Physicians density: 3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 5.9 beds/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 190,000 (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2019 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout France; as of 6 June 2022, France has reported a total of 28,733,287 cases of COVID-19 or 44,178.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 145,123 cumulative deaths or a rate 223.1 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 2 June 2022, 80.7% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 33.4% (2020 est.) male: 34.9% (2020 est.) female: 31.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2% male: 20.3% female: 19.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: some forest damage from acid rain; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from urban wastes, agricultural runoff Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 11.64 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) methane emissions: 55.99 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral; French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation; Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November); Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)metropolitan France: generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral;French Guiana: tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation;Guadeloupe and Martinique: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average;Mayotte: tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November);Reunion: tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April) Land use: agricultural land: 52.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 33.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.5% (2018 est.) forest: 29.2% (2018 est.) other: 18.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 81.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.67% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout France; as of 6 June 2022, France has reported a total of 28,733,287 cases of COVID-19 or 44,178.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 145,123 cumulative deaths or a rate 223.1 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 2 June 2022, 80.7% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 33.399 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 7,434,617 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.3% (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Geneva (shared with Switzerland) - 580 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Loire (115,282 sq km), Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km) Major aquifers: Paris Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 5.175 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 18.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 211 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: French Republic conventional short form: France local long form: Republique francaise local short form: France etymology: name derives from the Latin "Francia" meaning "Land of the Franks"; the Franks were a group of Germanic tribes located along the middle and lower Rhine River in the 3rd century A.D. who merged with Gallic-Roman populations in succeeding centuries and to whom they passed on their name Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Paris geographic coordinates: 48 52 N, 2 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October time zone note: applies to metropolitan France only; for its overseas regions the time difference is UTC-4 for Guadeloupe and Martinique, UTC-3 for French Guiana, UTC+3 for Mayotte, and UTC+4 for Reunion etymology: name derives from the Parisii, a Celtic tribe that inhabited the area from the 3rd century B.C., but who were conquered by the Romans in the 1st century B.C.; the Celtic settlement became the Roman town of Lutetia Parisiorum (Lutetia of the Parisii); over subsequent centuries it became Parisium and then just Paris Administrative divisions: 18 regions (regions, singular - region); Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comte (Burgundy-Free County), Bretagne (Brittany), Centre-Val de Loire (Center-Loire Valley), Corse (Corsica), Grand Est (Grand East), Guadeloupe, Guyane (French Guiana), Hauts-de-France (Upper France), Ile-de-France, Martinique, Mayotte, Normandie (Normandy), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (New Aquitaine), Occitanie (Occitania), Pays de la Loire (Lands of the Loire), Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Reunion note: France is divided into 13 metropolitan regions (including the "collectivity" of Corse or Corsica) and 5 overseas regions (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion) and is subdivided into 96 metropolitan departments and 5 overseas departments (which are the same as the overseas regions) Dependent areas: Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, New Caledonia, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna note: the US Government does not recognize claims to Antarctica; New Caledonia has been considered a "sui generis" collectivity of France since 1998, a unique status falling between that of an independent country and a French overseas department Independence: no official date of independence: 486 (Frankish tribes unified under Merovingian kingship); 10 August 843 (Western Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 14 July 1789 (French monarchy overthrown); 22 September 1792 (First French Republic founded); 4 October 1958 (Fifth French Republic established) National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July) Constitution: history: many previous; latest effective 4 October 1958 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic (upon recommendation of the prime minister and Parliament) or by Parliament; proposals submitted by Parliament members require passage by both houses followed by approval in a referendum; passage of proposals submitted by the government can bypass a referendum if submitted by the president to Parliament and passed by at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament’s National Assembly; amended many times, last in 2008 Legal system: civil law; review of administrative but not legislative acts International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of France dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017) head of government: Prime Minister Élisabeth BORNE (since 16 May 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president at the suggestion of the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 April 2022 with a runoff held on 24 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2027); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2022: Emmanuel MACRON reelected in second round; percent of vote in first round - Emmanuel MACRON (LREM) 27.8%, Marine LE PEN (RN) 23.2%, Jean-Luc MELENCHON (LFI) 22%, Eric ZEMMOUR (Reconquete) 7.1%, Valerie PECRESSE (LR) 4.8%, Yannick JADOT (EELV) 4.6%, Jean LASSALLE (Resistons!) 3.1%, Fabien ROUSSEL (PCF) 2.3%, Nicolas DUPONT-AIGNAN (DLF) 2.1%, Anne HIDALGO 1.8%, other 1.2%; percent of vote in second round - MACRON 58.5%, LE PEN 41.5% 2017: Emmanuel MACRON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Emmanuel MACRON (EM) 24.%, Marine LE PEN (FN) 21.3%, Francois FILLON (LR) 20.%, Jean-Luc MELENCHON (FI) 19.6%, Benoit HAMON (PS) 6.4%, other 8.7%; percent of vote in second round - MACRON 66.1%, LE PEN 33.9% Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (348 seats - 328 for metropolitan France and overseas departments and regions of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, and Mayotte, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for French Polynesia, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 1 for Wallis and Futuna, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members indirectly elected by departmental electoral colleges using absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for departments with 1-3 members, and proportional representation vote in departments with 4 or more members; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats - 556 for metropolitan France, 10 for overseas departments, and 11 for citizens abroad; members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 24 and 27 September 2020 (next to be held in September 2023) National Assembly - last held on 12 and 19 June 2022 (next to be held in June 2027) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by political caucus (party or group of parties)  - NA ; composition - men 226, women 122, percent of women 35.1% National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition in the first round - ENS 25.8%, NUPES 25.7%, RN 18.7%, UDC 11.3%, other 18.5%; seats by party/coalition in the first round - NUPES 4, ENS 1; percent of vote in the second round - ENS 38.6%, NUPES 31.6%, RN 17.3%, UDC 7.3%, other 5.2%, seats by party/coalition in the second round - ENS 244, NUPES 127, RN 89, UDC 64, other 48 Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of the court president, 6 divisional presiding judges, 120 trial judges, and 70 deputy judges organized into 6 divisions - 3 civil, 1 commercial, 1 labor, and 1 criminal); Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by the president of the republic from nominations from the High Council of the Judiciary, presided over by the Court of Cassation and 15 appointed members; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council members - 3 appointed by the president of the republic and 3 each by the National Assembly and Senate presidents; members serve 9-year, non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: appellate courts or Cour d'Appel; regional courts or Tribunal de Grande Instance; first instance courts or Tribunal d'instance; administrative courts note: in April 2021, the French Government submitted a bill on judicial reform to Parliament Political parties and leaders: Citizen and Republican Movement or MRC [Jean-Luc LAURENT] Debout la France or DLF [Nicolas DUPONT-AIGNAN] Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] Ecologist Pole or PE Europe Ecology - the Greens or EELV [Julien BAYOU] French Communist Party or PCF [Fabien ROUSSEL] Horizons [Edouard PHILIPPE] La France Insoumise or FI [Jean-Luc MELENCHON] La Republique en Marche! or LREM [Stanislas GUERINI] Movement of Progressives or MDP  [Robert HUE] National Rally or RN [Jordan BARDELLA] (formerly National Front or FN) New Democrats [Aurelien TACHE, Emilie CARIOU] (formerly Ecology Democracy Solidarity or EDS) New Ecologic and Social People's Union or NUPES [collective leadership] (electoral coalition including FI, PE, PS, PCF) Radical Party of the Left or PRV [Guillaume LACROIX] Reconquete [Eric ZEMMOUR] Resistons! [Jean LASSALLE] Socialist Party or PS [Olivier FAURE] The Patriots or LP [Florian PHILIPPOT] The Republicans or LR [Christian JACOB] Together or ENS [Richard Ferrand] (electoral coalition including LREM, MoDem, Horizons, PRV) Union of Democrats and Independents or UDI [Jean-Christophe LAGARDE] Union of Right and Center or UDC [Christian JACOB] (electoral coalition including LR, UDI) International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Philippe Noel Marie Marc ETIENNE (since 8 July 2019) chancery: 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 944-6166 email address and website: info@ambafrance-us.org https://franceintheus.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Denise Campbell BAUER (since 5 February 2022); note - also accredited to Monaco embassy: 2 avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris mailing address: 9200 Paris Place, Washington DC  20521-9200 telephone: [33] (1) 43-12-22-22, [33] (1) 42-66-97-83 FAX: [33] (1) 42-66-97-83 email address and website: Citizeninfo@state.gov https://fr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Marseille, Strasbourg consulate(s): Bordeaux, Lyon, Rennes Flag description: three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red; known as the "Le drapeau tricolore" (French Tricolor), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution when the "ancient French color" of white was combined with the blue and red colors of the Parisian militia; the official flag for all French dependent areas note: for the first four years, 1790-94, the order of colors was reversed, red-white-blue, instead of the current blue-white-red; the design and/or colors are similar to a number of other flags, including those of Belgium, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Netherlands National symbol(s): Gallic rooster, fleur-de-lis, Marianne (female personification); national colors: blue, white, red National anthem: name: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 49 (43 cultural, 5 natural, 1 mixed); note - includes one site in New Caledonia and one site in French Polynesia selected World Heritage Site locales: Chartres Cathedral (c); Palace and Park of Versailles (c); Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley (c); Pyrénées - Mont Perdu (m); Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay (c); Paris, Banks of the Seine (c); The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes (c); Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) (c); Amiens Cathedral (c); Palace and Park of Fontainebleau (c); Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne (c); Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million foreign tourists in 2017. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality.   France's real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2017, up from 1.2% the year before. The unemployment rate (including overseas territories) increased from 7.8% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2015, before falling to 9.0% in 2017. Youth unemployment in metropolitan France decreased from 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.   France’s public finances have historically been strained by high spending and low growth. In 2017, the budget deficit improved to 2.7% of GDP, bringing it in compliance with the EU-mandated 3% deficit target. Meanwhile, France's public debt rose from 89.5% of GDP in 2012 to 97% in 2017.   Since entering office in May 2017, President Emmanuel MACRON launched a series of economic reforms to improve competitiveness and boost economic growth. President MACRON campaigned on reforming France’s labor code and in late 2017 implemented a range of reforms to increase flexibility in the labor market by making it easier for firms to hire and fire and simplifying negotiations between employers and employees. In addition to labor reforms, President MACRON’s 2018 budget cuts public spending, taxes, and social security contributions to spur private investment and increase purchasing power. The government plans to gradually reduce corporate tax rate for businesses from 33.3% to 25% by 2022.The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million foreign tourists in 2017. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality. France's real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2017, up from 1.2% the year before. The unemployment rate (including overseas territories) increased from 7.8% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2015, before falling to 9.0% in 2017. Youth unemployment in metropolitan France decreased from 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017. France’s public finances have historically been strained by high spending and low growth. In 2017, the budget deficit improved to 2.7% of GDP, bringing it in compliance with the EU-mandated 3% deficit target. Meanwhile, France's public debt rose from 89.5% of GDP in 2012 to 97% in 2017. Since entering office in May 2017, President Emmanuel MACRON launched a series of economic reforms to improve competitiveness and boost economic growth. President MACRON campaigned on reforming France’s labor code and in late 2017 implemented a range of reforms to increase flexibility in the labor market by making it easier for firms to hire and fire and simplifying negotiations between employers and employees. In addition to labor reforms, President MACRON’s 2018 budget cuts public spending, taxes, and social security contributions to spur private investment and increase purchasing power. The government plans to gradually reduce corporate tax rate for businesses from 33.3% to 25% by 2022. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,832,170,000,000 (2020 est.) $3,082,300,000,000 (2019 est.) $3,036,490,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.49% (2019 est.) 1.81% (2018 est.) 2.42% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $42,000 (2020 est.) $45,800 (2019 est.) $45,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2,715,574,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2019 est.) 1.8% (2018 est.) 1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA (2014) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2013) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.7% (2017 est.) industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) services: 78.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 54.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, rapeseed, pork, apples Industries: machinery, chemicals, automobiles, metallurgy, aircraft, electronics; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 27.742 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.8% (2016 est.) industry: 20% (2016 est.) services: 77.2% (2016 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.12% (2019 est.) 8.69% (2018 est.) note: includes overseas territories Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2% male: 20.3% female: 19.9% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 13.6% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 31.6 (2017 est.) 29.2 (2015) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.4% (2013) Budget: revenues: 1.392 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.459 trillion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 96.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 96.6% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions Taxes and other revenues: 53.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$18.102 billion (2019 est.) -$16.02 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $746.91 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $891.18 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $918.97 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Germany 14%, United States 8%, Italy 7%, Spain 7%, Belgium 7%, United Kingdom 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: aircraft, packaged medicines, cars and vehicle parts, gas turbines, wine (2019) Imports: $803.66 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $919.63 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $947.31 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Germany 18%, Belgium 9%, Italy 9%, Spain 7%, China 7%, Netherlands 6%, United Kingdom 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, aircraft machinery (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $156.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $138.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $6,356,459,000,000 (2019 est.) $6,058,438,000,000 (2018 est.) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 138.611 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 472.699 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 64.425 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 19.613 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 36.203 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 68.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 7.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 11.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 2.312 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 10.712 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 35,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 7.891 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 81,500 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1,688,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,064,700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 61.7 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 1.311 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 440,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 886,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 16.226 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 38,192,256,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 9,103,795,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 46,105,385,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 7.787 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 338.425 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 26.971 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 225.865 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 85.589 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 151.053 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 37.759 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 72.751 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: France's telecom market is one of the largest in Europe; telecom revenue, at about €30 billion annually, has declined in recent years and came under particular pressure during 2020 when a sequence of local and national lock downs, as well as restrictions on international travel, resulted in a sharp drop in revenue from roaming and device sales; this was partly offset by growth in data traffic and the migration of subscribers to faster fixed-line broadband packages, mostly based on fiber; the incumbent telco Orange Group is one of the world’s major players, with interests in markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa; the company has embarked on a new multi-year Engage 2025 plan which is focused on growth in the developing markets, and on the greater use of artificial intelligence and data; the mobile phone market, worth about €13 billion annually, is dominated by Orange, SFR Group (owned by Altice Group), Bouygues Telecom, and Free Mobile (Iliad); there are many MVNOs in the market, though their share of subscribers fell at the end of 2020 when one of the largest of them was acquired by its host network operator; LTE networks provide near universal coverage, and carry about 95% of mobile data traffic; operators have launched 5G services, and these have been supported by the late-2020 auction of spectrum in the 3.5GHz range; France’s fixed broadband market is increasingly focused on fiber, which accounted for 71% of all fixed lines at the beginning of 2021; growth in the fiber sector has been stimulated by households securing faster data packages during the pandemic; the number of DSL lines has fallen sharply as customers migrate to fiber infrastructure. (2021) domestic: nearly 58 per 100 persons for fixed-line and over 111 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 33; landing points for Circe South, TAT-14, INGRID, FLAG Atlantic-1, Apollo, HUGO, IFC-1, ACE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4, Dunant, Africa-1, AAE-1, Atlas Offshore, Hawk, IMEWE, Med Cable, PEACE Cable, and TE North/TGN-Eurasia/SEACOM/Alexandros/Medex submarine cables providing links throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and US; satellite earth stations - more than 3 (2 Intelsat (with total of 5 antennas - 2 for Indian Ocean and 3 for Atlantic Ocean), NA Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean region); HF radiotelephone communications with more than 20 countries (2019) overseas departments: country codes: French Guiana - 594; landing points for Ella Link, Kanawa, Americas II to South America, Europe, Caribbean and US; Guadeloupe - 590; landing points for GCN, Southern Caribbean Fiber, and ECFS around the Caribbean and US; Martinique - 596; landing points for Americas II, ECFS, and Southern Caribbean Fiber to South America, US and around the Caribbean;  Mayotte - 262; landing points for FLY-LION3 and LION2 to East Africa and East African Islands in Indian Ocean; Reunion - 262; landing points for SAFE, METISS, and LION submarine cables to Asia, South and East Africa, Southeast Asia and nearby Indian Ocean Island countries of Mauritius, and Madagascar (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: a mix of both publicly operated and privately owned TV stations; state-owned France television stations operate 4 networks, one of which is a network of regional stations, and has part-interest in several thematic cable/satellite channels and international channels; a large number of privately owned regional and local TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable services provide a large number of channels; public broadcaster Radio France operates 7 national networks, a series of regional networks, and operates services for overseas territories and foreign audiences; Radio France Internationale, under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a leading international broadcaster; a large number of commercial FM stations, with many of them consolidating into commercial networks Internet country code: metropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Mayotte - .yt; Reunion - .re Internet users: total: 57,272,921 (2020 est.) percent of population: 85% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 30.627 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 19 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 553 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 70,188,028 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4,443,790,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: F Airports: total: 464 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 294 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 25 1,524 to 2,437 m: 97 914 to 1,523 m: 83 under 914 m: 75 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 170 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 64 under 914 m: 105 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 15,322 km gas, 2,939 km oil, 5,084 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 29,640 km (2014) standard gauge: 29,473 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (15,561 km electrified) narrow gauge: 167 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (63 km electrified) Roadways: total: 1,053,215 km (2011) urban: 654,201 km (2011) non-urban: 399,014 km (2011) Waterways: metropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km navigable by craft up to 3,000 metric tons) (2010) Merchant marine: total: 548 by type: container ship 29, general cargo 50, oil tanker 28, other 441 (2021) note: includes Monaco Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean: Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Nantes Mediterranean Sea: Marseille container port(s) (TEUs): Le Havre (2,822,910) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Dunkerque, Fos Cavaou, Fos Tonkin, Montoir de Bretagne river port(s): Bordeaux (Garronne); Nantes - Saint Nazaire (Loire); Paris, Rouen (Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine) cruise/ferry port(s): Calais, Cherbourg, Le Havre Transportation - note: begun in 1988 and completed in 1994, the Channel Tunnel (nicknamed the Chunnel) is a 50.5-km (31.4-mi) rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover that runs from Folkestone, Kent, England to Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais in northern France; it is the only fixed link between the island of Great Britain and mainland Europe Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: French Armed Forces (Forces Armées Françaises): Army (Armee de Terre; includes Foreign Legion), Navy (Marine Nationale), Air and Space Force (Armee de l’Air et de l’Espace); includes Air Defense), National Guard (Reserves), National Gendarmerie (2022) note: the National Gendarmerie is a paramilitary police force that is a branch of the Armed Forces but under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior; it also has additional duties to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020) 1.8% of GDP (2019) (approximately $59.1 billion) 1.8% of GDP (2018) (approximately $57 billion) 1.8% of GDP (2017) (approximately $54.4 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 205,000 active duty troops (115,000 Army; 35,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force; 15,000 other, such as joint staffs, administration, logistics, procurement, medical service, etc.); approximately 100,000 National Gendarmerie; approximately 75,000 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the French military's inventory consists mostly of domestically-produced weapons systems, including some jointly-produced with other European countries; there is a limited mix of armaments from other Western countries, particularly the US; France has a defense industry capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of air, land, and naval military weapons systems (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (abolished 2001); 1-year service obligation; women serve in noncombat posts (2021) note 1: in 2019, women comprised approximately approximately 16% of the uniformed armed forces  note 2: men between the ages of 17.5 and 39.5 years of age, of any nationality, may join the French Foreign Legion; those volunteers selected for service sign 5-year contracts Military deployments: approximately 4,000 Burkina Faso/Chad/Niger (Operation Barkhane, Operation Sabre; note - in 2021, France announced that it would cut the number of troops in this force to about 2,500 by 2023); approximately 300 Central African Republic; 300 Comoros; approximately 900 Cote D'Ivoire; approximately 1,450 Djibouti; 220 Estonia (NATO); approximately 2,000 French Guyana; approximately 900 French Polynesia; approximately 1,000 French West Indies; 350 Gabon; approximately 500 Middle East (Iraq/Jordan/Syria); 600 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 1,400 New Caledonia; approximately 1,700 Reunion Island; 550 Romania (NATO); approximately 350 Senegal; approximately 650 United Arab Emirates (2022) note 1: France has been a contributing member of the EuroCorps since 1992 note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including France, have sent additional troops to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Military - note: France was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty), which created NATO in 1949; in 1966, President Charles DE GAULLE decided to withdraw France from NATO’s integrated military structure, reflecting his desire for greater military independence, particularly vis-à-vis the US, and the refusal to integrate France’s nuclear deterrent or accept any form of control over its armed forces; it did, however, sign agreements with NATO setting out procedures in the event of Soviet aggression; beginning with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, France distanced itself from the 1966 decision and has regularly contributed troops to NATO’s military operations, being one of the largest troop-contributing states; in 2009 it officially announced its decision to fully participate in NATO structures in 2010, France and the UK signed a declaration on defense and security cooperation that included greater military interoperability and a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), a deployable, combined Anglo-French military force for use in a wide range of crisis scenarios, up to and including high intensity combat operations; the CJEF has no standing forces, but would be available at short notice for French-UK bilateral, NATO, EU, UN, or other operations; combined training exercises began in 2011; as of 2020, the CJEF was assessed as having full operating capacity with the ability to rapidly deploy over 10,000 personnel capable of high intensity operations, peacekeeping, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance the French Foreign Legion, established in 1831, is a military force that is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the French Armed Forces for service in France and abroad; the Foreign Legion is an integrated part of the French Army and is comprised of approximately 8,000 personnel in eight regiments, a regiment-sized demi-brigade, a battalion-sized overseas detachment, a battalion-sized recruiting group, and a command staff; the combat units are a mix of armored cavalry and airborne, light, mechanized, and motorized infantry (2022)in 2010, France and the UK signed a declaration on defense and security cooperation that included greater military interoperability and a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), a deployable, combined Anglo-French military force for use in a wide range of crisis scenarios, up to and including high intensity combat operations; the CJEF has no standing forces, but would be available at short notice for French-UK bilateral, NATO, EU, UN, or other operations; combined training exercises began in 2011; as of 2020, the CJEF was assessed as having full operating capacity with the ability to rapidly deploy over 10,000 personnel capable of high intensity operations, peacekeeping, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistancethe French Foreign Legion, established in 1831, is a military force that is open to foreign recruits willing to serve in the French Armed Forces for service in France and abroad; the Foreign Legion is an integrated part of the French Army and is comprised of approximately 8,000 personnel in eight regiments, a regiment-sized demi-brigade, a battalion-sized overseas detachment, a battalion-sized recruiting group, and a command staff; the combat units are a mix of armored cavalry and airborne, light, mechanized, and motorized infantry Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa'ida note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Madagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New CaledoniaMadagascar claims the French territories of Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island; Comoros claims Mayotte; Mauritius claims Tromelin Island; territorial dispute between Suriname and the French overseas department of French Guiana; France asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Adelie Land); France and Vanuatu claim Matthew and Hunter Islands, east of New Caledonia Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 37,744 (Afghanistan), 23,980 (Sri Lanka), 23,510 (Syria), 21,070 (Sudan), 19,007 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 16,995 (Russia), 15,090 (Guinea), 14,296 (Serbia and Kosovo), 13,180 (Turkey), 10,849 (Cambodia), 9,328 (Iraq) 8,519 (China), 8,338 (Cote d'Ivoire), 8,218 (Eritrea), 7,628 (Vietnam), 6,947 (Bangladesh), 6,649 (Somalia), 6,642 (Albania), 6,371 (Laos), 6,074 (Mauritania), 5,908 (Mali) (mid-year 2021); 96,520 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 2,094 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: metropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics; French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe; Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europemetropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics;French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe;Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe

20220901

countries-jersey

Topic: Photos of Jersey Topic: Introduction Background: Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency, which means that it is not part of the UK but is rather a self-governing possession of the British Crown. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France Geographic coordinates: 49 15 N, 2 10 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 116 sq km land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 70 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Terrain: gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Elevation: highest point: Les Platons 136 m lowest point: English Channel 0 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: agricultural land: 66% (2018 est.) arable land: 66% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 34% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: fairly even distribution; no notable trends Natural hazards: very large tidal variation can be hazardous to navigation Geography - note: largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Map description: Jersey map showing this British crown dependency island in the English Channel.Jersey map showing this British crown dependency island in the English Channel. Topic: People and Society Population: 102,146 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Channel Islander(s) adjective: Channel Islander Ethnic groups: Jersey 44.4%, British 30.5%, Portuguese/Madeiran 9.4%, Polish 3%, Irish 2.1%, other 10.6% (2021 est.) Languages: English (official) 94.5%, Portuguese 4.6%, other .9% (includes French (official) and Jerriais) (2001 est.) note: data represent main spoken language; the traditional language of Jersey is Jerriais or Jersey French (a Norman language), which was spoken by fewer than 3,000 people as of 2001;  two thirds of Jerriais speakers are aged 60 and overEnglish (official) 94.5%, Portuguese 4.6%, other .9% (includes French (official) and Jerriais) Religions: Protestant (Anglican, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian), Roman Catholic Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.63% (male 8,689/female 8,124) 15-24 years: 12.98% (male 6,764/female 6,354) 25-54 years: 40.12% (male 20,499/female 20,054) 55-64 years: 13.22% (male 6,515/female 6,844) 65 years and over: 17.05% (2020 est.) (male 7,324/female 9,906) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49 youth dependency ratio: 22.3 elderly dependency ratio: 26.7 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey Median age: total: 37.5 years male: 36 years female: 39.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.64% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.41 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.75 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: fairly even distribution; no notable trends Urbanization: urban population: 31.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Guernsey and Jersey Major urban areas - population: 34,000 SAINT HELIER (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.63 years male: 80.13 years female: 85.28 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.66 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: total: 94.2% of population unimproved: total: 5.9% of population (2017 est.) note: includes data for Guernsey Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.5% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.5% of population (2017) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: habitat and species depletion due to human encroachment; water pollution; improper solid waste disposal Climate: temperate; mild winters and cool summers Land use: agricultural land: 66% (2018 est.) arable land: 66% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 34% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 31.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.68% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Guernsey and Jersey Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 178,933 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 50,871 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2016 est.) note: data include combined totals for Guernsey and Jersey. Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey conventional short form: Jersey former: Norman Isles etymology: the name is of Old Norse origin, but the meaning of the root "Jer(s)" is uncertain; the "-ey" ending means "island" Government type: parliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey) Dependency status: British crown dependency Capital: name: Saint Helier geographic coordinates: 49 11 N, 2 06 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: named after Saint Helier, the patron saint of Jersey, who was reputedly martyred on the island in A.D. 555 Administrative divisions: none (British crown dependency); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 12 parishes; Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour, and Trinity Independence: none (British Crown dependency) National holiday: Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) Constitution: history: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice amendments: proposed by a government minister to the Assembly of the States of Jersey, by an Assembly member, or by an elected parish head; passage requires several Assembly readings, a majority vote by the Assembly, review by the UK Ministry of Justice, and approval of the British monarch (Royal Assent) Legal system: the laws of the UK apply where applicable; includes local statutes Citizenship: see United Kingdom Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Lieutenant Governor Sir Stephen DALTON (since 13 March 2017) head of government: Chief Minister John LE FONDRE (since 8 June 2018); Bailiff Timothy Le COCQ (since 17 October 2019) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed individually by the states elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; Council of Ministers, including the chief minister, indirectly elected by the Assembly of States; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (49 elected members; 8 senators to serve 4-year terms, and 29 deputies and 12 connetables, or heads of parishes, to serve 4-year terms; 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general) elections: last held on 22 June 2022 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote - independents 59.1%, RJ 12.3%, JA 9.2%, BW 7.8%, PP 4.2%, JLC 4.1%, other 3.3%; seats by party - independents 31, RJ 10, JA 1, BW 4, PP 1, JLC 2; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% Judicial branch: highest courts: Jersey Court of Appeal (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, and 12 judges); Royal Court (consists of the bailiff, deputy bailiff, 6 commissioners and lay people referred to as jurats, and is organized into Heritage, Family, Probate, and Samedi Divisions); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Jersey Court of Appeal bailiffs and judges appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; bailiffs and judges appointed for "extent of good behavior;" Royal Court bailiffs appointed by the Crown upon the advice of the Secretary of State for Justice; commissioners appointed by the bailiff; jurats appointed by the Electoral College; bailiffs and commissioners appointed for "extent of good behavior;" jurats appointed until retirement at age 72 subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Youth Court; Petty Debts Court; Parish Hall Enquires (a process of preliminary investigation into youth and minor adult offenses to determine need for presentation before a court) Political parties and leaders: Better Way or BW (group of independent candidates) Jersey Alliance or JA [Mark BOLEAT] Jersey Liberal Conservaties or JLC [Philip BAILHACHE] Progress Party or PP [Steve PALLETT] Reform Jersey or RJ [Sam MEZEC] note: most deputies sit as independents International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none (British Crown dependency) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (British Crown dependency) Flag description: white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with three lions in yellow; according to tradition, the ships of Jersey - in an attempt to differentiate themselves from English ships flying the horizontal cross of St. George - rotated the cross to the "X" (saltire) configuration; because this arrangement still resembled the Irish cross of St. Patrick, the yellow Plantagenet crown and Jersey coat of arms were added National symbol(s): Jersey cow; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home) lyrics/music: Gerard LE FEUVRE note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Jersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2016, the financial services sector accounted for about 41% of the island's output. Agriculture represented about 1% of Jersey’s economy in 2016. Potatoes are an important export crop, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle originated on the island and is known worldwide. The dairy industry remains important to the island with approximately $8.8 million gallons of milk produced in 2015. Tourism accounts for a significant portion of Jersey’s economy, with more than 700,000 total visitors in 2015. Living standards come close to those of the UK. All raw material and energy requirements are imported as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular offshore financial center. Jersey maintains its relationship with the EU through the UK. Therefore, in light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Jersey will also need to renegotiate its ties to the EU. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.569 billion (2016 est.) $5.514 billion (2015 est.) $4.98 billion (2014 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1% (2016 est.) 10.7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $56,600 (2016 est.) $49,500 (2015 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $5.004 billion (2015 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2006) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2% (2010) industry: 2% (2010) services: 96% (2010) Agricultural products: potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products Industries: tourism, banking and finance, dairy, electronics Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 59,950 (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 12% services: 85% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2015 est.) 4.6% (2014 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 0.3 (2014 est.) 0.3 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 829 million (2005) expenditures: 851 million (2005) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.4% (of GDP) (2005) Taxes and other revenues: 16.6% (of GDP) (2005) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Exports: NANA Exports - commodities: light industrial and electrical goods, dairy cattle, foodstuffs, textiles, flowers Imports: NANA Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Debt - external: NANA Exchange rates: Jersey pounds (JEP) per US dollar 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.738 (2016 est.) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2012) 0.6391 (2011 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Carbon dioxide emissions: 450,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2012 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 48,310 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2019 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 83,900 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 95 (2009 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: good system with broadband access (2018) domestic: fixed-line 45 per 100 and mobile-cellular 115 per 100 subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 44; landing points for the INGRID, UK-Channel Islands-8, and Guernsey-Jersey-4, submarine cable connectivity to Guernsey, the UK, and France (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments Broadcast media: multiple UK terrestrial TV broadcasts are received via a transmitter in Jersey; satellite packages available; BBC Radio Jersey and 1 other radio station operating Internet country code: .je Internet users: total: 44,198 (2019 est.) percent of population: 41% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 39,699 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in UK) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4 (registered in UK) Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 576 km (2010) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

field-maternal-mortality-ratio

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is the annual number of female deaths per 100,000 live births from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management (excluding accidental or incidental causes). The MMR includes deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, for a specified year. Topic: Afghanistan638 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Albania15 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria112 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Angola241 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Argentina39 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Armenia26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Australia6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Austria5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The70 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrain14 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladesh173 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Barbados27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Belarus2 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Belize36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Benin397 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan183 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia155 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Botswana144 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Brazil60 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Brunei31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgaria10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso320 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Burma250 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi548 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde58 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodia160 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroon529 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Canada10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic829 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Chad1,140 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Chile13 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: China29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Colombia83 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros273 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the473 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the378 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Costa Rica27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire617 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Cyprus6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark4 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuador59 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt37 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea301 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrea480 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Estonia9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini437 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopia401 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Fiji34 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Finland3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: France8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Gabon252 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The597 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgia25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Germany7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana308 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Greece3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Grenada25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Guatemala95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea576 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Guyana667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Haiti480 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Honduras65 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary12 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland4 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: India145 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia177 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Iran16 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Iraq79 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Ireland5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Israel3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Italy2 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica80 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Japan5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Jordan46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya342 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati92 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, North89 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, South11 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwait12 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan60 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Laos185 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Latvia19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Lesotho544 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia661 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Libya72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Lithuania5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascar335 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Malawi349 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysia29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Maldives53 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Mali562 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Malta6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritania766 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritius61 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico33 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of88 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Moldova19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Mongolia45 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegro6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Morocco70 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique289 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia195 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Nepal186 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlands5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: New Zealand9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua198 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Niger509 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeria917 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedonia7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Norway2 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Oman19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan140 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Panama52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea145 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguay84 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Peru88 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Philippines121 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Poland2 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico21 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Qatar9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Romania19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Russia17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia117 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines98 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Samoa43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe130 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Senegal315 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Serbia12 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone1,120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakia5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands104 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Somalia829 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: South Africa119 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan1,150 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Spain4 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan295 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Suriname120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Sweden4 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Syria31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistan17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania524 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand37 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste142 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Togo396 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Tonga52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago67 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisia43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Uganda375 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Ukraine19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: United States19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuatu72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuela125 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: West Bank27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: World211 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Yemen164 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Zambia213 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe458 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

20220901

field-land-boundaries

This entry contains the total length of all land boundaries and the individual lengths for each of the contiguous border countries. When available, official lengths published by national statistical agencies are used. Because surveying methods may differ, country border lengths reported by contiguous countries may differ. Topic: Afghanistantotal: 5,987 km border countries (6): China 91 km; Iran 921 km; Pakistan 2,670 km; Tajikistan 1,357 km; Turkmenistan 804 km; Uzbekistan 144 km Topic: Akrotiritotal: 48 km border countries (1): Cyprus 48 km Topic: Albaniatotal: 691 km border countries (4): Greece 212 km; Kosovo 112 km; Macedonia 181 km; Montenegro 186 km Topic: Algeriatotal: 6,734 km border countries (6): Libya 989 km; Mali 1,359 km; Mauritania 460 km; Morocco 1,941 km; Niger 951 km; Tunisia 1,034 km Topic: American Samoatotal: 0 km Topic: Andorratotal: 118 km border countries (2): France 55 km; Spain 63 km Topic: Angolatotal: 5,369 km border countries (4): Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province); Republic of the Congo 231 km; Namibia 1,427 km; Zambia 1,065 km Topic: Anguillatotal: 0 km Topic: Antarctica0 note: see entry on Disputes - internationalnote: see entry on Disputes - international Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 0 km Topic: Argentinatotal: 11,968 km border countries (5): Bolivia 942 km; Brazil 1,263 km; Chile 6,691 km; Paraguay 2,531 km; Uruguay 541 km Topic: Armeniatotal: 1,570 km border countries (4): Azerbaijan 996 km; Georgia 219 km; Iran 44 km; Turkey 311 km Topic: Arubatotal: 0 km Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Australiatotal: 0 km Topic: Austriatotal: 2,524 km border countries (8): Czech Republic 402 km; Germany 801 km; Hungary 321 km; Italy 404 km; Liechtenstein 34 km; Slovakia 105 km; Slovenia 299 km; Switzerland 158 km Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 2,468 km border countries (5): Armenia 996 km; Georgia 428 km; Iran 689 km; Russia 338 km; Turkey 17 km Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 0 km Topic: Bahraintotal: 0 km Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 4,413 km border countries (2): Burma 271 km; India 4,142 km Topic: Barbadostotal: 0 km Topic: Belarustotal: 3,599 km border countries (5): Latvia 161 km; Lithuania 640 km; Poland 375 km; Russia 1,312 km; Ukraine 1,111 km Topic: Belgiumtotal: 1,297 km border countries (4): France 556 km; Germany 133 km; Luxembourg 130 km; Netherlands 478 km Topic: Belizetotal: 542 km border countries (2): Guatemala 266 km; Mexico 276 km Topic: Benintotal: 2,123 km border countries (4): Burkina Faso 386 km; Niger 277 km; Nigeria 809 km; Togo 651 km Topic: Bermudatotal: 0 km Topic: Bhutantotal: 1,136 km border countries (2): China 477 km; India 659 km Topic: Boliviatotal: 7,252 km border countries (5): Argentina 942 km; Brazil 3,403 km; Chile 942 km; Paraguay 753 km; Peru 1,212 km Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 1,543 km border countries (3): Croatia 956 km; Montenegro 242 km; Serbia 345 km Topic: Botswanatotal: 4,347.15 km border countries (4): Namibia 1,544 km; South Africa 1,969 km; Zambia 0.15 km; Zimbabwe 834 km Topic: Bouvet Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: Braziltotal: 16,145 km border countries (10): Argentina 1,263 km; Bolivia 3,403 km; Colombia 1,790 km; French Guiana 649 km; Guyana 1,308 km; Paraguay 1,371 km; Peru 2,659 km; Suriname 515 km; Uruguay 1,050 km; Venezuela 2,137 km Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorytotal: 0 km Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Bruneitotal: 266 km border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km Topic: Bulgariatotal: 1,806 km border countries (5): Greece 472 km; Macedonia 162 km; Romania 605 km; Serbia 344 km; Turkey 223 km Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 3,611 km border countries (6): Benin 386 km; Cote d'Ivoire 545 km; Ghana 602 km; Mali 1325 km; Niger 622 km; Togo 131 km Topic: Burmatotal: 6,522 km border countries (5): Bangladesh 271 km; China 2,129 km; India 1,468 km; Laos 238 km; Thailand 2,416 km Topic: Burunditotal: 1,140 km border countries (3): Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km; Rwanda 315 km; Tanzania 589 km Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 0 km Topic: Cambodiatotal: 2,530 km border countries (3): Laos 555 km; Thailand 817 km; Vietnam 1158 km Topic: Cameroontotal: 5,018 km border countries (6): Central African Republic 901 km; Chad 1,116 km; Republic of the Congo 494 km; Equatorial Guinea 183 km; Gabon 349 km; Nigeria 1975 km Topic: Canadatotal: 8,891 km border countries (1): US 8,891 km (includes 2,475 km with Alaska) note: Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Central African Republictotal: 5,920 km border countries (5): Cameroon 901 km; Chad 1556 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km; South Sudan 1055 km; Sudan 174 km Topic: Chadtotal: 6,406 km border countries (6): Cameroon 1,116 km; Central African Republic 1,556 km; Libya 1,050 km; Niger 1,196 km; Nigeria 85 km; Sudan 1,403 km Topic: Chiletotal: 7,801 km border countries (3): Argentina 6,691 km; Bolivia 942 km; Peru 168 km Topic: Chinatotal: 22,457 km border countries (14): Afghanistan 91 km; Bhutan 477 km; Burma 2,129 km; India 2,659 km; Kazakhstan 1,765 km; North Korea 1,352 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,063 km; Laos 475 km; Mongolia 4,630 km; Nepal 1,389 km; Pakistan 438 km; Russia (northeast) 4,133 km and Russia (northwest) 46 km; Tajikistan 477 km; Vietnam 1,297 km Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: Clipperton Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Colombiatotal: 6,672 km border countries (5): Brazil 1,790 km; Ecuador 708 km; Panama 339 km; Peru 1,494 km; Venezuela 2,341 km Topic: Comorostotal: 0 km Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 11,027 km border countries (9): Angola 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province); Burundi 236 km; Central African Republic 1,747 km; Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Rwanda 221 km; South Sudan 714 km; Tanzania 479 km; Uganda 877 km; Zambia 2,332 km Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 5,554 km border countries (5): Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Coral Sea Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 661 km border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 3,458 km border countries (5): Burkina Faso 545 km; Ghana 720 km; Guinea 816 km; Liberia 778 km; Mali 599 km Topic: Croatiatotal: 2,237 km border countries (5): Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Hungary 348 km; Montenegro 19 km; Serbia 314 km; Slovenia 600 km Topic: Cubatotal: 28.5 km border countries (1): US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba Topic: Curacao0 Topic: Cyprustotal: 156 km border sovereign base areas: Akrotiri 48 km; Dhekelia 108 km Topic: Czechiatotal: 2,046 km border countries (4): Austria 402 km; Germany 704 km; Poland 699 km; Slovakia 241 km Topic: Denmarktotal: 140 km border countries (1): Germany 140 km Topic: Dhekeliatotal: 108 km border countries (1): Cyprus 108 km Topic: Djiboutitotal: 528 km border countries (3): Eritrea 125 km; Ethiopia 342 km; Somalia 61 km Topic: Dominicatotal: 0 km Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 376 km border countries (1): Haiti 376 km Topic: Ecuadortotal: 2,237 km border countries (2): Colombia 708 km; Peru 1529 km Topic: Egypttotal: 2,612 km border countries (4): Gaza Strip 13 km; Israel 208 km; Libya 1,115 km; Sudan 1,276 km Topic: El Salvadortotal: 590 km border countries (2): Guatemala 199 km; Honduras 391 km Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 528 km border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km; Gabon 345 km Topic: Eritreatotal: 1,840 km border countries (3): Djibouti 125 km; Ethiopia 1,033 km; Sudan 682 km Topic: Estoniatotal: 657 km border countries (2): Latvia 333 km; Russia 324 km Topic: Eswatinitotal: 546 km border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km; South Africa 438 km Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 5,925 km border countries (6): Djibouti 342 km; Eritrea 1,033 km; Kenya 867 km; Somalia 1,640 km; South Sudan 1,299 km; Sudan 744 km Topic: European Uniontotal: 13,770 km border countries (20): Albania 212 km; Andorra 118 km; Belarus 1,176 km; Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Holy See 3 km; Liechtenstein 34 km; North Macedonia 396 km; Moldova 683 km; Monaco 6 km; Montenegro 19 km; Norway 2,375 km; Russia 2,435 km; San Marino 37 km; Serbia 1,353 km; Switzerland 1,729 km; Turkey 415 km; United Kingdom 499 km; Ukraine 1,324 km; note - the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (2020) commits the United Kingdom (UK) to maintain an open border in Ireland, so the border between Northern Ireland (UK) and the Republic of Ireland is only de jure and is not a hard border; the de facto border is the Irish Sea between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain note: data for European continent only Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: 0 km Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Fijitotal: 0 km Topic: Finlandtotal: 2,563 km border countries (3): Norway 709 km; Sweden 545 km; Russia 1,309 km Topic: Francetotal: 3,956 km border countries (8): Andorra 55 km; Belgium 556 km; Germany 418 k; Italy 476 km; Luxembourg 69 km; Monaco 6 km; Spain 646 km; Switzerland 525 km metropolitan France - total: 2751 French Guiana - total: 1205 Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 0 km Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landstotal: 0 km Topic: Gabontotal: 3,261 km border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km; Republic of the Congo 2,567 km; Equatorial Guinea 345 km Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 749 km border countries (1): Senegal 749 km Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 72 km border countries (2): Egypt 13 km; Israel 59 km Topic: Georgiatotal: 1,814 km border countries (4): Armenia 219 km; Azerbaijan 428 km; Russia 894 km; Turkey 273 km Topic: Germanytotal: 3,694 km border countries (9): Austria 801 km; Belgium 133 km; Czechia 704 km; Denmark 140 km; France 418 km; Luxembourg 128 km; Netherlands 575 km; Poland 447 km; Switzerland 348 km Topic: Ghanatotal: 2,420 km border countries (3): Burkina Faso 602 km; Cote d'Ivoire 720 km; Togo 1098 km Topic: Gibraltartotal: 1.2 km border countries (1): Spain 1.2 km Topic: Greecetotal: 1,110 km border countries (4): Albania 212 km; Bulgaria 472 km; North Macedonia 234 km; Turkey 192 km Topic: Greenlandtotal: 0 km Topic: Grenadatotal: 0 km Topic: Guamtotal: 0 km Topic: Guatemalatotal: 1,667 km border countries (4): Belize 266 km; El Salvador 199 km; Honduras 244 km; Mexico 958 km Topic: Guernseytotal: 0 km Topic: Guineatotal: 4,046 km border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km; Guinea-Bissau 421 km; Liberia 590 km; Mali 1062 km; Senegal 363 km; Sierra Leone 794 km Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 762 km border countries (2): Guinea 421 km; Senegal 341 km Topic: Guyanatotal: 2,933 km border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km Topic: Haititotal: 376 km border countries (1): Dominican Republic 376 km Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)total: 3.4 km border countries (1): Italy 3.4 km Topic: Hondurastotal: 1,575 km border countries (3): Guatemala 244 km; El Salvador 391 km; Nicaragua 940 km Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 33 km regional borders (1): China 33 km Topic: Hungarytotal: 2,106 km border countries (7): Austria 321 km; Croatia 348 km; Romania 424 km; Serbia 164 km; Slovakia 627 km; Slovenia 94 km; Ukraine 128 km Topic: Icelandtotal: 0 km Topic: Indiatotal: 13,888 km border countries (6): Bangladesh 4,142 km; Bhutan 659 km; Burma 1,468 km; China 2,659 km; Nepal 1,770 km; Pakistan 3,190 km Topic: Indonesiatotal: 2,958 km border countries (3): Malaysia 1,881 km; Papua New Guinea 824 km; Timor-Leste 253 km Topic: Irantotal: 5,894 km border countries (7): Afghanistan 921 km; Armenia 44 km; Azerbaijan 689 km; Iraq 1,599 km; Pakistan 959 km; Turkey 534 km; Turkmenistan 1,148 km Topic: Iraqtotal: 3,809 km border countries (6): Iran 1,599 km; Jordan 179 km; Kuwait 254 km; Saudi Arabia 811 km; Syria 599 km; Turkey 367 km Topic: Irelandtotal: 490 km border countries (1): UK 490 km Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 0 km Topic: Israeltotal: 1,068 km border countries (6): Egypt 208 km; Gaza Strip 59 km; Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea); Lebanon 81 km; Syria 83 km; West Bank 330 km Topic: Italytotal: 1,836.4 km border countries (6): Austria 404 km; France 476 km; Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km; San Marino 37 km; Slovenia 218 km; Switzerland 698 km Topic: Jamaicatotal: 0 km Topic: Jan Mayentotal: 0 km Topic: Japantotal: 0 km Topic: Jerseytotal: 0 km Topic: Jordantotal: 1,744 km border countries (5): Iraq 179 km; Israel 307 km; Saudi Arabia 731 km; Syria 379 km; West Bank 148 km Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 13,364 km border countries (5): China 1,765 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,212 km; Russia 7,644 km; Turkmenistan 413 km; Uzbekistan 2,330 km Topic: Kenyatotal: 3,457 km border countries (5): Ethiopia 867 km; Somalia 684 km; South Sudan 317 km; Tanzania 775 km; Uganda 814 km Topic: Kiribatitotal: 0 km Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 1,607 km border countries (3): China 1,352 km; South Korea 237 km; Russia 18 km Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 237 km border countries (1): North Korea 237 km Topic: Kosovototal: 714 km border countries (4): Albania 112 km; North Macedonia 160 km; Montenegro 76 km; Serbia 366 km Topic: Kuwaittotal: 475 km border countries (2): Iraq 254 km; Saudi Arabia 221 km Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 4,573 km border countries (4): China 1,063 km; Kazakhstan 1,212 km; Tajikistan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,314 km Topic: Laostotal: 5,274 km border countries (5): Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km Topic: Latviatotal: 1,370 km border countries (4): Belarus 161 km; Estonia 333 km; Lithuania 544 km; Russia 332 km Topic: Lebanontotal: 484 km border countries (2): Israel 81 km; Syria 403 km Topic: Lesothototal: 1,106 km border countries (1): South Africa 1,106 km Topic: Liberiatotal: 1,667 km border countries (3): Guinea 590 km; Cote d'Ivoire 778 km; Sierra Leone 299 km Topic: Libyatotal: 4,339 km border countries (6): Algeria 989 km; Chad 1,050 km; Egypt 1,115 km; Niger 342 km; Sudan 382 km; Tunisia 461 km Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 75 km border countries (2): Austria 34 km; Switzerland 41 km Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 1,545 km border countries (4): Belarus 640 km; Latvia 544 km; Poland 100 km; Russia (Kaliningrad) 261 km Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 327 km border countries (3): Belgium 130 km; France 69 km; Germany 128 km Topic: Macautotal: 3 km regional borders (1): China 3 km Topic: Madagascartotal: 0 km Topic: Malawitotal: 2,857 km border countries (3): Mozambique 1,498 km; Tanzania 512 km; Zambia 847 km Topic: Malaysiatotal: 2,742 km border countries (3): Brunei 266 km; Indonesia 1,881 km; Thailand 595 km Topic: Maldivestotal: 0 km Topic: Malitotal: 7,908 km border countries (6): Algeria 1,359 km; Burkina Faso 1,325 km; Cote d'Ivoire 599 km; Guinea 1,062 km; Mauritania 2,236 km; Niger 838 km, Senegal 489 km Topic: Maltatotal: 0 km Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 5,002 km border countries (4): Algeria 460 km; Mali 2,236 km; Morocco 1,564 km; Senegal 742 km Topic: Mauritiustotal: 0 km Topic: Mexicototal: 4,389 km border countries (3): Belize 276 km; Guatemala 958 km; US 3,155 km Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 0 km Topic: Moldovatotal: 1,885 km border countries (2): Romania 683 km; Ukraine 1202 km Topic: Monacototal: 6 km border countries (1): France 6 km Topic: Mongoliatotal: 8,082 km border countries (2): China 4,630 km; Russia 3,452 km Topic: Montenegrototal: 680 km border countries (5): Albania 186 km; Bosnia and Herzegovina 242 km; Croatia 19 km; Kosovo 76 km; Serbia 157 km Topic: Montserrattotal: 0 km Topic: Moroccototal: 3,523.5 km border countries (3): Algeria 1,941 km; Mauritania 1,564 km; Spain (Ceuta) 8 km and Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 4,783 km border countries (6): Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km Topic: Namibiatotal: 4,220 km border countries (4): Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km Topic: Naurutotal: 0 km Topic: Navassa Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: Nepaltotal: 3,159 km border countries (2): China 1,389 km; India 1,770 km Topic: Netherlandstotal: 1,053 km border countries (2): Belgium 478 km; Germany 575 km Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 0 km Topic: New Zealandtotal: 0 km Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 1,253 km border countries (2): Costa Rica 313 km; Honduras 940 km Topic: Nigertotal: 5,834 km border countries (7): Algeria 951 km; Benin 277 km; Burkina Faso 622 km; Chad 1,196 km; Libya 342 km; Mali 838 km; Nigeria 1,608 km Topic: Nigeriatotal: 4,477 km border countries (4): Benin 809 km; Cameroon 1,975 km; Chad 85 km; Niger 1,608 km Topic: Niuetotal: 0 km Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 838 km border countries (5): Albania 181 km; Bulgaria 162 km; Greece 234 km; Kosovo 160 km; Serbia 101 km Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Norwaytotal: 2,566 km border countries (3): Finland 709 km; Sweden 1,666 km; Russia 191 km Topic: Omantotal: 1,561 km border countries (3): Saudi Arabia 658 km; UAE 609 km; Yemen 294 km Topic: Pakistantotal: 7,257 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 2,670 km; China 438 km; India 3,190 km; Iran 959 km Topic: Palautotal: 0 km Topic: Panamatotal: 687 km border countries (2): Colombia 339 km; Costa Rica 348 km Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 824 km border countries (1): Indonesia 824 km Topic: Paracel Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Paraguaytotal: 4,655 km border countries (3): Argentina 2,531 km; Bolivia 753 km; Brazil 1,371 km Topic: Perutotal: 7,062 km border countries (5): Bolivia 1,212 km; Brazil 2,659 km; Chile 168 km; Colombia 1,494 km; Ecuador 1,529 km Topic: Philippinestotal: 0 km Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Polandtotal: 2,865 km border countries (6): Belarus 375 km; Czechia 699 km; Germany 467 km; Lithuania 100 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 209 km; Slovakia 517 km; Ukraine 498 km Topic: Portugaltotal: 1,224 km border countries (1): Spain 1,224 km Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 0 km Topic: Qatartotal: 87 km border countries (1): Saudi Arabia 87 km Topic: Romaniatotal: 2,844 km border countries (5): Bulgaria 605 km; Hungary 424 km; Moldova 683 km; Serbia 531 km; Ukraine 601 km Topic: Russiatotal: 22,407 km border countries (14): Azerbaijan 338 km; Belarus 1,312 km; China (southeast) 4,133 km and China (south) 46 km; Estonia 324 km; Finland 1,309 km; Georgia 894 km; Kazakhstan 7,644 km; North Korea 18 km; Latvia 332 km; Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 261 km; Mongolia 3,452 km; Norway 191 km; Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 209 km; Ukraine 1,944 km Topic: Rwandatotal: 930 km border countries (4): Burundi 315 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km; Tanzania 222 km; Uganda 172 km Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal: 0 km Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 0 km Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 0 km Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 0 km Topic: Saint Martintotal: 16 km border countries (1): Sint Maarten 16 km Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal: 0 km Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 0 km Topic: Samoatotal: 0 km Topic: San Marinototal: 37 km border countries (1): Italy 37 km Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 0 km Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 4,272 km border countries (7): Iraq 811 km; Jordan 731 km; Kuwait 221 km; Oman 658 km; Qatar 87 km; UAE 457 km; Yemen 1,307 km Topic: Senegaltotal: 2,684 km border countries (5): The Gambia 749 km; Guinea 363 km; Guinea-Bissau 341 km; Mali 489 km; Mauritania 742 km Topic: Serbiatotal: 2,322 km border countries (8): Bosnia and Herzegovina 345 km; Bulgaria 344 km; Croatia 314 km; Hungary 164 km; Kosovo 366 km; North Macedonia 101 km; Montenegro 157 km; Romania 531 km Topic: Seychellestotal: 0 km Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 1,093 km border countries (2): Guinea 794 km; Liberia 299 km Topic: Singaporetotal: 0 km Topic: Sint Maartentotal: 16 km border countries (1): Saint Martin (France) 16 km Topic: Slovakiatotal: 1,587 km border countries (5): Austria 105 km; Czechia 241 km; Hungary 627 km; Poland 517 km; Ukraine 97 km Topic: Sloveniatotal: 1,211 km border countries (4): Austria 299 km; Croatia 600 km; Hungary 94 km; Italy 218 km Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Somaliatotal: 2,385 km border countries (3): Djibouti 61 km; Ethiopia 1,640 km; Kenya 684 km Topic: South Africatotal: 5,244 km border countries (6): Botswana 1,969 km; Lesotho 1,106 km; Mozambique 496 km; Namibia 1,005 km; Eswatini 438 km; Zimbabwe 230 km Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: South Sudantotal: 6,018 km border countries (6): Central African Republic 1,055 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km; Ethiopia 1,299 km; Kenya 317 km; Sudan 2,158 km; Uganda 475 km note: South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan Topic: Spaintotal: 1,952.7 km border countries (5): Andorra 63 km; France 646 km; Gibraltar 1.2 km; Portugal 1,224 km; Morocco (Ceuta) 8 km and Morocco (Melilla) 10.5 km note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera Topic: Spratly Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 0 km Topic: Sudantotal: 6,819 km border countries (7): Central African Republic 174 km; Chad 1,403 km; Egypt 1,276 km; Eritrea 682 km; Ethiopia 744 km; Libya 382 km; South Sudan 2,158 km note: Sudan-South Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei region pending negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan Topic: Surinametotal: 1,907 km border countries (3): Brazil 515 km; French Guiana 556 km; Guyana 836 km Topic: Svalbardtotal: 0 km Topic: Swedentotal: 2,211 km border countries (2): Finland 545 km; Norway 1,666 km Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 1,770 km border countries (5): Austria 158 km; France 525 km; Italy 698 km; Liechtenstein 41 km; Germany 348 km Topic: Syriatotal: 2,363 km border countries (5): Iraq 599 km; Israel 83 km; Jordan 379 km; Lebanon 403 km; Turkey 899 km Topic: Taiwantotal: 0 km Topic: Tajikistantotal: 4,130 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 1,357 km; China 477 km; Kyrgyzstan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,312 km Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 4,161 km border countries (8): Burundi 589 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km; Kenya 775 km; Malawi 512 km; Mozambique 840 km; Rwanda 222 km; Uganda 391 km; Zambia 353 km Topic: Thailandtotal: 5,673 km border countries (4): Burma 2,416 km; Cambodia 817 km; Laos 1,845 km; Malaysia 595 km Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 253 km border countries (1): Indonesia 253 km Topic: Togototal: 1,880 km border countries (3): Benin 651 km; Burkina Faso 131 km; Ghana 1,098 km Topic: Tokelautotal: 0 km Topic: Tongatotal: 0 km Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 0 km Topic: Tunisiatotal: 1,495 km border countries (2): Algeria 1,034 km; Libya 461 km Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total: 2,816 km border countries (8): Armenia 311 km; Azerbaijan 17 km; Bulgaria 223 km; Georgia 273 km; Greece 192 km; Iran 534 km; Iraq 367 km; Syria 899 km Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 4,158 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 804 km; Iran 1,148 km; Kazakhstan 413 km; Uzbekistan 1,793 km Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Tuvalutotal: 0 km Topic: Ugandatotal: 2,729 km border countries (5): Democratic Republic of the Congo 877 km; Kenya 814 km; Rwanda 172 km; South Sudan 475 km; Tanzania 391 km Topic: Ukrainetotal: 5,581 km border countries (6): Belarus 1,111 km; Hungary 128 km; Moldova 1,202 km; Poland 498 km; Romania 601 km; Russia 1,944 km, Slovakia 97 km Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 1,066 km border countries (2): Oman 609 km; Saudi Arabia 457 km Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 499 km border countries (1): Ireland 499 km Topic: United Statestotal: 12,002 km border countries (2): Canada 8,891 km (including 2,475 km with Alaska); Mexico 3,111 km note: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28.5 km Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugestotal: 0 km Topic: Uruguaytotal: 1,591 km border countries (2): Argentina 541 km; Brazil 1,050 km Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 6,893 km border countries (5): Afghanistan 144 km; Kazakhstan 2,330 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,314 km; Tajikistan 1,312 km; Turkmenistan 1,793 km Topic: Vanuatutotal: 0 km Topic: Venezuelatotal: 5,267 km border countries (3): Brazil 2,137 km; Colombia 2,341 km; Guyana 789 km Topic: Vietnamtotal: 4,616 km border countries (3): Cambodia 1,158 km; China 1,297 km; Laos 2,161 km Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 0 km Topic: Wake Islandtotal: 0 km Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal: 0 km Topic: West Banktotal: 478 km border countries (2): Israel 330 km; Jordan 148 km Topic: Worldthe land boundaries in The World Factbook total 279,035.5 km (not counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border 14 other countries note 1: the total is actually misleading in terms of accuracy, since one cannot accurately measure every river meander along a boundary; a number rounded slightly higher - to 280,000 km - makes more sense and has been coordinated with and approved by the US State Department note 2: 46 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include: Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, South Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked note 3: worldwide, some one-quarter of interior (non-coastal) borders are rivers; South America with 43% leads the continents, followed by North America with 32%, Africa with 30%, Europe with 23%, and Asia with 18%; Australia has no interior national river bordersthe land boundaries in The World Factbook total 279,035.5 km (not counting shared boundaries twice); two nations, China and Russia, each border 14 other countries note 1: the total is actually misleading in terms of accuracy, since one cannot accurately measure every river meander along a boundary; a number rounded slightly higher - to 280,000 km - makes more sense and has been coordinated with and approved by the US State Departmentnote 2: 46 nations and other areas are landlocked, these include: Afghanistan, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Czechia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Holy See (Vatican City), Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Niger, Paraguay, Rwanda, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, South Sudan, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, West Bank, Zambia, Zimbabwe; two of these, Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan, are doubly landlocked note 3: worldwide, some one-quarter of interior (non-coastal) borders are rivers; South America with 43% leads the continents, followed by North America with 32%, Africa with 30%, Europe with 23%, and Asia with 18%; Australia has no interior national river borders Topic: Yementotal: 1,601 km border countries (2): Oman 294 km; Saudi Arabia 1,307 km Topic: Zambiatotal: 6,043.15 km border countries (8): Angola 1,065 km; Botswana 0.15 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,332 km; Malawi 847 km; Mozambique 439 km; Namibia 244 km; Tanzania 353 km; Zimbabwe 763 km Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 3,229 km border countries (4): Botswana 834 km; Mozambique 1,402 km; South Africa 230 km; Zambia 763 km

20220901

countries-bahrain-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Bahrain due to COVID-19. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [973] 1724-2700; US Embassy Manama, Bldg. 979, Road 3119, Block 331, Zinj, PO Box 26431, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain; https://bh.usembassy.gov/; ManamaConsular@state.gov Telephone Code: 973 Local Emergency Phone: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Arid; mild, pleasant winters and very hot, humid summers Currency (Code): Dinars (BHD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G Major Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Major Religions: Muslim 73.7%, Christian 9.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other 16.9% Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Adhari Park; Al Areen Wildlife Park; Manama (includes National Museum, Al Khamis Mosque, Al-Qudaibiya Palace); The Tree of Life; Arad Fort; Qal'at al-Bahrain- ancient harbor & capital of Dilmun Major Sports: Soccer, mixed martial arts, cricket, car racing Cultural Practices: If eating a meal on the floor, it is considered taboo to let one's feet touch the food mat. To avoid this situation, sit cross legged or kneel. Tipping Guidelines: While there is often a 10% service charge at restaurants, it is still customary to leave a 10% tip for wait staff. Taxi drivers expect a 10% tip and porters will be happy with about 100 dinars per bag.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

countries-argentina-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay left, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe.In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay left, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe. Topic: Geography Area: total: 2,780,400 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 43,710 sq km Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 46,245,668 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.) Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua) Religions: Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.) Population growth rate: 0.82% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Buenos Aires Executive branch: chief of state: President Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ (since 10 December 2019); Vice President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government (2019) head of government: President Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ (since 10 December 2019); Vice President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2019) (2018) Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (72 seats; members directly elected on a provincial basis with 2 seats awarded to the party with the most votes and 1 seat to the party with the second highest number of votes; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies or Cámara de Diputados (257 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years) Topic: Economy Economic overview: large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflationlarge diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $893.31 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $19,700 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: maize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk, barley, sunflower seed, beef, grapes, potatoes Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel Exports: $64.18 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: Brazil 16%, China 11%, United States 7%, Chile 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: soybean products, corn, delivery trucks, wheat, frozen meat, gold (2019) Imports: $52.14 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Brazil 21%, China 18%, US 14%, Germany 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts, natural gas, soybeans (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

countries-kuwait

Topic: Photos of Kuwait Topic: Introduction Background: Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as Bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated in late 2011 with the resignation of the prime minister amidst allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an amiri decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs. An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the November 2016 election, winning nearly half of the seats, but a cohesive opposition alliance largely ceased to exist with the 2016 election and the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly elections in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government. The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in September 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of the "National Dialogue," the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet was reshuffled in March 2022.Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as Bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated in late 2011 with the resignation of the prime minister amidst allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an amiri decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs. An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the November 2016 election, winning nearly half of the seats, but a cohesive opposition alliance largely ceased to exist with the 2016 election and the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly elections in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government. The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in September 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of the "National Dialogue," the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet was reshuffled in March 2022.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 17,818 sq km land: 17,818 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 475 km border countries (2): Iraq 254 km; Saudi Arabia 221 km Coastline: 499 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain Elevation: highest point: 3.6 km W. of Al-Salmi Border Post 300 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m mean elevation: 108 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 8.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.6% (2018 est.) forest: 0.4% (2018 est.) other: 91.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 105 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Population distribution: densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year but are most common between March and August Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf Map description: Kuwait map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf.Kuwait map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,068,155 (2022 est.) note: Kuwait's Public Authority for Civil Information estimates the country's total population to be 4,420,110 for 2019, with non-Kuwaitis accounting for nearly 70% of the population Nationality: noun: Kuwaiti(s) adjective: Kuwaiti Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%, Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.) note: data represent the total population; about 72% of the population consists of immigrants Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.29% (male 378,778/female 348,512) 15-24 years: 14.96% (male 245,354/female 202,642) 25-54 years: 52.39% (male 984,813/female 583,632) 55-64 years: 5.43% (male 90,583/female 72,026) 65 years and over: 2.92% (2020 est.) (male 38,614/female 48,752) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 32.4 youth dependency ratio: 28.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4 potential support ratio: 24.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.7 years male: 30.7 years female: 27.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.17% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 17.78 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 2.25 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: densest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.239 million KUWAIT (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.66 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.21 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.37 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 12 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.13 years male: 77.67 years female: 80.65 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.5% (2019) Physicians density: 2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2018 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018 est.) <1000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 37.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 17.9% (2020 est.) male: 33.5% (2020 est.) female: 2.2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3% (2014) Education expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.5% male: 97.1% female: 95.4% (2020) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 13 years female: 16 years (2015) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 9.4% female: 30% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification; loss of biodiversity Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Convention Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 57.17 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 98.73 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 6.21 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters Land use: agricultural land: 8.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.6% (2018 est.) forest: 0.4% (2018 est.) other: 91.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.75 million tons (2010 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 448.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 23.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 778.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: State of Kuwait conventional short form: Kuwait local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt local short form: Al Kuwayt etymology: the name derives from the capital city, which is from Arabic "al-Kuwayt" a diminutive of "kut" meaning "fortress," possibly a reference to a small castle built on the current location of Kuwait City by the Beni Khaled tribe in the 17th century Government type: constitutional monarchy (emirate) Capital: name: Kuwait City geographic coordinates: 29 22 N, 47 58 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from Arabic "al-Kuwayt" a diminutive of "kut" meaning "fortress," possibly a reference to a small castle built on the current location of Kuwait City by the Beni Khaled tribe in the 17th century Administrative divisions: 6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir Independence: 19 June 1961 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950) Constitution: history: approved and promulgated 11 November 1962; suspended 1976 to 1981 (4 articles); 1986 to 1991; May to July 1999 amendments: proposed by the amir or supported by at least one third of the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds consent of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the amir; constitutional articles on the initiation, approval, and promulgation of general legislation cannot be amended Legal system: mixed legal system consisting of English common law, French civil law, and Islamic sharia law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: not specified Suffrage: 21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship Executive branch: chief of state: Amir NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 30 September 2020); Crown Prince MISHAL Al Ahmad Al Sabah, born in 1940, is the brother of Amir NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad Al Sabah Al Salim Al Sabah (since 19 July 2022); First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Ahmed al-Nawaf Al Sabah (since 22 March 2022), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Talal al-Khaled Al Sabah (since 9 March 2022), and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Mohammed al-Faris (since 22 March 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, approved by the amir elections/appointments: amir chosen from within the ruling family, confirmed by the National Assembly; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the amir; crown prince appointed by the amir and approved by the National Assembly Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (65 seats; 50 members directly elected from 5 multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 15 ex-officio members (cabinet ministers) appointed by the amir; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 5 December 2020 (next to be held NA) election results: all candidates ran as independents, though nearly one-half were oppositionists; composition of elected members - men 50, women 0, percent of women 0% Judicial branch: highest courts: Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges); Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (organized into several circuits, each with 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: all Kuwaiti judges appointed by the Amir upon recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials subordinate courts: High Court of Appeal; Court of First Instance; Summary Court Political parties and leaders: none; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SALEM Abdallah al-Jaber al-Sabah (since 10 October 2021) chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8468 email address and website: https://www.kuwaitembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: Beverly Hills (CA), New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires James HOLTSNIDER (since July 2021) embassy: P.O. Box 77, Safat 13001 mailing address: 6200 Kuwait Place, Washington DC  20521-6200 telephone: [00] (965) 2259-1001 FAX: [00] (965) 2538-0282 email address and website: KuwaitACS@state.gov https://kw.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I; green represents fertile fields, white stands for purity, red denotes blood on Kuwaiti swords, black signifies the defeat of the enemy National symbol(s): golden falcon; national colors: green, white, red, black National anthem: name: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions Topic: Economy Economic overview: Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - more than 6% of world reserves. Kuwaiti officials plan to increase production to 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2020. Petroleum accounts for over half of GDP, 92% of export revenues, and 90% of government income.   With world oil prices declining, Kuwait realized a budget deficit in 2015 for the first time more than a decade; in 2016, the deficit grew to 16.5% of GDP. Kuwaiti authorities announced cuts to fuel subsidies in August 2016, provoking outrage among the public and National Assembly, and the Amir dissolved the government for the seventh time in ten years. In 2017 the deficit was reduced to 7.2% of GDP, and the government raised $8 billion by issuing international bonds. Despite Kuwait’s dependence on oil, the government has cushioned itself against the impact of lower oil prices, by saving annually at least 10% of government revenue in the Fund for Future Generations.   Kuwait has failed to diversify its economy or bolster the private sector, because of a poor business climate, a large public sector that employs about 74% of citizens, and an acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch that has stymied most economic reforms. The Kuwaiti Government has made little progress on its long-term economic development plan first passed in 2010. While the government planned to spend up to $104 billion over four years to diversify the economy, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy, many of the projects did not materialize because of an uncertain political situation or delays in awarding contracts. To increase non-oil revenues, the Kuwaiti Government in August 2017 approved draft bills supporting a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide value added tax scheduled to take effect in 2018.Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - more than 6% of world reserves. Kuwaiti officials plan to increase production to 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2020. Petroleum accounts for over half of GDP, 92% of export revenues, and 90% of government income. With world oil prices declining, Kuwait realized a budget deficit in 2015 for the first time more than a decade; in 2016, the deficit grew to 16.5% of GDP. Kuwaiti authorities announced cuts to fuel subsidies in August 2016, provoking outrage among the public and National Assembly, and the Amir dissolved the government for the seventh time in ten years. In 2017 the deficit was reduced to 7.2% of GDP, and the government raised $8 billion by issuing international bonds. Despite Kuwait’s dependence on oil, the government has cushioned itself against the impact of lower oil prices, by saving annually at least 10% of government revenue in the Fund for Future Generations. Kuwait has failed to diversify its economy or bolster the private sector, because of a poor business climate, a large public sector that employs about 74% of citizens, and an acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch that has stymied most economic reforms. The Kuwaiti Government has made little progress on its long-term economic development plan first passed in 2010. While the government planned to spend up to $104 billion over four years to diversify the economy, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy, many of the projects did not materialize because of an uncertain political situation or delays in awarding contracts. To increase non-oil revenues, the Kuwaiti Government in August 2017 approved draft bills supporting a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide value added tax scheduled to take effect in 2018. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $209.74 billion (2019 est.) $208.85 billion (2018 est.) $206.274 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -3.3% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) -1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $49,900 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $50,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $50,856 (2017 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $134.638 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA (2008) Moody's rating: A1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.4% (2017 est.) industry: 58.7% (2017 est.) services: 40.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 43.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: eggs, dates, tomatoes, cucumbers, poultry, milk, mutton, potatoes, vegetables, eggplants Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, cement, shipbuilding and repair, water desalination, food processing, construction materials Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 2.695 million (2017 est.) note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA Unemployment rate: 1.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 9.4% female: 30% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 50.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 62.6 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -10% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 20.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 9.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 41.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $7.127 billion (2017 est.) -$5.056 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $72.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $85.2 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 20%, South Korea 16%, India 15%, Japan 10%, Taiwan 6%, Vietnam 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, aircraft, natural gas, industrial hydrocarbon products (2019) Imports: $59.65 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $68.2 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, United States 10%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, packaged medicines, jewelry (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $33.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $31.13 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $47.24 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $38.34 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.3049 (2020 est.) 0.3037 (2019 est.) 0.304 (2018 est.) 0.3009 (2014 est.) 0.2845 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 19.371 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 63,802,360,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.701 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 68,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 68,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 2,720,500 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 342,000 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,837,900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 101.5 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 915,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 705,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 19,509,907,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 24,322,970,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 4,805,531,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1,783,958,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 92.582 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 578,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 44.288 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 47.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 381.985 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 583,463 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6,770,346 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 159 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Kuwait’s telecom infrastructure is well developed, with a focus on mobile infrastructure and services; the telecom sector is important to the country’s economy, and this will become more pronounced in coming years as the economy is purposefully transitioned away from a dependence on oil and gas to one which is increasingly knowledge-based and focused on ICT and related services; the MNOs have focused investment on 5G networks, which support and promote the growth of data traffic; this in turn has been a catalyst for revenue growth in recent quarters; while Kuwait’s mobile sector shows considerable progress; the country’s fixed broadband system is the lowest in the region; the government has stepped up efforts to build up fixed broadband networks, and ultimately this sector offers a potential future growth opportunity; improvements to the fixed broadband infrastructure will help develop sectors such as e-commerce, along with smart infrastructure developments, and tech start-ups. (2022) domestic: fixed-line subscriptions are nearly 14 per 100 and mobile-cellular stands at nearly 159 per 100 subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 965; landing points for the FOG, GBICS, MENA, Kuwait-Iran, and FALCON submarine cables linking Africa, the Middle East, and Asia; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 6 (3 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean, 1 Inmarsat - Atlantic Ocean, and 2 Arabsat) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-owned TV broadcaster operates 4 networks and a satellite channel; several private TV broadcasters have emerged; satellite TV available and pan-Arab TV stations are especially popular; state-owned Radio Kuwait broadcasts on a number of channels in Arabic and English; first private radio station emerged in 2005; transmissions of at least 2 international radio broadcasters are available (2019) Internet country code: .kw Internet users: total: 4,227,857 (2020 est.) percent of population: 99% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 73,948 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 44 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,464,847 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 392.36 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9K Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Heliports: 4 (2021) Pipelines: 261 km gas, 540 km oil, 57 km refined products (2013) Roadways: total: 5,749 km (2018) paved: 4,887 km (2018) unpaved: 862 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 165 by type: general cargo 15, oil tanker 28, other 122 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Kuwaiti Armed Forces: Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya; includes Kuwaiti Air Defense Force, KADF), 25th Commando Brigade, and the Kuwait Emiri Guard Brigade; Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG); Coast Guard (Ministry of Interior) (2022) note 1: the Kuwait Amiri Guard Authority and the 25th Commando Brigade exercise independent command authority within the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, although activities such as training and equipment procurement are often coordinated with the other services note 2: the Kuwaiti National Guard reports directly to the prime minister and the amir and possesses an independent command structure, equipment inventory, and logistics corps separate from the Ministry of Defense, the regular armed services, and the Ministry of Interior; it is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required Military expenditures: 6.8% of GDP (2021 est.) 6.3% of GDP (2020 est.) 5.6% of GDP (2019) (approximately $10.2 billion) 5.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $9.25 billion) 5.6% of GDP (2017) (approximately $10 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 17,000 active armed forces personnel (12,500 Army, including the Amiri Guard and 25th Commando Brigade; 2,000 Navy; 2,500 Air Force); approximately 6,500 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces consists of weapons from a wide variety of sources, including Western Europe, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the US; the US is the leading supplier of arms to Kuwait since 2010 (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Kuwait reintroduced one-year mandatory service for men aged 18-35 in May 2017 after having suspended conscription in 2001; service is divided in two phases – four months for training and eight months for military service; women were allowed to volunteer in 2021 (2022)   Military - note: Kuwait has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Kuwait-Iraq: no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian Gulf Kuwait-Saudi Arabia: their maritime boundary was established in 2000 and has a neutral zone but its extension to Iran’s maritime boundary has not been negotiated  Kuwait-Iraq: no maritime boundary exists with Iraq in the Persian GulfKuwait-Saudi Arabia: their maritime boundary was established in 2000 and has a neutral zone but its extension to Iran’s maritime boundary has not been negotiated  Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 92,020 (mid-year 2021); note - Kuwait's 1959 Nationality Law defined citizens as persons who settled in the country before 1920 and who had maintained normal residence since then; one-third of the population, descendants of Bedouin tribes, missed the window of opportunity to register for nationality rights after Kuwait became independent in 1961 and were classified as bidun (meaning "without"); since the 1980s Kuwait's bidun have progressively lost their rights, including opportunities for employment and education, amid official claims that they are nationals of other countries who have destroyed their identification documents in hopes of gaining Kuwaiti citizenship; Kuwaiti authorities have delayed processing citizenship applications and labeled biduns as "illegal residents," denying them access to civil documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates

20220901

countries-oman-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Oman due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism and armed conflict. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [968] 24-643-400; US Embassy in Muscat, P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman; ConsularMuscat@state.gov; https://om.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 968 Local Emergency Phone: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south Currency (Code): Omani rials (OMR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G Major Languages: Arabic, English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects Major Religions: Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <0.1% Time Difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Wahiba Sands; Musandam Fjords; Ras al Jinz; Jebel Akhdar; Salalah; Bahla; Masirah Island; Archeological sites at Bat, Al-Khutm, & Al-Ayn; Grand Mosque in Muscat; Souq Muttrah Major Sports: Dhow racing (sailing), horse racing, falconry, camel racing, bull fighting Cultural Practices: Pointing your foot at another person is considered very rude, as is showing the sole of one's foot. Tipping Guidelines: A tip of 10% is considered the norm at restaurants and hotels. Rounding up or letting the driver keep the change is appropriate for taxis.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

countries-pakistan

Topic: Photos of Pakistan Topic: Introduction Background: The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by Indian reports of cross-border militancy. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by Indian reports of cross-border militancy. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north Geographic coordinates: 30 00 N, 70 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 796,095 sq km land: 770,875 sq km water: 25,220 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 7,257 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 2,670 km; China 438 km; India 3,190 km; Iran 959 km Coastline: 1,046 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Terrain: divided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain in the center and east, and the Balochistan Plateau in the south and west Elevation: highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m mean elevation: 900 m Natural resources: arable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone Land use: agricultural land: 35.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 27.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.5% (2018 est.) forest: 2.1% (2018 est.) other: 62.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 202,000 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km) Major aquifers: Indus Basin Population distribution: the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated Natural hazards: frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) Geography - note: controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent Map description: Pakistan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea.Pakistan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 242,923,845 (2022 est.) note: results of Pakistan's 2017 national census estimate the country's total population to be 207,684,626 Nationality: noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani Ethnic groups: Punjabi 44.7%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.4%, Sindhi 14.1%, Saraiki 8.4%, Muhajirs 7.6%, Balochi 3.6%, other 6.3% Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% major-language sample(s): ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀ ਤੱਥ ਕਿਤਾਬ, ਆਧਾਰੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਸਰੋਤ ਹੈ (Punjabi) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official) 96.5% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3.5% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.01% (male 42,923,925/female 41,149,694) 15-24 years: 19.3% (male 23,119,205/female 21,952,976) 25-54 years: 34.7% (male 41,589,381/female 39,442,046) 55-64 years: 5.55% (male 6,526,656/female 6,423,993) 65 years and over: 4.44% (2020 est.) (male 4,802,165/female 5,570,595) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.4 youth dependency ratio: 57.2 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 22 years male: 21.9 years female: 22.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.95% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 26.48 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated Urbanization: urban population: 37.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 16.840 million Karachi, 13.542 million Lahore, 3.625 million Faisalabad, 2.353 million Gujranwala, 2.343 million Peshawar, 1.198 million ISLAMABAD (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.8 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 140 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 53.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.67 years male: 67.62 years female: 71.82 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.46 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 34% (2018/19) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 96.5% of population rural: 92.5% of population total: 94% of population unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population rural: 7.5% of population total: 6% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.4% (2019) Physicians density: 1.12 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 0.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 88.6% of population rural: 73.2% of population total: 78.9% of population unimproved: urban: 11.4% of population rural: 26.8% of population total: 21.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 200,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 8,200 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact diseases: rabies note 1: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Pakistan; as of 18 August 2022, Pakistan has reported a total of 1,564,231 cases of COVID-19 or 708.14 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 30,542 cumulative deaths or a rate of 13.82 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 59.98% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine note 2: Pakistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus (the other is Afghanistan) and considered high risk for international spread of the disease; before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 20.2% (2020 est.) male: 33% (2020 est.) female: 7.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 23.1% (2017/18) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 3.6% women married by age 18: 18.3% men married by age 18: 4.7% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58% male: 69.3% female: 46.5% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 8 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.9% male: 8.2% female: 6.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural freshwater resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution and noise pollution in urban areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 55.21 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 201.15 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 142.12 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Land use: agricultural land: 35.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 27.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.5% (2018 est.) forest: 2.1% (2018 est.) other: 62.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 37.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact diseases: rabies note 1: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Pakistan; as of 18 August 2022, Pakistan has reported a total of 1,564,231 cases of COVID-19 or 708.14 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 30,542 cumulative deaths or a rate of 13.82 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 17 August 2022, 59.98% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine note 2: Pakistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus (the other is Afghanistan) and considered high risk for international spread of the disease; before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to population displacements, economic constraints, and high prices of the main food staple - according to the latest analysis, about 4.66 million people, 25% of the population, are estimated to be facing high levels of acute food insecurity, "Crisis" and above, until at least April 2022 in 25 districts analyzed in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces; prices of wheat flour, the country’s main staple, were at high levels in most markets in January 2022, constraining access to the staple food (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 30.76 million tons (2017 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,460,800 tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2017 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km) Major aquifers: Indus Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 9.65 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 172.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 246.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan local short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan etymology: the word "pak" means "pure" in Persian or Pashto, while the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure" Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Islamabad geographic coordinates: 33 41 N, 73 03 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: derived from two words: "Islam," an Urdu word referring to the religion of Islam, and "-abad," a Persian suffix indicating an "inhabited place" or "city," to render the meaning "City of Islam" Administrative divisions: 4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**; Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh Independence: 14 August 1947 (from British India) National holiday: Pakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940); note - commemorates both the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the All-India Muslim League during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Constitution: history: several previous; latest endorsed 12 April 1973, passed 19 April 1973, entered into force 14 August 1973 (suspended and restored several times) amendments: proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses; amended many times, last in 2018 Legal system: common law system with Islamic law influence International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - there are joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims Executive branch: chief of state: President Arif ALVI (since 9 September 2018) head of government: Prime Minister Shehbaz SHARIF (since 11 April 2022); former Prime Minister Imran KHAN on 10 April lost a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Electoral College consisting of members of the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); election last held on 4 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on 17 August 2018 election results: Arif ALVI elected president; Electoral College vote - Arif ALVI (PTI) 352, Fazl-ur-REHMAN (MMA) 184, Aitzaz AHSAN (PPP) 124; Imran KHAN elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - Imran KHAN (PTI) 176, Shehbaz SHARIF (PML-N) 96 Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of: Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by the 4 provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 70 members - 60 women and 10 non-Muslims - directly elected by proportional representation vote; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2024) National Assembly - last held on 25 July 2018 (next to be held on 25 July 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PTI 25, PPP 21, PML-N 18, BAP 13, JU-F 5, other 13, independent 5; composition - men 81, women 19, percent of women 19% National Assembly - percent of votes by party - NA; seats by party - PTI 156, PML-N 83, PPP 55, MMA 16, MQM-P 7, BAP 5, PML-Q 5, BNP 4, GDA 3, AML 1, ANP 1, JWP 1, independent 4; composition - men 272, women 70, percent of women 20.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.1% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Pakistan (consists of the chief justice and 16 judges) judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by an 8-member parliamentary committee upon the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a 9-member body of judges and other judicial professionals, and appointed by the president; justices can serve until age 65 subordinate courts: High Courts; Federal Shariat Court; provincial and district civil and criminal courts; specialized courts for issues, such as taxation, banking, and customs Political parties and leaders: Awami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN] Awami Muslim League or AML [Sheikh Rashid AHMED] Balochistan Awami Party or BAP [Jam Kamal KHAN] Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Mir Israr Ullah ZEHRI] Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Akhtar Jan MENGAL] Grand Democratic Alliance or GDA (alliance of several parties) Jamhoori Wattan Party or JWP [Shahzain BUGTI] Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Sirajul HAQ] Jamiat-i Ulema-i Islam Fazl-ur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN] Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London or MQM-L [Altaf HUSSAIN] (MQM split into two factions in 2016) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan or MQM-P [Dr. Khalid Maqbool SIDDIQUI] (MQM split into two factions in 2016) Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA [Fazl-ur- REHMAN] (alliance of several parties) National Party or NP [Abdul Malik BALOCH] Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party or PMAP or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI] Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO or Syed Shah Mardan SHAH-II] Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N [Shehbaz SHARIF] Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid-e-Azam Group or PML-Q [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN] Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP [Bilawal BHUTTO ZARDARI, Asif Ali ZARDARI] Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI (Pakistan Movement for Justice) [Imran KHAN]Pak Sarzameen Party or PSP [Mustafa KAMAL] Qaumi Watan Party or QWP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO] note: political alliances in Pakistan shift frequently International organization participation: ADB, AIIB, ARF, ASEAN (sectoral dialogue partner), C, CERN (associate member), CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSCA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNSOS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sardar Masood KHAN (since 24 March 2022) chancery: 3517 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1534 email address and website: consularsection@embassyofpakistanusa.org https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angela AGGELER embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: 8100 Islamabad Place, Washington, DC 20521-8100 telephone: [92] 051-201-4000 FAX: [92] 51-2338071 email address and website: ACSIslamabad@state.gov https://pk.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar Flag description: green with a vertical white band (symbolizing the role of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field; the crescent, star, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam National symbol(s): five-pointed star between the horns of a waxing crescent moon, jasmine; national colors: green, white National anthem: name: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA note: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 6 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro; Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi; Taxila; Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore; Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta; Rohtas Fort Topic: Economy Economic overview: Decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment have led to underdevelopment in Pakistan. Pakistan has a large English-speaking population, with English-language skills less prevalent outside urban centers. Despite some progress in recent years in both security and energy, a challenging security environment, electricity shortages, and a burdensome investment climate have traditionally deterred investors. Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of output and two-fifths of employment. Textiles and apparel account for more than half of Pakistan's export earnings; Pakistan's failure to diversify its exports has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Pakistan’s GDP growth has gradually increased since 2012, and was 5.3% in 2017. Official unemployment was 6% in 2017, but this fails to capture the true picture, because much of the economy is informal and underemployment remains high. Human development continues to lag behind most of the region.   In 2013, Pakistan embarked on a $6.3 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which focused on reducing energy shortages, stabilizing public finances, increasing revenue collection, and improving its balance of payments position. The program concluded in September 2016. Although Pakistan missed several structural reform criteria, it restored macroeconomic stability, improved its credit rating, and boosted growth. The Pakistani rupee has remained relatively stable against the US dollar since 2015, though it declined about 10% between November 2017 and March 2018. Balance of payments concerns have reemerged, however, as a result of a significant increase in imports and weak export and remittance growth.   Pakistan must continue to address several longstanding issues, including expanding investment in education, healthcare, and sanitation; adapting to the effects of climate change and natural disasters; improving the country’s business environment; and widening the country’s tax base. Given demographic challenges, Pakistan’s leadership will be pressed to implement economic reforms, promote further development of the energy sector, and attract foreign investment to support sufficient economic growth necessary to employ its growing and rapidly urbanizing population, much of which is under the age of 25.   In an effort to boost development, Pakistan and China are implementing the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC) with $60 billion in investments targeted towards energy and other infrastructure projects. Pakistan believes CPEC investments will enable growth rates of over 6% of GDP by laying the groundwork for increased exports. CPEC-related obligations, however, have raised IMF concern about Pakistan’s capital outflows and external financing needs over the medium term.Decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment have led to underdevelopment in Pakistan. Pakistan has a large English-speaking population, with English-language skills less prevalent outside urban centers. Despite some progress in recent years in both security and energy, a challenging security environment, electricity shortages, and a burdensome investment climate have traditionally deterred investors. Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of output and two-fifths of employment. Textiles and apparel account for more than half of Pakistan's export earnings; Pakistan's failure to diversify its exports has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Pakistan’s GDP growth has gradually increased since 2012, and was 5.3% in 2017. Official unemployment was 6% in 2017, but this fails to capture the true picture, because much of the economy is informal and underemployment remains high. Human development continues to lag behind most of the region. In 2013, Pakistan embarked on a $6.3 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which focused on reducing energy shortages, stabilizing public finances, increasing revenue collection, and improving its balance of payments position. The program concluded in September 2016. Although Pakistan missed several structural reform criteria, it restored macroeconomic stability, improved its credit rating, and boosted growth. The Pakistani rupee has remained relatively stable against the US dollar since 2015, though it declined about 10% between November 2017 and March 2018. Balance of payments concerns have reemerged, however, as a result of a significant increase in imports and weak export and remittance growth. Pakistan must continue to address several longstanding issues, including expanding investment in education, healthcare, and sanitation; adapting to the effects of climate change and natural disasters; improving the country’s business environment; and widening the country’s tax base. Given demographic challenges, Pakistan’s leadership will be pressed to implement economic reforms, promote further development of the energy sector, and attract foreign investment to support sufficient economic growth necessary to employ its growing and rapidly urbanizing population, much of which is under the age of 25. In an effort to boost development, Pakistan and China are implementing the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC) with $60 billion in investments targeted towards energy and other infrastructure projects. Pakistan believes CPEC investments will enable growth rates of over 6% of GDP by laying the groundwork for increased exports. CPEC-related obligations, however, have raised IMF concern about Pakistan’s capital outflows and external financing needs over the medium term. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,021,130,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,015,800,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,005,850,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars data are for fiscal years Real GDP growth rate: 5.4% (2017 est.) 4.6% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) note: data are for fiscal years Real GDP per capita: $4,600 (2020 est.) $4,700 (2019 est.) $4,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $253.183 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2019 est.) 5.2% (2018 est.) 4.2% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2018) Moody's rating: B3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24.4% (2016 est.) industry: 19.1% (2016 est.) services: 56.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 82% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 8.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -17.6% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, buffalo milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, fruit, mangoes/guavas Industries: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 61.71 million (2017 est.) note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 42.3% industry: 22.6% services: 35.1% (FY2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 6% (2017 est.) 6% (2016 est.) note: Pakistan has substantial underemployment Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.9% male: 8.2% female: 6.8% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 24.3% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.5 (2015 est.) 30.9 (FY2011) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013) Budget: revenues: 46.81 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.49 billion (2017 est.) note: data are for fiscal years Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 67% of GDP (2017 est.) 67.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 15.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$7.143 billion (2019 est.) -$19.482 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $27.3 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $30.67 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $30.77 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 14%, China 8%, Germany 7%, United Kingdom 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: textiles, clothing and apparel, rice, leather goods, surgical instruments (2019) Imports: $51.07 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $57.98 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $68.42 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 28%, United Arab Emirates 11%, United States 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil, scrap iron (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.46 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $22.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $107.527 billion (2019 est.) $95.671 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 160.425 (2020 est.) 155.04 (2019 est.) 138.8 (2018 est.) 102.769 (2014 est.) 101.1 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 79% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 72% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 39.925 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 103,493,520,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 487 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 17.389 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 55.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 31.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 4.855 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 21.012 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 17.239 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 3.064 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 100,700 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 493,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 7,800 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 198,400 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 540 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 291,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 25,510 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 264,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 38,056,250,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 48,391,627,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 10,743,167,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 592.218 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 193.869 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 47.468 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 67.789 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 78.611 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 15.859 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,876,794 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 175,624,364 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 80 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Pakistan’s telecom market transitioned from a regulated state-owned monopoly to a deregulated competitive structure in 2003, now aided by foreign investment; moderate growth over the last six years, supported by a young population and a rising use of mobile services; telecom infrastructure is improving, with investments in mobile-cellular networks, fixed-line subscriptions declining; system consists of microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, cellular, and satellite networks; 4G mobile services broadly available; 5G tests ongoing; data centers in major cities; mobile and broadband doing well and dominate over fixed-broadband sector; China-Pakistan Fiber Optic Project became operational in 2020; importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from China; future growth (in market size as well as revenue) is likely to come from the wider availability of value-added services on top of the expansion of 4G LTE and (from 2023) 5G mobile networks; the Universal Service Fund (USF) continues to direct investment towards the development of mobile broadband (and, to a lesser extent, fiber-based networks) in under-served and even unserved areas of the country, with multiple projects being approved to start in 2021 and 2022. (2021) domestic: mobile-cellular subscribership has increased; more than 90% of Pakistanis live within areas that have cell phone coverage; fiber-optic networks are being constructed throughout the country to increase broadband access and broadband penetration in Pakistan is increasing--by the end of 2021, 50% of the population had access to broadband services; fixed-line teledensity is a little over 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 84 per 100 persons (2021) international: country code - 92; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, -4, -5, AAE-1, IMEWE, Orient Express, PEACE Cable, and TW1 submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); 3 operational international gateway exchanges (1 at Karachi and 2 at Islamabad); microwave radio relay to neighboring countries (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: television is the most popular and dominant source of news in Pakistan with over 120 satellite tv stations licensed by the country’s electronic media regulatory body, PEMRA ,and 40 media companies/channels with landing rights permission; state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is the largest television network in the country and serves over 90% of the population with the largest terrestrial infrastructure of the country; PTV consists of nine TV Channels and PTV networks give special coverage to Kashmir; Pakistanis have access to over 100 private cable and satellite channels; 6 channels are considered the leaders for news reporting and current affairs programing in the country; state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC or Radio Pakistan) has the largest radio audience in the country, particularly in the rural areas; Radio Pakistan’s AM/SW/FM stations cover 98 percent of the population and 80 percent of the total area in the country; all major newspapers have online editions and all major print publications operate websites; freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the country are fragile (2021) Internet country code: .pk Internet users: total: 55,223,083 (2020 est.) percent of population: 25% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,523,027 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 5 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 52 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 6,880,637 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 217.53 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: AP Airports: total: 151 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 108 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 43 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 10 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 24 (2021) Heliports: 23 (2021) Pipelines: 13,452 km gas transmission and 177,029 km gas distribution, 3,663 km oil, 1,150 km refined products  (2022) Railways: total: 11,881 km (2021) narrow gauge: 389 km (2021) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 11,492 km (2021) 1.676-m gauge (286 km electrified) Roadways: total: 264,175 km (2021) paved: 185,463 km (2021) (includes 708 km of expressways) unpaved: 78,712 km (2021) Merchant marine: total: 57 by type: bulk carrier 5, oil tanker 7, other 45 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim container port(s) (TEUs): Karachi (2,097,855) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Port Qasim Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Pakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes marines, Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fizaia); Ministry of Interior: Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers (2022) note 1: the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces, along with the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers note 2: the Frontier Corps is a paramilitary force manned mostly by individuals from the tribal areas and commanded by officers from the Pakistan Army; it manages security duties in the tribal areas and on the border with Afghanistan (Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas) note 3: the Pakistan Rangers is a paramilitary force operating in Sindh and Punjab Military expenditures: 4% of GDP (2022 est.) 4% of GDP (2021 est.) 4% of GDP (2020) 4.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $21.6 billion) 4.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $21.6 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 630,000 active duty personnel (550,000 Army; 30,000 Navy; 50,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Pakistan military inventory includes a broad mix of equipment, primarily from China, France, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK, and the US; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Pakistan; Pakistan also has a large domestic defense industry (2022) Military service age and obligation: 16 (or 17 depending on service)-23 years of age for voluntary military service; soldiers cannot be deployed for combat until age 18; women serve in all three armed forces; reserve obligation to age 45 for enlisted men, age 50 for officers (2022) Military deployments: 1,300 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,970 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 220 Mali (MINUSMA); 290 South Sudan (UNMISS); 220 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022) Military - note: the military has carried out three coups since Pakistan's independence in 1947 and as of 2022 remained a dominant force in the country’s political arena; its chief external focus was on the perceived threat from India, as well as implications of the fall of the government in Kabul, but over the past 15 years, the military also has increased its role in internal security missions, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism; it is the lead security agency in many areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas the military establishment also has a large stake in the country's economic sector; through two large conglomerates, it is involved in a diverse array of commercial activities, including banking, construction of public projects, employment services, energy and power generation, fertilizer, food, housing, real estate, and security services Pakistan and India have fought several conflicts since 1947, including the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and the Indo-Pakistan and Bangladesh War of Independence of 1971, as well as two clashes over the disputed region of Kashmir (First Kashmir War of 1947 and the Kargil Conflict of 1999); a fragile cease-fire in Kashmir was reached in 2003, revised in 2018, and reaffirmed in 2021, although the Line of Control remained contested as of 2022, and India has accused Pakistan of backing armed separatists and terrorist organizations in Jammu and Kashmir; in addition, India and Pakistan have battled over the Siachen Glacier of Kashmir, which was seized by India in 1984 with Pakistan attempting to retake the area in 1985, 1987, and 1995; despite a cease-fire, as of 2022 both sides continued to maintain a permanent military presence there with outposts at altitudes above 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters) where most casualties were due to extreme weather or the hazards of operating in the high mountain terrain of the world’s highest conflict, including avalanches, exposure, and altitude sickness Pakistan has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Haqqani Network; Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami; Harakat ul-Mujahidin; Hizbul Mujahideen; Indian Mujahedeen; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K); Islamic State of ash-Sham – India; Islamic State of ash-Sham – Pakistan; Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan; Jaish-e-Mohammed; Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Lashkar i Jhangvi; Lashkar-e Tayyiba; Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP); al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Pakistan-Afghanistan: since 2002, with UN assistance, Pakistan has repatriated about 5.3 million Afghan refugees, leaving about 2.74-3 million; Pakistan has sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan, which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activities; in February 2022, amid skirmishes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, Pakistan announced its intent to finish constructing the barbed wire fence along the Durand Line and bring nearby areas under its control; Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps Pakistan-China: none identified Pakistan-India: Kashmir remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have initiated discussions on defusing the armed standoff in the Siachen glacier region; the Siachen glacier is claimed by both countries and militarily occupied by India: Pakistan opposed India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control (completed in 2004) and the construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River (opened in 2008) in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show Junagadh in India's Gujarat State as part of Pakistan Pakistan-Iran: none identified    Pakistan-Afghanistan: since 2002, with UN assistance, Pakistan has repatriated about 5.3 million Afghan refugees, leaving about 2.74-3 million; Pakistan has sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan, which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activities; in February 2022, amid skirmishes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, Pakistan announced its intent to finish constructing the barbed wire fence along the Durand Line and bring nearby areas under its control; Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on mapsPakistan-China: none identifiedPakistan-India: Kashmir remains the site of the world's largest and most militarized territorial dispute with portions under the de facto administration of China (Aksai Chin), India (Jammu and Kashmir), and Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas); UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan has maintained a small group of peacekeepers since 1949; India does not recognize Pakistan's ceding historic Kashmir lands to China in 1964; India and Pakistan have initiated discussions on defusing the armed standoff in the Siachen glacier region; the Siachen glacier is claimed by both countries and militarily occupied by India: Pakistan opposed India's fencing the highly militarized Line of Control (completed in 2004) and the construction of the Baglihar Dam on the Chenab River (opened in 2008) in Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the larger dispute on water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries; to defuse tensions and prepare for discussions on a maritime boundary, India and Pakistan seek technical resolution of the disputed boundary in Sir Creek estuary at the mouth of the Rann of Kutch in the Arabian Sea; Pakistani maps continue to show Junagadh in India's Gujarat State as part of PakistanPakistan-Iran: none identified   Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2.62-2.88 million (1.28 million registered, 1.34-1.6  million undocumented or otherwise categorized) (Afghanistan) (2022) IDPs: 104,000 (primarily those who remain displaced by counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations and violent conflict between armed non-state groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Paktunkwa Province; more than 1 million displaced in northern Waziristan in 2014; individuals also have been displaced by repeated monsoon floods) (2021) stateless persons: 47 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Pakistan and Pakistanis abroad; the largest human trafficking problem is bonded labor, where traffickers exploit a debt assumed by a worker as part of the terms of employment, entrapping sometimes generations of a family; bonded laborers are forced to work in agriculture, brick kilns, fisheries, mining, textile manufacturing, bangle- and carpet-making; traffickers buy, sell, rent, and kidnap children for forced labor in begging, domestic work, small shops, sex trafficking and stealing; some children are maimed to bring in more money for begging; Afghans, Iranians, and Pakistanis are forced into drug trafficking in border areas and Karachi; Pakistani traffickers lure women and girls away from their families with promises of marriage and exploit the women and girls in sex trafficking; militant groups kidnap, buy, or recruit children and force them to spy, fight, and conduct suicide attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Pakistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; government efforts include convicting traffickers under the comprehensive human trafficking law, convicting more traffickers for bonded labor, and increasing registration of brick kilns nationwide for the oversight of workers traffickers target; more trafficking victims were identified; authorities initiated eight investigations against suspected traffickers of Pakistani victims overseas; authorities collaborated with international partners and foreign governments on anti-trafficking efforts; however, the government  significantly decreased investigations and prosecutions of sex traffickers; bonded labor exists on farms and in brick kilns in Punjab province; no action was taken against officials involved in trafficking; several high-profile trafficking cases were dropped during the reporting period; resources were lacking for the care of identified victims; Pakistan was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Illicit drugs: minor cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis with 1,400 hectares of poppy cultivated 2016; one of the world’s top transit corridors for opiates and cannabis products along with Afghanistan and Iran; precursor chemicals also pass through Pakistan as a major transit point for global distribution  minor cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis with 1,400 hectares of poppy cultivated 2016; one of the world’s top transit corridors for opiates and cannabis products along with Afghanistan and Iran; precursor chemicals also pass through Pakistan as a major transit point for global distribution 

20220901

countries-cambodia-summaries

Topic: CIA.gov has changed . . .If you arrived at this page using a bookmark or favorites link, please update it accordingly.Please use the search form or the links below to find the information you seek.Thank you for visiting CIA.gov.The CIA Web Team

20220901

field-imports-commodities

This entry provides a listing of the highest-valued imported commodities. Topic: Afghanistanwheat flours, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, rolled tobacco, aircraft parts, synthetic fabrics (2019) Topic: Albaniarefined petroleum, cars, tanned hides, packaged medical supplies, footwear parts (2019) Topic: Algeriarefined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies, milk, vehicle parts (2019) Topic: American Samoaraw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts Topic: Andorracars, refined petroleum, perfumes, shaving products, liquors (2019) Topic: Angolarefined petroleum, scrap vessels, meat, rice, palm oil (2019) Topic: Anguillafuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles Topic: Antigua and Barbudarefined petroleum, ships, cars, precious/semi-precious metals, recreational boats (2019) Topic: Argentinacars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts, natural gas, soybeans (2019) Topic: Armenianatural gas, cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, diamonds (2019) Topic: Arubarefined petroleum, jewelry, cars, vehicle parts, tobacco products (2019) Topic: Australiarefined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Austriacars, vehicle parts, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, packaged medical supplies (2019) Topic: Azerbaijangold, cars, refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies (2019) Topic: Bahamas, Theships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, recreational boats, cars (2019) Topic: Bahraincars, iron ore, jewelry, gold, gas turbines (2019) Topic: Bangladeshrefined petroleum, cotton, natural gas, scrap iron, wheat (2019) Topic: Barbadosrefined petroleum, ships, cars, shipping containers, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Belaruscrude petroleum, natural gas, cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Belgiumcars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, diamonds, natural gas (2019) Topic: Belizerefined petroleum, cigarettes, recreational boats, natural gas, cars (2019) Topic: Beninrice, cars, palm oil, electricity, cotton (2019) Topic: Bermudaships, refined petroleum, postage stamps, recreational boats, aircraft (2019) Topic: Bhutanrefined petroleum, iron products, delivery trucks, cars, wood charcoal (2019) Topic: Boliviacars, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, iron, buses (2019) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinarefined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, coal, electricity (2019) Topic: Botswanadiamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019) Topic: Brazilrefined petroleum, vehicle parts, crude petroleum, integrated circuits, pesticides (2019) Topic: British Virgin Islandsrecreational boats, aircraft, refined petroleum, cars, furniture (2019) Topic: Bruneicrude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019) Topic: Bulgariacrude petroleum, copper, cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Burkina Fasorefined petroleum, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, electricity, aircraft (2019) Topic: Burmarefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, fabrics, motorcycles, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Burundirefined petroleum, packaged medicines, cement, raw sugar, cars (2019) Topic: Cabo Verderefined petroleum, delivery trucks, coal tar oil, cars, rice (2019) Topic: Cambodiarefined petroleum, clothing, gold, cars, flavored water (2019) Topic: Camerooncrude petroleum, scrap vessels, rice, special purpose ships, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Canadacars and vehicle parts, delivery trucks, crude petroleum, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Cayman Islandsrecreational boats, ships, gold, refined petroleum, cars (2019) Topic: Central African Republicrefined petroleum, packaged medicines, natural gas, broadcasting equipment, second-hand clothing (2019) Topic: Chaddelivery trucks, paints, packaged medicines, aircraft, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Chilerefined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Chinacrude petroleum, integrated circuits, iron, natural gas, cars, gold (2019) Topic: Christmas Islandrefined petroleum, cars, iron structures, aircraft, crustaceans (2019) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsgold, x-ray equipment, cars, prefabricated buildings, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Colombiarefined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, corn (2019) Topic: Comorosrice, chicken products, refined petroleum, cement, cars (2019) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thepackaged medicines, refined petroleum, sulfuric acid, stone processing machines, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Congo, Republic of theships, chicken products, refined petroleum, processed fish, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Cook Islandsships, refined petroleum, recreational boats, cars, flavored water (2019) Topic: Costa Ricarefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirecrude petroleum, rice, frozen fish, refined petroleum, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Croatiacrude petroleum, cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, electricity (2019) Topic: Cubapoultry meat, wheat, soybean products, corn, concentrated milk (2019) Topic: Curacaorefined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, perfumes (2019) Topic: Cyprusrefined petroleum, ships, cars, coal tar oil, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Czechiabroadcasting equipment, cars and vehicle parts, office machinery/parts, computers, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Denmarkcars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Djiboutirefined petroleum, fertilizers, iron sheeting, cars, palm oil (2019) Topic: Dominicarefined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, recreational boats, cars (2019) Topic: Dominican Republicrefined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Ecuadorrefined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, packaged medicines, soybean products (2019) Topic: Egyptrefined petroleum, wheat, crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: El Salvadorrefined petroleum, packaged medicines, clothing, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2019) Topic: Equatorial Guineagas turbines, beer, ships, industrial machinery, excavation machinery (2019) Topic: Eritreamachinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goods Topic: Estoniacars, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Eswatinimotor vehicles, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products, chemicals Topic: Ethiopiaaircraft, gas turbines, packaged medicines, electric filament, cars (2019) Topic: European Unionfuels and crude oil, machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals, precious gemstones, textiles, aircraft, plastics, metals, ships Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)refined petroleum, spark-ignition engines, stone processing machinery, construction vehicles, cars (2019) Topic: Faroe Islandsgoods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars Topic: Fijirefined petroleum, aircraft, cars, wheat, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Finlandcrude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Francecars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, aircraft machinery (2019) Topic: French Polynesiafuels, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment Topic: Gabonpoultry meats, excavation machinery, packaged medicines, cars, rice (2019) Topic: Gambia, Theclothing and apparel, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar, palm oil (2019) Topic: Gaza Stripfood, consumer goods, fuel Topic: Georgiacars, refined petroleum, copper, packaged medicines, natural gas (2019) Topic: Germanycars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Topic: Ghanametal tubing, ships, cars, refined petroleum, rice (2019) Topic: Gibraltarrefined petroleum, recreational boats, cars, coal tar oil, crude petroleum (2019) Topic: Greececrude petroleum, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, ships (2019) Topic: Greenlandfishing ships, refined petroleum, construction vehicles, crustaceans, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Grenadaaircraft, poultry meat, cars, refined petroleum, food preparation materials (2019) Topic: Guamrefined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, insulated wire, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Guatemalarefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, cars, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Guernseycoal, gasoline, oil, machinery, and equipment Topic: Guinearice, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, cars (2019) Topic: Guinea-Bissaurefined petroleum, rice, wheat products, soups/broths, malt extract (2019) Topic: Guyanaships, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, aircraft (2019) Topic: Haitirefined petroleum, rice, clothing and apparel, palm oil, poultry meats (2019) Topic: Hondurasrefined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: Hong Kongintegrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, office machinery, telephones, diamonds (2019) Topic: Hungarycars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, crude petroleum (2019) Topic: Icelandrefined petroleum, aluminum oxide, carbon/graphite electronics, cars, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Indiacrude petroleum, gold, coal, diamonds, natural gas (2019) Topic: Indonesiarefined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts, telephones, natural gas (2019) Topic: Iranrice, corn, broadcasting equipment, soybean products, beef (2019) Topic: Iraqrefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, jewelry, cigarettes (2019) Topic: Irelandaircraft, computers, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Topic: Isle of Mantimber, fertilizers, fish Topic: Israeldiamonds, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Italycrude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Jamaicarefined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, natural gas, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Japancrude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Jerseymachinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals Topic: Jordancars, refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, clothing and apparel (2019) Topic: Kazakhstanpackaged medicines, natural gas, cars, broadcasting equipment, aircraft (2019) Topic: Kenyarefined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, wheat, iron products (2019) Topic: Kiribatirefined petroleum, netting, raw sugar, rice, poultry meats (2019) Topic: Korea, Northclothing and apparel, soybean oil, rice, wheat products, clocks/watches (2019) Topic: Korea, Southcrude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, refined petroleum, coal (2019) Topic: Kosovofoodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment Topic: Kuwaitcars, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, packaged medicines, jewelry (2019) Topic: Kyrgyzstanrefined petroleum, footwear, clothing and apparel, broadcasting equipment, walnuts (2019) Topic: Laosrefined petroleum, cars, cattle, iron structures, steel products (2019) Topic: Latviarefined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, packaged medicines, aircraft (2019) Topic: Lebanonrefined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, jewelry, gold (2019) Topic: Lesothorefined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, delivery trucks, poultry meats (2019) Topic: Liberiaships, refined petroleum, iron structures, boat propellers, centrifuges (2019) Topic: Libyarefined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, cigarettes, jewelry (2019) Topic: Liechtensteinagricultural products, raw materials, energy products, machinery, metal goods, textiles, foodstuffs, motor vehicles Topic: Lithuaniacrude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, electricity (2019) Topic: Luxembourgcars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, scrap iron, aircraft (2019) Topic: Macaujewelry, watches, electricity, aircraft, cars (2019) Topic: Madagascarrefined petroleum, rice, cars, packaged medicines, clothing and apparel (2019) Topic: Malawipostage stamps, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, fertilizers, office machinery/parts (2019) Topic: Malaysiaintegrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, coal (2019) Topic: Maldivesrefined petroleum, fruits, furniture, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019) Topic: Malirefined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, cement, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Maltarefined petroleum, recreational boats, ships, aircraft, coal tar oil (2019) Topic: Marshall Islandsships, refined petroleum, centrifuges, recreational boats, boat propellers (2019) Topic: Mauritaniaships, aircraft, wheat, raw sugar, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Mauritiusrefined petroleum, cars, fish products, aircraft, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Mexicointegrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, office machinery/parts, telephones (2019) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofpoultry meats, netting, broadcasting equipment, various meats, fish products (2019) Topic: Moldovarefined petroleum, cars, insulated wiring, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Monacojewelry, recreational boats, cars and vehicle parts, watches, general wares (2019) Topic: Mongoliarefined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, construction vehicles, aircraft (2019) Topic: Montenegrorefined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, recreational boats, cigarettes (2019) Topic: Montserratrefined petroleum, cars, oranges, electric motors, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Moroccorefined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, natural gas, coal, low-voltage protection equipment (2019) Topic: Mozambiquerefined petroleum, chromium, iron, bauxite, electricity (2019) Topic: Namibiacopper, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, diamonds, cars (2019) Topic: Naururefined petroleum, construction vehicles, tug boats, poultry meats, cars (2019) Topic: Nepalrefined petroleum, iron, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, rice (2019) Topic: Netherlandscrude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers, cars (2019) Topic: New Caledoniarefined petroleum, aircraft, coal, cars, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: New Zealandcars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, gas turbines (2019) Topic: Nicaraguarefined petroleum, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: Nigerrice, packaged medicines, palm oil, cars, cement (2019) Topic: Nigeriarefined petroleum, cars, wheat, laboratory glassware, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Niuehydraulic engines, ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastics (2019) Topic: Norfolk Islandclothing and apparel, chemical analysis instruments, refined petroleum, cars, kitchen machinery (2019) Topic: North Macedoniaplatinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramics, cars, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsrefined petroleum, trunks/cases, cars, watches, jewelry (2019) Topic: Norwaycars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, natural gas, crude petroleum (2019) Topic: Omancars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, gold, iron (2019) Topic: Pakistanrefined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil, scrap iron (2019) Topic: Palaurefined petroleum, fish, cars, broadcasting equipment, modeling instruments (2019) Topic: Panamaships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, tanker ships, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinearefined petroleum, excavation machinery, crude petroleum, foodstuffs, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Paraguaybroadcasting equipment, cars, pesticides, refined petroleum, tires (2019) Topic: Perurefined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Philippinesintegrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Pitcairn Islandscrude petroleum, refined petroleum, food preparation products, plastics, iron fasteners (2019) Topic: Polandcars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum,  packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts (2019) Topic: Portugalcars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, aircraft, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, natural gas (2019) Topic: Puerto Riconitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines, cars (2019) Topic: Qataraircraft, gas turbines, cars, jewelry, iron piping (2019) Topic: Romaniacars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Russiacars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, aircraft, computers (2019) Topic: Rwandarefined petroleum, gold, raw sugar, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Saint Barthelemyfurniture, wine, refined petroleum, jewelry, food preparation materials (2019) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunharefined petroleum, cranes, communion wafers, iron sheeting, cars and vehicle parts (2019) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisrefined petroleum, jewelry, ships, cars, poultry meats, cement (2019) Topic: Saint Luciacrude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, poultry meats, natural gas (2019) Topic: Saint Martinjewelry, diamonds, pearls, recreational boats, cars (2019) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonfood preparation, packaged medicines, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, computers, iron structures (2019) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesrefined petroleum, ships, poultry meats, tug boats, recreational boats (2019) Topic: Samoarefined petroleum, iron products, poultry meats, cars, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: San Marinoelectricity, cars, aluminum, footwear, natural gas, iron piping (2019) Topic: Sao Tome and Principerefined petroleum, cars, rice, flavored water, postage stamps (2019) Topic: Saudi Arabiacars, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, telephones (2019) Topic: Senegalrefined petroleum, crude petroleum, rice, cars, malt extract, clothing and apparel (2019) Topic: Serbiacrude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Seychellesrecreational boats, refined petroleum, fish, aircraft, cars (2019) Topic: Sierra Leonerice, plastics, packaged medicines, sauces/seasonings, cars (2019) Topic: Singaporeintegrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, gold, gas turbines (2019) Topic: Slovakiacars and vehicle parts, broadcasting equipment, crude petroleum, natural gas, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: Sloveniapackaged medicines, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, electricity (2019) Topic: Solomon Islandsrefined petroleum, fish, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment, excavation machinery (2019) Topic: Somaliacigarettes, raw sugar, rice, broadcasting equipment, textiles (2019) Topic: South Africacrude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, gold, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: South Sudancars, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, foodstuffs, clothing and apparel (2019) Topic: Spaincrude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Sri Lankarefined petroleum, textiles, gold, cars, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Sudanraw sugar, wheat, packaged medicines, jewelry, tires, cars and vehicle parts (2019) Topic: Surinamerefined petroleum, delivery trucks, excavation machinery, cars, construction vehicles (2019) Topic: Swedencars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers (2019) Topic: Switzerlandgold, packaged medicines, jewelry, cars, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Topic: Syriacigarettes, broadcasting equipment, wheat flours, sunflower oil, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Taiwanintegrated circuits, crude petroleum, photography equipment, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Topic: Tajikistanrefined petroleum, wheat, natural gas, bauxite, aircraft (2019) Topic: Tanzaniarefined petroleum, palm oil, packaged medicines, cars, wheat (2019) Topic: Thailandcrude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, vehicle parts, gold (2019) Topic: Timor-Lesterefined petroleum, cars, cement, delivery trucks, motorcycles (2019) Topic: Togorefined petroleum, motorcycles, crude petroleum, rice, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Tokelauoscilloscopes, integrated circuits, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, orthopedic appliances (2019) Topic: Tongarefined petroleum, poultry meats, audio equipment, mutton, goat meat, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagorefined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, iron, cars (2019) Topic: Tunisiarefined petroleum, natural gas, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, insulated wiring (2019) Topic: Turkeygold, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts, scrap iron (2019) Topic: Turkmenistaniron products, harvesting machinery, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, tractors (2019) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsrefined petroleum, cars, jewelry, furniture, soybeans (2019) Topic: Tuvalurefined petroleum, fishing ships, tug boats, other ships, iron structures (2019) Topic: Ugandapackaged medicines, aircraft, delivery trucks, cars, wheat (2019) Topic: Ukrainerefined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, coal, natural gas (2019) Topic: United Arab Emiratesgold, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, refined petroleum, diamonds (2019) Topic: United Kingdomgold, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: United Statescars, crude petroleum, computers, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: Uruguaycrude petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Topic: Uzbekistancars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, aircraft, construction vehicles (2019) Topic: Vanuaturefined petroleum, fishing ships, delivery trucks, poultry meats, broadcasting equipment (2019) Topic: Venezuelarefined petroleum, rice, corn, tires, soybean meal, wheat (2019) Topic: Vietnamintegrated circuits, telephones, refined petroleum, textiles, semiconductors (2019) Topic: Virgin Islandsrefined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019) Topic: Wallis and Futunarefined petroleum, beef products, poultry meats, engine parts, packaged medicines (2019) Topic: West Bankfood, consumer goods, construction materials, petroleum, chemicals Topic: Worldthe whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and services top ten - share of world trade: see listing for exportsthe whole range of industrial and agricultural goods and servicestop ten - share of world trade: see listing for exports Topic: Yemenwheat, refined petroleum, iron, rice, cars (2019) Topic: Zambiarefined petroleum, crude petroleum, delivery trucks, gold, fertilizers (2019) Topic: Zimbabwerefined petroleum, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, fertilizers, tractors (2019)

20220901

countries-el-salvador

Topic: Photos of El Salvador Topic: Introduction Background: El Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. El Salvador is beset by one of the world's highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras Geographic coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 21,041 sq km land: 20,721 sq km water: 320 sq km Area - comparative: about the same size as New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 590 km border countries (2): Guatemala 199 km; Honduras 391 km Coastline: 307 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Elevation: highest point: Cerro El Pital 2,730 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 442 m Natural resources: hydropower, geothermal power, petroleum, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 74.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 33.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.7% (2018 est.) forest: 13.6% (2018 est.) other: 11.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 452 sq km (2012) Population distribution: athough it is the smallest country in land area in Central America, El Salvador has a population that is 18 times larger than Belize; at least 20% of the population lives abroad; high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador Natural hazards: known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanesvolcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Anaknown as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanesvolcanism: significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana Geography - note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea Map description: El Salvador map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.El Salvador map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 6,568,745 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Salvadoran(s) adjective: Salvadoran Ethnic groups: Mestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.) Languages: Spanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant 36%, other 2%, none 12% (2014 est.) Demographic profile: El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty. Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.83% (male 857,003/female 817,336) 15-24 years: 18.82% (male 619,368/female 600,501) 25-54 years: 40.51% (male 1,221,545/female 1,404,163) 55-64 years: 7.23% (male 198,029/female 270,461) 65 years and over: 7.6% (2020 est.) (male 214,717/female 277,979) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.4 youth dependency ratio: 41.1 elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 27.7 years male: 26.2 years female: 29.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.57% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 17.87 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -6.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: athough it is the smallest country in land area in Central America, El Salvador has a population that is 18 times larger than Belize; at least 20% of the population lives abroad; high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador Urbanization: urban population: 74.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.111 million SAN SALVADOR (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.72 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.8 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.37 years male: 71.88 years female: 79.04 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.05 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 71.9% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 94.2% of population total: 98.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 5.8% of population total: 1.8% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.2% (2019) Physicians density: 2.87 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 1.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.1% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.9% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 25,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1000 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 7.9% (2020 est.) male: 14.1% (2020 est.) female: 1.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5% (2014) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.3% female: 87.3% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10% male: 8.3% female: 12.8% (2019) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; contamination of soils from disposal of toxic wastes Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 23.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7.17 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 4.71 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands Land use: agricultural land: 74.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 33.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.7% (2018 est.) forest: 13.6% (2018 est.) other: 11.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 74.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.6% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,648,996 tons (2010 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 474 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 213 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.431 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 26.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of El Salvador conventional short form: El Salvador local long form: Republica de El Salvador local short form: El Salvador etymology: name is an abbreviation of the original Spanish conquistador designation for the area "Provincia de Nuestro Senor Jesus Cristo, el Salvador del Mundo" (Province of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World), which became simply "El Salvador" (The Savior) Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: San Salvador geographic coordinates: 13 42 N, 89 12 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Spanish for "Holy Savior" (referring to Jesus Christ) Administrative divisions: 14 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Ahuachapan, Cabanas, Chalatenango, Cuscatlan, La Libertad, La Paz, La Union, Morazan, San Miguel, San Salvador, San Vicente, Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Usulutan Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: history: many previous; latest drafted 16 December 1983, enacted 23 December 1983 amendments: proposals require agreement by absolute majority of the Legislative Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on basic principles, and citizen rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended 2003, 2009, 2014 Legal system: civil law system with minor common law influence; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019); Vice President Felix Augusto Antonio ULLOA Garay (since 1 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (since 1 June 2019); Vice President Felix Augusto Antonio ULLOA Garay (since 1 June 2019) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 5-year term; election last held on 3 February 2019 (next to be held on February 2024) election results: 2019: Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez elected president - Nayib Armando BUKELE Ortez (GANA) 53.1%, Carlos CALLEJA Hakker (ARENA) 31.72%, Hugo MARTINEZ (FMLN) 14.41%, other 0.77% 2014: Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN (FMLN) 48.9%, Norman QUIJANO (ARENA) 39%, Antonio SACA (CN) 11.4%, other 0.7%; percent of vote in second round - Salvador SANCHEZ CEREN 50.1%, Norman QUIJANO 49.9% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 28 February 2021 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NI 66.46%, ARENA 12.18%, FMLN 6.91%, GANA 5.29%, PCN 4.08%, NT 1.7%, PDC 1.7%, V 1.01%; seats by party - NI 56, ARENA 14, GANA 5, FMLN 4, PCN 2, PDC 1, NT 1, V 1; composition - men 61, women 23, percent of women 27.4% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 15 judges, including its president, and 15 substitute judges organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, and Administrative Conflict Chambers) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Legislative Assembly on the recommendation of both the National Council of the Judicature, an independent body elected by the Legislative Assembly, and the Bar Association; judges elected for 9-year terms, with renewal of one-third of membership every 3 years; consecutive reelection is allowed subordinate courts: Appellate Courts; Courts of First Instance; Courts of Peace Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Reynaldo CARBALLO] Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Oscar ORTIZ] Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Nelson GUARDADO] National Coalition Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Erick SALGUERO] New Ideas (Nuevas Ideas) or NI [Xavier Zablah BUKELE] Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo) or NT [Juan VALIENTE] Vamos or V [Josue ALVARADO Flores] International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carmen Milena MAYORGA VALERA (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 595-7500 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3763 email address and website: correo@elsalvador.org consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Brentwood (NY), Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Loreado (TX), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, San Bernardino (CA), San Francisco, Tucson (AZ), Washington (DC), Woodbridge (VA) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Patrick H. VENTRELL embassy: Final Boulevard Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan, La Libertad, San Salvador mailing address: 3450 San Salvador Place, Washington, DC 20521-3450 telephone: [503] 2501-2999 FAX: [503] 2501-2150 email address and website: ACSSanSal@state.gov https://sv.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of cobalt blue (top), white, and cobalt blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water, as well as peace and prosperity note: similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which has a different coat of arms centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band National symbol(s): turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, white National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador) lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes, the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Joya de Cerén Archaeological Site Topic: Economy Economic overview: The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2014, but recovered somewhat in 2015-17 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 18% of GDP in 2017 and were received by about a third of all households.   In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. In September 2015, El Salvador kicked off a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation - a US Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets.   The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 59.3% of GDP in 2017, has been growing over the last several years.The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2014, but recovered somewhat in 2015-17 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 18% of GDP in 2017 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. In September 2015, El Salvador kicked off a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation - a US Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 59.3% of GDP in 2017, has been growing over the last several years. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $52.26 billion (2020 est.) $56.77 billion (2019 est.) $55.31 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.3% (2017 est.) 2.6% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $8,100 (2020 est.) $8,800 (2019 est.) $8,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $27.023 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2017) Moody's rating: B3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2018) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 12% (2017 est.) industry: 27.7% (2017 est.) services: 60.3% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 84.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, maize, milk, poultry, sorghum, beans, coconuts, eggs, apples, oranges Industries: food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, light metals Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 2.908 million (2019 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21% industry: 20% services: 58% (2011 est.) Unemployment rate: 7% (2017 est.) 6.9% (2016 est.) note: data are official rates; but underemployment is high Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10% male: 8.3% female: 12.8% (2019) Population below poverty line: 22.8% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38.6 (2018 est.) 38 (2014) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.) Budget: revenues: 5.886 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.517 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 67.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 66.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: El Salvador's total public debt includes non-financial public sector debt, financial public sector debt, and central bank debt Taxes and other revenues: 23.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$501 million (2017 est.) -$500 million (2016 est.) Exports: $6.29 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $7.98 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $7.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 40%, Guatemala 15%, Honduras 15%, Nicaragua 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: textiles and apparel, electrical capacitors, plastic lids, raw sugar, toilet paper (2019) Imports: $10.82 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $12.45 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $12.32 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 30%, China 14%, Guatemala 13%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, clothing, broadcasting equipment, natural gas (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.567 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.238 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $17.24 billion (2019 est.) $16.712 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: note: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy 1 (2017 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.586 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 6,443,200,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 158 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 1.45 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 795.8 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 28.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 30% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 22.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 12.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 59,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 347 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 49,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.632 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 7.63 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 24.124 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 894,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 9.949 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 153 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: El Salvador is the smallest country in central America geographically, it has the fourth largest economy in the region; the country’s telecom sector has been restricted by poor infrastructure and unequal income distribution; there have been organizational delays which have slowed the development of telecom services; El Salvador’s fixed-line teledensity is substantially lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average; there has been a significant drop in the number of fixed lines since 2010, particularly in 2017, largely due to the substitution for mobile-only alternatives; about 94% of all telephony lines in the country are on mobile networks; mobile subscriptions are remarkably high considering El Salvador’s economic indicators, being about a third higher than average for Latin America and the Caribbean; the country was one of the last in the region to provide LTE services, mainly due to the inadequate provision of suitable spectrum; the multi-spectrum auction conducted at the end of 2019 has allowed MNOs to improve the reach and quality of their service offerings; El Salvador’s telecom legislation is one of the more liberal in Latin America, encouraging competition in most areas and permitting foreign investment; there are no regulations which promote wholesale broadband, and thus in the DSL market leader Claro retains a virtual monopoly; the only effective cross-platform competition in the broadband market comes from the few cable operators; there has been some market consolidation in recent years, including Telemóvil’s acquisition of the regional cable TV provider Caribena Cable; in May 2019, the competition authority began assessing the sale of Telefónica El Salvador to América Móvil, which operates in the country under the Claro brand; Telefónica sold the unit in October 2021, though at a considerably reduced price. (2021) domestic: fixed-line services, roughly 14 per 100, has slowed in the face of mobile-cellular competition now at 161 subscribers per 100 inhabitants (2019) international: country code - 503; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: multiple privately owned national terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by cable TV networks that carry international channels; hundreds of commercial radio broadcast stations and two known government-owned radio broadcast station; transition to digital transmission to begin in 2018 along with adaptation of the Japanese-Brazilian Digital Standard (ISDB-T) (2022) Internet country code: .sv Internet users: total: 3,567,410 (2020 est.) percent of population: 55% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 586,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 13 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,545,105 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 10.73 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YS Airports: total: 68 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 63 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 51 (2021) Heliports: 2 (2021) Railways: total: 12.5 km (2014) narrow gauge: 12.5 km (2014) 0.914-mm gauge Roadways: total: 9,012 km (2017) paved: 5,341 km (2017) unpaved: 3,671 km (2017) Waterways: 422 km (2022) (Rio Lempa River is partially navigable by small craft) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: other 2 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Puerto Cutuco oil terminal(s): Acajutla offshore terminal Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: the Armed Force of El Salvador (La Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Army of El Salvador (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Navy of El Salvador (Fuerza Naval de El Salvador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS); Ministry of Justice and Public Security: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil, PNC) (2022) note: in 2016, El Salvador created a combined Army commando and National Civil Police unit to combat criminal gang violence Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $570 million) 1.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $540 million) 1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $500 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 21,000 active military personnel (17,000 Army; 2,000 Navy; 2,000 Air Force) (2022) note: in 2021, El Salvador announced intentions to double the size of the military, although no time frame was given Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAES is dependent on a mix of mostly older imported platforms, largely from the US; since 2010, the FAES has received small amounts of equipment from several countries, including Chile, Israel, Spain, and the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 16-22 years of age for voluntary male or female service; service obligation is 12 months, with 11 months for officers and NCOs (2022) note: as of 2016, women made up about 6% of the active duty military Military deployments: 175 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: the National Civilian Police (Ministry of Justice and Public Security) is responsible for maintaining public security, while the Ministry of Defense is responsible for maintaining national security; the constitution separates public security and military functions, but allows the president to use the armed forces in exceptional circumstances to maintain internal peace and public security; in November 2019, President BUKELE signed a decree authorizing military involvement in police duties to combat gang violence, organized crime, and narcotics trafficking, as well as assisting with border security; as of 2022, a considerable portion of the Army was deployed in support of the National Police (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of FonsecaInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras boundary, in 1992, with final agreement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca advocating Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not identified in the ICJ decision, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 71,500 (2021) Illicit drugs: a transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States  a transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States  

20220901

references-international-organizations-and-groups

Topic: African Development Bank Group (AfDB) Topic: African Union (AU) Topic: African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) Topic: African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States (ACP Group) Topic: Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) Topic: Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Topic: Andean Community (CAN) Topic: Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (ABEDA) Topic: Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) Topic: Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) Topic: Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) Topic: Arctic Council

20220901

field-population-country-comparison

20220901

countries-micronesia-federated-states-of-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens reconsider travel to Micronesia due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in Micronesia. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. A visa is not required. US Embassy/Consulate: +(691) 320-2187; EMER: +(691) 920-2369; US Embassy Kolonia, US Embassy in Kolonia, PO Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FSM 96941 Federated States of Micronesia; koloniaacs@state.gov; https://fm.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 691 Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only Vaccinations: A valid international certificate of vaccination is required for travelers coming from a region infected with small pox, yellow fever, or cholera. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage Currency (Code): US dollar is used Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: English, Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Major Religions: Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1%, Mormon 1.5% Time Difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Nan Madol; Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon; Kepirohi Falls Major Sports: Baseball, soccer Cultural Practices: The islands are known for their stick dancing traditions. All the islands revere their extended family connections and clan system. Tipping Guidelines: Meals are generally inexpensive so tipping by rounding up is appropriate. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

countries-liberia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Liberia due to crime and civil unrest. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for each entry stamp/visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: +(231) 77-677-7000; US Embassy Monrovia, 502 Benson Street, Monrovia, Liberia; ACSMonrovia@state.gov; https://lr.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 231 Local Emergency Phone: 911 (cell phone only) Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Currency (Code): Liberian dollars (LRD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V, 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C, F Major Languages: English, some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence Major Religions: Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6% Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Mount Nimba; Monkey Island; Waterside Market, Monrovia; Sapo National Park Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, track and field Cultural Practices: Communication in Liberia typically involves more physical contact than in America. It is not uncommon for a speaker to rest their hand on your shoulder. Tipping Guidelines: Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill, if not, a 10% tip is customary. Hotel service staff appreciate small amounts for good service.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

countries-cambodia

Topic: Photos of Cambodia Topic: Introduction Background: Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 20 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a cease-fire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders were tried for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. In 2018, the tribunal heard its final cases, but it remains in operation to hear appeals. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local (Commune Council) elections were held in Cambodia in 2012, with little of the violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2013 were disputed, with the opposition - the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) - boycotting the National Assembly. The political impasse was ended nearly a year later, with the CNRP agreeing to enter parliament in exchange for commitments by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to undertake electoral and legislative reforms. The CNRP made further gains in local commune elections in June 2017, accelerating sitting Prime Minister HUN SEN’s efforts to marginalize the CNRP before national elections in 2018. HUN SEN arrested CNRP President KEM SOKHA in September 2017. The Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 and banned its leaders from participating in politics for at least five years. The CNRP’s seats in the National Assembly were redistributed to smaller, less influential opposition parties, while all of the CNRP’s 5,007 seats in the commune councils throughout the country were reallocated to the CPP. With the CNRP banned, the CPP swept the 2018 national elections, winning all 125 National Assembly seats and effectively turning the country into a one-party state. Cambodia has strong and growing economic and political ties with its large neighbor to the north, China. More than 53% of foreign investment in the country in 2021 came from China, and Beijing has provided over $15 billion in financial assistance since the 1990s. China accounted for 443 percent of Cambodia’s foreign debt in 2021. The CPP also partly sees Chinese support as a counterbalance to Thailand and Vietnam and to international criticism of the CPP’s human rights and antidemocratic record.Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 20 years of civil war.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 181,035 sq km land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km Area - comparative: one and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma Land boundaries: total: 2,530 km border countries (3): Laos 555 km; Thailand 817 km; Vietnam 1158 km Coastline: 443 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Elevation: highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m mean elevation: 126 m Natural resources: oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 32.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.5% (2018 est.) forest: 56.5% (2018 est.) other: 11.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,540 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Tonle Sap - 2,700-16,000 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Population distribution: population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers Natural hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts Geography - note: a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake) Map description: Cambodia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Thailand.Cambodia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Thailand. Topic: People and Society Population: 16,713,015 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian Ethnic groups: Khmer 95.4%, Cham 2.4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 0.7% (2019-20 est.) Languages: Khmer (official) 95.8%, minority languages 2.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnamese 0.5%, other 0.2% (2019 est.) major-language sample(s): សៀវភៅហេតុការណនៅលើពិភពលោក។ ទីតាំងពត៏មានមូលដានគ្រឹះយាងសំខាន់។. (Khmer) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Buddhist (official) 97.1%, Muslim 2%, Christian 0.3%, other 0.5% (2019 est.) Demographic profile: Cambodia is a predominantly rural country with among the most ethnically and religiously homogenous populations in Southeast Asia: more than 95% of its inhabitants are Khmer and more than 95% are Buddhist.  The population’s size and age structure shrank and then rebounded during the 20th century as a result of conflict and mass death.  During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 as many as 1.5 to 2 million people are estimated to have been killed or died as a result of starvation, disease, or overwork – a loss of about 25% of the population.  At the same time, emigration was high, and the fertility rate sharply declined.  In the 1980s, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, fertility nearly doubled and reached pre-Khmer Rouge levels of close to 7 children per woman, reflecting in part higher infant survival rates.  The baby boom was followed by a sustained fertility decline starting in the early 1990s, eventually decreasing from 3.8 in 2000 to 2.9 in 2010, although the rate varied by income, education, and rural versus urban location.  Despite continuing fertility reduction, Cambodia still has a youthful population that is likely to maintain population growth through population momentum. Improvements have also been made in mortality, life expectancy, and contraceptive prevalence, although reducing malnutrition among children remains stalled.  Differences in health indicators are pronounced between urban and rural areas, which experience greater poverty. Cambodia is predominantly a country of migration, driven by the search for work, education, or marriage.  Internal migration is more prevalent than international migration, with rural to urban migration being the most common, followed by rural to rural migration.  Urban migration focuses on the pursuit of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs in Phnom Penh, with men working mainly in the construction industry and women working in garment factories.  Most Cambodians who migrate abroad do so illegally using brokers because it is cheaper and faster than through formal channels, but doing so puts them at risk of being trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.  Young Cambodian men and women migrate short distances across the Thai border using temporary passes to work in agriculture, while others migrate long distances primarily into Thailand and Malaysia for work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Cambodia was a refugee sending country in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, its ousting by the Vietnamese invasion, and the resultant civil war.  Tens of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand; more than 100,000 were resettled in the US in the 1980s.  Cambodia signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Australia in 2014 to voluntarily resettle refugees seeking shelter in Australia.  However, the deal has proven to be a failure because of poor conditions and a lack of support services for the few refugees willing to accept the offer.Cambodia is a predominantly rural country with among the most ethnically and religiously homogenous populations in Southeast Asia: more than 95% of its inhabitants are Khmer and more than 95% are Buddhist.  The population’s size and age structure shrank and then rebounded during the 20th century as a result of conflict and mass death.  During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 as many as 1.5 to 2 million people are estimated to have been killed or died as a result of starvation, disease, or overwork – a loss of about 25% of the population.  At the same time, emigration was high, and the fertility rate sharply declined.  In the 1980s, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, fertility nearly doubled and reached pre-Khmer Rouge levels of close to 7 children per woman, reflecting in part higher infant survival rates.  The baby boom was followed by a sustained fertility decline starting in the early 1990s, eventually decreasing from 3.8 in 2000 to 2.9 in 2010, although the rate varied by income, education, and rural versus urban location.  Despite continuing fertility reduction, Cambodia still has a youthful population that is likely to maintain population growth through population momentum. Improvements have also been made in mortality, life expectancy, and contraceptive prevalence, although reducing malnutrition among children remains stalled.  Differences in health indicators are pronounced between urban and rural areas, which experience greater poverty.Cambodia is predominantly a country of migration, driven by the search for work, education, or marriage.  Internal migration is more prevalent than international migration, with rural to urban migration being the most common, followed by rural to rural migration.  Urban migration focuses on the pursuit of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs in Phnom Penh, with men working mainly in the construction industry and women working in garment factories.  Most Cambodians who migrate abroad do so illegally using brokers because it is cheaper and faster than through formal channels, but doing so puts them at risk of being trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.  Young Cambodian men and women migrate short distances across the Thai border using temporary passes to work in agriculture, while others migrate long distances primarily into Thailand and Malaysia for work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Cambodia was a refugee sending country in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, its ousting by the Vietnamese invasion, and the resultant civil war.  Tens of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand; more than 100,000 were resettled in the US in the 1980s.  Cambodia signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Australia in 2014 to voluntarily resettle refugees seeking shelter in Australia.  However, the deal has proven to be a failure because of poor conditions and a lack of support services for the few refugees willing to accept the offer. Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.18% (male 2,582,427/female 2,525,619) 15-24 years: 17.28% (male 1,452,784/female 1,472,769) 25-54 years: 41.51% (male 3,442,051/female 3,584,592) 55-64 years: 6.44% (male 476,561/female 612,706) 65 years and over: 4.59% (2020 est.) (male 287,021/female 490,454) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.7 youth dependency ratio: 48.2 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 26.4 years male: 25.6 years female: 27.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.08% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 19.29 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers Urbanization: urban population: 25.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.211 million PHNOM PENH (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.4 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 160 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 29.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.65 years male: 68.79 years female: 72.59 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.24 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 56.3% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.3% of population rural: 80.6% of population total: 85.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population rural: 19.4% of population total: 14.9% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Hospital bed density: 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 69.3% of population total: 76.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 30.7% of population total: 23.2% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 75,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 3.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 21.1% (2020 est.) male: 36.1% (2020 est.) female: 6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 24.1% (2014) Education expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80.5% male: 86.5% female: 75% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 10 years Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.5% male: 2.7% female: 2.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing; coastal ecosystems choked by sediment washed loose from deforested areas inland Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 23.98 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 9.92 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 14.88 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation Land use: agricultural land: 32.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.5% (2018 est.) forest: 56.5% (2018 est.) other: 11.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 25.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.84% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.089 million tons (2014 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Tonle Sap - 2,700-16,000 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 33 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.053 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 476.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration) local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia etymology: the English name Cambodia is an anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Phnom Penh translates as "Penh's Hill" in Khmer; the city takes its name from the present Wat Phnom (Hill Temple), the tallest religious structure in the city, whose establishment, according to legend, was inspired in the 14th century by a pious nun, Daun PENH Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmummunicipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh) Independence: 9 November 1953 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 November (1953) Constitution: history: previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993 amendments: proposed by the monarch, by the prime minister, or by the president of the National Assembly if supported by one fourth of the Assembly membership; passage requires two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles on the multiparty democratic form of government and the monarchy cannot be amended; amended 1999, 2008, 2014, 2018, and 2021 Legal system: civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch elections/appointments: monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament of Cambodia consists of: Senate (62 seats; 58 indirectly elected by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by the monarch; members serve 6-year terms) National Assembly (125 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 25 February 2018 (next to be held in 2024); National Assembly - last held on 29 July 2018 (next to be held in July 2023) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 96%, FUNCINPEC 2.4%, KNUP 1.6%; seats by party - CPP 58; composition - men 53, women 9, percent of women 14.5% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 76.9%, FUNCINPEC 5.9%, LDP 4.9%, Khmer Will Party 3.4%, other 8.9%; seats by party - CPP 125; composition - men 100, women 25, percent of women 20%; note - total Parliament of Cambodia percent of women 18.2% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government requested UN assistance in establishing trials to prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (also called the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) was established in 2006 and began hearings for the first case in 2009; court proceedings remain ongoing in 2021 judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court Political parties and leaders: Cambodian People's Party or CPP [HUN SEN] National United Front for Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM CHAKRAVUTH] League for Democracy Party or LDP [KHEM Veasna] Khmer Will Party [KONG MONIKA] Khmer National Unity Party or KNUP (an offshoot of FUNCINPEC) [NHEK BUN CHHAY] Candlelight Party or CP (the latest incarnation of the Sam Rainsy Party or SRP and the former Human Rights Party or HRP, which joined to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party or CNRP in 2012; the CNRP was dissolved in 2017) Other minor parties that registered for the 2022 commune-level elections included: Cambodia National Love Party, Cambodia Nationality Party, Cambodian Youth Party, Cambodia Reform Party, Kampucheaniyum Party, Grassroots Democratic Party, Khmer United Party, Beehive Social Democratic Party, Cambodia Indigenous People's Democracy Party, Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party, Reaksmey Khemara Party, Khmer Economic Development Party (2022) note(s): following the 2017 commune election, the CPP-led government arrested the CNRP president Kem SOKHA for treason, dissolved the party on similar grounds, and forced most of its senior leadership into exile, where the party’s former president, Sam RAINSY, had been living since late 2015; as of March 2022, a total of 17 political parties had registered to run in the June 2022 commune-level elections, and opposition parties, particularly the Candlelight Party, continued to report, intimidation, harassment, and arrests by the Cambodian Government International organization participation: ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINUSMA, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador KEO Chhea (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 email address and website: camemb.usa@mfaic.gov https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador W. Patrick MURPHY (since 23 October 2019) embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: 4540 Phnom Penh Place, Washington DC  20521-4540 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-700 email address and website: ACSPhnomPenh@state.gov https://kh.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white, three-towered temple, representing Angkor Wat, outlined in black in the center of the red band; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors note: only national flag to prominently incorporate an actual identifiable building into its design (a few other national flags - those of Afghanistan, San Marino, Portugal, and Spain - show small generic buildings as part of their coats of arms on the flag) National symbol(s): Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox); national colors: red, blue National anthem: name: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Angkor; Temple of Preah Vihear; Sambor Prei Kuk Topic: Economy Economic overview: Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 700,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 200,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007 and reaching 5.6 million visitors in 2017. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems.   Still, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased to 13.5% in 2016. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure.   The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 20% of the government budget will come from donor assistance in 2018. A major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.   Textile exports, which accounted for 68% of total exports in 2017, have driven much of Cambodia’s growth over the past several years. The textile sector relies on exports to the United States and European Union, and Cambodia’s dependence on its comparative advantage in textile production is a key vulnerability for the economy, especially because Cambodia has continued to run a current account deficit above 9% of GDP since 2014.Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 700,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 200,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007 and reaching 5.6 million visitors in 2017. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. Still, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased to 13.5% in 2016. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 20% of the government budget will come from donor assistance in 2018. A major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. Textile exports, which accounted for 68% of total exports in 2017, have driven much of Cambodia’s growth over the past several years. The textile sector relies on exports to the United States and European Union, and Cambodia’s dependence on its comparative advantage in textile production is a key vulnerability for the economy, especially because Cambodia has continued to run a current account deficit above 9% of GDP since 2014. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $70.08 billion (2020 est.) $72.36 billion (2019 est.) $67.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.9% (2017 est.) 7% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,200 (2020 est.) $4,400 (2019 est.) $4,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $22.09 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.9% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B2 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2014) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 25.3% (2017 est.) industry: 32.8% (2017 est.) services: 41.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 76% (2017 est.) government consumption: 5.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -73% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, rice, maize, vegetables, sugar cane, soybeans, rubber, oil palm fruit, bananas, pork Industries: tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 10.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 8.913 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 48.7% industry: 19.9% services: 31.5% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 0.3% (2017 est.) 0.2% (2016 est.) note: high underemployment, according to official statistics Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.5% male: 2.7% female: 2.3% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 16.5% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37.9 (2008 est.) 41.9 (2004 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.) Budget: revenues: 3.947 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.354 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 30.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 29.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.871 billion (2017 est.) -$1.731 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $19.4 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $18.41 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 21%, Singapore 8%, Thailand 8%, Germany 7%, Japan 6%, China 5%, Canada 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: clothing, precious metal scraps, trunks/cases, gold, leather footwear (2019) Imports: $23.12 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $25.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.86 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 27%, Thailand 25%, Vietnam 15%, Singapore 8% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, clothing, gold, cars, flavored water (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $12.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.122 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $11.87 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $10.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: riels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,055 (2017 est.) 4,058.7 (2016 est.) 4,058.7 (2015 est.) 4,067.8 (2014 est.) 4,037.5 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 75% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 67% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.954 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 10,288,340,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 3.063 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.187 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 52% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 45.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 2.974 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 3.311 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 64,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 43,030 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 13.844 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.837 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 9.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 13.629 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 55,603 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 21,086,791 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Cambodia’s mobile-dominated telecoms sector spent much of 2020 battling two major challenges: the global pandemic, and the government’s retraction of trial licenses for the rollout of 5G; citing concerns about waste and inefficiency occurring if each operator built a separate 5G infrastructure in order to maximize their own network’s coverage (and, presumably, to capture greater market share), the regulator withdrew the licenses that the operators had been using for their 5G trials; this was despite all of the operators having already announced a successful completion of their trials; more than a year later, the market is still waiting on the government to release its 5G policy and roadmap, along with the allocation of spectrum and approvals to permit commercial operation; there is little expectation of any further progress happening before the start of 2022; the mobile network operators have maintained their focus and investment strategies on upgrading and expanding their existing LTE networks around the country, and to 5G-enable their base stations; when the 5G market eventually arrives, the underlying infrastructure will at least be ready to support a rapid adoption of the higher-value applications and services; the mobile market fell back slightly during 2020 and 2021 (in terms of total subscriber numbers) as the Covid-19 crisis wore on, but it remains in relatively good health as mobile users increased their data usage over the period; the mobile broadband market experienced a small but very rare contraction in 2020, although rates were already very high in this area; there is likely to be a quick rebound to previous levels once economic conditions stabilize, followed by a modest rates of growth over the next five years; the number of fixed telephony lines in service continues to fall sharply as customers migrate to mobile platforms for both voice and data; the lack of any widespread fixed-line infrastructure has had a flow-on effect in the fixed-line broadband market, a sector that also remains largely under-developed (2021) domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, is about 130 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 855; landing points for MCT and AAE-1 via submarine cables providing communication to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: mixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 27 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 11 stations either jointly operated or privately owned with some broadcasting from several locations; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available (2019); 84 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; one international broadcaster is available (2019) as well as one Chinese joint venture television station with the Ministry of Interior; several television and radio operators broadcast online only (often via Facebook) (2019) Internet country code: .kh Internet users: total: 5,440,559 (2019 est.) percent of population: 33% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 233,732 (2020 est.) Slowly increase as focus is on mobile internet subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 25 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,411,059 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 680,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: XU Airports: total: 16 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Railways: total: 642 km (2014) narrow gauge: 642 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: under restoration Roadways: total: 47,263 km (2013) paved: 12,239 km (2013) unpaved: 35,024 km (2013) Waterways: 3,700 km (2012) (mainly on Mekong River) Merchant marine: total: 245 by type: container ship 2, general cargo 162, oil tanker 18, other 63 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Sihanoukville (Kampong Saom) river port(s): Phnom Penh (Mekong) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF): Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie; the National Committee for Maritime Security (performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies); Ministry of Interior: Cambodian National Police (2022) Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.2 billion) 2.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.13 billion) 2.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.02 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 110,000 total active troops including about 3,000 Navy and 1,000 Air Force; approximately 10,000 Gendarmerie (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RCAF is armed largely with older Chinese and Russian-origin equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of more modern equipment from a variety of suppliers, particularly China (2022) note: in December 2021, the US Government halted arms-related trade with Cambodia, citing deepening Chinese military influence, corruption, and human rights abuses by the government and armed forces; the policy of denial applied to licenses or other approvals for exports and imports of defense articles and defense services destined for or originating in Cambodia, with exceptions (on a case-by-case basis) related to conventional weapons destruction and humanitarian demining activities Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (conscription only selectively enforced since 1993); women may volunteer (2021) note: in 2018, women made up an estimated 6% of the active duty military Military deployments: 225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 180 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 290 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) was re-established in 1993 under the first coalition government from the merger of the Cambodian Government’s military forces (Cambodian People’s Armed Forces) and the two non-communist resistance forces (Sihanoukist National Army, aka National Army for Khmer Independence, and the Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces); thousands of communist Khmer Rouge fighters began surrendering by 1994 under a government amnesty program and the last of the Khmer Rouge forces (National Army of Democratic Kampuchea) were demobilized or absorbed into the RCAF in 1999 (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Cambodia-Laos: Cambodia is concerned that Laos' extensive upstream dam construction will affect Cambodian waters downstream Cambodia-Thailand: Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to maintain peace along the border regardless of the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over territorial dispute near Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple; the ICJ decision of 11 November 2013 determined that Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear; the border disputes do not involve large amounts of territory, and most of the issues were settled by the Nov. 11, 2013 ICJ ruling Cambodia-Vietnam: issues include casinos built in Cambodia near the border (gambling and prostitution); narcotics (criminals, crime, and abuse); trafficking of women and children, petrol smuggling into Cambodia from Vietnam, illegal logging, and illegal migration; a positive development is the special economic Zone in Bavet, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia that is being developed by the Manhattan (Svay Rieng) International Group of TaiwanCambodia-Laos: Cambodia is concerned that Laos' extensive upstream dam construction will affect Cambodian waters downstreamCambodia-Thailand: Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to maintain peace along the border regardless of the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over territorial dispute near Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple; the ICJ decision of 11 November 2013 determined that Cambodia had sovereignty over the whole territory of the promontory of Preah Vihear; the border disputes do not involve large amounts of territory, and most of the issues were settled by the Nov. 11, 2013 ICJ rulingCambodia-Vietnam: issues include casinos built in Cambodia near the border (gambling and prostitution); narcotics (criminals, crime, and abuse); trafficking of women and children, petrol smuggling into Cambodia from Vietnam, illegal logging, and illegal migration; a positive development is the special economic Zone in Bavet, Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia that is being developed by the Manhattan (Svay Rieng) International Group of Taiwan Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 57,444 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit Cambodian men, women, and children in forced labor and sex trafficking in Cambodia and abroad, and foreign nationals are trafficked in Cambodia; Cambodian adults and children migrate to other countries in the region or increasingly to the Middle East where traffickers force them to work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic servitude; significant numbers of Cambodian men and boys are subject to forced labor on Thai ships in international waters and may experience physical abuse, nonpayment or underpayment of wages, and confinement at sea for years; brick kiln owners exploit thousands of Cambodians, including children, through debt-based coercion; children from poor families are vulnerable to forced labor, often with the complicity of their parents, in domestic servitude, forced begging, or street vending in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls from rural areas move to cities and tourist areas where they are sex trafficked tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Cambodia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities continued to prosecute and convict traffickers and utilized new victim identification and data collection technologies; the government enacted a five-year national action plan to combat human trafficking; however, corruption continued to impede law enforcement efforts, criminal proceedings, and services to victims; some corrupt officials may have profited directly from sex and labor trafficking or accepted bribes to dismiss charges or reduce sentences; insufficient judicial monitoring systems enabled suspected traffickers to flee before trial; authorities failed to issue formal guidance allowing the use of undercover techniques in anti-trafficking investigations (2020) Illicit drugs: manufacture of methamphetamine expanding due to  transnational crime syndicates moving from China to evade the law; drugs destined for Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea and the rest of East and South-East Asia (2021)manufacture of methamphetamine expanding due to  transnational crime syndicates moving from China to evade the law; drugs destined for Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea and the rest of East and South-East Asia

20220901

field-age-structure

This entry provides the distribution of the population according to age. Information is included by sex and age group as follows: 0-14 years (children), 15-24 years (early working age), 25-54 years (prime working age), 55-64 years (mature working age), 65 years and over (elderly). The age structure of a population affects a nation's key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest. Topic: Afghanistan0-14 years: 40.62% (male 7,562,703/female 7,321,646) 15-24 years: 21.26% (male 3,960,044/female 3,828,670) 25-54 years: 31.44% (male 5,858,675/female 5,661,887) 55-64 years: 4.01% (male 724,597/female 744,910) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 451,852/female 528,831) Topic: Akrotiri0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Albania0-14 years: 17.6% (male 284,636/female 256,474) 15-24 years: 15.39% (male 246,931/female 226,318) 25-54 years: 42.04% (male 622,100/female 670,307) 55-64 years: 11.94% (male 178,419/female 188,783) 65 years and over: 13.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,335/female 214,276) Topic: Algeria0-14 years: 29.58% (male 6,509,490/female 6,201,450) 15-24 years: 13.93% (male 3,063,972/female 2,922,368) 25-54 years: 42.91% (male 9,345,997/female 9,091,558) 55-64 years: 7.41% (male 1,599,369/female 1,585,233) 65 years and over: 6.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,252,084/female 1,401,357) Topic: American Samoa0-14 years: 27.76% (male 7,063/female 6,662) 15-24 years: 18.16% (male 4,521/female 4,458) 25-54 years: 37.49% (male 9,164/female 9,370) 55-64 years: 9.69% (male 2,341/female 2,447) 65 years and over: 6.9% (2020 est.) (male 1,580/female 1,831) Topic: Andorra0-14 years: 13.37% (male 5,901/female 5,551) 15-24 years: 10.16% (male 4,474/female 4,227) 25-54 years: 43.19% (male 18,857/female 18,131) 55-64 years: 15.91% (male 7,184/female 6,443) 65 years and over: 17.36% (2020 est.) (male 7,544/female 7,323) Topic: Angola0-14 years: 47.83% (male 7,758,636/female 7,797,869) 15-24 years: 18.64% (male 2,950,999/female 3,109,741) 25-54 years: 27.8% (male 4,301,618/female 4,740,463) 55-64 years: 3.43% (male 523,517/female 591,249) 65 years and over: 2.3% (2020 est.) (male 312,197/female 436,050) Topic: Anguilla0-14 years: 21.63% (male 1,991/female 1,922) 15-24 years: 13.9% (male 1,269/female 1,246) 25-54 years: 42.27% (male 3,428/female 4,218) 55-64 years: 12.42% (male 993/female 1,254) 65 years and over: 9.78% (2020 est.) (male 874/female 895) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda0-14 years: 22.52% (male 11,243/female 10,871) 15-24 years: 16.15% (male 7,891/female 7,961) 25-54 years: 41.68% (male 18,757/female 22,167) 55-64 years: 10.74% (male 4,693/female 5,848) 65 years and over: 8.91% (2020 est.) (male 3,736/female 5,012) Topic: Argentina0-14 years: 24.02% (male 5,629,188/female 5,294,723) 15-24 years: 15.19% (male 3,539,021/female 3,367,321) 25-54 years: 39.6% (male 9,005,758/female 9,002,931) 55-64 years: 9.07% (male 2,000,536/female 2,122,699) 65 years and over: 12.13% (2020 est.) (male 2,331,679/female 3,185,262) Topic: Armenia0-14 years: 18.64% (male 297,320/female 265,969) 15-24 years: 11.63% (male 184,258/female 167,197) 25-54 years: 43.04% (male 639,101/female 661,421) 55-64 years: 14.08% (male 195,754/female 229,580) 65 years and over: 12.6% (2020 est.) (male 154,117/female 226,607) Topic: Aruba0-14 years: 17.55% (male 10,524/female 10,437) 15-24 years: 12.06% (male 7,231/female 7,175) 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 23,387/female 25,029) 55-64 years: 14.79% (male 8,285/female 9,383) 65 years and over: 15.05% (2020 est.) (male 7,064/female 10,913) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Australia0-14 years: 18.72% (male 2,457,418/female 2,309,706) 15-24 years: 12.89% (male 1,710,253/female 1,572,794) 25-54 years: 41.15% (male 5,224,840/female 5,255,041) 55-64 years: 11.35% (male 1,395,844/female 1,495,806) 65 years and over: 15.88% (2020 est.) (male 1,866,761/female 2,177,996) Topic: Austria0-14 years: 14.01% (male 635,803/female 605,065) 15-24 years: 10.36% (male 466,921/female 451,248) 25-54 years: 41.35% (male 1,831,704/female 1,831,669) 55-64 years: 14.41% (male 635,342/female 641,389) 65 years and over: 19.87% (2020 est.) (male 768,687/female 991,621) Topic: Azerbaijan0-14 years: 22.84% (male 1,235,292/female 1,095,308) 15-24 years: 13.17% (male 714,718/female 629,494) 25-54 years: 45.29% (male 2,291,600/female 2,330,843) 55-64 years: 11.41% (male 530,046/female 634,136) 65 years and over: 7.29% (2020 est.) (male 289,604/female 454,769) Topic: Bahamas, The0-14 years: 21.7% (male 38,811/female 37,719) 15-24 years: 14.91% (male 26,636/female 25,945) 25-54 years: 43.56% (male 76,505/female 77,119) 55-64 years: 10.75% (male 17,508/female 20,391) 65 years and over: 9.08% (2021 est.) (male 12,587/female 19,434) Topic: Bahrain0-14 years: 18.45% (male 141,039/female 136,687) 15-24 years: 15.16% (male 129,310/female 98,817) 25-54 years: 56.14% (male 550,135/female 294,778) 55-64 years: 6.89% (male 64,761/female 38,870) 65 years and over: 3.36% (2020 est.) (male 25,799/female 24,807) Topic: Bangladesh0-14 years: 26.48% (male 21,918,651/female 21,158,574) 15-24 years: 18.56% (male 15,186,470/female 15,001,950) 25-54 years: 40.72% (male 31,694,267/female 34,535,643) 55-64 years: 7.41% (male 5,941,825/female 6,115,856) 65 years and over: 6.82% (2020 est.) (male 5,218,206/female 5,879,411) Topic: Barbados0-14 years: 17.49% (male 25,762/female 25,764) 15-24 years: 12.34% (male 18,024/female 18,330) 25-54 years: 42.69% (male 62,655/female 63,093) 55-64 years: 13.91% (male 19,533/female 21,430) 65 years and over: 13.57% (2020 est.) (male 16,398/female 23,571) Topic: Belarus0-14 years: 16.09% (male 784,231/female 740,373) 15-24 years: 9.59% (male 467,393/female 441,795) 25-54 years: 43.94% (male 2,058,648/female 2,105,910) 55-64 years: 14.45% (male 605,330/female 763,972) 65 years and over: 15.93% (2020 est.) (male 493,055/female 1,017,211) Topic: Belgium0-14 years: 17.22% (male 1,033,383/female 984,624) 15-24 years: 11.2% (male 670,724/female 642,145) 25-54 years: 39.23% (male 2,319,777/female 2,278,450) 55-64 years: 13.14% (male 764,902/female 775,454) 65 years and over: 19.21% (2020 est.) (male 988,148/female 1,263,109) Topic: Belize0-14 years: 32.57% (male 66,454/female 63,700) 15-24 years: 19% (male 39,238/female 36,683) 25-54 years: 37.72% (male 73,440/female 77,300) 55-64 years: 6.18% (male 12,235/female 12,444) 65 years and over: 4.53% (2020 est.) (male 8,781/female 9,323) Topic: Benin0-14 years: 45.56% (male 2,955,396/female 2,906,079) 15-24 years: 20.36% (male 1,300,453/female 1,318,880) 25-54 years: 28.54% (male 1,735,229/female 1,935,839) 55-64 years: 3.15% (male 193,548/female 211,427) 65 years and over: 2.39% (2020 est.) (male 140,513/female 167,270) Topic: Bermuda0-14 years: 16.7% (male 6,053/female 5,928) 15-24 years: 11.88% (male 4,290/female 4,235) 25-54 years: 35.31% (male 12,758/female 12,575) 55-64 years: 16.37% (male 5,560/female 6,185) 65 years and over: 19.74% (2020 est.) (male 6,032/female 8,134) Topic: Bhutan0-14 years: 24.52% (male 98,113/female 93,740) 15-24 years: 17.77% (male 70,768/female 68,211) 25-54 years: 44.72% (male 184,500/female 165,374) 55-64 years: 6.39% (male 26,714/female 23,280) 65 years and over: 6.6% (2020 est.) (male 26,797/female 24,821) Topic: Bolivia0-14 years: 30.34% (male 1,799,925/female 1,731,565) 15-24 years: 19.21% (male 1,133,120/female 1,103,063) 25-54 years: 38.68% (male 2,212,096/female 2,289,888) 55-64 years: 6.06% (male 323,210/female 382,139) 65 years and over: 5.71% (2020 est.) (male 291,368/female 373,535) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina0-14 years: 13.18% (male 261,430/female 244,242) 15-24 years: 10.83% (male 214,319/female 201,214) 25-54 years: 44.52% (male 859,509/female 848,071) 55-64 years: 15.24% (male 284,415/female 300,168) 65 years and over: 16.22% (2020 est.) (male 249,624/female 372,594) Topic: Botswana0-14 years: 30.54% (male 357,065/female 350,550) 15-24 years: 18.31% (male 208,824/female 215,462) 25-54 years: 39.67% (male 434,258/female 484,922) 55-64 years: 5.92% (male 59,399/female 77,886) 65 years and over: 5.56% (2020 est.) (male 53,708/female 75,159) Topic: Bouvet Island0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Brazil0-14 years: 21.11% (male 22,790,634/female 21,907,018) 15-24 years: 16.06% (male 17,254,363/female 16,750,581) 25-54 years: 43.83% (male 46,070,240/female 46,729,640) 55-64 years: 9.78% (male 9,802,995/female 10,911,140) 65 years and over: 9.21% (2020 est.) (male 8,323,344/female 11,176,018) Topic: British Indian Ocean Territory0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: British Virgin Islands0-14 years: 16.48% (male 3,088/female 3,156) 15-24 years: 12.22% (male 2,212/female 2,418) 25-54 years: 47.84% (male 8,476/female 9,652) 55-64 years: 12.83% (male 2,242/female 2,521) 65 years and over: 10.63% (2021 est.) (male 1,921/female 2,105) Topic: Brunei0-14 years: 22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446) 15-24 years: 16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559) 25-54 years: 47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291) 55-64 years: 8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585) 65 years and over: 5.9% (2020 est.) (male 13,333/female 14,067) Topic: Bulgaria0-14 years: 14.52% (male 520,190/female 491,506) 15-24 years: 9.4% (male 340,306/female 314,241) 25-54 years: 42.87% (male 1,538,593/female 1,448,080) 55-64 years: 13.15% (male 433,943/female 482,474) 65 years and over: 20.06% (2020 est.) (male 562,513/female 835,053) Topic: Burkina Faso0-14 years: 43.58% (male 4,606,350/female 4,473,951) 15-24 years: 20.33% (male 2,121,012/female 2,114,213) 25-54 years: 29.36% (male 2,850,621/female 3,265,926) 55-64 years: 3.57% (male 321,417/female 423,016) 65 years and over: 3.16% (2020 est.) (male 284,838/female 374,057) Topic: Burma0-14 years: 25.97% (male 7,524,869/female 7,173,333) 15-24 years: 17% (male 4,852,122/female 4,769,412) 25-54 years: 42.76% (male 11,861,971/female 12,337,482) 55-64 years: 8.22% (male 2,179,616/female 2,472,681) 65 years and over: 6.04% (2020 est.) (male 1,489,807/female 1,928,778) Topic: Burundi0-14 years: 43.83% (male 2,618,868/female 2,581,597) 15-24 years: 19.76% (male 1,172,858/female 1,171,966) 25-54 years: 29.18% (male 1,713,985/female 1,748,167) 55-64 years: 4.17% (male 231,088/female 264,131) 65 years and over: 3.06% (2020 est.) (male 155,262/female 207,899) Topic: Cabo Verde0-14 years: 27.95% (male 82,010/female 81,012) 15-24 years: 18.69% (male 54,521/female 54,504) 25-54 years: 40.76% (male 115,811/female 121,923) 55-64 years: 7.12% (male 18,939/female 22,597) 65 years and over: 5.48% (2020 est.) (male 12,037/female 19,901) Topic: Cambodia0-14 years: 30.18% (male 2,582,427/female 2,525,619) 15-24 years: 17.28% (male 1,452,784/female 1,472,769) 25-54 years: 41.51% (male 3,442,051/female 3,584,592) 55-64 years: 6.44% (male 476,561/female 612,706) 65 years and over: 4.59% (2020 est.) (male 287,021/female 490,454) Topic: Cameroon0-14 years: 42.34% (male 5,927,640/female 5,820,226) 15-24 years: 20.04% (male 2,782,376/female 2,776,873) 25-54 years: 30.64% (male 4,191,151/female 4,309,483) 55-64 years: 3.87% (male 520,771/female 552,801) 65 years and over: 3.11% (2020 est.) (male 403,420/female 460,248) Topic: Canada0-14 years: 15.99% (male 3,094,008/female 2,931,953) 15-24 years: 11.14% (male 2,167,013/female 2,032,064) 25-54 years: 39.81% (male 7,527,554/female 7,478,737) 55-64 years: 14.08% (male 2,624,474/female 2,682,858) 65 years and over: 18.98% (2020 est.) (male 3,274,298/female 3,881,126) Topic: Cayman Islands0-14 years: 17.75% (male 5,535/female 5,457) 15-24 years: 11.86% (male 3,673/female 3,675) 25-54 years: 41.37% (male 12,489/female 13,140) 55-64 years: 14.78% (male 4,398/female 4,755) 65 years and over: 14.24% (2020 est.) (male 4,053/female 4,769) Topic: Central African Republic0-14 years: 39.49% (male 1,188,682/female 1,176,958) 15-24 years: 19.89% (male 598,567/female 593,075) 25-54 years: 32.95% (male 988,077/female 986,019) 55-64 years: 4.32% (male 123,895/female 134,829) 65 years and over: 3.35% (2020 est.) (male 78,017/female 122,736) Topic: Chad0-14 years: 47.43% (male 4,050,505/female 3,954,413) 15-24 years: 19.77% (male 1,676,495/female 1,660,417) 25-54 years: 27.14% (male 2,208,181/female 2,371,490) 55-64 years: 3.24% (male 239,634/female 306,477) 65 years and over: 2.43% (2020 est.) (male 176,658/female 233,087) Topic: Chile0-14 years: 19.79% (male 1,836,240/female 1,763,124) 15-24 years: 13.84% (male 1,283,710/female 1,233,238) 25-54 years: 42.58% (male 3,882,405/female 3,860,700) 55-64 years: 11.98% (male 1,034,049/female 1,145,022) 65 years and over: 11.81% (2020 est.) (male 902,392/female 1,245,890) Topic: China0-14 years: 17.29% (male 129,296,339/female 111,782,427) 15-24 years: 11.48% (male 86,129,841/female 73,876,148) 25-54 years: 46.81% (male 333,789,731/female 318,711,557) 55-64 years: 12.08% (male 84,827,645/female 83,557,507) 65 years and over: 12.34% (2020 est.) (male 81,586,490/female 90,458,292) Topic: Christmas Island0-14 years: 12.79% (2017 est.) (male 147/female 135) 15-24 years: 12.2% (2017 est.) (male 202/female 67) 25-54 years: 57.91% (2017 est.) (male 955/female 322) 55-64 years: 11.66% (2017 est.) (male 172/female 85) 65 years and over: 5.44% (2017 est.) (male 84/female 36) Topic: Clipperton Island0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Colombia0-14 years: 23.27% (male 5,853,351/female 5,567,196) 15-24 years: 16.38% (male 4,098,421/female 3,939,870) 25-54 years: 42.04% (male 10,270,516/female 10,365,423) 55-64 years: 9.93% (male 2,307,705/female 2,566,173) 65 years and over: 8.39% (2020 est.) (male 1,725,461/female 2,390,725) Topic: Comoros0-14 years: 36.68% (male 154,853/female 155,602) 15-24 years: 20.75% (male 85,208/female 90,422) 25-54 years: 33.99% (male 136,484/female 151,178) 55-64 years: 4.49% (male 17,237/female 20,781) 65 years and over: 4.08% (2020 est.) (male 15,437/female 19,079) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the0-14 years: 46.38% (male 23,757,297/female 23,449,057) 15-24 years: 19.42% (male 9,908,686/female 9,856,841) 25-54 years: 28.38% (male 14,459,453/female 14,422,912) 55-64 years: 3.36% (male 1,647,267/female 1,769,429) 65 years and over: 2.47% (2020 est.) (male 1,085,539/female 1,423,782) Topic: Congo, Republic of the0-14 years: 41.57% (male 1,110,484/female 1,089,732) 15-24 years: 17.14% (male 454,981/female 452,204) 25-54 years: 33.5% (male 886,743/female 886,312) 55-64 years: 4.59% (male 125,207/female 117,810) 65 years and over: 3.2% (2020 est.) (male 75,921/female 93,676) Topic: Cook Islands0-14 years: 18.69% (male 797/female 722) 15-24 years: 13.9% (male 606/female 524) 25-54 years: 37.66% (male 1,595/female 1,634) 55-64 years: 15.69% (male 711/female 564) 65 years and over: 14.74% (2022 est.) (male 584/female 614) Topic: Coral Sea Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Costa Rica0-14 years: 22.08% (male 575,731/female 549,802) 15-24 years: 15.19% (male 395,202/female 379,277) 25-54 years: 43.98% (male 1,130,387/female 1,111,791) 55-64 years: 9.99% (male 247,267/female 261,847) 65 years and over: 8.76% (2020 est.) (male 205,463/female 241,221) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire0-14 years: 38.53% (male 5,311,971/female 5,276,219) 15-24 years: 20.21% (male 2,774,374/female 2,779,012) 25-54 years: 34.88% (male 4,866,957/female 4,719,286) 55-64 years: 3.53% (male 494,000/female 476,060) 65 years and over: 2.85% (2020 est.) (male 349,822/female 433,385) Topic: Croatia0-14 years: 14.16% (male 308,668/female 289,996) 15-24 years: 10.76% (male 233,602/female 221,495) 25-54 years: 39.77% (male 841,930/female 839,601) 55-64 years: 14.24% (male 290,982/female 310,969) 65 years and over: 21.06% (2020 est.) (male 364,076/female 526,427) Topic: Cuba0-14 years: 16.34% (male 929,927/female 877,035) 15-24 years: 11.81% (male 678,253/female 627,384) 25-54 years: 41.95% (male 2,335,680/female 2,303,793) 55-64 years: 14.11% (male 760,165/female 799,734) 65 years and over: 15.8% (2020 est.) (male 794,743/female 952,348) Topic: Curacao0-14 years: 19.68% (male 15,227/female 14,553) 15-24 years: 13.38% (male 10,438/female 9,806) 25-54 years: 36.55% (male 27,733/female 27,589) 55-64 years: 13.88% (male 9,130/female 11,873) 65 years and over: 16.52% (2020 est.) (male 10,127/female 14,869) Topic: Cyprus0-14 years: 15.69% (male 102,095/female 96,676) 15-24 years: 12.29% (male 84,832/female 70,879) 25-54 years: 47.12% (male 316,710/female 280,167) 55-64 years: 11.92% (male 72,476/female 78,511) 65 years and over: 12.97% (2020 est.) (male 71,053/female 93,277) Topic: Czechia0-14 years: 15.17% (male 834,447/female 789,328) 15-24 years: 9.2% (male 508,329/female 475,846) 25-54 years: 43.29% (male 2,382,899/female 2,249,774) 55-64 years: 12.12% (male 636,357/female 660,748) 65 years and over: 20.23% (2020 est.) (male 907,255/female 1,257,515) Topic: Denmark0-14 years: 16.42% (male 494,806/female 469,005) 15-24 years: 12.33% (male 370,557/female 352,977) 25-54 years: 38.71% (male 1,149,991/female 1,122,016) 55-64 years: 12.63% (male 370,338/female 371,149) 65 years and over: 19.91% (2020 est.) (male 538,096/female 630,475) Topic: Dhekelia0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Djibouti0-14 years: 29.97% (male 138,701/female 137,588) 15-24 years: 20.32% (male 88,399/female 98,955) 25-54 years: 40.73% (male 156,016/female 219,406) 55-64 years: 5.01% (male 19,868/female 26,307) 65 years and over: 3.97% (2020 est.) (male 16,245/female 20,319) Topic: Dominica0-14 years: 21.41% (male 8,135/female 7,760) 15-24 years: 13.15% (male 5,017/female 4,746) 25-54 years: 42.79% (male 16,133/female 15,637) 55-64 years: 10.53% (male 4,089/female 3,731) 65 years and over: 12.12% (2020 est.) (male 4,128/female 4,867) Topic: Dominican Republic0-14 years: 26.85% (male 1,433,166/female 1,385,987) 15-24 years: 18.15% (male 968,391/female 937,227) 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 2,168,122/female 2,088,926) 55-64 years: 8.17% (male 429,042/female 428,508) 65 years and over: 6.29% (2020 est.) (male 310,262/female 350,076) Topic: Ecuador0-14 years: 25.82% (male 2,226,240/female 2,138,219) 15-24 years: 17.8% (male 1,531,545/female 1,478,222) 25-54 years: 40.31% (male 3,333,650/female 3,480,262) 55-64 years: 7.92% (male 647,718/female 691,759) 65 years and over: 8.15% (2020 est.) (male 648,761/female 728,491) Topic: Egypt0-14 years: 33.62% (male 18,112,550/female 16,889,155) 15-24 years: 18.01% (male 9,684,437/female 9,071,163) 25-54 years: 37.85% (male 20,032,310/female 19,376,847) 55-64 years: 6.08% (male 3,160,438/female 3,172,544) 65 years and over: 4.44% (2020 est.) (male 2,213,539/female 2,411,457) Topic: El Salvador0-14 years: 25.83% (male 857,003/female 817,336) 15-24 years: 18.82% (male 619,368/female 600,501) 25-54 years: 40.51% (male 1,221,545/female 1,404,163) 55-64 years: 7.23% (male 198,029/female 270,461) 65 years and over: 7.6% (2020 est.) (male 214,717/female 277,979) Topic: Equatorial Guinea0-14 years: 38.73% (male 164,417/female 159,400) 15-24 years: 19.94% (male 84,820/female 81,880) 25-54 years: 32.72% (male 137,632/female 135,973) 55-64 years: 4.69% (male 17,252/female 22,006) 65 years and over: 3.92% (2020 est.) (male 13,464/female 19,334) Topic: Eritrea0-14 years: 38.23% (male 1,169,456/female 1,155,460) 15-24 years: 20.56% (male 622,172/female 627,858) 25-54 years: 33.42% (male 997,693/female 1,034,550) 55-64 years: 3.8% (male 105,092/female 125,735) 65 years and over: 4% (2020 est.) (male 99,231/female 143,949) Topic: Estonia0-14 years: 16.22% (male 102,191/female 97,116) 15-24 years: 8.86% (male 56,484/female 52,378) 25-54 years: 40.34% (male 252,273/female 243,382) 55-64 years: 13.58% (male 76,251/female 90,576) 65 years and over: 21% (2020 est.) (male 89,211/female 168,762) Topic: Eswatini0-14 years: 33.63% (male 185,640/female 185,808) 15-24 years: 18.71% (male 98,029/female 108,654) 25-54 years: 39.46% (male 202,536/female 233,275) 55-64 years: 4.36% (male 20,529/female 27,672) 65 years and over: 3.83% (2020 est.) (male 15,833/female 26,503) Topic: Ethiopia0-14 years: 39.81% (male 21,657,152/female 21,381,628) 15-24 years: 19.47% (male 10,506,144/female 10,542,128) 25-54 years: 32.92% (male 17,720,540/female 17,867,298) 55-64 years: 4.42% (male 2,350,606/female 2,433,319) 65 years and over: 3.38% (2020 est.) (male 1,676,478/female 1,977,857) Topic: European Union0-14 years: 15.05% (male 34,978,216/female 33,217,600) 15-24 years: 10.39% (male 24,089,260/female 22,990,579) 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 92,503,000/female 91,144,596) 55-64 years: 13.52% (male 29,805,200/female 31,424,172) 65 years and over: 20.5% (2020 est.) (male 39,834,507/female 53,020,673) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Faroe Islands0-14 years: 19.69% (male 5,247/female 4,920) 15-24 years: 13.89% (male 3,708/female 3,465) 25-54 years: 37.01% (male 10,277/female 8,828) 55-64 years: 12% (male 3,199/female 2,996) 65 years and over: 17.41% (2020 est.) (male 4,352/female 4,636) Topic: Fiji0-14 years: 26.86% (male 128,499/female 122,873) 15-24 years: 15.51% (male 73,993/female 71,139) 25-54 years: 41.05% (male 196,932/female 187,270) 55-64 years: 9.25% (male 43,813/female 42,763) 65 years and over: 7.34% (2020 est.) (male 31,556/female 37,136) Topic: Finland0-14 years: 16.41% (male 467,220/female 447,005) 15-24 years: 10.95% (male 312,179/female 297,717) 25-54 years: 37.37% (male 1,064,326/female 1,017,545) 55-64 years: 13.02% (male 357,687/female 367,610) 65 years and over: 22.26% (2020 est.) (male 543,331/female 697,045) Topic: France0-14 years: 18.36% (male 6,368,767/female 6,085,318) 15-24 years: 11.88% (male 4,122,981/female 3,938,938) 25-54 years: 36.83% (male 12,619,649/female 12,366,120) 55-64 years: 12.47% (male 4,085,564/female 4,376,272) 65 years and over: 20.46% (2020 est.) (male 6,029,303/female 7,855,244) Topic: French Polynesia0-14 years: 21.69% (male 32,920/female 31,100) 15-24 years: 14.72% (male 22,640/female 20,793) 25-54 years: 44.24% (male 66,921/female 63,636) 55-64 years: 10.31% (male 15,610/female 14,823) 65 years and over: 9.04% (2020 est.) (male 12,854/female 13,824) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Lands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Gabon0-14 years: 36.45% (male 413,883/female 399,374) 15-24 years: 21.9% (male 254,749/female 233,770) 25-54 years: 32.48% (male 386,903/female 337,776) 55-64 years: 5.19% (male 58,861/female 56,843) 65 years and over: 3.98% (2020 est.) (male 44,368/female 44,381) Topic: Gambia, The0-14 years: 35.15% (male 391,993/female 388,816) 15-24 years: 20.12% (male 221,519/female 225,414) 25-54 years: 36.39% (male 396,261/female 412,122) 55-64 years: 4.53% (male 48,032/female 52,538) 65 years and over: 3.81% (2021 est.) (male 38,805/female 45,801) Topic: Gaza Strip0-14 years: 42.53% (male 418,751/female 397,013) 15-24 years: 21.67% (male 210,240/female 205,385) 25-54 years: 29.47% (male 275,976/female 289,277) 55-64 years: 3.66% (male 36,409/female 33,731) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 27,248/female 24,191) Topic: Georgia0-14 years: 18.42% (male 472,731/female 435,174) 15-24 years: 10.9% (male 286,518/female 250,882) 25-54 years: 40.59% (male 984,942/female 1,016,353) 55-64 years: 13.24% (male 288,650/female 364,117) 65 years and over: 16.85% (2020 est.) (male 326,219/female 504,444) Topic: Germany0-14 years: 12.89% (male 5,302,850/female 5,025,863) 15-24 years: 9.81% (male 4,012,412/female 3,854,471) 25-54 years: 38.58% (male 15,553,328/female 15,370,417) 55-64 years: 15.74% (male 6,297,886/female 6,316,024) 65 years and over: 22.99% (2020 est.) (male 8,148,873/female 10,277,538) Topic: Ghana0-14 years: 37.44% (male 5,524,932/female 5,460,943) 15-24 years: 18.64% (male 2,717,481/female 2,752,601) 25-54 years: 34.27% (male 4,875,985/female 5,177,959) 55-64 years: 5.21% (male 743,757/female 784,517) 65 years and over: 4.44% (2020 est.) (male 598,387/female 703,686) Topic: Gibraltar0-14 years: 20.24% (male 3,080/female 2,907) 15-24 years: 13.07% (male 2,000/female 1,866) 25-54 years: 41.28% (male 6,289/female 5,922) 55-64 years: 8.71% (male 1,082/female 1,495) 65 years and over: 16.7% (2020 est.) (male 2,378/female 2,562) Topic: Greece0-14 years: 14.53% (male 794,918/female 745,909) 15-24 years: 10.34% (male 577,134/female 519,819) 25-54 years: 39.6% (male 2,080,443/female 2,119,995) 55-64 years: 13.1% (male 656,404/female 732,936) 65 years and over: 22.43% (2020 est.) (male 1,057,317/female 1,322,176) Topic: Greenland0-14 years: 20.82% (male 6,079/female 5,916) 15-24 years: 14.45% (male 4,186/female 4,137) 25-54 years: 39.72% (male 11,962/female 10,921) 55-64 years: 14.66% (male 4,561/female 3,886) 65 years and over: 10.36% (2020 est.) (male 3,170/female 2,798) Topic: Grenada0-14 years: 23.23% (male 13,709/female 12,564) 15-24 years: 14.14% (male 8,034/female 7,959) 25-54 years: 40.05% (male 23,104/female 22,187) 55-64 years: 11.69% (male 6,734/female 6,490) 65 years and over: 10.89% (2020 est.) (male 5,774/female 6,539) Topic: Guam0-14 years: 27.22% (male 23,748/female 22,122) 15-24 years: 16.08% (male 14,522/female 12,572) 25-54 years: 36.65% (male 31,880/female 29,871) 55-64 years: 10.5% (male 9,079/female 8,610) 65 years and over: 9.54% (2020 est.) (male 7,504/female 8,577) Topic: Guatemala0-14 years: 33.68% (male 2,944,145/female 2,833,432) 15-24 years: 19.76% (male 1,705,730/female 1,683,546) 25-54 years: 36.45% (male 3,065,933/female 3,186,816) 55-64 years: 5.41% (male 431,417/female 496,743) 65 years and over: 4.7% (2020 est.) (male 363,460/female 442,066) Topic: Guernsey0-14 years: 14.5% (male 5,008/female 4,712) 15-24 years: 10.58% (male 3,616/female 3,476) 25-54 years: 40.73% (male 13,821/female 13,492) 55-64 years: 13.96% (male 4,635/female 4,728) 65 years and over: 20.23% (2020 est.) (male 6,229/female 7,335) Topic: Guinea0-14 years: 41.2% (male 2,601,221/female 2,559,918) 15-24 years: 19.32% (male 1,215,654/female 1,204,366) 25-54 years: 30.85% (male 1,933,141/female 1,930,977) 55-64 years: 4.73% (male 287,448/female 305,420) 65 years and over: 3.91% (2020 est.) (male 218,803/female 270,492) Topic: Guinea-Bissau0-14 years: 43.17% (male 417,810/female 414,105) 15-24 years: 20.38% (male 192,451/female 200,370) 25-54 years: 30.24% (male 275,416/female 307,387) 55-64 years: 3.12% (male 29,549/female 30,661) 65 years and over: 3.08% (2020 est.) (male 25,291/female 34,064) Topic: Guyana0-14 years: 23.91% (male 91,317/female 88,025) 15-24 years: 21.23% (male 81,294/female 77,987) 25-54 years: 39.48% (male 154,825/female 141,385) 55-64 years: 8.37% (male 29,385/female 33,386) 65 years and over: 7.01% (2020 est.) (male 21,325/female 31,275) Topic: Haiti0-14 years: 31.21% (male 1,719,961/female 1,734,566) 15-24 years: 20.71% (male 1,145,113/female 1,146,741) 25-54 years: 38.45% (male 2,110,294/female 2,145,209) 55-64 years: 5.3% (male 280,630/female 305,584) 65 years and over: 4.33% (2020 est.) (male 210,451/female 269,228) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Honduras0-14 years: 30.2% (male 1,411,537/female 1,377,319) 15-24 years: 21.03% (male 969,302/female 972,843) 25-54 years: 37.79% (male 1,657,260/female 1,832,780) 55-64 years: 5.58% (male 233,735/female 281,525) 65 years and over: 5.4% (2020 est.) (male 221,779/female 277,260) Topic: Hong Kong0-14 years: 12.81% (male 490,477/female 437,971) 15-24 years: 8.81% (male 334,836/female 303,897) 25-54 years: 42.66% (male 1,328,529/female 1,763,970) 55-64 years: 17.24% (male 582,047/female 668,051) 65 years and over: 18.48% (2020 est.) (male 625,453/female 714,676) Topic: Hungary0-14 years: 14.54% (male 731,542/female 689,739) 15-24 years: 10.43% (male 526,933/female 492,388) 25-54 years: 42.17% (male 2,075,763/female 2,044,664) 55-64 years: 12.17% (male 552,876/female 636,107) 65 years and over: 20.69% (2020 est.) (male 773,157/female 1,248,658) Topic: Iceland0-14 years: 20.31% (male 36,394/female 34,837) 15-24 years: 12.85% (male 22,748/female 22,317) 25-54 years: 39.44% (male 70,227/female 68,095) 55-64 years: 11.94% (male 20,762/female 21,111) 65 years and over: 15.47% (2020 est.) (male 25,546/female 28,697) Topic: India0-14 years: 26.31% (male 185,017,089/female 163,844,572) 15-24 years: 17.51% (male 123,423,531/female 108,739,780) 25-54 years: 41.56% (male 285,275,667/female 265,842,319) 55-64 years: 7.91% (male 52,444,817/female 52,447,038) 65 years and over: 6.72% (2020 est.) (male 42,054,459/female 47,003,975) Topic: Indonesia0-14 years: 23.87% (male 32,473,246/female 31,264,034) 15-24 years: 16.76% (male 22,786,920/female 21,960,130) 25-54 years: 42.56% (male 58,249,570/female 55,409,579) 55-64 years: 8.99% (male 11,033,838/female 12,968,005) 65 years and over: 7.82% (2020 est.) (male 9,099,773/female 11,781,271) Topic: Iran0-14 years: 24.11% (male 10,472,844/female 10,000,028) 15-24 years: 13.36% (male 5,806,034/female 5,537,561) 25-54 years: 48.94% (male 21,235,038/female 20,327,384) 55-64 years: 7.72% (male 3,220,074/female 3,337,420) 65 years and over: 5.87% (2020 est.) (male 2,316,677/female 2,670,254) Topic: Iraq0-14 years: 37.02% (male 7,349,868/female 7,041,405) 15-24 years: 19.83% (male 3,918,433/female 3,788,157) 25-54 years: 35.59% (male 6,919,569/female 6,914,856) 55-64 years: 4.23% (male 805,397/female 839,137) 65 years and over: 3.33% (2020 est.) (male 576,593/female 719,240) Topic: Ireland0-14 years: 21.15% (male 560,338/female 534,570) 15-24 years: 12.08% (male 316,239/female 308,872) 25-54 years: 42.19% (male 1,098,058/female 1,085,794) 55-64 years: 10.77% (male 278,836/female 278,498) 65 years and over: 13.82% (2020 est.) (male 331,772/female 383,592) Topic: Isle of Man0-14 years: 16.28% (male 7,688/female 7,046) 15-24 years: 11.02% (male 5,328/female 4,642) 25-54 years: 37.8% (male 17,080/female 17,131) 55-64 years: 13.82% (male 6,284/female 6,219) 65 years and over: 21.08% (2020 est.) (male 9,023/female 10,058) Topic: Israel0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365) 15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721) 25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399) 55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709) 65 years and over: 11.96% (2020 est.) (male 467,980/female 569,816) Topic: Italy0-14 years: 13.45% (male 4,292,431/female 4,097,732) 15-24 years: 9.61% (male 3,005,402/female 2,989,764) 25-54 years: 40.86% (male 12,577,764/female 12,921,614) 55-64 years: 14% (male 4,243,735/female 4,493,581) 65 years and over: 22.08% (2020 est.) (male 5,949,560/female 7,831,076) Topic: Jamaica0-14 years: 25.2% (male 360,199/female 347,436) 15-24 years: 17.95% (male 255,102/female 248,927) 25-54 years: 38.06% (male 518,583/female 550,410) 55-64 years: 9.63% (male 133,890/female 136,442) 65 years and over: 9.17% (2020 est.) (male 121,969/female 135,612) Topic: Jan Mayen0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Japan0-14 years: 12.49% (male 8,047,183/female 7,623,767) 15-24 years: 9.47% (male 6,254,352/female 5,635,377) 25-54 years: 36.8% (male 22,867,385/female 23,317,140) 55-64 years: 12.06% (male 7,564,067/female 7,570,732) 65 years and over: 29.18% (2020 est.) (male 16,034,973/female 20,592,496) Topic: Jersey0-14 years: 16.63% (male 8,689/female 8,124) 15-24 years: 12.98% (male 6,764/female 6,354) 25-54 years: 40.12% (male 20,499/female 20,054) 55-64 years: 13.22% (male 6,515/female 6,844) 65 years and over: 17.05% (2020 est.) (male 7,324/female 9,906) Topic: Jordan0-14 years: 33.05% (male 1,837,696/female 1,738,935) 15-24 years: 19.77% (male 1,126,567/female 1,012,812) 25-54 years: 38.39% (male 2,250,328/female 1,903,996) 55-64 years: 5.11% (male 290,633/female 262,827) 65 years and over: 3.67% (2020 est.) (male 194,464/female 202,386) Topic: Kazakhstan0-14 years: 26.13% (male 2,438,148/female 2,550,535) 15-24 years: 12.97% (male 1,262,766/female 1,212,645) 25-54 years: 42.23% (male 3,960,188/female 4,102,845) 55-64 years: 10.25% (male 856,180/female 1,099,923) 65 years and over: 8.43% (2020 est.) (male 567,269/female 1,041,450) Topic: Kenya0-14 years: 38.71% (male 10,412,321/female 10,310,908) 15-24 years: 20.45% (male 5,486,641/female 5,460,372) 25-54 years: 33.75% (male 9,046,946/female 9,021,207) 55-64 years: 4.01% (male 1,053,202/female 1,093,305) 65 years and over: 3.07% (2020 est.) (male 750,988/female 892,046) Topic: Kiribati0-14 years: 28.47% (male 16,223/female 15,604) 15-24 years: 20.24% (male 11,171/female 11,459) 25-54 years: 40.05% (male 21,530/female 23,249) 55-64 years: 6.65% (male 3,350/female 4,084) 65 years and over: 4.59% (2020 est.) (male 2,004/female 3,122) Topic: Korea, North0-14 years: 20.33% (male 2,680,145/female 2,571,334) 15-24 years: 14.39% (male 1,873,814/female 1,842,269) 25-54 years: 43.77% (male 5,671,900/female 5,633,861) 55-64 years: 11.77% (male 1,454,000/female 1,585,830) 65 years and over: 9.75% (2021 est.) (male 878,176/female 1,640,031) Topic: Korea, South0-14 years: 12.02% (male 3,191,584/female 3,025,029) 15-24 years: 10.75% (male 2,900,013/female 2,658,057) 25-54 years: 44.83% (male 12,106,860/female 11,077,642) 55-64 years: 15.66% (male 3,958,718/female 4,142,322) 65 years and over: 16.74% (2021 est.) (male 3,766,138/female 4,888,799) Topic: Kosovo0-14 years: 24.07% (male 241,563/female 223,568) 15-24 years: 16.95% (male 170,566/female 157,063) 25-54 years: 42.56% (male 433,914/female 388,595) 55-64 years: 8.67% (male 85,840/female 81,782) 65 years and over: 7.75% (2020 est.) (male 63,943/female 85,940) Topic: Kuwait0-14 years: 24.29% (male 378,778/female 348,512) 15-24 years: 14.96% (male 245,354/female 202,642) 25-54 years: 52.39% (male 984,813/female 583,632) 55-64 years: 5.43% (male 90,583/female 72,026) 65 years and over: 2.92% (2020 est.) (male 38,614/female 48,752) Topic: Kyrgyzstan0-14 years: 30.39% (male 930,455/female 882,137) 15-24 years: 15.7% (male 475,915/female 460,604) 25-54 years: 40.02% (male 1,172,719/female 1,214,624) 55-64 years: 8.09% (male 210,994/female 271,480) 65 years and over: 5.8% (2020 est.) (male 132,134/female 213,835) Topic: Laos0-14 years: 31.25% (male 1,177,297/female 1,149,727) 15-24 years: 20.6% (male 763,757/female 770,497) 25-54 years: 38.29% (male 1,407,823/female 1,443,774) 55-64 years: 5.73% (male 206,977/female 219,833) 65 years and over: 4.13% (2020 est.) (male 139,665/female 168,046) Topic: Latvia0-14 years: 15.32% (male 148,120/female 140,028) 15-24 years: 9% (male 87,372/female 81,965) 25-54 years: 40.41% (male 380,817/female 379,359) 55-64 years: 14.77% (male 125,401/female 152,548) 65 years and over: 20.5% (2020 est.) (male 128,151/female 257,471) Topic: Lebanon0-14 years: 20.75% (male 581,015/female 554,175) 15-24 years: 14.98% (male 417,739/female 401,357) 25-54 years: 46.69% (male 1,296,250/female 1,257,273) 55-64 years: 9.62% (male 250,653/female 275,670) 65 years and over: 7.96% (2020 est.) (male 187,001/female 248,479) Topic: Lesotho0-14 years: 31.3% (male 309,991/female 306,321) 15-24 years: 19.26% (male 181,874/female 197,452) 25-54 years: 38.86% (male 373,323/female 391,901) 55-64 years: 4.98% (male 52,441/female 45,726) 65 years and over: 5.6% (2020 est.) (male 57,030/female 53,275) Topic: Liberia0-14 years: 43.35% (male 1,111,479/female 1,087,871) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 516,136/female 516,137) 25-54 years: 30.01% (male 747,983/female 774,615) 55-64 years: 3.46% (male 89,150/female 86,231) 65 years and over: 2.83% (2020 est.) (male 70,252/female 73,442) Topic: Libya0-14 years: 33.65% (male 1,184,755/female 1,134,084) 15-24 years: 15.21% (male 534,245/female 513,728) 25-54 years: 41.57% (male 1,491,461/female 1,373,086) 55-64 years: 5.52% (male 186,913/female 193,560) 65 years and over: 4.04% (2020 est.) (male 129,177/female 149,526) Topic: Liechtenstein0-14 years: 15.2% (male 3,259/female 2,688) 15-24 years: 11.29% (male 2,238/female 2,181) 25-54 years: 40.22% (male 7,869/female 7,872) 55-64 years: 14.41% (male 2,711/female 2,930) 65 years and over: 18.88% (2020 est.) (male 3,403/female 3,986) Topic: Lithuania0-14 years: 15.26% (male 213,802/female 202,948) 15-24 years: 10.23% (male 144,679/female 134,822) 25-54 years: 38.96% (male 528,706/female 535,485) 55-64 years: 15.1% (male 183,854/female 228,585) 65 years and over: 20.45% (2020 est.) (male 190,025/female 368,558) Topic: Luxembourg0-14 years: 16.73% (male 54,099/female 51,004) 15-24 years: 11.78% (male 37,946/female 36,061) 25-54 years: 43.93% (male 141,535/female 134,531) 55-64 years: 12.19% (male 39,289/female 37,337) 65 years and over: 15.37% (2020 est.) (male 43,595/female 52,984) Topic: Macau0-14 years: 13.43% (male 42,449/female 40,051) 15-24 years: 10.45% (male 33,845/female 30,354) 25-54 years: 49% (male 134,302/female 166,762) 55-64 years: 14.57% (male 44,512/female 45,007) 65 years and over: 12.56% (2020 est.) (male 36,223/female 40,953) Topic: Madagascar0-14 years: 38.86% (male 5,278,838/female 5,196,036) 15-24 years: 20.06% (male 2,717,399/female 2,689,874) 25-54 years: 33.02% (male 4,443,147/female 4,456,691) 55-64 years: 4.6% (male 611,364/female 627,315) 65 years and over: 3.47% (2020 est.) (male 425,122/female 509,951) Topic: Malawi0-14 years: 45.87% (male 4,843,107/female 4,878,983) 15-24 years: 20.51% (male 2,151,417/female 2,195,939) 25-54 years: 27.96% (male 2,944,936/female 2,982,195) 55-64 years: 2.98% (male 303,803/female 328,092) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 249,219/female 318,938) Topic: Malaysia0-14 years: 26.8% (male 4,504,562/female 4,246,681) 15-24 years: 16.63% (male 2,760,244/female 2,670,186) 25-54 years: 40.86% (male 6,737,826/female 6,604,776) 55-64 years: 8.81% (male 1,458,038/female 1,418,280) 65 years and over: 6.9% (2020 est.) (male 1,066,627/female 1,184,863) Topic: Maldives0-14 years: 22.13% (male 44,260/female 42,477) 15-24 years: 17.24% (male 37,826/female 29,745) 25-54 years: 48.91% (male 104,217/female 87,465) 55-64 years: 6.91% (male 12,942/female 14,123) 65 years and over: 4.81% (2020 est.) (male 8,417/female 10,432) Topic: Mali0-14 years: 47.69% (male 4,689,121/female 4,636,685) 15-24 years: 19% (male 1,768,772/female 1,945,582) 25-54 years: 26.61% (male 2,395,566/female 2,806,830) 55-64 years: 3.68% (male 367,710/female 352,170) 65 years and over: 3.02% (2020 est.) (male 293,560/female 297,401) Topic: Malta0-14 years: 14.38% (male 33,934/female 31,823) 15-24 years: 10.33% (male 24,445/female 22,811) 25-54 years: 41.1% (male 97,685/female 90,264) 55-64 years: 12.88% (male 29,533/female 29,353) 65 years and over: 21.3% (2020 est.) (male 44,644/female 52,775) Topic: Marshall Islands0-14 years: 32.94% (male 13,090/female 12,575) 15-24 years: 19.09% (male 7,568/female 7,308) 25-54 years: 37.35% (male 14,834/female 14,270) 55-64 years: 5.92% (male 2,269/female 2,341) 65 years and over: 4.7% (2020 est.) (male 1,805/female 1,857) Topic: Mauritania0-14 years: 37.56% (male 755,788/female 748,671) 15-24 years: 19.71% (male 387,140/female 402,462) 25-54 years: 33.91% (male 630,693/female 727,518) 55-64 years: 4.9% (male 88,888/female 107,201) 65 years and over: 3.92% (2020 est.) (male 66,407/female 90,707) Topic: Mauritius0-14 years: 19.44% (male 137,010/female 131,113) 15-24 years: 14.06% (male 98,480/female 95,472) 25-54 years: 43.11% (male 297,527/female 297,158) 55-64 years: 12.31% (male 80,952/female 88,785) 65 years and over: 11.08% (2020 est.) (male 63,230/female 89,638) Topic: Mexico0-14 years: 26.01% (male 17,111,199/female 16,349,767) 15-24 years: 16.97% (male 11,069,260/female 10,762,784) 25-54 years: 41.06% (male 25,604,223/female 27,223,720) 55-64 years: 8.29% (male 4,879,048/female 5,784,176) 65 years and over: 7.67% (2020 est.) (male 4,373,807/female 5,491,581) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0-14 years: 28.24% (male 14,585/female 14,129) 15-24 years: 18.62% (male 9,473/female 9,461) 25-54 years: 40.81% (male 19,998/female 21,493) 55-64 years: 7.38% (male 3,602/female 3,898) 65 years and over: 4.95% (2021 est.) (male 2,260/female 2,776) Topic: Moldova0-14 years: 18.31% (male 317,243/female 298,673) 15-24 years: 11.27% (male 196,874/female 182,456) 25-54 years: 43.13% (male 738,103/female 712,892) 55-64 years: 13.26% (male 205,693/female 240,555) 65 years and over: 14.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,949/female 285,058) Topic: Monaco0-14 years: 9.41% (male 1,497/female 1,415) 15-24 years: 9.52% (male 1,538/female 1,406) 25-54 years: 30.46% (male 4,779/female 4,644) 55-64 years: 15.47% (male 2,370/female 2,417) 65 years and over: 35.15% (2020 est.) (male 4,817/female 6,057) Topic: Mongolia0-14 years: 26.96% (male 435,596/female 418,524) 15-24 years: 14.93% (male 239,495/female 233,459) 25-54 years: 45.29% (male 694,481/female 740,334) 55-64 years: 8.04% (male 115,560/female 139,129) 65 years and over: 4.78% (2020 est.) (male 60,966/female 90,482) Topic: Montenegro0-14 years: 18.14% (male 57,402/female 53,217) 15-24 years: 12.78% (male 40,220/female 37,720) 25-54 years: 39.65% (male 120,374/female 121,461) 55-64 years: 13.41% (male 40,099/female 41,670) 65 years and over: 16.02% (2020 est.) (male 42,345/female 55,351) Topic: Montserrat0-14 years: 15.87% (male 442/female 417) 15-24 years: 19.67% (male 556/female 509) 25-54 years: 47.09% (male 1,217/female 1,313) 55-64 years: 10.47% (male 258/female 309) 65 years and over: 7.15% (2022 est.) (male 209/female 178) Topic: Morocco0-14 years: 27.04% (male 4,905,626/female 4,709,333) 15-24 years: 16.55% (male 2,953,523/female 2,930,708) 25-54 years: 40.64% (male 7,126,781/female 7,325,709) 55-64 years: 8.67% (male 1,533,771/female 1,548,315) 65 years and over: 7.11% (2020 est.) (male 1,225,307/female 1,302,581) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique0-14 years: 45.57% (male 6,950,800/female 6,766,373) 15-24 years: 19.91% (male 2,997,529/female 2,994,927) 25-54 years: 28.28% (male 3,949,085/female 4,564,031) 55-64 years: 3.31% (male 485,454/female 509,430) 65 years and over: 2.93% (2020 est.) (male 430,797/female 449,771) Topic: Namibia0-14 years: 35.68% (male 473,937/female 464,453) 15-24 years: 20.27% (male 267,106/female 265,882) 25-54 years: 35.47% (male 449,132/female 483,811) 55-64 years: 4.68% (male 54,589/female 68,619) 65 years and over: 3.9% (2020 est.) (male 43,596/female 58,948) Topic: Nauru0-14 years: 30.87% (male 1,337/female 1,684) 15-24 years: 15.68% (male 732/female 806) 25-54 years: 42.57% (male 2,115/female 2,050) 55-64 years: 6.97% (male 283/female 401) 65 years and over: 3.94% (2022 est.) (male 133/female 254) Topic: Navassa Island0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Nepal0-14 years: 28.36% (male 4,526,786/female 4,073,642) 15-24 years: 20.93% (male 3,276,431/female 3,070,843) 25-54 years: 38.38% (male 5,251,553/female 6,387,365) 55-64 years: 6.64% (male 954,836/female 1,059,360) 65 years and over: 5.69% (2020 est.) (male 852,969/female 874,092) Topic: Netherlands0-14 years: 16.11% (male 1,425,547/female 1,358,894) 15-24 years: 11.91% (male 1,049,000/female 1,008,763) 25-54 years: 38.47% (male 3,334,064/female 3,313,238) 55-64 years: 13.69% (male 1,177,657/female 1,188,613) 65 years and over: 19.82% (2020 est.) (male 1,558,241/female 1,866,380) Topic: New Caledonia0-14 years: 21.74% (male 32,227/female 30,819) 15-24 years: 15.63% (male 23,164/female 22,163) 25-54 years: 43.73% (male 63,968/female 62,856) 55-64 years: 9.06% (male 12,700/female 13,568) 65 years and over: 9.84% (2020 est.) (male 12,552/female 15,992) Topic: New Zealand0-14 years: 19.63% (male 496,802/female 469,853) 15-24 years: 12.92% (male 328,327/female 308,132) 25-54 years: 39.98% (male 996,857/female 972,566) 55-64 years: 11.93% (male 285,989/female 301,692) 65 years and over: 15.54% (2020 est.) (male 358,228/female 407,031) Topic: Nicaragua0-14 years: 25.63% (male 811,731/female 777,984) 15-24 years: 19.51% (male 609,962/female 600,567) 25-54 years: 42.41% (male 1,254,683/female 1,376,052) 55-64 years: 6.63% (male 188,591/female 222,766) 65 years and over: 5.82% (2020 est.) (male 159,140/female 201,965) Topic: Niger0-14 years: 50.58% (male 5,805,102/female 5,713,815) 15-24 years: 19.99% (male 2,246,670/female 2,306,285) 25-54 years: 23.57% (male 2,582,123/female 2,784,464) 55-64 years: 3.17% (male 357,832/female 364,774) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 293,430/female 317,866) Topic: Nigeria0-14 years: 41.7% (male 45,571,738/female 43,674,769) 15-24 years: 20.27% (male 22,022,660/female 21,358,753) 25-54 years: 30.6% (male 32,808,913/female 32,686,474) 55-64 years: 4.13% (male 4,327,847/female 4,514,264) 65 years and over: 3.3% (2020 est.) (male 3,329,083/female 3,733,801) Topic: Niue0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Norfolk Island0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: North Macedonia0-14 years: 16.16% (male 177,553/female 165,992) 15-24 years: 12.65% (male 139,250/female 129,770) 25-54 years: 44.47% (male 480,191/female 465,145) 55-64 years: 12.55% (male 131,380/female 135,407) 65 years and over: 14.17% (2020 est.) (male 131,674/female 169,609) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands0-14 years: 25.02% (male 6,937/female 5,934) 15-24 years: 16.28% (male 4,518/female 3,857) 25-54 years: 37.44% (male 9,934/female 9,325) 55-64 years: 14.01% (male 3,921/female 3,286) 65 years and over: 7.23% (2020 est.) (male 1,988/female 1,733) Topic: Norway0-14 years: 17.96% (male 503,013/female 478,901) 15-24 years: 12.02% (male 336,597/female 320,720) 25-54 years: 40.75% (male 1,150,762/female 1,077,357) 55-64 years: 11.84% (male 328,865/female 318,398) 65 years and over: 17.43% (2020 est.) (male 442,232/female 510,594) Topic: Oman0-14 years: 30.15% (male 561,791/female 533,949) 15-24 years: 17.35% (male 331,000/female 299,516) 25-54 years: 44.81% (male 928,812/female 699,821) 55-64 years: 4.02% (male 77,558/female 68,427) 65 years and over: 3.68% (2020 est.) (male 64,152/female 69,663) Topic: Pakistan0-14 years: 36.01% (male 42,923,925/female 41,149,694) 15-24 years: 19.3% (male 23,119,205/female 21,952,976) 25-54 years: 34.7% (male 41,589,381/female 39,442,046) 55-64 years: 5.55% (male 6,526,656/female 6,423,993) 65 years and over: 4.44% (2020 est.) (male 4,802,165/female 5,570,595) Topic: Palau0-14 years: 18.68% (male 2,090/female 1,961) 15-24 years: 15.86% (male 1,723/female 1,716) 25-54 years: 45.33% (male 6,026/female 3,804) 55-64 years: 10.68% (male 853/female 1,463) 65 years and over: 9.45% (2020 est.) (male 501/female 1,548) Topic: Panama0-14 years: 25.56% (male 508,131/female 487,205) 15-24 years: 16.59% (male 329,250/female 316,796) 25-54 years: 40.31% (male 794,662/female 774,905) 55-64 years: 8.54% (male 165,129/female 167,317) 65 years and over: 9.01% (2020 est.) (male 160,516/female 190,171) Topic: Papua New Guinea0-14 years: 31.98% (male 1,182,539/female 1,139,358) 15-24 years: 19.87% (male 731,453/female 711,164) 25-54 years: 37.68% (male 1,397,903/female 1,337,143) 55-64 years: 5.83% (male 218,529/female 204,717) 65 years and over: 4.64% (2020 est.) (male 164,734/female 171,916) Topic: Paracel Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Paraguay0-14 years: 23.41% (male 857,303/female 826,470) 15-24 years: 17.71% (male 640,400/female 633,525) 25-54 years: 42.63% (male 1,532,692/female 1,532,851) 55-64 years: 8.37% (male 306,100/female 295,890) 65 years and over: 7.88% (2020 est.) (male 267,351/female 299,103) Topic: Peru0-14 years: 25.43% (male 4,131,985/female 3,984,546) 15-24 years: 17.21% (male 2,756,024/female 2,736,394) 25-54 years: 41.03% (male 6,279,595/female 6,815,159) 55-64 years: 8.28% (male 1,266,595/female 1,375,708) 65 years and over: 8.05% (2020 est.) (male 1,207,707/female 1,361,276) Topic: Philippines0-14 years: 32.42% (male 18,060,976/female 17,331,781) 15-24 years: 19.16% (male 10,680,325/female 10,243,047) 25-54 years: 37.37% (male 20,777,741/female 20,027,153) 55-64 years: 6.18% (male 3,116,485/female 3,633,301) 65 years and over: 4.86% (2020 est.) (male 2,155,840/female 3,154,166) Topic: Pitcairn Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Poland0-14 years: 14.83% (male 2,918,518/female 2,756,968) 15-24 years: 9.8% (male 1,928,637/female 1,823,894) 25-54 years: 43.33% (male 8,384,017/female 8,203,646) 55-64 years: 13.32% (male 2,424,638/female 2,675,351) 65 years and over: 18.72% (2020 est.) (male 2,867,315/female 4,299,341) Topic: Portugal0-14 years: 13.58% (male 716,102/female 682,582) 15-24 years: 10.94% (male 580,074/female 547,122) 25-54 years: 41.49% (male 2,109,693/female 2,164,745) 55-64 years: 13.08% (male 615,925/female 731,334) 65 years and over: 20.92% (2020 est.) (male 860,198/female 1,294,899) Topic: Puerto Rico0-14 years: 14.22% (male 231,406/female 222,061) 15-24 years: 12.78% (male 207,169/female 200,373) 25-54 years: 37.73% (male 573,114/female 630,276) 55-64 years: 13.5% (male 197,438/female 232,931) 65 years and over: 21.77% (2020 est.) (male 297,749/female 396,551) Topic: Qatar0-14 years: 12.84% (male 158,702/female 155,211) 15-24 years: 11.78% (male 203,703/female 84,323) 25-54 years: 70.66% (male 1,439,364/female 287,575) 55-64 years: 3.53% (male 66,561/female 19,600) 65 years and over: 1.19% (2020 est.) (male 19,067/female 10,068) Topic: Romania0-14 years: 14.12% (male 1,545,196/female 1,463,700) 15-24 years: 10.31% (male 1,126,997/female 1,068,817) 25-54 years: 46.26% (male 4,993,886/female 4,860,408) 55-64 years: 11.73% (male 1,176,814/female 1,322,048) 65 years and over: 17.58% (2020 est.) (male 1,516,472/female 2,228,555) Topic: Russia0-14 years: 17.24% (male 12,551,611/female 11,881,297) 15-24 years: 9.54% (male 6,920,070/female 6,602,776) 25-54 years: 43.38% (male 30,240,260/female 31,245,104) 55-64 years: 14.31% (male 8,808,330/female 11,467,697) 65 years and over: 15.53% (2020 est.) (male 7,033,381/female 14,971,679) Topic: Rwanda0-14 years: 39.95% (male 2,564,893/female 2,513,993) 15-24 years: 20.1% (male 1,280,948/female 1,273,853) 25-54 years: 33.06% (male 2,001,629/female 2,201,132) 55-64 years: 4.24% (male 241,462/female 298,163) 65 years and over: 2.65% (2020 est.) (male 134,648/female 201,710) Topic: Saint Barthelemy0-14 years: 14.36% (male 524/female 496) 15-24 years: 7.29% (male 272/female 246) 25-54 years: 41.86% (male 1,618/female 1,363) 55-64 years: 16.43% (male 632/female 535) 65 years and over: 21.17% (2022 est.) (male 753/female 751) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0-14 years: 14.66% (male 592/female 570) 15-24 years: 11.7% (male 472/female 455) 25-54 years: 42.59% (male 1,679/female 1,692) 55-64 years: 13.53% (male 523/female 549) 65 years and over: 18.06% (2022 est.) (male 730/female 701) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0-14 years: 19.87% (male 5,357/female 5,336) 15-24 years: 13.46% (male 3,504/female 3,741) 25-54 years: 43.64% (male 12,010/female 11,477) 55-64 years: 13.03% (male 3,527/female 3,485) 65 years and over: 10% (2020 est.) (male 2,540/female 2,844) Topic: Saint Lucia0-14 years: 19.24% (male 16,484/female 15,546) 15-24 years: 13.6% (male 11,475/female 11,165) 25-54 years: 42.83% (male 34,436/female 36,868) 55-64 years: 11.23% (male 8,624/female 10,075) 65 years and over: 13.1% (2020 est.) (male 9,894/female 11,920) Topic: Saint Martin0-14 years: 25.63% (male 4,148/female 4,197) 15-24 years: 10.28% (male 1,647/female 1,701) 25-54 years: 46.2% (male 7,201/female 7,841) 55-64 years: 8.71% (male 1,328/female 1,508) 65 years and over: 9.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,305/female 1,680) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon0-14 years: 13.68% (male 370/female 349) 15-24 years: 8.71% (male 240/female 218) 25-54 years: 40% (male 1,039/female 1,100) 55-64 years: 15.52% (male 419/female 397) 65 years and over: 24.1% (2022 est.) (male 556/female 711) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0-14 years: 20.15% (male 10,309/female 10,121) 15-24 years: 14.83% (male 7,582/female 7,451) 25-54 years: 42.63% (male 22,395/female 20,824) 55-64 years: 11.68% (male 6,136/female 5,703) 65 years and over: 10.72% (2020 est.) (male 5,167/female 5,702) Topic: Samoa0-14 years: 29.31% (male 30,825/female 28,900) 15-24 years: 19.61% (male 20,519/female 19,439) 25-54 years: 37.4% (male 39,011/female 37,200) 55-64 years: 7.5% (male 7,780/female 7,505) 65 years and over: 6.18% (2020 est.) (male 5,513/female 7,082) Topic: San Marino0-14 years: 14.73% (male 2,662/female 2,379) 15-24 years: 11.64% (male 2,091/female 1,894) 25-54 years: 39.12% (male 6,310/female 7,081) 55-64 years: 14.28% (male 2,367/female 2,520) 65 years and over: 20.24% (2020 est.) (male 3,123/female 3,805) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe0-14 years: 39.77% (male 42,690/female 41,277) 15-24 years: 21.59% (male 23,088/female 22,487) 25-54 years: 31.61% (male 32,900/female 33,834) 55-64 years: 4.17% (male 4,095/female 4,700) 65 years and over: 2.87% (2020 est.) (male 2,631/female 3,420) Topic: Saudi Arabia0-14 years: 24.84% (male 4,327,830/female 4,159,242) 15-24 years: 15.38% (male 2,741,371/female 2,515,188) 25-54 years: 50.2% (male 10,350,028/female 6,804,479) 55-64 years: 5.95% (male 1,254,921/female 778,467) 65 years and over: 3.63% (2020 est.) (male 657,395/female 584,577) Topic: Senegal0-14 years: 40.38% (male 3,194,454/female 3,160,111) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 1,596,896/female 1,606,084) 25-54 years: 31.95% (male 2,327,424/female 2,700,698) 55-64 years: 4.21% (male 283,480/female 378,932) 65 years and over: 3.1% (2020 est.) (male 212,332/female 275,957) Topic: Serbia0-14 years: 14.07% (male 508,242/female 478,247) 15-24 years: 11.04% (male 399,435/female 374,718) 25-54 years: 41.19% (male 1,459,413/female 1,429,176) 55-64 years: 13.7% (male 464,881/female 495,663) 65 years and over: 20% (2020 est.) (male 585,705/female 816,685) Topic: Seychelles0-14 years: 18.85% (male 9,297/female 8,798) 15-24 years: 12.39% (male 6,283/female 5,607) 25-54 years: 49.03% (male 25,209/female 21,851) 55-64 years: 11.46% (male 5,545/female 5,455) 65 years and over: 8.27% (2020 est.) (male 3,272/female 4,664) Topic: Sierra Leone0-14 years: 41.38% (male 1,369,942/female 1,371,537) 15-24 years: 18.83% (male 610,396/female 636,880) 25-54 years: 32.21% (male 1,020,741/female 1,112,946) 55-64 years: 3.89% (male 121,733/female 135,664) 65 years and over: 3.7% (2020 est.) (male 100,712/female 144,382) Topic: Singapore0-14 years: 12.8% (male 406,983/female 387,665) 15-24 years: 15.01% (male 457,190/female 474,676) 25-54 years: 50.73% (male 1,531,088/female 1,618,844) 55-64 years: 10.58% (male 328,024/female 328,808) 65 years and over: 10.89% (2020 est.) (male 310,123/female 366,259) Topic: Sint Maarten0-14 years: 18.64% (male 4,242/female 3,932) 15-24 years: 13.26% (male 2,967/female 2,849) 25-54 years: 39.08% (male 8,417/female 8,717) 55-64 years: 17.47% (male 3,638/female 4,020) 65 years and over: 11.55% (2020 est.) (male 2,385/female 2,680) Topic: Slovakia0-14 years: 15.13% (male 423,180/female 400,128) 15-24 years: 10.06% (male 280,284/female 266,838) 25-54 years: 44.61% (male 1,228,462/female 1,198,747) 55-64 years: 13.15% (male 342,124/female 373,452) 65 years and over: 17.05% (2020 est.) (male 366,267/female 561,120) Topic: Slovenia0-14 years: 14.84% (male 160,134/female 151,960) 15-24 years: 9.01% (male 98,205/female 91,318) 25-54 years: 40.73% (male 449,930/female 406,395) 55-64 years: 14.19% (male 148,785/female 149,635) 65 years and over: 21.23% (2020 est.) (male 192,420/female 253,896) Topic: Solomon Islands0-14 years: 32.99% (male 116,397/female 109,604) 15-24 years: 19.82% (male 69,914/female 65,874) 25-54 years: 37.64% (male 131,201/female 126,681) 55-64 years: 5.04% (male 17,844/female 16,704) 65 years and over: 4.51% (2020 est.) (male 14,461/female 16,417) Topic: Somalia0-14 years: 42.38% (male 2,488,604/female 2,493,527) 15-24 years: 19.81% (male 1,167,807/female 1,161,040) 25-54 years: 30.93% (male 1,881,094/female 1,755,166) 55-64 years: 4.61% (male 278,132/female 264,325) 65 years and over: 2.27% (2020 est.) (male 106,187/female 161,242) Topic: South Africa0-14 years: 27.94% (male 7,894,742/female 7,883,266) 15-24 years: 16.8% (male 4,680,587/female 4,804,337) 25-54 years: 42.37% (male 12,099,441/female 11,825,193) 55-64 years: 6.8% (male 1,782,902/female 2,056,988) 65 years and over: 6.09% (2020 est.) (male 1,443,956/female 1,992,205) Topic: South Sudan0-14 years: 41.58% (male 2,238,534/female 2,152,685) 15-24 years: 21.28% (male 1,153,108/female 1,094,568) 25-54 years: 30.67% (male 1,662,409/female 1,577,062) 55-64 years: 3.93% (male 228,875/female 186,571) 65 years and over: 2.53% (2020 est.) (male 153,502/female 113,930) Topic: Spain0-14 years: 15.02% (male 3,861,522/female 3,650,085) 15-24 years: 9.9% (male 2,557,504/female 2,392,498) 25-54 years: 43.61% (male 11,134,006/female 10,675,873) 55-64 years: 12.99% (male 3,177,080/female 3,319,823) 65 years and over: 18.49% (2020 est.) (male 3,970,417/female 5,276,984) Topic: Spratly Islands0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Sri Lanka0-14 years: 23.11% (male 2,696,379/female 2,592,450) 15-24 years: 14.58% (male 1,700,442/female 1,636,401) 25-54 years: 41.2% (male 4,641,842/female 4,789,101) 55-64 years: 10.48% (male 1,110,481/female 1,288,056) 65 years and over: 10.63% (2020 est.) (male 1,023,315/female 1,410,734) Topic: Sudan0-14 years: 42.01% (male 9,726,937/female 9,414,988) 15-24 years: 20.94% (male 4,852,903/female 4,687,664) 25-54 years: 29.89% (male 6,633,567/female 6,986,241) 55-64 years: 4.13% (male 956,633/female 923,688) 65 years and over: 3.03% (2020 est.) (male 729,214/female 649,721) Topic: Suriname0-14 years: 23.38% (male 72,642/female 69,899) 15-24 years: 17.2% (male 53,427/female 51,438) 25-54 years: 44.09% (male 136,889/female 131,868) 55-64 years: 8.78% (male 26,435/female 27,066) 65 years and over: 6.55% (2020 est.) (male 17,437/female 22,468) Topic: Svalbard0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Sweden0-14 years: 17.71% (male 928,413/female 878,028) 15-24 years: 10.8% (male 569,082/female 532,492) 25-54 years: 39.01% (male 2,016,991/female 1,962,617) 55-64 years: 11.9% (male 610,521/female 603,795) 65 years and over: 20.59% (2020 est.) (male 974,410/female 1,126,142) Topic: Switzerland0-14 years: 15.34% (male 664,255/female 625,252) 15-24 years: 10.39% (male 446,196/female 426,708) 25-54 years: 42.05% (male 1,768,245/female 1,765,941) 55-64 years: 13.48% (male 569,717/female 563,482) 65 years and over: 18.73% (2020 est.) (male 699,750/female 874,448) Topic: Syria0-14 years: 33.47% (male 3,323,072/female 3,170,444) 15-24 years: 19.34% (male 1,872,903/female 1,879,564) 25-54 years: 37.31% (male 3,558,241/female 3,679,596) 55-64 years: 5.41% (male 516,209/female 534,189) 65 years and over: 4.46% (2020 est.) (male 404,813/female 459,417) Topic: Taiwan0-14 years: 12.42% (male 1,504,704/female 1,426,494) 15-24 years: 11.62% (male 1,403,117/female 1,339,535) 25-54 years: 45.51% (male 5,351,951/female 5,389,112) 55-64 years: 14.73% (male 1,698,555/female 1,778,529) 65 years and over: 15.72% (2020 est.) (male 1,681,476/female 2,029,576) Topic: Tajikistan0-14 years: 31.43% (male 1,420,271/female 1,368,445) 15-24 years: 18.13% (male 816,658/female 792,231) 25-54 years: 40.58% (male 1,789,271/female 1,811,566) 55-64 years: 6.23% (male 253,862/female 299,378) 65 years and over: 3.63% (2020 est.) (male 132,831/female 189,156) Topic: Tanzania0-14 years: 42.7% (male 12,632,772/female 12,369,115) 15-24 years: 20.39% (male 5,988,208/female 5,948,134) 25-54 years: 30.31% (male 8,903,629/female 8,844,180) 55-64 years: 3.52% (male 954,251/female 1,107,717) 65 years and over: 3.08% (2020 est.) (male 747,934/female 1,056,905) Topic: Thailand0-14 years: 16.45% (male 5,812,803/female 5,533,772) 15-24 years: 13.02% (male 4,581,622/female 4,400,997) 25-54 years: 45.69% (male 15,643,583/female 15,875,353) 55-64 years: 13.01% (male 4,200,077/female 4,774,801) 65 years and over: 11.82% (2020 est.) (male 3,553,273/female 4,601,119) Topic: Timor-Leste0-14 years: 39.96% (male 284,353/female 268,562) 15-24 years: 20.32% (male 142,693/female 138,508) 25-54 years: 30.44% (male 202,331/female 218,914) 55-64 years: 5.22% (male 34,956/female 37,229) 65 years and over: 4.06% (2020 est.) (male 27,153/female 29,024) Topic: Togo0-14 years: 39.73% (male 1,716,667/female 1,703,230) 15-24 years: 19.03% (male 817,093/female 820,971) 25-54 years: 33.26% (male 1,423,554/female 1,439,380) 55-64 years: 4.42% (male 179,779/female 200,392) 65 years and over: 3.57% (2020 est.) (male 132,304/female 175,074) Topic: Tokelau0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Tonga0-14 years: 32% (male 17,250/female 16,698) 15-24 years: 19.66% (male 10,679/female 10,175) 25-54 years: 35.35% (male 18,701/female 18,802) 55-64 years: 6.17% (male 3,345/female 3,202) 65 years and over: 6.83% (2020 est.) (male 3,249/female 3,994) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago0-14 years: 19.01% (male 116,953/female 112,805) 15-24 years: 11.28% (male 70,986/female 65,389) 25-54 years: 43.77% (male 276,970/female 252,108) 55-64 years: 13.83% (male 83,650/female 83,585) 65 years and over: 12.11% (2020 est.) (male 64,092/female 82,251) Topic: Tunisia0-14 years: 25.28% (male 1,529,834/female 1,433,357) 15-24 years: 12.9% (male 766,331/female 745,888) 25-54 years: 42.85% (male 2,445,751/female 2,576,335) 55-64 years: 10.12% (male 587,481/female 598,140) 65 years and over: 8.86% (2020 est.) (male 491,602/female 546,458) Topic: Turkey0-14 years: 23.41% (male 9,823,553/female 9,378,767) 15-24 years: 15.67% (male 6,564,263/female 6,286,615) 25-54 years: 43.31% (male 17,987,103/female 17,536,957) 55-64 years: 9.25% (male 3,764,878/female 3,822,946) 65 years and over: 8.35% (2020 est.) (male 3,070,258/female 3,782,174) Topic: Turkmenistan0-14 years: 25.44% (male 713,441/female 693,042) 15-24 years: 16.48% (male 458,566/female 452,469) 25-54 years: 44.14% (male 1,214,581/female 1,226,027) 55-64 years: 8.56% (male 221,935/female 251,238) 65 years and over: 5.38% (2020 est.) (male 129,332/female 167,996) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands0-14 years: 21.33% (male 6,077/female 5,852) 15-24 years: 13.19% (male 3,689/female 3,687) 25-54 years: 52.51% (male 14,729/female 14,637) 55-64 years: 7.81% (male 2,297/female 2,069) 65 years and over: 5.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,364/female 1,525) Topic: Tuvalu0-14 years: 29.42% (male 1,711/female 1,626) 15-24 years: 16.55% (male 986/female 925) 25-54 years: 37.17% (male 2,157/female 2,059) 55-64 years: 9.25% (male 451/female 617) 65 years and over: 7.21% (2022 est.) (male 307/female 525) Topic: Uganda0-14 years: 48.21% (male 10,548,913/female 10,304,876) 15-24 years: 20.25% (male 4,236,231/female 4,521,698) 25-54 years: 26.24% (male 5,202,570/female 6,147,304) 55-64 years: 2.91% (male 579,110/female 681,052) 65 years and over: 2.38% (2020 est.) (male 442,159/female 589,053) Topic: Ukraine0-14 years: 16.16% (male 3,658,127/female 3,438,887) 15-24 years: 9.28% (male 2,087,185/female 1,987,758) 25-54 years: 43.66% (male 9,456,905/female 9,718,758) 55-64 years: 13.87% (male 2,630,329/female 3,463,851) 65 years and over: 17.03% (2020 est.) (male 2,523,600/female 4,957,539) Topic: United Arab Emirates0-14 years: 14.45% (male 745,492/female 698,330) 15-24 years: 7.94% (male 431,751/female 361,804) 25-54 years: 68.03% (male 5,204,618/female 1,592,987) 55-64 years: 7.68% (male 658,892/female 108,850) 65 years and over: 1.9% (2020 est.) (male 146,221/female 43,138) Topic: United Kingdom0-14 years: 17.63% (male 5,943,435/female 5,651,780) 15-24 years: 11.49% (male 3,860,435/female 3,692,398) 25-54 years: 39.67% (male 13,339,965/female 12,747,598) 55-64 years: 12.73% (male 4,139,378/female 4,234,701) 65 years and over: 18.48% (2020 est.) (male 5,470,116/female 6,681,311) Topic: United States0-14 years: 18.46% (male 31,374,555/female 30,034,371) 15-24 years: 12.91% (male 21,931,368/female 21,006,463) 25-54 years: 38.92% (male 64,893,670/female 64,564,565) 55-64 years: 12.86% (male 20,690,736/female 22,091,808) 65 years and over: 16.85% (2020 est.) (male 25,014,147/female 31,037,419) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Uruguay0-14 years: 19.51% (male 336,336/female 324,563) 15-24 years: 15.14% (male 259,904/female 252,945) 25-54 years: 39.86% (male 670,295/female 679,850) 55-64 years: 10.79% (male 172,313/female 193,045) 65 years and over: 14.71% (2020 est.) (male 200,516/female 297,838) Topic: Uzbekistan0-14 years: 23.19% (male 3,631,693/female 3,456,750) 15-24 years: 16.63% (male 2,601,803/female 2,481,826) 25-54 years: 45.68% (male 6,955,260/female 7,006,172) 55-64 years: 8.63% (male 1,245,035/female 1,392,263) 65 years and over: 5.87% (2020 est.) (male 768,769/female 1,025,840) Topic: Vanuatu0-14 years: 33.65% (male 51,267/female 49,111) 15-24 years: 19.99% (male 29,594/female 30,050) 25-54 years: 36.09% (male 52,529/female 55,130) 55-64 years: 5.89% (male 8,666/female 8,904) 65 years and over: 4.39% (2020 est.) (male 6,518/female 6,564) Topic: Venezuela0-14 years: 25.66% (male 3,759,280/female 3,591,897) 15-24 years: 16.14% (male 2,348,073/female 2,275,912) 25-54 years: 41.26% (male 5,869,736/female 5,949,082) 55-64 years: 8.76% (male 1,203,430/female 1,305,285) 65 years and over: 8.18% (2020 est.) (male 1,069,262/female 1,272,646) Topic: Vietnam0-14 years: 22.61% (male 11,733,704/female 10,590,078) 15-24 years: 15.22% (male 7,825,859/female 7,202,716) 25-54 years: 45.7% (male 22,852,429/female 22,262,566) 55-64 years: 9.55% (male 4,412,111/female 5,016,880) 65 years and over: 6.91% (2020 est.) (male 2,702,963/female 4,121,969) Topic: Virgin Islands0-14 years: 19.71% (male 10,671/female 10,192) 15-24 years: 10.16% (male 5,219/female 5,535) 25-54 years: 36.07% (male 17,844/female 20,342) 55-64 years: 14.24% (male 7,222/female 7,859) 65 years and over: 19.82% (2021 est.) (male 9,424/female 11,562) Topic: Wake Island0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Topic: Wallis and Futuna0-14 years: 20.58% (male 1,702/female 1,561) 15-24 years: 14.72% (male 1,238/female 1,095) 25-54 years: 43.55% (male 3,529/female 3,376) 55-64 years: 9.99% (male 745/female 842) 65 years and over: 11.73% (2022 est.) (male 953/female 911) Topic: West Bank0-14 years: 35.31% (male 525,645/female 498,458) 15-24 years: 20.75% (male 307,420/female 294,469) 25-54 years: 35.19% (male 516,758/female 503,626) 55-64 years: 5.12% (male 76,615/female 72,006) 65 years and over: 3.62% (2020 est.) (male 48,387/female 56,650) Topic: World0-14 years: 25.18% (male 1,010,373,278/female 946,624,579) 15-24 years: 15.29% (male 614,046,344/female 574,513,854) 25-54 years: 40.6% (male 1,597,805,095/female 1,557,807,873) 55-64 years: 9.23% (male 351,094,945/female 366,240,730) 65 years and over: 9.69% (2021 est.) male 337,244,947/female 415,884,753) Topic: Yemen0-14 years: 39.16% (male 5,711,709 /female 5,513,526) 15-24 years: 21.26% (male 3,089,817 /female 3,005,693) 25-54 years: 32.78% (male 4,805,059 /female 4,591,811) 55-64 years: 4% (male 523,769 /female 623,100) 65 years and over: 2.8% (2018 est.) (male 366,891 /female 435,855) Topic: Zambia0-14 years: 45.74% (male 4,005,134/female 3,964,969) 15-24 years: 20.03% (male 1,744,843/female 1,746,561) 25-54 years: 28.96% (male 2,539,697/female 2,506,724) 55-64 years: 3.01% (male 242,993/female 280,804) 65 years and over: 2.27% (2020 est.) (male 173,582/female 221,316) Topic: Zimbabwe0-14 years: 38.32% (male 2,759,155/female 2,814,462) 15-24 years: 20.16% (male 1,436,710/female 1,495,440) 25-54 years: 32.94% (male 2,456,392/female 2,334,973) 55-64 years: 4.07% (male 227,506/female 363,824) 65 years and over: 4.52% (2020 est.) (male 261,456/female 396,396)

20220901

countries-papua-new-guinea-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. Since 2001, Bougainville has experienced autonomy. In a 2019 referendum, almost 98% of voters choose eventual independence.The eastern half of the island of New Guinea was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. Since 2001, Bougainville has experienced autonomy. In a 2019 referendum, almost 98% of voters choose eventual independence. Topic: Geography Area: total: 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries Topic: People and Society Population: 9,593,498 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Languages: Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 indigenous languages spoken (about 12% of the world's total); many languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers Religions: Protestant 64.3% (Evangelical Lutheran 18.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.9%, Pentecostal 10.4%, United Church 10.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.9%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.8%, Salvation Army .4%), Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%, unspecified 3.1% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: 2.35% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Port Moresby Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017) head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019); Deputy Prime Minister Sam BASIL (since 20 December 2020) Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Parliament (111 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies - 89 local, 20 provinicial, the autonomous province of Bouganville, and the National Capital District - by majority preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the constitution allows up to 126 seats Topic: Economy Economic overview: lower middle-income Pacific island economy; very diverse, primarily informal agricultural labor force; natural resource rich extraction account for export volume; growing youth population faces lack of formal employment; hit by COVID-19lower middle-income Pacific island economy; very diverse, primarily informal agricultural labor force; natural resource rich extraction account for export volume; growing youth population faces lack of formal employment; hit by COVID-19 Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $36.69 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,100 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, fruit, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, roots/tubers nes, vegetables, taro Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining (gold, silver, copper); crude oil and petroleum products; construction, tourism, livestock (pork, poultry, cattle), dairy products, spice products (turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, chili, pepper, citronella, and nutmeg), fisheries products Exports: $10.6 billion (2018 est.) Exports - partners: Australia 26%, China 26%, Japan 22%, Taiwan 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: natural gas, gold, copper, lumber, crude petroleum, nickel, palm oil, fish, coffee (2019) Imports: $4.84 billion (2018 est.) Imports - partners: Australia 33%, China 19%, Singapore 14%, Malaysia 9% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, excavation machinery, crude petroleum, foodstuffs, delivery trucks (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022

20220901

countries-syria

Topic: Photos of Syria Topic: Introduction Background: Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights region to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional, albeit unsuccessful, peace talks over its return. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'ath Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. Following the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum. Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, and compounded by additional social and economic factors, antigovernment protests broke out first in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Demonstrations and violent unrest spread across Syria with the size and intensity of protests fluctuating. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law, new laws permitting new political parties, and liberalizing local and national elections - and with military force and detentions. The government's efforts to quell unrest and armed opposition activity led to extended clashes and eventually civil war between government forces, their allies, and oppositionists. International pressure on the ASAD regime intensified after late 2011, as the Arab League, the EU, Turkey, and the US expanded economic sanctions against the regime and those entities that support it. In December 2012, the Syrian National Coalition, was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. In September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention on behalf of the ASAD regime, and domestic and foreign government-aligned forces recaptured swaths of territory from opposition forces, and eventually the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in December 2016, shifting the conflict in the regime’s favor. The regime, with this foreign support, also recaptured opposition strongholds in the Damascus suburbs and the southern province of Dar’a in 2018. The government lacks territorial control over much of the northeastern part of the country, which is dominated by the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a smaller area dominated by Turkey. The SDF expanded its territorial hold beyond its traditional homelands, subsuming much of the northeast since 2014 as it battled the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Since 2016, Turkey has been engaged in northern Syria and has conducted three large-scale military operations to capture territory along Syria's northern border in the provinces of Aleppo, Ar Raqqah, and Al Hasakah. Some opposition forces organized under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Turkish forces have maintained control of northwestern Syria along the Turkish border with the Afrin area of Aleppo Province since 2018. In 2019, Turkey and its opposition allies occupied formerly SDF-controlled territory between the cities of Tall Abyad to Ra’s Al ‘Ayn along Syria’s northern border. The extremist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusrah Front) in 2017 emerged as the predominate opposition force in Idlib Province, and still dominates an area also hosting additional Turkish forces. Negotiations between the government and opposition delegations at UN-sponsored Geneva conferences since 2014 and separately held discussions between Iran, Russia, and Turkey since early 2017 have failed to produce a resolution to the conflict. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. According to a June 2022 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 plus years of civil war is more than 306,000. As of early 2022, approximately 6.66 million Syrians were internally displaced and 14.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across the country. An additional 5.6 million Syrians were registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa. The conflict in Syria remains one of the two largest displacement crises worldwide (the other is the invasion of Ukraine).Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights region to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional, albeit unsuccessful, peace talks over its return. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'ath Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. Following the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum.Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, and compounded by additional social and economic factors, antigovernment protests broke out first in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Demonstrations and violent unrest spread across Syria with the size and intensity of protests fluctuating. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law, new laws permitting new political parties, and liberalizing local and national elections - and with military force and detentions. The government's efforts to quell unrest and armed opposition activity led to extended clashes and eventually civil war between government forces, their allies, and oppositionists.International pressure on the ASAD regime intensified after late 2011, as the Arab League, the EU, Turkey, and the US expanded economic sanctions against the regime and those entities that support it. In December 2012, the Syrian National Coalition, was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. In September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention on behalf of the ASAD regime, and domestic and foreign government-aligned forces recaptured swaths of territory from opposition forces, and eventually the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in December 2016, shifting the conflict in the regime’s favor. The regime, with this foreign support, also recaptured opposition strongholds in the Damascus suburbs and the southern province of Dar’a in 2018. The government lacks territorial control over much of the northeastern part of the country, which is dominated by the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a smaller area dominated by Turkey. The SDF expanded its territorial hold beyond its traditional homelands, subsuming much of the northeast since 2014 as it battled the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Since 2016, Turkey has been engaged in northern Syria and has conducted three large-scale military operations to capture territory along Syria's northern border in the provinces of Aleppo, Ar Raqqah, and Al Hasakah. Some opposition forces organized under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Turkish forces have maintained control of northwestern Syria along the Turkish border with the Afrin area of Aleppo Province since 2018. In 2019, Turkey and its opposition allies occupied formerly SDF-controlled territory between the cities of Tall Abyad to Ra’s Al ‘Ayn along Syria’s northern border. The extremist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusrah Front) in 2017 emerged as the predominate opposition force in Idlib Province, and still dominates an area also hosting additional Turkish forces. Negotiations between the government and opposition delegations at UN-sponsored Geneva conferences since 2014 and separately held discussions between Iran, Russia, and Turkey since early 2017 have failed to produce a resolution to the conflict. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. According to a June 2022 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 plus years of civil war is more than 306,000. As of early 2022, approximately 6.66 million Syrians were internally displaced and 14.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across the country. An additional 5.6 million Syrians were registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa. The conflict in Syria remains one of the two largest displacement crises worldwide (the other is the invasion of Ukraine).Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey Geographic coordinates: 35 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 187,437 sq km land: 185,887 sq km water: 1,550 sq km note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory Area - comparative: slightly more than 1.5 times the size of Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 2,363 km border countries (5): Iraq 599 km; Israel 83 km; Jordan 379 km; Lebanon 403 km; Turkey 899 km Coastline: 193 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Terrain: primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Elevation: highest point: Mount Hermon (Jabal a-Shayk) 2,814 m lowest point: Yarmuk River -66 m mean elevation: 514 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 75.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 25.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 44.6% (2018 est.) forest: 2.7% (2018 est.) other: 21.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 14,280 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Population distribution: significant population density along the Mediterranean coast; larger concentrations found in the major cities of Damascus, Aleppo (the country's largest city), and Hims (Homs); more than half of the population lives in the coastal plain, the province of Halab, and the Euphrates River valley note: the ongoing civil war has altered the population distribution Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstormsvolcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuriesdust storms, sandstormsvolcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries Geography - note: the capital of Damascus - located at an oasis fed by the Barada River - is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights (2017) Map description: Syria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.Syria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 21,563,800 (2022 est.) note: approximately 22,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2018) Nationality: noun: Syrian(s) adjective: Syrian Ethnic groups: Arab ~50%, Alawite ~15%, Kurd ~10%, Levantine ~10%, other ~15% (includes Druze, Ismaili, Imami, Nusairi, Assyrian, Turkoman, Armenian) Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3% note:  the Christian population may be considerably smaller as a result of Christians fleeing the country during the ongoing civil war Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.47% (male 3,323,072/female 3,170,444) 15-24 years: 19.34% (male 1,872,903/female 1,879,564) 25-54 years: 37.31% (male 3,558,241/female 3,679,596) 55-64 years: 5.41% (male 516,209/female 534,189) 65 years and over: 4.46% (2020 est.) (male 404,813/female 459,417) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.4 youth dependency ratio: 47.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23 years female: 24 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 5.91% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.72 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 40.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) NA Population distribution: significant population density along the Mediterranean coast; larger concentrations found in the major cities of Damascus, Aleppo (the country's largest city), and Hims (Homs); more than half of the population lives in the coastal plain, the province of Halab, and the Euphrates River valley note: the ongoing civil war has altered the population distribution Urbanization: urban population: 56.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 5.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.503 million DAMASCUS (capital), 2.098 million Aleppo, 1.398 million Hims (Homs), 964,000 Hamah (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.28 years male: 72.82 years female: 75.84 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: 1.29 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.5% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020) <1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.8% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.4% male: 91.7% female: 81% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2013) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35.8% male: 26.6% female: 71.1% (2011 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; depletion of water resources; water pollution from raw sewage and petroleum refining wastes; inadequate potable water Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 39.43 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 28.83 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 12.93 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus Land use: agricultural land: 75.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 25.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 44.6% (2018 est.) forest: 2.7% (2018 est.) other: 21.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 56.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 5.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Food insecurity: exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to civil conflict and a stagnant economy - battered by ten years of conflict and spill‑over effects from the financial crisis in Lebanon which used to act as a financial intermediary, the national economy continues to weaken; a nationwide food security assessment estimates that about 12.4 million people (60% of the overall population) are now food insecure in 2021, mostly due to constrained livelihood opportunities and a rapidly worsening economy (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.5 million tons (2009 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 112,500 tons (2010 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2.5% (2010 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.475 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 615.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 14.67 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 16.802 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Syrian Arab Republic conventional short form: Syria local long form: Al Jumhuriyah al Arabiyah as Suriyah local short form: Suriyah former: United Arab Republic (with Egypt) etymology: name ultimately derived from the ancient Assyrians who dominated northern Mesopotamia, but whose reach also extended westward to the Levant; over time, the name came to be associated more with the western area Government type: presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime Capital: name: Damascus geographic coordinates: 33 30 N, 36 18 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins midnight on the last Friday in March; ends at midnight on the last Friday in October etymology: Damascus is a very old city; its earliest name, Temeseq, first appears in an Egyptian geographical list of the 15th century B.C., but the meaning is uncertain Administrative divisions: 14 provinces (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Hasakah, Al Ladhiqiyah (Latakia), Al Qunaytirah, Ar Raqqah, As Suwayda', Dar'a, Dayr az Zawr, Dimashq (Damascus), Halab (Aleppo), Hamah, Hims (Homs), Idlib, Rif Dimashq (Damascus Countryside), Tartus Independence: 17 April 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under French administration) National holiday: Independence Day (Evacuation Day), 17 April (1946); note - celebrates the leaving of the last French troops and the proclamation of full independence Constitution: history: several previous; latest issued 15 February 2012, passed by referendum and effective 27 February 2012; note - UN-sponsored talks, which began in late 2019 between delegates from government and opposition forces to draft a new constitution; in March 2022, the 7th round of the Syrian Constitutional Committee ended in Geneva with no results amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by one third of the People’s Assembly members; following review by a special Assembly committee, passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by the Assembly and approval by the president Legal system: mixed legal system of civil and Islamic (sharia) law (for family courts) International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Syria; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen of Syria dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006) head of government: Prime Minister Hussein ARNOUS (since 30 August 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Ali Abdullah AYOUB (Lt. Gen.) (since 30 August 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 May 2021 (next to be held in 2028); the president appoints the vice presidents, prime minister, and deputy prime ministers election results: Bashar al-ASAD elected president; percent of vote - Bashar al-ASAD (Ba'th Party) 95.2%, Mahmoud Ahmad MAREI (Democratic Arab Socialist Union) 3.3%, Abdullah Sallum ABDULLAH (Socialist Unionist Party) 1.5% Legislative branch: description: unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority preferential vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 19 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 80%, other 20%; seats by party - NPF 200, other 50; composition - men 217, women 33, percent of women 13.2% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation (organized into civil, criminal, religious, and military divisions, each with 3 judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), a judicial management body headed by the minister of justice with 7 members, including the national president; judge tenure NA; Supreme Constitutional Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the SJC; judges serve 4-year renewable terms subordinate courts: courts of first instance; magistrates' courts; religious and military courts; Economic Security Court; Counterterrorism Court (established June 2012) Political parties and leaders: legal parties/alliances: Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party [Bashar al-ASAD, regional secretary] Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD] Arab Socialist Union of Syria or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI] Democratic Arab Socialist Union [Hassan Abdul AZIM, general secretary]  National Progressive Front or NPF [Bashar al-ASAD, Suleiman QADDAH] (alliance includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party, Socialist Unionist Democratic Party) Socialist Unionist Party [Fayiz ISMAIL] Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr al-DIN] Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL] Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP [Ali HAIDAR] Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL] Major Kurdish parties  Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD [Shahoz HASAN and Aysha HISSO] Kurdish National Council [Sa'ud MALA]   other: Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI] International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WBG, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); note – embassy closed on 18 March 2014 chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); note - on 6 February 2012, the US closed its embassy in Damascus; Czechia serves as a protecting power for US interests in Syria mailing address: 6110 Damascus Place, Washington DC  20521-6110 email address and website: USIS_damascus@embassy.mzv.cz https://sy.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; two small, green, five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); identical to the former flag of the United Arab Republic (1958-1961) where the two stars represented the constituent states of Syria and Egypt; the current design dates to 1980 note: similar to the flag of Yemen, which has a plain white band; Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; and that of Egypt, which has a gold Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band National symbol(s): hawk; national colors: red, white, black, green National anthem: name: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland) lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 6 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient City of Damascus; Ancient City of Bosra; Site of Palmyra; Ancient City of Aleppo; Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din; Ancient Villages of Northern Syria Topic: Economy Economic overview: Syria's economy has deeply deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, declining by more than 70% from 2010 to 2017. The government has struggled to fully address the effects of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, diminished domestic consumption and production, reduced subsidies, and high inflation, which have caused dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, a decreasing value of the Syrian pound, and falling household purchasing power. In 2017, some economic indicators began to stabilize, including the exchange rate and inflation, but economic activity remains depressed and GDP almost certainly fell.   During 2017, the ongoing conflict and continued unrest and economic decline worsened the humanitarian crisis, necessitating high levels of international assistance, as more than 13 million people remain in need inside Syria, and the number of registered Syrian refugees increased from 4.8 million in 2016 to more than 5.4 million.   Prior to the turmoil, Damascus had begun liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange, but the economy remains highly regulated. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, industrial contaction, water pollution, and widespread infrastructure damage.Syria's economy has deeply deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, declining by more than 70% from 2010 to 2017. The government has struggled to fully address the effects of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, diminished domestic consumption and production, reduced subsidies, and high inflation, which have caused dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, a decreasing value of the Syrian pound, and falling household purchasing power. In 2017, some economic indicators began to stabilize, including the exchange rate and inflation, but economic activity remains depressed and GDP almost certainly fell. During 2017, the ongoing conflict and continued unrest and economic decline worsened the humanitarian crisis, necessitating high levels of international assistance, as more than 13 million people remain in need inside Syria, and the number of registered Syrian refugees increased from 4.8 million in 2016 to more than 5.4 million. Prior to the turmoil, Damascus had begun liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange, but the economy remains highly regulated. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, industrial contaction, water pollution, and widespread infrastructure damage. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $50.28 billion (2015 est.) $55.8 billion (2014 est.) $61.9 billion (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars the war-driven deterioration of the economy resulted in a disappearance of quality national level statistics in the 2012-13 period Real GDP growth rate: -36.5% (2014 est.) -30.9% (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 dollars Real GDP per capita: $2,900 (2015 est.) $3,300 (2014 est.) $2,800 (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $24.6 billion (2014 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 28.1% (2017 est.) 47.3% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 20% (2017 est.) industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) services: 60.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 73.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 12.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.1% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, barley, milk, olives, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, sheep milk, lemons, limes Industries: petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, automobile assembly Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 3.767 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 16% services: 67% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 50% (2017 est.) 50% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 35.8% male: 26.6% female: 71.1% (2011 est.) Population below poverty line: 82.5% (2014 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 1.162 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.211 billion (2017 est.) note: government projections for FY2016 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -8.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 94.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 91.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$2.123 billion (2017 est.) -$2.077 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $1.85 billion (2017 est.) $1.705 billion (2016 est.) Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 23%, Turkey 18%, Egypt 14%, United Arab Emirates 8%, Jordan 7%, Kuwait 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: olive oil, cumin seeds, pistachios, tomatoes, apples, pears, spices, pitted fruits (2019) Imports: $6.279 billion (2017 est.) $5.496 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: Turkey 27%, China 22%, United Arab Emirates 14%, Egypt 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cigarettes, broadcasting equipment, wheat flours, sunflower oil, refined petroleum (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $407.3 million (31 December 2017 est.) $504.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $4.989 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $5.085 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Syrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 514.6 (2017 est.) 459.2 (2016 est.) 459.2 (2015 est.) 236.41 (2014 est.) 153.695 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 84% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 10.082 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 13,071,080,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 347 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.687 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 4.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 38,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 38,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 80,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 137,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 129,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 111,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 12,520 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 38,080 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 3,531,077,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 3,531,077,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 240.693 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 26.893 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 19.92 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 6.927 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 24.567 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,857,193 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 19,387,600 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113.58 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the years of civil war and destruction to infrastructure continue to have a toll on the telecoms sector in Syria; although over the years the major mobile service providers Syriatel and MTN Syria have endeavored to restore and rebuild damaged networks, the operating environment has been difficult; following disputed demands for back taxes, MTN Group in August 2021 exited the country, after its majority stake had been transferred to judicial guardianship; this effectively meant that the mobile market became a monopoly, with Syriatel as the only operator; in February 2022 the regulator awarded a third mobile license, to Wafa Telecom, following a process which had been ongoing for many years; telecommunication services in Syria are highly regulated; although urban areas can make use of the network built and maintained by the government-owned incumbent Syrian Telecommunications Establishment (STE), many underserved remote areas in the countryside are obliged to rely on satellite communications; the domestic and international fixed-line markets in Syria remain the monopoly of the STE, despite several initiatives over the years aimed at liberalizing the market; mobile broadband penetration in Syria is still quite low, despite quite a high population coverage of 3G networks and some deployment of LTE infrastructure; this may provide potential opportunities for growth once infrastructure and economic reconstruction efforts make headway, and civil issues subside. (2022) domestic: the number of fixed-line connections increased markedly prior to the civil war in 2011 and now stands at over 16 per 100; mobile-cellular service is just over 95 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 963; landing points for the Aletar, BERYTAR and UGART submarine cable connections to Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region); coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey; participant in Medarabtel (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-run TV and radio broadcast networks; state operates 2 TV networks and 5 satellite channels; roughly two-thirds of Syrian homes have a satellite dish providing access to foreign TV broadcasts; 3 state-run radio channels; first private radio station launched in 2005; private radio broadcasters prohibited from transmitting news or political content (2018) Internet country code: .sy Internet users: total: 6,300,237 (2020 est.) percent of population: 36% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,549,356 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,896 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 30,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YK Airports: total: 90 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 29 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 61 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 48 (2021) Heliports: 6 (2021) Pipelines: 3,170 km gas, 2029 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 2,052 km (2014) standard gauge: 1,801 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 251 km (2014) 1.050-m gauge Roadways: total: 69,873 km (2010) paved: 63,060 km (2010) unpaved: 6,813 km (2010) Waterways: 900 km (2011) (navigable but not economically significant) Merchant marine: total: 28 by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 11, other 16 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Syrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army (includes Republican Guard), Syrian Naval Forces, Syrian Air Forces, Syrian Air Defense Forces, National Defense Forces (pro-government militia and auxiliary forces) (2022) note: as of 2022, the Syrian military was supported by numerous pro-regime and pro-Iranian irregular/militia forces, the Russian armed forces, the Iran-affiliated Hizballah terrorist group, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Military expenditures: 6.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $2.9 billion) 6.7% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $2.8 billion) 6.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $2.7 billion) 6.9% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $2.85 billion) 7.2% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $3.3 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: current estimates not available; since the start of the civil war in 2011, the Syrian Armed Forces (SAF) have taken significant losses in personnel due to casualties and desertions; prior to the civil war, the SAF had approximately 300,000 active duty troops, including 200-225,000 Army, plus about 300,000 reserve forces (2022) note: pro-government and pro-Iranian militias probably number in the tens of thousands Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SAF's inventory is comprised mostly of Russian and Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, Russia has supplied nearly all of Syria's imported weapons systems, although China and Iran have also provided military equipment (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-42 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; women are not conscripted but may volunteer to serve (2022) note: the SAF is comprised largely of conscripts Military - note: the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) has operated in the Golan between Israel and Syria since 1974 to monitor the ceasefire following the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and supervise the areas of separation between the two countries; as of February 2022, UNDOF consisted of about 1,100 personnel as of 2022, multiple actors were conducting military operations in Syria in support of the ASAD government or Syrian opposition forces, as well in pursuit of their own security goals, such counterterrorism; operations have included air strikes, direct ground combat, and sponsoring proxy forces, as well as providing non-lethal military support, including advisors, technicians, arms and equipment, funding, intelligence, and training: pro-ASAD elements operating in Syria have included Lebanese Hezbollah, Iranian, Iranian-backed Shia militia, and Russian forces; since early in the civil war, the ASAD government has relied on Lebanese Hezbollah (see Appendix T for further information), as well as Iran and Iranian-backed forces, for combat operations and to hold territory; Iran has provided military advisors and combat troops from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (including the Qods Force; see Appendix T for further information), as well as intelligence, logistical, material, technical, and financial support; it has funded, trained, equipped, and led Shia militia/paramilitary units comprised of both Syrian and non-Syrian personnel, primarily from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan; Russia intervened at the request of the ASAD government in 2015 and has since provided air support, special operations forces, military advisors, private military contractors, training, arms, and equipment; Iranian and Russian support has also included assisting Syria in combating the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS; see Appendix T) terrorist group Turkey intervened militarily in 2016 to combat Kurdish militants and ISIS, support select Syrian opposition forces, and establish a buffer along portions of its border with Syria; as of 2022, Turkey continued to maintain a considerable military presence in northern Syria; it has armed and trained militia/proxy forces, such as the Syrian National Army, which was formed in late 2017 of Syrian Arab and Turkmen rebel factions in the Halab (Aleppo) province and northwestern Syria the US and some regional and European states have at times backed Syrian opposition forces militarily and/or conducted military operations, primarily against ISIS; the US has operated in Syria since 2015 with ground forces and air strikes; as of 2022, the majority the ground forces were deployed in the Eastern Syria Security Area (ESSA, which includes parts of Hasakah and Dayr az Zawr provinces east of the Euphrates River) in support of operations by the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS, while the remainder were in southeast Syria around Tanf supporting counter-ISIS operations by the Jaysh Mughawir al-Thawra (MaT, or Revolutionary Commando Army) Syrian opposition force; the US has also conducted air strikes against Syrian military targets in response to Syrian Government use of chemical weapons against opposition forces and civilians; in addition, France, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UK have provided forms of military assistance to opposition forces and/or conducted operations against ISIS, including air strikes Israel has conducted hundreds of military air strikes in Syria against Syrian military, Hezbollah, Iranian, and/or Iranian-backed militia targets the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are an anti-ASAD regime coalition of forces composed primarily of Kurdish, Sunni Arab, and Syriac Christian fighters; it is dominated and led by Kurdish forces, particularly the People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia; the SDF began to receive US support in 2015 and as of 2022 was the main local US partner in its counter-ISIS campaign; the SDF has internal security, anti-terror, and commando units; Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization (see Appendix T) the ISIS terrorist group (see Appendix T) lost its last territorial stronghold to SDF forces in 2019, but continued to maintain a low-level insurgency as of 2022; in addition, the SDF held about 10,000 captured suspected ISIS fighters in detention facilities across northern Syria, including 2,000 from countries other than Iraq and Syria as of 2022, the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS; formerly known as al-Nusrah Front) terrorist organization (see Appendix T) was the dominant militant group in northwest Syria and asserted considerable influence and control over the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Iblib de-escalation zone (2022)pro-ASAD elements operating in Syria have included Lebanese Hezbollah, Iranian, Iranian-backed Shia militia, and Russian forces; since early in the civil war, the ASAD government has relied on Lebanese Hezbollah (see Appendix T for further information), as well as Iran and Iranian-backed forces, for combat operations and to hold territory; Iran has provided military advisors and combat troops from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (including the Qods Force; see Appendix T for further information), as well as intelligence, logistical, material, technical, and financial support; it has funded, trained, equipped, and led Shia militia/paramilitary units comprised of both Syrian and non-Syrian personnel, primarily from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan; Russia intervened at the request of the ASAD government in 2015 and has since provided air support, special operations forces, military advisors, private military contractors, training, arms, and equipment; Iranian and Russian support has also included assisting Syria in combating the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS; see Appendix T) terrorist groupTurkey intervened militarily in 2016 to combat Kurdish militants and ISIS, support select Syrian opposition forces, and establish a buffer along portions of its border with Syria; as of 2022, Turkey continued to maintain a considerable military presence in northern Syria; it has armed and trained militia/proxy forces, such as the Syrian National Army, which was formed in late 2017 of Syrian Arab and Turkmen rebel factions in the Halab (Aleppo) province and northwestern Syriathe US and some regional and European states have at times backed Syrian opposition forces militarily and/or conducted military operations, primarily against ISIS; the US has operated in Syria since 2015 with ground forces and air strikes; as of 2022, the majority the ground forces were deployed in the Eastern Syria Security Area (ESSA, which includes parts of Hasakah and Dayr az Zawr provinces east of the Euphrates River) in support of operations by the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS, while the remainder were in southeast Syria around Tanf supporting counter-ISIS operations by the Jaysh Mughawir al-Thawra (MaT, or Revolutionary Commando Army) Syrian opposition force; the US has also conducted air strikes against Syrian military targets in response to Syrian Government use of chemical weapons against opposition forces and civilians; in addition, France, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UK have provided forms of military assistance to opposition forces and/or conducted operations against ISIS, including air strikesIsrael has conducted hundreds of military air strikes in Syria against Syrian military, Hezbollah, Iranian, and/or Iranian-backed militia targetsthe Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are an anti-ASAD regime coalition of forces composed primarily of Kurdish, Sunni Arab, and Syriac Christian fighters; it is dominated and led by Kurdish forces, particularly the People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia; the SDF began to receive US support in 2015 and as of 2022 was the main local US partner in its counter-ISIS campaign; the SDF has internal security, anti-terror, and commando units; Turkey views the SDF as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization (see Appendix T)the ISIS terrorist group (see Appendix T) lost its last territorial stronghold to SDF forces in 2019, but continued to maintain a low-level insurgency as of 2022; in addition, the SDF held about 10,000 captured suspected ISIS fighters in detention facilities across northern Syria, including 2,000 from countries other than Iraq and Syriaas of 2022, the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS; formerly known as al-Nusrah Front) terrorist organization (see Appendix T) was the dominant militant group in northwest Syria and asserted considerable influence and control over the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Iblib de-escalation zone Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Abdallah Azzam Brigades; Ansar al-Islam; Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq; Hizballah; Hurras al-Din; Islamic Jihad Union; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Kata'ib Hizballah; Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; al-Nusrah Front (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham); al-Qa'ida; Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); PFLP-General Command note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Syria-Iraq: none identified Syria-Israel: Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled with UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1974; because of ceasefire violations and increased military activity in the Golan Heights, the UN Security Council continues to extend UNDOF’s mandate; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan Heights Syria-Jordan: the two countries signed an agreement in 2005 to settle the border dispute based on a 1931 demarcation accord; the two countries began demarcation in 2006 Syria-Lebanon: discussions on demarcating the two countries’ maritime borders were held in April 2021, after Syria signed a contract with a Russian company to conduct oil and gas exploration in a disputed maritime area, but the issue was not resolved Syria-Turkey: none identifiedSyria-Iraq: none identifiedSyria-Israel: Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled with UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) patrolling a buffer zone since 1974; because of ceasefire violations and increased military activity in the Golan Heights, the UN Security Council continues to extend UNDOF’s mandate; since 2000, Lebanon has claimed Shab'a Farms in the Golan HeightsSyria-Jordan: the two countries signed an agreement in 2005 to settle the border dispute based on a 1931 demarcation accord; the two countries began demarcation in 2006Syria-Lebanon: discussions on demarcating the two countries’ maritime borders were held in April 2021, after Syria signed a contract with a Russian company to conduct oil and gas exploration in a disputed maritime area, but the issue was not resolvedSyria-Turkey: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 568,730 (Palestinian Refugees) (2020); 12,435 (Iraq) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 6.662 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2021) stateless persons: 160,000 (mid-year 2021); note - Syria's stateless population consists of Kurds and Palestinians; stateless persons are prevented from voting, owning land, holding certain jobs, receiving food subsidies or public healthcare, enrolling in public schools, or being legally married to Syrian citizens; in 1962, some 120,000 Syrian Kurds were stripped of their Syrian citizenship, rendering them and their descendants stateless; in 2011, the Syrian Government granted citizenship to thousands of Syrian Kurds as a means of appeasement; however, resolving the question of statelessness is not a priority given Syria's ongoing civil war note: the ongoing civil war has resulted in more than 5.6 million registered Syrian refugees - dispersed in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey - as of July 2022 Trafficking in persons: current situation: due to Syria’s civil war, hundreds of thousands of Syrians, foreign migrant workers, and refugees have fled the country and are vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of security and inaccessibility of the majority of the country makes it impossible to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of the ongoing conflict on the scope and magnitude of Syria’s human trafficking situation; prior to the uprising, the Syrian armed forces and opposition forces used Syrian children in combat and support roles and as human shields tier rating: Tier 3 — Syria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not hold any traffickers, including complicit officials, criminally accountable for trafficking; no trafficking victims were identified or received protection during the reporting period; government and pro-Syrian militias continued to forcibly recruit and use child soldiers; the government does not prevent armed opposition forces and designated terrorist organizations from recruiting children; authorities continued to arrest, detain, and severely abuse trafficking victims, including child soldiers, and punished them for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit (2020) Illicit drugs: source country for amphetamine tablets destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Sudan , and other countries in the Gulf, Mediterranean region, and Europe 

20220901

field-international-organization-participation

This entry lists in alphabetical order by abbreviation those international organizations in which the subject country is a member or participates in some other way. Topic: Afghanistanbefore 15 August, 2021, Afghanistan was a member or participant in the following organizations: ADB, CICA, CP, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNAMA, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: AlbaniaBSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: AlgeriaABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BIS, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: American SamoaAOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC Topic: AndorraCE, FAO, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Topic: AngolaACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: AnguillaCaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: Antigua and BarbudaACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ArgentinaAfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: ArmeniaADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ArubaCaricom (observer), FATF, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU Topic: AustraliaADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: AustriaADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: AzerbaijanADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: Bahamas, TheACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: BahrainABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BangladeshADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BarbadosACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BelarusBSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CEI, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer), ZC Topic: BelgiumADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: BelizeACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BeninACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BermudaCaricom (associate), ICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), UPU, WCO Topic: BhutanADB, BIMSTEC, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: BoliviaCAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaBIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: BotswanaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BrazilAfDB (nonregional member), BIS, BRICS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, CPLP, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-5, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryUPU Topic: British Virgin IslandsCaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: BruneiADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BulgariaAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Burkina FasoACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BurmaADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: BurundiACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, CICA, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Cabo VerdeACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CambodiaADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINUSMA, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CameroonACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, C, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CanadaADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Cayman IslandsCaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: Central African RepublicACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country) (suspended), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ChadACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINUSMA, MNJTF, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ChileAPEC, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ChinaADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BRICS, CDB, CICA, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-5, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Christmas Islandnone Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnone Topic: ColombiaBCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ComorosACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theACP, AfDB, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Congo, Republic of theACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Cook IslandsACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Topic: Costa RicaBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Cote d'IvoireACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CroatiaAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EMU, EU, FAO, G-11, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: CubaACP, ALBA, AOSIS, CELAC, EAEU (observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS (excluded from formal participation since 1962), OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CuracaoCaricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPUCaricom (observer), FATF, ILO, ITU, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: CyprusAustralia Group, C, CD, CE, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: CzechiaAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: DenmarkADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: DjiboutiACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: DominicaACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, Commonwealth of Nations, ECCU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Dominican RepublicACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: EcuadorCAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: EgyptABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, LCBC (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: El SalvadorBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Equatorial GuineaACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP, FAO, Francophonie, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, , UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer) Topic: EritreaACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: EstoniaAustralia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: EswatiniACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: EthiopiaACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: European UnionARF, ASEAN (dialogue member), Australian Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CERN, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-8, G-10, G-20, IDA, IEA, IGAD (partners), LAIA (observer), NSG (observer), OAS (observer), OECD, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN (observer), UNRWA (observer), WCO, WTO, ZC (observer) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)UPU Topic: Faroe IslandsArctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: FijiACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: FinlandADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNSOM, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: FranceADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BDEAC, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, FZ, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: French PolynesiaITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WMO Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsUPU Topic: GabonACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Gambia, TheACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: GeorgiaADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CPLP (associate), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: GermanyADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: GhanaACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: GibraltarICC (NGOs), Interpol (subbureau), UPU Topic: GreeceAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: GreenlandArctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU Topic: GrenadaACP, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Topic: GuamAOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU Topic: GuatemalaBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: GuernseyUPU Topic: GuineaACP, AfDB, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Guinea-BissauACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CPLP, ECOWAS, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: GuyanaACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: HaitiACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), SICA (observer), UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer) Topic: HondurasBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC (suspended), IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO (suspended), WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Hong KongADB, APEC, BIS, FATF, ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC (NGOs), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO Topic: HungaryAustralia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: IcelandArctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: IndiaADB, AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIMSTEC, BIS, BRICS, C, CD, CERN (observer), CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-5, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: IndonesiaADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-11, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IORA, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, MSG (associate member), NAM, OECD (enhanced engagement), OIC, OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: IranCICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: IraqABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: IrelandADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Isle of ManUPU Topic: IsraelBIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN, CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ItalyADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: JamaicaACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: JapanADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: JerseyUPU Topic: JordanABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, NATO (partner), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: KazakhstanADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: KenyaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCT, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO Topic: KiribatiABEDA, ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: Korea, NorthARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: Korea, SouthADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: KosovoIBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF (observer) Topic: KuwaitABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CD, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: KyrgyzstanADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: LaosADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: LatviaAustralia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: LebanonABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: LesothoACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: LiberiaACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: LibyaABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BDEAC, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, LCBC, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNSMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: LiechtensteinCD, CE, EBRD, EFTA, IAEA, ICCt, ICRM, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UPU, WIPO, WTO Topic: LithuaniaAustralia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: LuxembourgADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNRWA, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: MacauICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO Topic: MadagascarACP, AfDB, AU, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MalawiACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MalaysiaADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MaldivesADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MaliACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, ECOWAS (suspended), EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOPS, UN Women, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, World Bank Group, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MaltaAustralia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Marshall IslandsACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Topic: MauritaniaABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MIUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MauritiusACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, CPLP (associate), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SAARC (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MexicoAPEC, Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CE (observer), CELAC, CSN (observer), EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-3, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-5, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAFTA, NAM (observer), NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO Topic: MoldovaBSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MonacoCD, CE, FAO, IAEA, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: MongoliaADB, ARF, CD, CICA, CP, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MontenegroCE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MontserratCaricom, CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU Topic: MoroccoABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: MozambiqueACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NamibiaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP (associate observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NauruACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Topic: NepalADB, BIMSTEC, CD, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NetherlandsADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: New CaledoniaITUC (NGOs), PIF (associate member), SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO Topic: New ZealandADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NicaraguaBCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NigerACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NigeriaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, D-8, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: NiueACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: Norfolk IslandUPU Topic: North MacedoniaBIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsPIF (observer), SPC, UPU Topic: NorwayADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: OmanABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: PakistanADB, AIIB, ARF, ASEAN (sectoral dialogue partner), C, CERN (associate member), CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSCA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNSOS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: PalauACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO Topic: PanamaBCIE, CAN (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNASUR (observer), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Papua New GuineaACP, ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CD, CP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ParaguayCAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: PeruAPEC, BIS, CAN, CD, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: PhilippinesADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Pitcairn IslandsSPC, UPU Topic: PolandArctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: PortugalADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Puerto RicoAOSIS (observer), Caricom (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UNWTO (associate), UPU, WFTU (NGOs) Topic: QatarABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA (observer), EITI (implementing country), FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: RomaniaAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: RussiaAPEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BRICS, BSEC, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAEU, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: RwandaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Saint BarthelemyUPU Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaUPU Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO Topic: Saint LuciaACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Saint MartinUPU Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonUPU, WFTU (NGOs) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WTO Topic: SamoaACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: San MarinoCE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), OPCW, OSCE, Schengen Convention (de facto member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, CD, CEMAC, CPLP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: Saudi ArabiaABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CP, FAO, G-20, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: SenegalACP, AfDB, AU, CD, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: SerbiaBIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, G-9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: SeychellesACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Sierra LeoneACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: SingaporeADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Sint MaartenCaricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMOCaricom (observer), ILO, Interpol, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WMO Topic: SlovakiaAustralia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: SloveniaAustralia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Solomon IslandsACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO Topic: SomaliaACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU (candidate), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: South AfricaACP, AfDB, AU, BIS, BRICS, C, CD, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24, G-5, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, NSG, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsUPU Topic: South SudanAU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO Topic: SpainADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: Sri LankaABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: SudanABEDA, ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: SurinameACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIC, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Svalbardnone Topic: SwedenADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNSOM, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: SwitzerlandADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: SyriaABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WBG, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: TaiwanADB (Taipei, China), APEC (Chinese Taipei), BCIE, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO (Taipei, China); note - separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu Topic: TajikistanADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: TanzaniaACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, EAC, EADB, EITI, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ThailandADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Timor-LesteACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO Topic: TogoACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: TokelauPIF (associate member), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU Topic: TongaACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Trinidad and TobagoACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: TunisiaABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: TurkeyADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CPLP (associate observer), D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (candidate country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SCO (dialogue member), SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: TurkmenistanADB, CIS (associate member, has not ratified the 1993 CIS charter although it participates in meetings and held the chairmanship of the CIS in 2012), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsCaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU Topic: TuvaluACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO Topic: UgandaACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: UkraineAustralia Group, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CEI, CICA (observer), CIS (participating member, has not signed the 1993 CIS charter), EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: United Arab EmiratesABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BIS, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OIF (observer), OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: United KingdomADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, C, CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNSOM, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: United StatesADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), ANZUS, APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, EAPC, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNITAR, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Topic: UruguayCAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: UzbekistanADB, CICA, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EEU (observer), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Topic: VanuatuACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: VenezuelaCaricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: VietnamADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: Virgin IslandsAOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs) Topic: Wallis and FutunaPIF (observer), SPC, UPU Topic: YemenAFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, EITI (temporarily suspended), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMHA, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNVIM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ZambiaACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Topic: ZimbabweACP, AfDB, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

20220901

field-carbon-dioxide-emissions

This field refers to a country's amount of carbon dioxide released by burning coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Data are reported in metric tonnes of CO2. Topic: Afghanistan7.893 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.158 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.468 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 267,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Albania3.794 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 235,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.482 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 78,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Algeria151.633 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 352,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 57.867 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 93.414 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: American Samoa355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Angola19.362 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 17.673 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.689 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Antarctica28,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 28,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda729,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 729,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Argentina193.205 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.122 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 94.208 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 96.875 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Armenia6.354 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 12,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.364 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.978 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Aruba1.254 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.254 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Australia417.87 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 162.26 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 158.668 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 96.942 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Austria65.54 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 10.508 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 37.336 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 17.695 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan35.389 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 29,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 12.863 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 22.497 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The3.984 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.976 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bahrain43.112 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.308 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 35.804 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bangladesh96.18 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 16.538 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 18.535 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 61.107 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Barbados1.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.662 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Belarus54.695 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.623 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 16.856 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 36.217 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Belgium128.247 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 10.301 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 83.474 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 34.472 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Belize541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Benin6.903 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 274,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 6.592 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 37,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bermuda796,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 796,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bhutan934,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 328,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 606,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bolivia17.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 12.071 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 5.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina16.209 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 10.923 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.871 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 415,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Botswana5.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.922 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.042 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Brazil456.67 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 63.53 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 328.824 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 64.316 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands173,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 173,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Brunei9.956 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.387 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 7.569 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Bulgaria38.373 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 20.483 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 12.248 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 5.642 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso4.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Burma31.848 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 20.832 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 7.134 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Burundi715,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 715,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde1.002 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.002 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cambodia13.844 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.837 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cameroon7.105 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.171 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.935 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Canada612.084 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 56.087 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 311.336 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 244.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands808,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 808,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Central African Republic285,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 285,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Chad1.771 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.771 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Chile88.333 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 24.217 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 51.228 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 12.888 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: China10,773,248,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 8,652,419,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1,520,552,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 600.276 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Colombia81.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 12.666 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 47.679 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 20.662 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Comoros326,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 326,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the2.653 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 44,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.608 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the4.523 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.777 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.747 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cook Islands114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 114,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Costa Rica8.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire11.88 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.332 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.548 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Croatia16.752 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.674 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.4 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 5.678 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cuba16.478 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 28,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 14.636 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.814 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Cyprus8.024 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8.024 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Czechia99.533 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 57.268 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 25.526 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 16.739 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Denmark33.85 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.455 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 24.621 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 5.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Djibouti610,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 610,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Dominica182,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 182,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic26.808 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 18.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 3.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Ecuador36.051 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 45,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 35.329 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 677,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Egypt235.137 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 8.728 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 112.281 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 114.128 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: El Salvador7.632 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.63 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea4.528 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.409 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.119 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Eritrea798,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 798,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Estonia4.924 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 44,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.979 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 901,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Eswatini1.224 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 350,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 875,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Ethiopia16.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.474 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 15.324 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: European Union3.475 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2015 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands870,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 870,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Fiji1.691 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.691 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Finland41.996 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 9.377 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 27.737 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.882 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: France338.425 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 26.971 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 225.865 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 85.589 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: French Polynesia1.03 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.03 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Gabon2.651 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.025 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 626,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Gambia, The606,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 606,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: Georgia10.299 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.063 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.245 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.992 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Germany726.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 218.636 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 316.064 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 192.181 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Ghana18.093 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 160,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 13.569 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.364 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Gibraltar14.256 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 14.146 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 111,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Greece70.163 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 13.404 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 46.401 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 10.358 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Greenland605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 605,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Grenada316,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 316,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Guam1.828 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.828 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Guatemala19.041 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 5.037 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 14.004 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Guinea2.981 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.981 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau342,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 342,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Guyana2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Haiti3.139 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.137 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Honduras8.523 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 61,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8.462 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Hong Kong92.493 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 23.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 62.451 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 6.484 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Hungary48.589 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 7.501 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 21.568 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 19.52 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Iceland3.337 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 459,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: India2,314,738,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1,574,331,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 615.903 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 124.505 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Indonesia563.543 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 267.326 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 209.279 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 86.938 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Iran646.038 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 5.142 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 204.21 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 436.687 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Iraq143.479 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 108.14 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 35.339 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Ireland35.475 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.43 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 23.08 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 10.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Israel61.092 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 13.653 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 29.416 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 18.023 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Italy332.041 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 27.194 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 162.472 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 142.375 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Jamaica10.002 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 177,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.276 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 549,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Japan1,103,234,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 439.243 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 444.271 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 219.72 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Jersey450,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2012 est.) Topic: Jordan23.47 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 381,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 15.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 7.303 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan263.689 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 195.926 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 39.205 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 28.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kenya17.709 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.25 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 16.459 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kiribati76,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 76,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Korea, North18.465 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 15.252 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.213 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Korea, South686.954 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 319.383 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 255.518 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 112.052 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kosovo8.009 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 6.1 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.909 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kuwait92.582 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 578,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 44.288 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 47.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan7.88 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.967 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.505 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 408,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Laos40.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 37.871 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.855 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Latvia8.45 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 149,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.693 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.608 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Lebanon25.838 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 563,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 25.275 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Lesotho736,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 736,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Liberia1.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Libya38.297 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 30.018 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 8.279 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Lithuania14.503 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 693,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.488 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.322 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Luxembourg11.308 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 149,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.564 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.594 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Macau2.012 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.744 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Madagascar4.218 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.044 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.175 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Malawi1.542 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 203,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.339 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Malaysia254.764 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 81.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 94.934 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 78.104 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Maldives2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Mali5.679 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.679 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Malta9.576 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8.831 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 745,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands293,700 metric tonnes of CO2 (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritania4.041 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.041 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Mauritius7.191 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.595 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.596 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Mexico463.739 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 43.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 260.311 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 160.188 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of177,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 177,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Moldova8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 374,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.968 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.773 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Mongolia22.74 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 17.445 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.295 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Montenegro2.447 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.333 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Montserrat33,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 33,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Morocco60.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 20.267 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 37.834 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.099 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Mozambique7.753 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 109,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.901 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Namibia3.831 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 66,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.764 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Nauru66,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 66,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Nepal7.708 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.051 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 6.657 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Netherlands214.416 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 23.15 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 116.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 75.027 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: New Caledonia5.886 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.007 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: New Zealand40.344 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 5.139 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 25.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 9.445 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Nicaragua4.851 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.851 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Niger2.374 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 499,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.875 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Nigeria104.494 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 231,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 67.406 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 36.856 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Niue8,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: North Macedonia7.383 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.866 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.094 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 423,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Norway36.731 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.182 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 25.256 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 8.294 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Oman76.321 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 191,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 29.682 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 46.447 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Pakistan193.869 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 47.468 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 67.789 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 78.611 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Panama25.263 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.905 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 22.281 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.077 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea6.491 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 526,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Paraguay7.896 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.893 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Peru54.996 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.171 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 35.119 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 18.706 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Philippines142.282 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 70.82 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 64.418 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 7.044 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Poland304.04 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 176.938 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 89.944 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 37.158 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Portugal50.37 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.882 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 33.429 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 12.059 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico18.999 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.774 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 11.407 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 3.818 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Qatar111.922 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 33.44 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 78.482 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Romania68.746 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 20.891 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 27.268 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 20.588 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Russia1,848,070,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 456.033 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 470.289 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 921.748 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Rwanda1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha13,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 13,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 268,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon84,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 84,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Samoa355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe173,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 173,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia579.925 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 300,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 358.414 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 221.211 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Senegal10.696 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.955 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 8.64 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 101,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Serbia47.735 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 32.686 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 10.17 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 4.878 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Seychelles1.156 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.156 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone899,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 899,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Singapore238.983 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.588 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 211.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 26.28 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Slovakia32.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 11.521 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 11.747 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 9.238 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Slovenia13.553 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.08 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.967 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands333,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 333,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Somalia882,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 882,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: South Africa470.358 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 387.835 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 73.163 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 9.361 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: South Sudan1.778 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.778 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Spain280.624 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 16.743 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 191.299 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 72.582 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka23.939 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 5.546 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 18.393 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Sudan17.319 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 17.319 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Suriname2.372 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.361 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 11,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Sweden48.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 7.38 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 38.406 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.359 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Switzerland38.739 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 319,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 31.494 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 6.926 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Syria26.893 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 46,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 19.92 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 6.927 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Taiwan279.206 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 141.445 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 92.207 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 45.554 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Tajikistan7.643 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 4.362 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.971 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 309,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Tanzania11.491 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1.32 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 7.466 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 2.705 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Thailand305.273 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 58.78 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 146.172 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 100.321 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste538,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 538,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Togo2.244 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 706,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.451 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 87,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Tonga171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago39.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 10,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 4.631 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 35.011 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Tunisia23.692 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 16,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 12.982 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 10.694 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)391.792 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 172.298 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 133.587 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 85.907 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan109.037 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 19.977 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 89.06 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Uganda5.841 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 5.841 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Ukraine185.686 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 105.929 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 30.365 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 49.392 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates276.236 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 5.032 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 126.524 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 144.681 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: United Kingdom398.084 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 23.5 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 216.237 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 158.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: United States5,144,361,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 1,077,520,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2,382,833,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 1,684,008,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Uruguay6.45 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 6.259 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 190,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan102.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 7.816 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 11.53 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 83.619 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Vanuatu225,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 225,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Venezuela103.708 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 108,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 57.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 46.222 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Vietnam249.929 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 165.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 67.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 16.379 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands2.438 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 2.438 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Wake Island1.275 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 1.275 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: West Bank3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: World33.62 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2013 est.) Topic: Yemen10.158 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 79,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 9.896 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 183,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Zambia6.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.186 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.612 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe7.902 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.963 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.94 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

20220901

field-dependency-ratios

Dependency ratios are a measure of the age structure of a population. They relate the number of individuals that are likely to be economically "dependent" on the support of others. Dependency ratios contrast the ratio of youths (ages 0-14) and the elderly (ages 65+) to the number of those in the working-age group (ages 15-64). Changes in the dependency ratio provide an indication of potential social support requirements resulting from changes in population age structures. As fertility levels decline, the dependency ratio initially falls because the proportion of youths decreases while the proportion of the population of working age increases. As fertility levels continue to decline, dependency ratios eventually increase because the proportion of the population of working age starts to decline and the proportion of elderly persons continues to increase. total dependency ratio - The total dependency ratio is the ratio of combined youth population (ages 0-14) and elderly population (ages 65+) per 100 people of working age (ages 15-64). A high total dependency ratio indicates that the working-age population and the overall economy face a greater burden to support and provide social services for youth and elderly persons, who are often economically dependent. youth dependency ratio - The youth dependency ratio is the ratio of the youth population (ages 0-14) per 100 people of working age (ages 15-64). A high youth dependency ratio indicates that a greater investment needs to be made in schooling and other services for children. elderly dependency ratio - The elderly dependency ratio is the ratio of the elderly population (ages 65+) per 100 people of working age (ages 15-64). Increases in the elderly dependency ratio put added pressure on governments to fund pensions and healthcare. potential support ratio - The potential support ratio is the number of working-age people (ages 15-64) per one elderly person (ages 65+). As a population ages, the potential support ratio tends to fall, meaning there are fewer potential workers to support the elderly. Topic: Afghanistantotal dependency ratio: 88.8 youth dependency ratio: 75.3 elderly dependency ratio: 4.8 potential support ratio: 21 (2020 est.) Topic: Akrotiritotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Albaniatotal dependency ratio: 46.9 youth dependency ratio: 25.3 elderly dependency ratio: 21.6 potential support ratio: 4.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Algeriatotal dependency ratio: 60.1 youth dependency ratio: 49.3 elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Topic: American Samoatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Andorratotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Angolatotal dependency ratio: 94.5 youth dependency ratio: 90.2 elderly dependency ratio: 4.3 potential support ratio: 23.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Anguillatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal dependency ratio: 45.3 youth dependency ratio: 31.8 elderly dependency ratio: 13.6 potential support ratio: 7.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal dependency ratio: 56.5 youth dependency ratio: 38.1 elderly dependency ratio: 17.7 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal dependency ratio: 48.4 youth dependency ratio: 30.9 elderly dependency ratio: 17.5 potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Arubatotal dependency ratio: 47 youth dependency ratio: 25.6 elderly dependency ratio: 21.5 potential support ratio: 4.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Australiatotal dependency ratio: 55.1 youth dependency ratio: 29.9 elderly dependency ratio: 25.1 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Austriatotal dependency ratio: 50.6 youth dependency ratio: 21.7 elderly dependency ratio: 28.9 potential support ratio: 3.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal dependency ratio: 43.4 youth dependency ratio: 33.7 elderly dependency ratio: 9.7 potential support ratio: 10.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal dependency ratio: 41.5 youth dependency ratio: 30.6 elderly dependency ratio: 11 potential support ratio: 9.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahraintotal dependency ratio: 26.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.1 elderly dependency ratio: 3.4 potential support ratio: 29.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal dependency ratio: 47 youth dependency ratio: 39.3 elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal dependency ratio: 50.3 youth dependency ratio: 25.2 elderly dependency ratio: 25.1 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Belarustotal dependency ratio: 48.9 youth dependency ratio: 25.7 elderly dependency ratio: 23.2 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal dependency ratio: 57 youth dependency ratio: 26.7 elderly dependency ratio: 30.2 potential support ratio: 3.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Belizetotal dependency ratio: 52 youth dependency ratio: 44.4 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Benintotal dependency ratio: 82.6 youth dependency ratio: 76.6 elderly dependency ratio: 6 potential support ratio: 16.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Bermudatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Bhutantotal dependency ratio: 45.1 youth dependency ratio: 36.1 elderly dependency ratio: 9 potential support ratio: 11.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Boliviatotal dependency ratio: 60.5 youth dependency ratio: 48.5 elderly dependency ratio: 12 potential support ratio: 8.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal dependency ratio: 48 youth dependency ratio: 21.5 elderly dependency ratio: 26.5 potential support ratio: 3.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal dependency ratio: 61.1 youth dependency ratio: 53.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.3 potential support ratio: 13.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Bouvet Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Braziltotal dependency ratio: 43.5 youth dependency ratio: 29.7 elderly dependency ratio: 13.8 potential support ratio: 7.3 (2020 est.) Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorytotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Bruneitotal dependency ratio: 38.7 youth dependency ratio: 31 elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 potential support ratio: 12.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Bulgariatotal dependency ratio: 56.6 youth dependency ratio: 23 elderly dependency ratio: 33.6 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal dependency ratio: 87.9 youth dependency ratio: 83.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4.5 potential support ratio: 22.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Burmatotal dependency ratio: 46.5 youth dependency ratio: 37.3 elderly dependency ratio: 9.1 potential support ratio: 10.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Burunditotal dependency ratio: 91 youth dependency ratio: 86.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4.5 potential support ratio: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdetotal dependency ratio: 49 youth dependency ratio: 41.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodiatotal dependency ratio: 55.7 youth dependency ratio: 48.2 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Cameroontotal dependency ratio: 81.1 youth dependency ratio: 76.2 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Canadatotal dependency ratio: 51.2 youth dependency ratio: 23.9 elderly dependency ratio: 27.4 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Central African Republictotal dependency ratio: 86.4 youth dependency ratio: 81.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Chadtotal dependency ratio: 96 youth dependency ratio: 91.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Chiletotal dependency ratio: 45.9 youth dependency ratio: 28.1 elderly dependency ratio: 17.9 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Chinatotal dependency ratio: 42.2 youth dependency ratio: 25.2 elderly dependency ratio: 17 potential support ratio: 5.9 (2020 est.) note: data do not include Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Topic: Christmas Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Clipperton Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Colombiatotal dependency ratio: 45.4 youth dependency ratio: 32.3 elderly dependency ratio: 13.2 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Comorostotal dependency ratio: 75.5 youth dependency ratio: 67.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal dependency ratio: 95.4 youth dependency ratio: 89.5 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal dependency ratio: 78.7 youth dependency ratio: 73.7 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Cook Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Coral Sea Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Costa Ricatotal dependency ratio: 45.1 youth dependency ratio: 30.2 elderly dependency ratio: 14.9 potential support ratio: 6.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal dependency ratio: 79.8 youth dependency ratio: 74.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Croatiatotal dependency ratio: 55.7 youth dependency ratio: 22.6 elderly dependency ratio: 33.1 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Cubatotal dependency ratio: 46.7 youth dependency ratio: 23.3 elderly dependency ratio: 23.3 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Curacaototal dependency ratio: 55.9 youth dependency ratio: 28.3 elderly dependency ratio: 27.5 potential support ratio: 3.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal dependency ratio: 44.9 youth dependency ratio: 24 elderly dependency ratio: 20.9 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.) note: data represent the whole country Topic: Czechiatotal dependency ratio: 56 youth dependency ratio: 24.6 elderly dependency ratio: 31.4 potential support ratio: 3.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal dependency ratio: 57.3 youth dependency ratio: 25.6 elderly dependency ratio: 31.7 potential support ratio: 3.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Dhekeliatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Djiboutitotal dependency ratio: 50.6 youth dependency ratio: 43.6 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Dominicatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Dominican Republictotal dependency ratio: 53.8 youth dependency ratio: 42.2 elderly dependency ratio: 11.6 potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadortotal dependency ratio: 53.8 youth dependency ratio: 42.1 elderly dependency ratio: 11.7 potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Egypttotal dependency ratio: 64.6 youth dependency ratio: 55.8 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal dependency ratio: 54.4 youth dependency ratio: 41.1 elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal dependency ratio: 64.4 youth dependency ratio: 60.5 elderly dependency ratio: 3.9 potential support ratio: 25.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Eritreatotal dependency ratio: 83.9 youth dependency ratio: 75.6 elderly dependency ratio: 8.3 potential support ratio: 12.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Estoniatotal dependency ratio: 58.4 youth dependency ratio: 26.1 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal dependency ratio: 70.8 youth dependency ratio: 64 elderly dependency ratio: 6.9 potential support ratio: 14.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopiatotal dependency ratio: 76.8 youth dependency ratio: 70.6 elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 potential support ratio: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: European Uniontotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Faroe Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Fijitotal dependency ratio: 53.4 youth dependency ratio: 44.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 potential support ratio: 11.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal dependency ratio: 62.4 youth dependency ratio: 25.8 elderly dependency ratio: 36.6 potential support ratio: 2.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Francetotal dependency ratio: 62.4 youth dependency ratio: 28.7 elderly dependency ratio: 33.7 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal dependency ratio: 45.5 youth dependency ratio: 32.3 elderly dependency ratio: 13.2 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Gabontotal dependency ratio: 68.9 youth dependency ratio: 62.9 elderly dependency ratio: 6 potential support ratio: 16.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal dependency ratio: 86.9 youth dependency ratio: 82.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 potential support ratio: 21.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Gaza Striptotal dependency ratio: 71.2 youth dependency ratio: 65.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgiatotal dependency ratio: 55 youth dependency ratio: 31.3 elderly dependency ratio: 23.6 potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Germanytotal dependency ratio: 55.4 youth dependency ratio: 21.7 elderly dependency ratio: 33.7 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal dependency ratio: 67.4 youth dependency ratio: 62.2 elderly dependency ratio: 5.3 potential support ratio: 17.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Gibraltartotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Greecetotal dependency ratio: 56.1 youth dependency ratio: 21.3 elderly dependency ratio: 34.8 potential support ratio: 2.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Greenlandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Grenadatotal dependency ratio: 50.5 youth dependency ratio: 35.8 elderly dependency ratio: 14.7 potential support ratio: 6.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Guamtotal dependency ratio: 52.4 youth dependency ratio: 36.4 elderly dependency ratio: 16.1 potential support ratio: 6.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal dependency ratio: 62.3 youth dependency ratio: 54.1 elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 potential support ratio: 12.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Guernseytotal dependency ratio: 49 youth dependency ratio: 22.3 elderly dependency ratio: 26.7 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey Topic: Guineatotal dependency ratio: 85.2 youth dependency ratio: 79.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal dependency ratio: 81.2 youth dependency ratio: 76 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Guyanatotal dependency ratio: 53.2 youth dependency ratio: 42.5 elderly dependency ratio: 10.7 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Haititotal dependency ratio: 60.4 youth dependency ratio: 52.1 elderly dependency ratio: 8.3 potential support ratio: 13.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Hondurastotal dependency ratio: 55.2 youth dependency ratio: 47.5 elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal dependency ratio: 44.7 youth dependency ratio: 18.3 elderly dependency ratio: 26.3 potential support ratio: 3.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Hungarytotal dependency ratio: 46.9 youth dependency ratio: 22 elderly dependency ratio: 30.8 potential support ratio: 3.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal dependency ratio: 54 youth dependency ratio: 29.9 elderly dependency ratio: 24.1 potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Indiatotal dependency ratio: 48.7 youth dependency ratio: 38.9 elderly dependency ratio: 9.8 potential support ratio: 10.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal dependency ratio: 47.5 youth dependency ratio: 38.3 elderly dependency ratio: 9.2 potential support ratio: 10.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Irantotal dependency ratio: 45.6 youth dependency ratio: 36 elderly dependency ratio: 9.6 potential support ratio: 14.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqtotal dependency ratio: 69.9 youth dependency ratio: 64.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Irelandtotal dependency ratio: 54.8 youth dependency ratio: 32.3 elderly dependency ratio: 22.6 potential support ratio: 4.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Isle of Mantotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Israeltotal dependency ratio: 67.3 youth dependency ratio: 46.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.8 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Italytotal dependency ratio: 57 youth dependency ratio: 20.4 elderly dependency ratio: 36.6 potential support ratio: 2.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal dependency ratio: 48 youth dependency ratio: 34.6 elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 potential support ratio: 7.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Jan Mayentotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Japantotal dependency ratio: 69 youth dependency ratio: 21 elderly dependency ratio: 48 potential support ratio: 2.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Jerseytotal dependency ratio: 49 youth dependency ratio: 22.3 elderly dependency ratio: 26.7 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey Topic: Jordantotal dependency ratio: 58.2 youth dependency ratio: 52 elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 potential support ratio: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal dependency ratio: 58.8 youth dependency ratio: 46.3 elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 potential support ratio: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal dependency ratio: 69.8 youth dependency ratio: 65.5 elderly dependency ratio: 4.3 potential support ratio: 23.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Kiribatitotal dependency ratio: 67 youth dependency ratio: 60 elderly dependency ratio: 7 potential support ratio: 14.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Northtotal dependency ratio: 41.2 youth dependency ratio: 28 elderly dependency ratio: 13.2 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Southtotal dependency ratio: 39.5 youth dependency ratio: 17.5 elderly dependency ratio: 22 potential support ratio: 4.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Kosovototal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Kuwaittotal dependency ratio: 32.4 youth dependency ratio: 28.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4 potential support ratio: 24.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal dependency ratio: 59.7 youth dependency ratio: 52.1 elderly dependency ratio: 7.5 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Laostotal dependency ratio: 56.8 youth dependency ratio: 50.1 elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 potential support ratio: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Latviatotal dependency ratio: 59 youth dependency ratio: 26.1 elderly dependency ratio: 32.9 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal dependency ratio: 48.4 youth dependency ratio: 37.2 elderly dependency ratio: 11.2 potential support ratio: 8.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Lesothototal dependency ratio: 59.2 youth dependency ratio: 51.3 elderly dependency ratio: 7.9 potential support ratio: 12.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Liberiatotal dependency ratio: 77.6 youth dependency ratio: 71.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Libyatotal dependency ratio: 47.7 youth dependency ratio: 41 elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 potential support ratio: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Liechtensteintotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Lithuaniatotal dependency ratio: 56.5 youth dependency ratio: 24.2 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal dependency ratio: 42.8 youth dependency ratio: 22.2 elderly dependency ratio: 20.5 potential support ratio: 4.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Macautotal dependency ratio: 35.7 youth dependency ratio: 19.5 elderly dependency ratio: 16.2 potential support ratio: 6.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal dependency ratio: 75.9 youth dependency ratio: 70.5 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Malawitotal dependency ratio: 83.9 youth dependency ratio: 79.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Malaysiatotal dependency ratio: 44.2 youth dependency ratio: 33.8 elderly dependency ratio: 10.4 potential support ratio: 9.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal dependency ratio: 30.2 youth dependency ratio: 25.5 elderly dependency ratio: 4.7 potential support ratio: 21.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Malitotal dependency ratio: 98 youth dependency ratio: 93.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Maltatotal dependency ratio: 55.5 youth dependency ratio: 22.4 elderly dependency ratio: 33.2 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Mauritaniatotal dependency ratio: 75 youth dependency ratio: 69.5 elderly dependency ratio: 5.6 potential support ratio: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritiustotal dependency ratio: 41.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.7 elderly dependency ratio: 17.7 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Mexicototal dependency ratio: 50.3 youth dependency ratio: 38.8 elderly dependency ratio: 11.4 potential support ratio: 8.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal dependency ratio: 55.2 youth dependency ratio: 48.4 elderly dependency ratio: 6.8 potential support ratio: 14.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Moldovatotal dependency ratio: 39.6 youth dependency ratio: 22.2 elderly dependency ratio: 17.4 potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Monacototal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Mongoliatotal dependency ratio: 54.8 youth dependency ratio: 48.1 elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 potential support ratio: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegrototal dependency ratio: 51.1 youth dependency ratio: 27.3 elderly dependency ratio: 23.8 potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Montserrattotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Moroccototal dependency ratio: 52.4 youth dependency ratio: 40.8 elderly dependency ratio: 11.6 potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquetotal dependency ratio: 88.4 youth dependency ratio: 83 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Namibiatotal dependency ratio: 67.9 youth dependency ratio: 61.8 elderly dependency ratio: 6 potential support ratio: 16.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Naurutotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Navassa Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Nepaltotal dependency ratio: 53 youth dependency ratio: 44.1 elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 potential support ratio: 11.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal dependency ratio: 55.6 youth dependency ratio: 24.4 elderly dependency ratio: 31.2 potential support ratio: 3.2 (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal dependency ratio: 46.6 youth dependency ratio: 32.4 elderly dependency ratio: 14.2 potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal dependency ratio: 55.8 youth dependency ratio: 30.3 elderly dependency ratio: 25.5 potential support ratio: 3.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal dependency ratio: 54.3 youth dependency ratio: 45.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Nigertotal dependency ratio: 109.5 youth dependency ratio: 104.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Nigeriatotal dependency ratio: 86 youth dependency ratio: 80.9 elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 potential support ratio: 19.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Niuetotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: North Macedoniatotal dependency ratio: 44.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.9 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Norwaytotal dependency ratio: 53.3 youth dependency ratio: 26.5 elderly dependency ratio: 26.9 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) note: data include Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Topic: Omantotal dependency ratio: 33.3 youth dependency ratio: 30 elderly dependency ratio: 3.3 potential support ratio: 29.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Pakistantotal dependency ratio: 64.4 youth dependency ratio: 57.2 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Palautotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Panamatotal dependency ratio: 53.9 youth dependency ratio: 40.8 elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal dependency ratio: 63.2 youth dependency ratio: 57.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.8 potential support ratio: 17.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Paracel Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Paraguaytotal dependency ratio: 55.5 youth dependency ratio: 49.9 elderly dependency ratio: 10.6 potential support ratio: 9.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Perutotal dependency ratio: 50.2 youth dependency ratio: 37.1 elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal dependency ratio: 55.2 youth dependency ratio: 46.6 elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 potential support ratio: 11.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Polandtotal dependency ratio: 51.4 youth dependency ratio: 23 elderly dependency ratio: 28.4 potential support ratio: 3.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal dependency ratio: 55.8 youth dependency ratio: 20.3 elderly dependency ratio: 35.5 potential support ratio: 2.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal dependency ratio: 57.7 youth dependency ratio: 24.8 elderly dependency ratio: 32.8 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Qatartotal dependency ratio: 18.1 youth dependency ratio: 16.1 elderly dependency ratio: 2 potential support ratio: 50.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal dependency ratio: 53.3 youth dependency ratio: 23.8 elderly dependency ratio: 29.5 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Russiatotal dependency ratio: 51.2 youth dependency ratio: 27.8 elderly dependency ratio: 23.5 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal dependency ratio: 74.2 youth dependency ratio: 68.8 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Saint Luciatotal dependency ratio: 39.4 youth dependency ratio: 25 elderly dependency ratio: 14.4 potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Martintotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal dependency ratio: 46.7 youth dependency ratio: 32.1 elderly dependency ratio: 14.5 potential support ratio: 6.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Samoatotal dependency ratio: 73.3 youth dependency ratio: 64.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Topic: San Marinototal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal dependency ratio: 81 youth dependency ratio: 75.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal dependency ratio: 39.3 youth dependency ratio: 34.4 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal dependency ratio: 84.2 youth dependency ratio: 78.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Serbiatotal dependency ratio: 52.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.4 elderly dependency ratio: 29.1 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.) note: data include Kosovo Topic: Seychellestotal dependency ratio: 46.7 youth dependency ratio: 34.9 elderly dependency ratio: 11.8 potential support ratio: 8.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal dependency ratio: 76.3 youth dependency ratio: 71.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Singaporetotal dependency ratio: 34.5 youth dependency ratio: 16.5 elderly dependency ratio: 18 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Topic: Sint Maartentotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Slovakiatotal dependency ratio: 47.6 youth dependency ratio: 23 elderly dependency ratio: 24.6 potential support ratio: 4.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal dependency ratio: 55.9 youth dependency ratio: 23.6 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal dependency ratio: 77.6 youth dependency ratio: 71.1 elderly dependency ratio: 6.5 potential support ratio: 15.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Somaliatotal dependency ratio: 96.3 youth dependency ratio: 90.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.6 (2020 est.) Topic: South Africatotal dependency ratio: 52.2 youth dependency ratio: 43.8 elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 potential support ratio: 11.9 (2020 est.) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: South Sudantotal dependency ratio: 80.8 youth dependency ratio: 74.7 elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 potential support ratio: 16.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Spaintotal dependency ratio: 52.4 youth dependency ratio: 21.9 elderly dependency ratio: 30.4 potential support ratio: 3.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Spratly Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Sri Lankatotal dependency ratio: 53.7 youth dependency ratio: 36.4 elderly dependency ratio: 17.3 potential support ratio: 5.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Sudantotal dependency ratio: 76.9 youth dependency ratio: 70.4 elderly dependency ratio: 6.5 potential support ratio: 15.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Surinametotal dependency ratio: 51.1 youth dependency ratio: 40.3 elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Svalbardtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Swedentotal dependency ratio: 61.2 youth dependency ratio: 28.4 elderly dependency ratio: 32.8 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal dependency ratio: 51.6 youth dependency ratio: 22.7 elderly dependency ratio: 29 potential support ratio: 3.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Syriatotal dependency ratio: 55.4 youth dependency ratio: 47.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Taiwantotal dependency ratio: 40 youth dependency ratio: 17.8 elderly dependency ratio: 22.2 potential support ratio: 4.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Tajikistantotal dependency ratio: 67.9 youth dependency ratio: 62.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.3 potential support ratio: 18.7 (2020 est.) Topic: Tanzaniatotal dependency ratio: 85.9 youth dependency ratio: 81 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal dependency ratio: 41.9 youth dependency ratio: 23.5 elderly dependency ratio: 18.4 potential support ratio: 5.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal dependency ratio: 90.3 youth dependency ratio: 83.7 elderly dependency ratio: 6.6 potential support ratio: 15.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Togototal dependency ratio: 77.1 youth dependency ratio: 72 elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 potential support ratio: 19.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Tokelautotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Tongatotal dependency ratio: 68.6 youth dependency ratio: 58.6 elderly dependency ratio: 10 potential support ratio: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal dependency ratio: 46.1 youth dependency ratio: 29.3 elderly dependency ratio: 16.8 potential support ratio: 7.4 (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal dependency ratio: 49.6 youth dependency ratio: 36.3 elderly dependency ratio: 13.3 potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total dependency ratio: 49.1 youth dependency ratio: 35.7 elderly dependency ratio: 13.4 potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistantotal dependency ratio: 55.2 youth dependency ratio: 47.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 potential support ratio: 13.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Tuvalutotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Ugandatotal dependency ratio: 92.3 youth dependency ratio: 88.5 elderly dependency ratio: 3.8 potential support ratio: 26.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Ukrainetotal dependency ratio: 49.1 youth dependency ratio: 23.8 elderly dependency ratio: 25.3 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) note: data include Crimea Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal dependency ratio: 19.2 youth dependency ratio: 17.7 elderly dependency ratio: 1.5 potential support ratio: 66.4 (2020 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal dependency ratio: 57.1 youth dependency ratio: 27.8 elderly dependency ratio: 29.3 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.) Topic: United Statestotal dependency ratio: 53.9 youth dependency ratio: 28.3 elderly dependency ratio: 25.6 potential support ratio: 3.9 (2020 est.) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugestotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Uruguaytotal dependency ratio: 54.9 youth dependency ratio: 31.5 elderly dependency ratio: 23.4 potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistantotal dependency ratio: 50.6 youth dependency ratio: 43.4 elderly dependency ratio: 7.2 potential support ratio: 13.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal dependency ratio: 72.5 youth dependency ratio: 66.2 elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 potential support ratio: 8.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Venezuelatotal dependency ratio: 54.4 youth dependency ratio: 42.1 elderly dependency ratio: 12.3 potential support ratio: 8.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnamtotal dependency ratio: 45.1 youth dependency ratio: 33.6 elderly dependency ratio: 11.4 potential support ratio: 8.8 (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandstotal dependency ratio: 66 youth dependency ratio: 32 elderly dependency ratio: 34 potential support ratio: 2.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Wake Islandtotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Topic: West Banktotal dependency ratio: 71.2 youth dependency ratio: 65.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Worldtotal dependency ratio: 53.3 youth dependency ratio: 39 elderly dependency ratio: 14.3 potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Yementotal dependency ratio: 71.7 youth dependency ratio: 66.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5 potential support ratio: 19.9 (2020 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal dependency ratio: 85.7 youth dependency ratio: 81.7 elderly dependency ratio: 4 potential support ratio: 25.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Zimbabwetotal dependency ratio: 81.6 youth dependency ratio: 76.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.)

20220901

countries-chile-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Chile due to civil unrest. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 90 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [56] (2) 2330-3000; US Embassy Santiago, Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile; https://cl.usembassy.gov/; SantiagoUSA@state.gov Telephone Code: 56 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 131; Fire: 132; Police 132 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south Currency (Code): Chilean pesos (CLP) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, L Major Languages: Spanish, English, indigenous languages Major Religions: Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical or Protestant 16.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1% Time Difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in August; ends second Sunday in May; Punta Arenas observes DST throughout the year; note: Chile has 3 time zones: the continental portion at UTC-3; the southern Magallanes region, which does not use daylight saving time and remains at UTC-3 for the summer months; and Easter Island at UTC-5 Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Chile, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Torres Del Paine National Park; Valle de la Luna and the Atacama Desert; Easter Island; Santiago; Chile's Lake District; Valparaíso; Lauca National Park, Cape Horn; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System Major Sports: Soccer, rugby, tennis Cultural Practices: Giving scissors or knives indicates a desire to sever a relationship. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up is appreciated. A tip of 1,000 pesos per night per person is considered a good tip for housekeeping, and a little tip per bag is expected for bellhops. Souvenirs: Lapis lazuli jewelry, greda clay cooking pots, native pottery/ceramics, brassware, wine, merken chile seasonings Traditional Cuisine: Pastel de Choclo — ground beef, onions, olives, and raisins, topped with a sweet corn crust; the corn crust is a paste of sweet corn kernels and basil cooked in milk or lardPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

20220901

field-area-rankings

This entry, which appears only in the World, Geography category, provides rankings for the earth's largest (or smallest) continents, countries, oceans, islands, mountain ranges, or other physical features.

20220901

countries-senegal

Topic: Photos of Senegal Topic: Introduction Background: Senegal is one of the few countries in the world with evidence of continuous human life from the Paleolithic era to present. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Jolof Empire ruled most of Senegal. Starting in the 15th century, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain traded along the Senegalese coast. Senegal’s location on the western tip of Africa made it a favorable base for the European slave trade. European powers used the Senegalese island of Goree as a base to purchase slaves from the warring chiefdoms on the mainland, and at the height of the slave trade in Senegal, over one-third of the Senegalese population was enslaved. In 1815, France abolished slavery and began expanding inland. During the second half of the 19th century, France took possession of Senegal as a French colony. In 1959, the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. The union broke up after only a few months. In 1982, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never implemented, and the union dissolved in 1989. Since the 1980s, the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance - a separatist movement based in southern Senegal - has led a low-level insurgency. Several attempts at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement have failed. Since 2012, despite sporadic incidents of violence, an unofficial cease-fire has remained largely in effect. Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye WADE was elected president in 2000 and re-elected in 2007. WADE amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition. In 2012, WADE’s decision to run for a third presidential term sparked public backlash that led to his defeat to current President Macky SALL. A 2016 constitutional referendum limited future presidents to two consecutive five-year terms. The change, however, does not apply to SALL's first term. In February 2019, SALL won his bid for reelection; his second term will end in 2024.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania Geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 196,722 sq km land: 192,530 sq km water: 4,192 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Dakota; slightly larger than twice the size of Indiana Land boundaries: total: 2,684 km border countries (5): The Gambia 749 km; Guinea 363 km; Guinea-Bissau 341 km; Mali 489 km; Mauritania 742 km Coastline: 531 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Elevation: highest point: unnamed elevation 2.8 km southeast of Nepen Diaka 648 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 69 m Natural resources: fish, phosphates, iron ore Land use: agricultural land: 46.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 29.1% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 9.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,200 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambia (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km) Major aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin Population distribution: the population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts Geography - note: westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal Map description: Senegal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.Senegal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 17,923,036 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Senegalese (singular and plural) adjective: Senegalese Ethnic groups: Wolof 39.7%, Pular 27.5%, Serer 16%, Mandinka 4.9%, Jola 4.2%, Soninke 2.4%, other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2019 est.) Languages: French (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke Religions: Muslim 97.2% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 2.7% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2019 est.) Demographic profile: Senegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal’s high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country’s large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country’s high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged.Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa – and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country’s economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants).Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal’s Casamance region.Senegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal’s high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country’s large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country’s high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged.Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa – and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country’s economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants).Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal’s Casamance region. Age structure: 0-14 years: 40.38% (male 3,194,454/female 3,160,111) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 1,596,896/female 1,606,084) 25-54 years: 31.95% (male 2,327,424/female 2,700,698) 55-64 years: 4.21% (male 283,480/female 378,932) 65 years and over: 3.1% (2020 est.) (male 212,332/female 275,957) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 84.2 youth dependency ratio: 78.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 19.4 years male: 18.5 years female: 20.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.57% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 31.51 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.08 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 49.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.326 million DAKAR (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.9 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 315 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.96 years male: 68.23 years female: 71.77 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.27 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 26.9% (2019) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.9% of population rural: 79.3% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 4.1% of population rural: 20.7% of population total: 12.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.1% (2019) Physicians density: 0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 94.1% of population rural: 55.5% of population total: 74.1% of population unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population rural: 44.5% of population total: 25.9% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 39,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Senegal is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 6.9% (2020 est.) male: 13.1% (2020 est.) female: 0.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 14.4% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.8% women married by age 18: 30.5% men married by age 18: 0.7% (2019 est.) Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.9% male: 64.8% female: 39.8% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 8 years female: 9 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 4.1% male: 2.9% female: 6.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; periodic droughts; seasonal flooding; overfishing; weak environmental protective laws; wildlife populations threatened by poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 37.52 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 10.9 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.74 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Land use: agricultural land: 46.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 29.1% (2018 est.) forest: 43.8% (2018 est.) other: 9.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 49.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.46% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Senegal is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in cereal production - about 770,000 people are projected to face severe food insecurity between June and August 2022, reflecting persisting food access constraints; mostly on account of localized shortfalls in cereal production and reduced incomes owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,454,059 tons (2016 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambia (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km) Major aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.065 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 38.97 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Senegal conventional short form: Senegal local long form: Republique du Senegal local short form: Senegal former: Senegambia (along with The Gambia), Mali Federation etymology: named for the Senegal River that forms the northern border of the country; many theories exist for the origin of the river name; perhaps the most widely cited derives the name from "Azenegue," the Portuguese appellation for the Berber Zenaga people who lived north of the river Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Dakar geographic coordinates: 14 44 N, 17 38 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Atlantic coast trading settlement of Ndakaaru came to be called "Dakar" by French colonialists Administrative divisions: 14 regions (regions, singular - region); Dakar, Diourbel, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kedougou, Kolda, Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Sedhiou, Tambacounda, Thies, Ziguinchor Independence: 4 April 1960 (from France); note - complete independence achieved upon dissolution of federation with Mali on 20 August 1960 National holiday: Independence Day, 4 April (1960) Constitution: history: previous 1959 (preindependence), 1963; latest adopted by referendum 7 January 2001, promulgated 22 January 2001 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires Assembly approval and approval in a referendum; the president can bypass a referendum and submit an amendment directly to the Assembly, which requires at least three-fifths majority vote; the republican form of government is not amendable; amended several times, last in 2019 Legal system: civil law system based on French law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Court International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal dual citizenship recognized: no, but Senegalese citizens do not automatically lose their citizenship if they acquire citizenship in another state residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Macky SALL (since 2 April 2012) head of government: 0n 11 December 2021, the National Assembly approved a constitutional amendment re-establishing the position of Prime Minister which SALL eliminated after his re-election in 2019; the new Prime Minister will be appointed in early 2022. cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term; election last held on 24 February 2019 (next to be held in February 2024) election results: Macky SALL elected president in first round; percent of vote - Macky SALL (APR) 58.3%, Idrissa SECK (Rewmi) 20.5%, Ousmane SONKO (PASTEF) 15.7%, other 5.5% (2019) Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (165 seats; 112 members including 15 representing Senegalese diaspora directly elected by plurality vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies and 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote in a single nationwide constituency; member term is 5-years) elections: National Assembly - last held on 31 July 2022 (next to be held in July 2027) (2022) election results: National Assembly results - percent of vote by party/coalition - BBY 46.6%, YAW 32.9%, WS 14.5%, other 6%;  seats by party/coalition - BBY 82, YAW 56, WS 24, other 3; composition - men 95, women 70, percent of women 42.4% (2022) Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the court president and 12 judges and organized into civil and commercial, criminal, administrative, and social chambers); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionel (consists of 7 members, including the court president, vice president, and 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon recommendation of the Superior Council of the Magistrates, a body chaired by the president and minister of justice; judge tenure varies, with mandatory retirement either at 65 or 68 years; Constitutional Council members appointed - 5 by the president and 2 by the National Assembly speaker; judges serve 6-year terms, with renewal of 2 members every 2 years subordinate courts: High Court of Justice (for crimes of high treason by the president); Courts of Appeal; Court of Auditors; assize courts; regional and district courts; Labor Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance for the Republic-Yakaar or APR-Yakaar [Macky SALL] Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE] Alliance for Citizenship and Labor or ACT [Abdoul MBAYE] And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Mamadou DIOP Decriox] Benno Bokk Yakaar or BBY (United in Hope) [Macky SALL] (coalition includes AFP, APR, BGC, LD-MPT, PIT, PS, and UNP) Bokk Gis Gis coalition [Pape DIOP] Citizen Movement for National Reform or MCRN-Bes Du Nakk [Mansour Sy DJAMIL] Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Abdoulaye BATHILY] Democratic Renaissance Congress Dare the Future movement [Aissata Tall SALL] Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE] Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS] General Alliance for the Interests of the Republic or AGIR [Thierno BOCOUM] Grand Party or GP [Malick GAKOU] Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Magatte THIAM] Jotna Coalition Liberate the People (Yewwi Askan Wi) or YAW [Barthelemy DIAS, Ousmane SONKO, Khalifa SALL] Madicke 2019 coalition [Madicke NIANG] National Union for the People or UNP [Souleymane Ndene NDIAYE] Only Senegal movement [Pierre Goudiaby ATEPA] Party for Truth and Development or PVD [Cheikh Ahmadou Kara MBAKE] Party of Unity and Rally or PUR [El Hadji SALL] Patriotic Convergence Kaddu Askan Wi or CP-Kaddu Askan Wi [Abdoulaye BALDE] Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity or (PASTEF) [Ousmane SONKO] Rewmi Party [Idrissa SECK] Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE] Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG] Tekki Movement [Mamadou Lamine DIALLO] Save Senegal (Wallu Senegal Grand Coalition) or WS [Abdoulaye WADE] (coalition includes Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS, Jotna Coalition, Democratic Renaissance Congress) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, CPLP (associate), ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mansour Elimane KANE (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 2215 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 234-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 629-2961 email address and website: contact@ambasenegal-us.org http://www.ambasenegal-us.org/index.php consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RAYNOR (since February 2022); note - also accredited to Guinea-Bissau embassy: Route des Almadies, Dakar mailing address: 2130 Dakar Place, Washington DC  20521-2130 telephone: [221] 33-879-4000 email address and website: DakarACS@state.gov https://sn.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red with a small green five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; green represents Islam, progress, and hope; yellow signifies natural wealth and progress; red symbolizes sacrifice and determination; the star denotes unity and hope note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Mali and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea National symbol(s): lion; national colors: green, yellow, red National anthem: name: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons) lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (5 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Island of Gorée (c); Niokolo-Koba National Park (n); Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (n); Island of Saint-Louis (c); Stone Circles of Senegambia (c); Saloum Delta (c); Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula, and Bedik Cultural Landscapes (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Senegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall.   President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan.   Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF’s fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018.   The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government’s goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal’s development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal’s plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity.Senegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall. President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan. Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF’s fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018. The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government’s goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal’s development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal’s plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $55.26 billion (2020 est.) $54.78 billion (2019 est.) $52.47 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 7.2% (2017 est.) 6.2% (2016 est.) 6.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $3,300 (2020 est.) $3,400 (2019 est.) $3,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $23.576 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2000) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 16.9% (2017 est.) industry: 24.3% (2017 est.) services: 58.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 71.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: groundnuts, watermelons, rice, sugar cane, cassava, millet, maize, onions, sorghum, vegetables Industries: agricultural and fish processing, phosphate mining, fertilizer production, petroleum refining, zircon, and gold mining, construction materials, ship construction and repair Industrial production growth rate: 7.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6.966 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 77.5% industry: 22.5% industry and services: 22.5% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 48% (2007 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 4.1% male: 2.9% female: 6.7% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 46.7% (2011 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.3 (2011 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% highest 10%: 31.1% (2011) Budget: revenues: 4.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.9 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 48.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.547 billion (2017 est.) -$769 million (2016 est.) Exports: $5.29 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.498 billion (2016 est.) Exports - partners: Mali 22%, Switzerland 14%, India 9%, China 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, refined petroleum, phosphoric acid, fish, ground nuts (2019) Imports: $8.96 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.966 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: China 17%, France 11%, Belgium 7%, Russia 7%, Netherlands 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rice, cars, malt extract, clothing and apparel (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.827 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $116.9 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $8.571 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.327 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 617.4 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 71% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 50% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.312 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 4,735,980,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 324 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 764 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 84.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 894,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 894,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 57,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 20,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 17,590 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 4,063 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 32,050 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 60.003 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 60.003 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 10.696 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.955 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 8.64 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 101,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 9.221 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 228,774 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 19,078,948 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Senegal’s telecom market continues to show steady growth in all sectors; this has been supported by the particular demands made on consumers during the pandemic, which resulted in a particularly strong increase in the number of subscribers; the mobile subscriber base increased 6.7% in 2020, year-on-year, and by 4.1% in 2021, while the number of fixed broadband subscribers increased 17.5% year-on-year in 2021; mobile internet platforms account for the vast majority of all internet accesses; quality of service issues continue to plague the market, with the regulator periodically issuing fines to the market players; Orange Group’s local subsidiary Orange Senegal (Sonatel) remains the dominant player in both the fixed-line and mobile sectors; Free Senegal and Expresso Telecom provide effective competition, and though their relative market shares have been relatively stable since 2013, Free has more recently made some inroads to the share held by Expresso; this can partly be explained by the two-year delay in Expresso launching LTE services, and so losing new subscribers to its competitors; both Sonatel and Free continue to pilot 5G services in the country; Orange Senegal for some years held a near monopoly on the fixed-line, though moderate competition became effective after Expresso launched services as the second national operator in 2009; Expresso stopped investing in the sector, and it stopped providing fixed telephony services in September 2018; in February 2021, the regulator ordered the company to relaunch fixed telephony services, and so adhere to its license terms; By the following September it had signed up several thousand customers. (2022) domestic: generally reliable urban system with a fiber-optic network; about two-thirds of all fixed-line connections are in Dakar; mobile-cellular service is steadily displacing fixed-line service, even in urban areas; fixed-line roughly 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular 114 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 221; landing points for the ACE, Atlantis-2, MainOne and SAT-3/WASC submarine cables providing connectivity from South Africa, numerous western African countries, Europe and South America; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-run Radiodiffusion Television Senegalaise (RTS) broadcasts TV programs from five cities in Senegal; in most regions of the country, viewers can receive TV programming from at least 7 private broadcasters; a wide range of independent TV programming is available via satellite; RTS operates a national radio network and a number of regional FM stations; at least 7 community radio stations and 18 private-broadcast radio stations are available; transmissions of at least 5 international broadcasters are accessible on FM in Dakar (2019) Internet country code: .sn Internet users: total: 7,199,890 (2020 est.) percent of population: 43% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 153,813 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 21,038 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 40,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 6V Airports: total: 20 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 43 km gas, 8 km refined products (2017) Railways: total: 906 km (2017) (713 km operational in 2017) narrow gauge: 906 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 16,665 km (2017) paved: 6,126 km (2017) (includes 241 km of expressways) unpaved: 10,539 km (2017) Waterways: 1,000 km (2012) (primarily on the Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance Rivers) Merchant marine: total: 35 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 29 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Dakar Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Senegalese Armed Forces (Forces Armées Sénégalaises, FAS): Army, Senegalese National Navy (Marine Senegalaise, MNS), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal), National Gendarmerie (includes Territorial and Mobile components); Ministry of Interior: National Police (2022) note: the National Police operates in major cities, while the Gendarmerie primarily operates outside urban areas Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $490 million) 1.6% of GDP (2018) (approximately $490 million) 1.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $430 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 19,000 active personnel (12,000 Army; 1,000 Navy/Coast Guard; 1,000 Air Force; 5,000 National Gendarmerie) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAS inventory includes mostly older or second-hand equipment from a variety of countries, including France, South Africa, and Russia/former Soviet Union; in recent years, the FAS has undertaken a modernization program; since 2010, it has received newer equipment from nearly 15 countries, with France as the leading supplier (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); 20 years of age for selective conscript service; 2-year service obligation; women have been accepted into military service since 2008 (2022) Military deployments: 750 Gambia (ECOMIG); 970 Mali (MINUSMA); note - Senegal also has about 1,100 police deployed on various UN peacekeeping missions (2022) Military - note: Senegalese security forces continue to be engaged in a low-level counterinsurgency campaign in the southern Casamance region against various factions of the separatist Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MDFC); while violent incidents have decreased since a tacit cease-fire was reached in 2012, the insurgency, which began in 1982, continued as of mid-2022 and remained one of longest running low-level conflicts in the world, claiming more than 5,000 lives and leaving another 60,000 displaced (2022) note: in August 2022, a representative of the Senegalese Government and a leader of the MFDC signed an agreement in which the MFDC pledged to lay down its arms and work towards a permanent peace Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Senegal-Guinea-Bissau: rebels from the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance find refuge in Guinea-BissauSenegal-Guinea-Bissau: rebels from the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance find refuge in Guinea-Bissau Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 14,199 (Mauritania) (2022) IDPs: 8,400 (2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: Senegal is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women who are subjected to forced begging, forced labor, and sex trafficking; traffickers subject Senegalese children to forced labor in domestic service, mining, and prostitution; some Senegalese boys from Quranic schools and boys from The Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea are forced to beg; Senegalese women and girls are forced into domestic servitude in neighboring countries, Europe, and the Middle East, while others are sexually exploited in Senegal; women and girls from other West African countries are subjected to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation in Senegal; Ukrainian and Chinese women are exploited for sex trafficking in bars and nightclubs; North Korean workers are forced to work in construction tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Senegal does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include establishing an anti-trafficking database; planning the third phase of its program to remove vulnerable children, including trafficking victims, from the streets of major cities; launching an emergency campaign to place vulnerable children and forced begging victims in shelters due to COVID 19 pandemic; however, the government rarely proactively investigated or prosecuted traffickers exploiting children in forced begging; authorities did not take action against officials who refused to investigate such cases; officials only applied adequate prison terms in accordance with the 2005 anti-trafficking law to two convicted traffickers; authorities did not identify any adult trafficking victims; government officials continued to have a limited knowledge of trafficking; Senegal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Illicit drugs: major transit point on the cocaine route from South America to Europe; the third-largest cannabis-producing country in West Africamajor transit point on the cocaine route from South America to Europe; the third-largest cannabis-producing country in West Africa

20220901

field-real-gdp-per-capita-country-comparison

20220901

field-physicians-density

This entry gives the number of medical doctors (physicians), including generalist and specialist medical practitioners, per 1,000 of the population. Medical doctors are defined as doctors that study, diagnose, treat, and prevent illness, disease, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans through the application of modern medicine. They also plan, supervise, and evaluate care and treatment plans by other health care providers. The World Health Organization estimates that fewer than 2.3 health workers (physicians, nurses, and midwives only) per 1,000 would be insufficient to achieve coverage of primary healthcare needs. Topic: Afghanistan0.25 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Albania1.88 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Algeria1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: Andorra3.33 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Angola0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: AnguillaNA Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Argentina4.06 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Armenia4.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Australia4.13 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Austria5.29 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Azerbaijan3.17 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Bahamas, The1.94 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bahrain0.93 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Bangladesh0.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Barbados2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Belarus4.54 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Belgium6.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Belize1.08 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Benin0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: BermudaNA Topic: Bhutan0.5 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Bolivia1.03 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina2.16 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Botswana0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Brazil2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Brunei1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Bulgaria4.2 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Burkina Faso0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Burma0.74 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Burundi0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Cabo Verde0.83 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Cambodia0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Cameroon0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Canada2.44 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Chad0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Chile2.84 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: China2.23 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Colombia2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Comoros0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Congo, Republic of the0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Cook Islands1.41 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Costa Rica3.3 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Croatia3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Cuba8.42 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: Cyprus3.14 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Czechia4.15 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Denmark4.23 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Djibouti0.22 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Dominica1.1 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Dominican Republic1.45 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Ecuador2.22 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Egypt0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: El Salvador2.87 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Equatorial Guinea0.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Eritrea0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Estonia3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Eswatini0.14 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Ethiopia0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe Islands2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Fiji0.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Finland4.64 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: France3.27 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: French PolynesiaNA Topic: Gabon0.65 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Gambia, The0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Gaza Strip2.71 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Georgia5.11 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Germany4.44 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Ghana0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: Greece6.31 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Greenland1.87 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Grenada1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Guatemala1.24 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Guinea0.23 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Guinea-Bissau0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Guyana1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Haiti0.23 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Honduras0.5 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Hong Kong2.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Hungary6.06 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Iceland4.14 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: India0.74 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Indonesia0.62 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Iran1.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Iraq0.97 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Ireland3.49 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: Israel3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Italy3.95 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Jamaica0.53 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Japan2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan2.66 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Kazakhstan3.98 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Kenya0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Kiribati0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013) Topic: Korea, North3.68 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Korea, South2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: KosovoNA Topic: Kuwait2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Kyrgyzstan2.21 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Laos0.35 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Latvia3.4 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Lebanon2.21 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Lesotho0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Liberia0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Libya2.09 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: Lithuania5.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Luxembourg3.01 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Malawi0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Malaysia1.54 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Maldives2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Mali0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Malta2.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Marshall Islands0.42 physicians/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Mauritania0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Mauritius2.71 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Mexico2.43 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Moldova3.1 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Monaco7.51 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Mongolia3.85 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Montenegro2.74 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Namibia0.59 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Nauru1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Nepal0.85 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Netherlands4.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: New CaledoniaNA Topic: New Zealand3.62 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Nicaragua1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Niger0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Nigeria0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: NiueNA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia2.87 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: Norway5.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Oman1.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Pakistan1.12 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Palau1.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Panama1.63 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinea0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Paraguay1.05 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Peru1.37 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Philippines0.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland3.77 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Portugal5.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Puerto Rico3.06 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Qatar2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Romania2.98 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Russia3.82 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Rwanda0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis2.77 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Saint Lucia0.64 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Saint MartinNA Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0.66 physicians/1,000 population (2012) Topic: Samoa0.6 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: San Marino6.11 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Saudi Arabia2.74 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Senegal0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Serbia3.11 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Seychelles2.25 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Sierra Leone0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Singapore2.46 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Sint MaartenNA Topic: Slovakia3.57 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Slovenia3.28 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Solomon Islands0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Somalia0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: South Africa0.79 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Spain4.44 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Sri Lanka1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Sudan0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Suriname0.82 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden7.09 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Switzerland4.38 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Syria1.29 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: TaiwanNA Topic: Tajikistan1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Tanzania0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Thailand0.95 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Timor-Leste0.76 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Togo0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tonga0.95 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago4.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Tunisia1.3 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)1.93 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: Turkmenistan2.23 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: Tuvalu1.19 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Uganda0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: Ukraine2.99 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: United Arab Emirates2.6 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Topic: United Kingdom3 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: United States2.61 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Uruguay4.94 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Uzbekistan2.37 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Vanuatu0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Venezuela1.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Topic: Vietnam0.83 physicians/1,000 population (2016) Topic: Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West Bank3.25 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Topic: WorldNA Topic: Yemen0.53 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Topic: Zambia1.17 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Topic: Zimbabwe0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

20220901

countries-wallis-and-futuna

Topic: Photos of Wallis and Futuna Topic: Introduction Background: The first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.The first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 142 sq km land: 142 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 129 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills Elevation: highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: NEGL Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 41.9% (2018 est.) other: 15.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Natural hazards: cyclones; tsunamis Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes Map description: Wallis and Futuna map showing the islands that make up this French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific Ocean.Wallis and Futuna map showing the islands that make up this French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 15,891 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander Ethnic groups: Polynesian Languages: Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.58% (male 1,702/female 1,561) 15-24 years: 14.72% (male 1,238/female 1,095) 25-54 years: 43.55% (male 3,529/female 3,376) 55-64 years: 9.99% (male 745/female 842) 65 years and over: 11.73% (2022 est.) (male 953/female 911) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 34 years male: 33.1 years female: 35.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.25% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.67 years male: 77.68 years female: 83.81 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: 92.9% of population total: 92.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 7.1% of population total: 7.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna negatively impacts agricultural productivity Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 41.9% (2018 est.) other: 15.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna former: Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS, who discovered it in 1767; Futuna is derived from the native word "futu," which is the name of the fish-poison tree found on the island Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) Constitution: history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply Legal system: French civil law Citizenship: see France Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Herve JONATHAN (since 11 January 2021) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since 20 March 2022) cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior on the advice of the Territorial Assembly elections/appointments: French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); administrator superior appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers Legislative branch: description: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats - Wallis 13, Futuna 7; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Wallis and Futuna indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term, and directly elects 1 deputy to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote for a 5-year term elections: Territorial Assembly - last held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) French Senate - last held on 24 and 27 September 2020 (next to be held by September 2023) French National Assembly - last held on 11 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) election results: Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua and 2 members are elected from list Mauli fetokoniaki, 1 seat each from 16 other lists; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% representation in French Senate - LR 1 (man) representation in French National Assembly - independent 1 (man) Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases); note - appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia) judge selection and term of office: NA subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court; note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu Political parties and leaders: Left Radical Party or PRG [Guillaume LACROIX] (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) (leader NA) Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU] Socialist Party or PS Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA] Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions National symbol(s): red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white National anthem: note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment.   Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities.   A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities. A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 million (2004 est.) Real GDP growth rate: NANA Real GDP per capita: $3,800 (2004 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $195 million (2005) (2005) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2015) 2.8% (2005) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 26% (2005) government consumption: 54% (2005) Agricultural products: coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 4,482 (2013) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 74% industry: 3% services: 23% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.8% (2013 est.) 12.2% (2008 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 32.54 million (2015 est.) NA expenditures: 34.18 million (2015 est.) NA Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.8% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA Public debt: 5.6% of GDP (2004 est.) note: offical data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions Taxes and other revenues: 16.7% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA Fiscal year: calendar year Exports: $47,450 (2004 est.) Exports - partners: Singapore 47%, France 32%, Belgium 9% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, jewelry, cars, aircraft parts, polyacetals (2019) Imports: $61.17 million (2004 est.) Imports - partners: France 43%, Fiji 24%, New Zealand 11%, Australia 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, beef products, poultry meats, engine parts, packaged medicines (2019) Debt - external: $3.67 million (2004) Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 110.2 (2015 est.) 89.8 (2014 est.) 89.85 (2013 est.) 90.56 (2012 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,132 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2018 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 0 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: 2G widespread; bandwidth is limited; mobile subscriber numbers are higher than fixed-line and better suited for islands; good mobile coverage in the capital cities and also reasonable coverage across more remote atolls; recent international interest in infrastructure development; increase in demand for mobile broadband as mobile services serve as primary source for Internet access; Kacific-1 broadband satellite launched in 2019 to improve costs and capability (2020) domestic: fixed-line teledensity 25 per 100 persons and 0 per 100 mobile subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 681; landing point for the Tui-Samoa submarine cable network connecting Wallis & Futuna, Samoa and Fiji (2020) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments Broadcast media: the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019) Internet country code: .wf Internet users: total: 1,029 (2019 est.) percent of population: 9% (2019 est.) Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 2 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Merchant marine: total: 1 by type: other 1 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Leava, Mata-Utu Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

countries-palau-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Palau.  Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required, as long as you are a tourist, and do not stay in the country more than a year. US Embassy/Consulate: +680-587-2920/2990; EMER: +680-775-6150; US Embassy in Koror, Airai State, in an area known as Omsangel (no street address), PO Box 6028, Koror, Palau 96940; ConsularKoror@state.gov; https://pw.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 680 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever and cholera is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Currency (Code): US Dollar is used (USD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: Palauan, other Micronesian, English, Filipino, Chinese Major Religions: Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Baptist), Modekngei 5.7% Palau), Muslim 3%, Mormon 1.5% Time Difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Ngerulmud; Jellyfish Lake; Rock Islands; Clear Lake; Lake Ngardok; Peleliu War Museum Major Sports: Soccer, volleyball, basketball Cultural Practices: Unlike in western countries where raised eyebrows often signal confusion, in Palau they are taken to mean agreement. Tipping Guidelines: Tip 10-15% of the bill in restaurants and $5 (USD) per tank when diving. Souvenirs: Woven baskets, mats, and straw hats; shell jewelry, wood-carved storyboards and figurines, spices, flower-based body products Traditional Cuisine: Tinola — soup made with chicken, green papaya, and gingerPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022

20220901

countries-bolivia

Topic: Photos of Bolivia Topic: Introduction Background: Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1978. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor and indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his "process of change." In February 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. However, a 2017 Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to be chosen by his party to run again in 2019. MORALES attempted to claim victory in the October 2019 election, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud, rising violence, and pressure from the military ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, prepared new elections that took place in October 2020; President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora took office the following month.Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1978. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor and indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his "process of change." In February 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. However, a 2017 Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to be chosen by his party to run again in 2019. MORALES attempted to claim victory in the October 2019 election, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud, rising violence, and pressure from the military ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, prepared new elections that took place in October 2020; President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora took office the following month.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central South America, southwest of Brazil Geographic coordinates: 17 00 S, 65 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,098,581 sq km land: 1,083,301 sq km water: 15,280 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than three times the size of Montana Land boundaries: total: 7,252 km border countries (5): Argentina 942 km; Brazil 3,403 km; Chile 942 km; Paraguay 753 km; Peru 1,212 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) 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 Elevation: highest point: Nevado Sajama 6,542 m lowest point: Rio Paraguay 90 m mean elevation: 1,192 m Natural resources: tin, natural gas, petroleum, zinc, tungsten, antimony, silver, iron, lead, gold, timber, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 34.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2018 est.) forest: 52.5% (2018 est.) other: 13.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,000 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Population distribution: a high altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes Natural hazards: flooding in the northeast (March to April)volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m)flooding in the northeast (March to April)volcanism: volcanic activity in Andes Mountains on the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in this region are Irruputuncu (5,163 m), which last erupted in 1995, and the Olca-Paruma volcanic complex (5,762 m to 5,167 m) Geography - note: note 1: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru note 2: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato, while southeast Bolivia and northwest Argentina seem to be the original development site for peanuts Map description: Bolivia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 12,054,379 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Bolivian(s) adjective: Bolivian Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed White and Amerindian ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% of respondents indicated feeling part of some indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.) note: results among surveys vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices; the 2001 national census did not provide "Mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices; the use of "Mestizo" and "Cholo" varies among response choices in surveys, with surveys using the terms interchangeably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices Languages: Spanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other native languages 0.4%, foreign languages 2.4%, none 0.1%; note - Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including a few that are extinct (2001 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 0.8%, other 3.5%, none 6.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Bolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, malnutrition, mortality, and life expectancy. On the positive side, more children are being vaccinated and more pregnant women are getting prenatal care and having skilled health practitioners attend their births.Bolivia’s income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Public education is of poor quality, and educational opportunities are among the most unevenly distributed in Latin America, with girls and indigenous and rural children less likely to be literate or to complete primary school. The lack of access to education and family planning services helps to sustain Bolivia’s high fertility rate—approximately three children per woman. Bolivia’s lack of clean water and basic sanitation, especially in rural areas, contributes to health problems.Between 7% and 16% of Bolivia’s population lives abroad (estimates vary in part because of illegal migration). Emigrants primarily seek jobs and better wages in Argentina (the principal destination), the US, and Spain. In recent years, more restrictive immigration policies in Europe and the US have increased the flow of Bolivian emigrants to neighboring countries. Fewer Bolivians migrated to Brazil in 2015 and 2016 because of its recession; increasing numbers have been going to Chile, mainly to work as miners.Bolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, malnutrition, mortality, and life expectancy. On the positive side, more children are being vaccinated and more pregnant women are getting prenatal care and having skilled health practitioners attend their births.Bolivia’s income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Public education is of poor quality, and educational opportunities are among the most unevenly distributed in Latin America, with girls and indigenous and rural children less likely to be literate or to complete primary school. The lack of access to education and family planning services helps to sustain Bolivia’s high fertility rate—approximately three children per woman. Bolivia’s lack of clean water and basic sanitation, especially in rural areas, contributes to health problems.Between 7% and 16% of Bolivia’s population lives abroad (estimates vary in part because of illegal migration). Emigrants primarily seek jobs and better wages in Argentina (the principal destination), the US, and Spain. In recent years, more restrictive immigration policies in Europe and the US have increased the flow of Bolivian emigrants to neighboring countries. Fewer Bolivians migrated to Brazil in 2015 and 2016 because of its recession; increasing numbers have been going to Chile, mainly to work as miners. Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.34% (male 1,799,925/female 1,731,565) 15-24 years: 19.21% (male 1,133,120/female 1,103,063) 25-54 years: 38.68% (male 2,212,096/female 2,289,888) 55-64 years: 6.06% (male 323,210/female 382,139) 65 years and over: 5.71% (2020 est.) (male 291,368/female 373,535) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 60.5 youth dependency ratio: 48.5 elderly dependency ratio: 12 potential support ratio: 8.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.5 years female: 26 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.12% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 18.61 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: a high altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes Urbanization: urban population: 70.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.908 million LA PAZ (capital), 1.784 million Santa Cruz, 1.369 million Cochabamba (2022); 278,000 Sucre (constitutional capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.1 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 155 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.5 years male: 71.04 years female: 74.02 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.33 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 66.5% (2016) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 80.2% of population total: 93.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 19.8% of population total: 6.5% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.9% (2019) Physicians density: 1.03 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 48.4% of population total: 83.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 51.6% of population total: 16.9% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 12.7% (2020 est.) male: 20.5% (2020 est.) female: 4.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.4% (2016) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 3.4% women married by age 18: 19.7% men married by age 18: 5.2% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2014 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 92.5% male: 96.5% female: 88.6% (2015) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 16.1% male: 15.7% female: 16.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: the clearing of land for agricultural purposes and the international demand for tropical timber are contributing to deforestation; soil erosion from overgrazing and poor cultivation methods (including slash-and-burn agriculture); desertification; loss of biodiversity; industrial pollution of water supplies used for drinking and irrigation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 20.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 21.61 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 21.01 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid Land use: agricultural land: 34.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2018 est.) forest: 52.5% (2018 est.) other: 13.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 70.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.33% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,219,052 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 268,727 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.1% (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 136 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.92 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 574 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Plurinational State of Bolivia conventional short form: Bolivia local long form: Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia local short form: Bolivia etymology: the country is named after Simon BOLIVAR, a 19th-century leader in the South American wars for independence Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: La Paz (administrative capital); Sucre (constitutional [legislative and judicial] capital) geographic coordinates: 16 30 S, 68 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: La Paz is a shortening of the original name of the city, Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace); Sucre is named after Antonio Jose de Sucre (1795-1830), military hero in the independence struggle from Spain and the second president of Bolivia note: at approximately 3,630 m above sea level, La Paz's elevation makes it the highest capital city in the world Administrative divisions: 9 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Beni, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, La Paz, Oruro, Pando, Potosi, Santa Cruz, Tarija Independence: 6 August 1825 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 August (1825) Constitution: history: many previous; latest drafted 6 August 2006 to 9 December 2008, approved by referendum 25 January 2009, effective 7 February 2009 amendments: proposed through public petition by at least 20% of voters or by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership of the Assembly and approval in a referendum; amended 2013 Legal system: civil law system with influences from Roman, Spanish, canon (religious), French, and indigenous law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora (since 8 November 2020); Vice President David CHOQUEHUANCA Cespedes (since 8 November 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora (since 8 November 2020); Vice President David CHOQUEHUANCA Cespedes (since 8 November 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot one of 3 ways: candidate wins at least 50% of the vote, or at least 40% of the vote and 10% more than the next highest candidate; otherwise a second round is held and the winner determined by simple majority vote; president and vice president are elected by majority vote to serve a 5-year term; no term limits (changed from two consecutive term limit by Constitutional Court in late 2017); election last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025) election results: 2020: Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora elected president; percent of vote - Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora (MAS) 55.1%; Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert (CC) 28.8%; Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca (Creemos) 14%; other 2.1% 2018: Juan Evo MORALES Ayma reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Evo MORALES Ayma (MAS) 61%; Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana (UN) 24.5%; Jorge QUIROGA Ramirez (POC) 9.1%; other 5.4%; note - MORALES resigned from office on 10 November 2019 over alleged election rigging; resignations of all his constitutionally designated successors followed, including the Vice President, President of the Senate, President of the Chamber of Deputies, and First Vice President of the Senate, leaving the Second Vice President of the Senate, Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, the highest-ranking official still in office; her appointment to the presidency was endorsed by Bolivia's Constitutional Court, and she served as interim president until the 8 November 2020 inauguration of Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora, who was winner of the 18 October 2020 presidential election Legislative branch: description: bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (36 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 53 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, and 7 (apportioned to non-contiguous, rural areas in 7 of the 9 states) directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in 2025) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 21, ACC 11, Creemos 4; composition as of March 2022 - men 16, women 20, percent of women 55.6% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 75, ACC 39, Creemos 16; composition as of March 2022 - men 70, women 60, percent of women 46.2%; note - total Plurinational Legislative Assembly percent of women as of March 2022 - 48.2% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (consists of 12 judges or ministros organized into civil, penal, social, and administrative chambers); Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (consists of 7 primary and 7 alternate magistrates); Plurinational Electoral Organ (consists of 7 members and 6 alternates); National Agro-Environment Court (consists of 5 primary and 5 alternate judges; Council of the Judiciary (consists of 3 primary and 3 alternate judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal, National Agro-Environmental Court, and Council of the Judiciary candidates pre-selected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and elected by direct popular vote; judges elected for 6-year terms; Plurinational Electoral Organ judges appointed - 6 by the Legislative Assembly and 1 by the president of the republic; members serve single 6-year terms subordinate courts: National Electoral Court; District Courts (in each of the 9 administrative departments); agro-environmental lower courts Political parties and leaders: Community Citizen Alliance or ACC [Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert] Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma] National Unity or UN [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Auza] Revolutionary Left Front or FRI [Edgar GUZMAN Jauregui] Social Democrat Movement or MDS [Ruben COSTAS Aguilera] We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] note: We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] is a coalition comprised of several opposition parties that participated in the 2020 election, which includes the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and Solidarity Civic Unity (UCS) International organization participation: CAN, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Alejandro Roberto BILBAO LA VIEJA RUIZ, First Secretary (since 6 July 2021) chancery: 3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4410 FAX: [1] (202) 328-3712 email address and website: embolivia.wdc@gmail.com consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Maple Grove (MN), Miami, New York, Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Charisse PHILLIPS (since August 2020) embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, La Paz mailing address: 3220 La Paz Place, Washington DC  20512-3220 telephone: [591] (2) 216-8000 FAX: [591] (2) 216-8111 email address and website: ConsularLaPazACS@state.gov https://bo.usembassy.gov/ note: in September 2008, the Bolivian Government expelled the US Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip GOLDBERG, and both countries have yet to reinstate their ambassadors Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green with the coat of arms centered on the yellow band; red stands for bravery and the blood of national heroes, yellow for the nation's mineral resources, and green for the fertility of the land note: similar to the flag of Ghana, which has a large black five-pointed star centered in the yellow band; in 2009, a presidential decree made it mandatory for a so-called wiphala - a square, multi-colored flag representing the country's indigenous peoples - to be used alongside the traditional flag National symbol(s): llama, Andean condor, two national flowers: the cantuta and the patuju; national colors: red, yellow, green National anthem: name: "Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI note: adopted 1852 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Potosi (c); El Fuerte de Samaipata (c); Historic Sucre (c); Jesuit Missions of Chiquitos (c); Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (n); Tiahuanacu (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Bolivia is a resource rich country with strong growth attributed to captive markets for natural gas exports – to Brazil and Argentina. However, the country remains one of the least developed countries in Latin America because of state-oriented policies that deter investment.   Following an economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms in the 1990s spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large Northern Hemisphere markets. In 2005-06, the government passed hydrocarbon laws that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company in exchange for a predetermined service fee; the laws engendered much public debate. High commodity prices between 2010 and 2014 sustained rapid growth and large trade surpluses with GDP growing 6.8% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014. The global decline in oil prices that began in late 2014 exerted downward pressure on the price Bolivia receives for exported gas and resulted in lower GDP growth rates - 4.9% in 2015 and 4.3% in 2016 - and losses in government revenue as well as fiscal and trade deficits.   A lack of foreign investment in the key sectors of mining and hydrocarbons, along with conflict among social groups, pose challenges for the Bolivian economy. In 2015, President Evo MORALES expanded efforts to court international investment and boost Bolivia’s energy production capacity. MORALES passed an investment law and promised not to nationalize additional industries in an effort to improve the investment climate. In early 2016, the Government of Bolivia approved the 2016-2020 National Economic and Social Development Plan aimed at maintaining growth of 5% and reducing poverty.Bolivia is a resource rich country with strong growth attributed to captive markets for natural gas exports – to Brazil and Argentina. However, the country remains one of the least developed countries in Latin America because of state-oriented policies that deter investment. Following an economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms in the 1990s spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large Northern Hemisphere markets. In 2005-06, the government passed hydrocarbon laws that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company in exchange for a predetermined service fee; the laws engendered much public debate. High commodity prices between 2010 and 2014 sustained rapid growth and large trade surpluses with GDP growing 6.8% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014. The global decline in oil prices that began in late 2014 exerted downward pressure on the price Bolivia receives for exported gas and resulted in lower GDP growth rates - 4.9% in 2015 and 4.3% in 2016 - and losses in government revenue as well as fiscal and trade deficits. A lack of foreign investment in the key sectors of mining and hydrocarbons, along with conflict among social groups, pose challenges for the Bolivian economy. In 2015, President Evo MORALES expanded efforts to court international investment and boost Bolivia’s energy production capacity. MORALES passed an investment law and promised not to nationalize additional industries in an effort to improve the investment climate. In early 2016, the Government of Bolivia approved the 2016-2020 National Economic and Social Development Plan aimed at maintaining growth of 5% and reducing poverty. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $92.59 billion (2020 est.) $100.45 billion (2019 est.) $98.27 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.22% (2019 est.) 4.23% (2018 est.) 4.19% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $7,900 (2020 est.) $8,700 (2019 est.) $8,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $40.822 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.8% (2017 est.) industry: 37.8% (2017 est.) services: 48.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 67.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -31.3% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, soybeans, potatoes, maize, sorghum, rice, milk, plantains, poultry, bananas Industries: mining, smelting, electricity, petroleum, food and beverages, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 5.719 million (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29.4% industry: 22% services: 48.6% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 4% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.) note: data are for urban areas; widespread underemployment Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 16.1% male: 15.7% female: 16.6% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 37.2% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.2 (2018 est.) 57.9 (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 36.1% (2014 est.) Budget: revenues: 15.09 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 18.02 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 49% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities Taxes and other revenues: 39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$2.375 billion (2017 est.) -$1.932 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $7.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10.26 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10.35 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Argentina 16%, Brazil 15%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 10%, United States 6%, South Korea 5%, Peru 5%, Colombia 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: natural gas, gold, zinc, soybean oil and soy products, tin, silver, lead (2019) Imports: $8.27 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $11.95 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $12.44 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Brazil 22%, Chile 15%, China 13%, Peru 11%, Argentina 8%, United States 7% (2017) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, iron, buses (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $10.26 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $10.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $12.81 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.268 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: bolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 6.91 (2020 est.) 6.91 (2019 est.) 6.91 (2018 est.) 6.91 (2014 est.) 6.91 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 93% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.3% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 79% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.834 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 8,756,690,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.227 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 64.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 30.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 65,400 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 87,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 240.9 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 65,960 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 9,686 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 20,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 15,328,422,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 2,918,839,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 11,818,215,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 302.99 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 17.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 12.071 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 5.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 27.094 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 598,082 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11,804,343 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 101 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the structure of Bolivia’s fixed telecom market is different from most other countries; local services are primarily provided by 15 telecom cooperatives; these are non-profit-making companies privately owned and controlled by their users; since the market was liberalized, the cooperatives have also provided long-distance telephony, while several also offer broadband and pay TV service; they have invested in network upgrades in a bid to improve services for customers, and to expand their footprints; Bolivia has a multi-carrier system wherein consumers can choose a long-distance carrier for each call by dialing the carrier’s prefix; several operators have also adopted fixed-wireless technologies, and some rent fiber-optic capacity; state-owned Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Entel) is the country’s incumbent long-distance operator, also offering local telephony, DSL, and pay TV services; its subsidiary Entel Movil is Bolivia’s largest mobile network provider; the fixed broadband services remain expensive, though the cost of bandwidth is only a fraction of what it was only a few years ago; services are still unavailable in many rural and remote areas, and even in some of the major urban areas; being a landlocked country, Bolivia had no direct access to submarine cable networks, and relies on satellite services or terrestrial links across neighboring countries; in September 2020 Entel inaugurated a new cable running via Peru, which has increased capacity and contributed to a dramatic fall in end-user prices; fixed broadband services are fast migrating from DSL to fiber, while there are also cable broadband services available in some major cities; in 2007 Entel has focused on providing telecom services in rural areas under a project known as ‘Territory with Total Coverage’; this project aims to increase telecom coverage through mobile rather than through fixed networks; Bolivia has almost twenty times as many mobile phone subscribers as fixed line connections, and the trend towards fixed-mobile substitution continues; besides Entel, two other companies offer mobile telephony: Tigo, wholly owned by Luxembourg-based Millicom International, and NuevaTel, trading as Viva and controlled by Trilogy International; a proposed deal to merge Millicom’s business units in the region with those of Liberty Latin America was called off in February 2019; all three mobile companies offer 3G and LTE services; due to the poor quality, high cost, and poor reach of DSL, mobile networks have become the principal platform for voice services and data access; Tigo launched the first LTE services in mid-2014, followed by Viva in mid-2015; by early 2021 both companies’ networks reached more than 95% of the population; about 92% of all internet accesses are via smartphones. (2021) domestic: 5 per 100 fixed-line, mobile-cellular telephone use expanding rapidly and teledensity stands at 101 per 100 persons; most telephones are concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and other capital cities (2020) international: country code - 591; Bolivia has no direct access to submarine cable networks and must therefore connect to the rest of the world either via satellite or through terrestrial links across neighboring countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: large number of radio and TV stations broadcasting with private media outlets dominating; state-owned and private radio and TV stations generally operating freely, although both pro-government and anti-government groups have attacked media outlets in response to their reporting (2019) Internet country code: .bo Internet users: total: 7,003,817 (2020 est.) percent of population: 60% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 931,918 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 7 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,122,113 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 13.73 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CP Airports: total: 855 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 21 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 6 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 834 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 47 914 to 1,523 m: 151 under 914 m: 631 (2021) Pipelines: 5,457 km gas, 51 km liquid petroleum gas, 2,511 km oil, 1,627 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 3,960 km (2019) narrow gauge: 3,960 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 90,568 km (2017) paved: 9,792 km (2017) unpaved: 80,776 km (2017) Waterways: 10,000 km (2012) (commercially navigable almost exclusively in the northern and eastern parts of the country) Merchant marine: total: 45 by type: general cargo 29, oil tanker 2, other 14 (2021) Ports and terminals: river port(s): Puerto Aguirre (Paraguay/Parana) note: Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Bolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito de Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB); Ministry of Government: National Police (Policía Nacional de Bolivia, PNB) (2022) note: the PNB includes two paramilitary forces, the Anti-Narcotics Special Forces (Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Narcotráfico, FELCN) and the Anti-Terrorist Group (GAT); the PNB is part of the reserves for the Armed Forces; the police and military share responsibility for border enforcement Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $980 million) 1.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1 billion) 1.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.01 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies widely; approximately 40,000 active troops (28,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 7,000 Air Force); note - a considerable portion of the Navy personnel are marines and naval police; approximately 40,000 National Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Bolivian Armed Forces are equipped with a mix of mostly older Brazilian, Chinese, European, and US equipment; since 2010, China and France are the leading suppliers of military hardware to Bolivia (2022) Military service age and obligation: compulsory for all men between the ages of 18 and 22; men can volunteer from the age of 16, women from 18; service is for one year; Search and Rescue service can be substituted for citizens who have reached the age of compulsory military service; duration of this service is 2 years (2022) Military - note: Bolivia has a small naval force for patrolling some 5,000 miles of navigable rivers to combat narcotics trafficking and smuggling, provide disaster relief, and deliver supplies to remote rural areas, as well as for maintaining a presence on Lake Titicaca; the Navy also exists in part to cultivate a maritime tradition and as a reminder of Bolivia’s desire to regain the access to the Pacific Ocean that the country lost to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1879-1884); every year on 23 March, the Navy participates in parades and government ceremonies commemorating the Día Del Mar (Day of the Sea) holiday that remembers the loss (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of its border regions with all of its neighbors (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru). Bolivia-Chile: Despite tariff-free access to ports in southern Peru and northern Chile, Bolivia persists with its long-standing claims to regain sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia-Peru: Despite tariff-free access to ports in southern Peru and northern Chile, Bolivia persists with its long-standing claims to regain sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Smuggling of archaeological artifacts from Peru to Bolivia, illegal timber and narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, and falsified documents are current issues.  Bolivia-Brazil: The Roboré Accord of March 29, 1958 placed the long-disputed Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Río Mamoré, between the two towns of Guajará-Mirim (Brazil) and Guayaramerin (Bolivia), under Bolivian administration but did not resolve the sovereignty dispute Bolivia-Argentina: Contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of the border.  Bolivia-Paraguay: On April 27, 2009, the president of Argentina hosted the presidents of Bolivia and Paraguay together with representatives of the fiver other guarantor states -- Brazil, Chile, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay -- to the signing for the Final Record of the Boundary Commission in execution of the 1938 Peace Treaty between Bolivia and Paraguay.Contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of its border regions with all of its neighbors (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru). Bolivia-Chile: Despite tariff-free access to ports in southern Peru and northern Chile, Bolivia persists with its long-standing claims to regain sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Bolivia-Peru: Despite tariff-free access to ports in southern Peru and northern Chile, Bolivia persists with its long-standing claims to regain sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean. Smuggling of archaeological artifacts from Peru to Bolivia, illegal timber and narcotics smuggling, human trafficking, and falsified documents are current issues.  Bolivia-Brazil: The Roboré Accord of March 29, 1958 placed the long-disputed Isla Suárez/Ilha de Guajará-Mirim, a fluvial island on the Río Mamoré, between the two towns of Guajará-Mirim (Brazil) and Guayaramerin (Bolivia), under Bolivian administration but did not resolve the sovereignty dispute Bolivia-Argentina: Contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of the border.  Bolivia-Paraguay: On April 27, 2009, the president of Argentina hosted the presidents of Bolivia and Paraguay together with representatives of the fiver other guarantor states -- Brazil, Chile, Peru, the United States, and Uruguay -- to the signing for the Final Record of the Boundary Commission in execution of the 1938 Peace Treaty between Bolivia and Paraguay. Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,400 (Venezuela) (2022) Illicit drugs: third-largest source country of cocaine and a major transit for Peruvian cocaine; in 2020 coca cultivation totaled 39,400 hectares (ha); illicit drug consumption is low in Bolivia;  most cocaine is exported to other Latin American countries, such as  Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, for domestic consumption, or for onward transit to West Africa and Europe, not the United Statesthird-largest source country of cocaine and a major transit for Peruvian cocaine; in 2020 coca cultivation totaled 39,400 hectares (ha); illicit drug consumption is low in Bolivia;  most cocaine is exported to other Latin American countries, such as  Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, for domestic consumption, or for onward transit to West Africa and Europe, not the United States

20220901

countries-saudi-arabia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities.  Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism.  Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [966] (11) 488-3800; US Embassy in Riyadh, PO Box 94309, Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia; RiyadhACS@state.gov; https://sa.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 966 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 997; Fire: 998; Police: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Vaccinations required for certain visa classes. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Currency (Code): Saudi riyals (SAR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): G Major Languages: Arabic Major Religions: Muslim (85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh); note: most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: National Museum of Saudi Arabia; Jamaraat Bridge; Mada’in Salih; King's Fountain; Dumat al-Jandal; Al-Turaif District Major Sports: Soccer, camel racing, wrestling Cultural Practices: Do not point at people, better to keep hands flattened and gesture instead. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 10-15% is expected for good service. Tip a porter/bellhop $1-2 (USD) per bag and a housekeeper $2 (USD) per day. Souvenirs: Oud perfume, dried dates, olive oil, woven wool prayer rugs, oil lamps or incense burners, frankincense and myrrh incensePlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Thursday, May 19, 2022

20220901

countries-jan-mayen

Topic: Photos of Jan Mayen Topic: Introduction Background: This desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Beerenberg volcano, the northernmost active volcano on earth, resumed activity in 1970 and the most recent eruption occurred in 1985.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland Geographic coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 377 sq km land: 377 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 124.1 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Elevation: highest point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277 lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 m note: Beerenberg volcano has numerous peaks; the highest point on the volcano rim is named Haakon VII Toppen, after Norway's first king following the reestablishment of Norwegian independence in 1905 Natural resources: none Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Natural hazards: dominated by the volcano Beerenbergvolcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985dominated by the volcano Beerenbergvolcanism: Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985 Geography - note: barren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon "bowl") and the smaller Sor-Jan (the "handle"), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the "stem") with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon) Map description: Jan Mayen map showing the island – a territory of Norway – situated in the Greenland Sea.Jan Mayen map showing the island – a territory of Norway – situated in the Greenland Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: no indigenous inhabitants note: military personnel operate the the weather and coastal services radio station Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: pollutants transported from southerly latitudes by winds, ocean currents, and rivers accumulate in the food chains of native animals; climate change Climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Jan Mayen etymology: named after Dutch Captain Jan Jacobszoon MAY, one of the first explorers to reach the island in 1614 Dependency status: territory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service; in 2010, Norway designated the majority of Jan Mayen as a nature reserve Legal system: the laws of Norway apply where applicable  Flag description: the flag of Norway is used Topic: Economy Economic overview: Jan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources, although surrounding waters contain substantial fish stocks and potential untapped petroleum resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. Topic: Communications Broadcast media: a coastal radio station has been remotely operated since 1994 Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Norway Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

countries-benin

Topic: Photos of Benin Topic: Introduction Background: Present day Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century; the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from Mali in the 16th century; the Bariba and the Fula in the northeast; the Ottamari in the Atakora mountains; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the south-central area; and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja, who came from Togo, on the coast. The Kingdom of Dahomey emerged on the Abomey plateau in the 17th century and was a regional power for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Dahomey had an organized domestic economy, international trade with Europeans, and a highly organized military. The growth of Dahomey coincided with the growth of the Atlantic slave trade, and it became known as a major source of enslaved people. France began to control the coastal areas of Dahomey in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent, who won a second five-year term in March 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016; the space for pluralism, dissent, and free expression has narrowed under his administration. TALON won a second term in April 2021.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 112,622 sq km land: 110,622 sq km water: 2,000 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 2,123 km border countries (4): Burkina Faso 386 km; Niger 277 km; Nigeria 809 km; Togo 651 km Coastline: 121 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Elevation: highest point: unnamed elevation located 2.5 km southeast of the town of Kotopounga 675 m note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 273 m Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber Land use: agricultural land: 31.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.9% (2018 est.) forest: 40% (2018 est.) other: 28.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 230 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west at shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March Geography - note: sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands Map description: Benin map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bight of Benin.Benin map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bight of Benin. Topic: People and Society Population: 13,754,688 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese Ethnic groups: Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.) Languages: 55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba (once counted as a Gur language) and Fulfulde Religions: Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.) Demographic profile: Benin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders.Benin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders. Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.56% (male 2,955,396/female 2,906,079) 15-24 years: 20.36% (male 1,300,453/female 1,318,880) 25-54 years: 28.54% (male 1,735,229/female 1,935,839) 55-64 years: 3.15% (male 193,548/female 211,427) 65 years and over: 2.39% (2020 est.) (male 140,513/female 167,270) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 82.6 youth dependency ratio: 76.6 elderly dependency ratio: 6 potential support ratio: 16.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 17 years male: 16.4 years female: 17.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 3.34% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 41.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west at shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 49.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 285,000 PORTO-NOVO (capital) (2018); 1.189 million Abomey-Calavi, 709,000 COTONOU (seat of government) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.5 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 397 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 55.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.21 years male: 60.39 years female: 64.14 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.43 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 15.5% (2017/18) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 79% of population rural: 70.8% of population total: 74.7% of population unimproved: urban: 21% of population rural: 29.2% of population total: 25.3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 2.4% (2019) Physicians density: 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 0.5 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 56.3% of population rural: 18.1% of population total: 36.6% of population unimproved: urban: 43.7% of population rural: 81.9% of population total: 63.4% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 75,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Benin is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 9.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 6.9% (2020 est.) male: 11.8% (2020 est.) female: 1.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 16.8% (2017/18) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 9.4% women married by age 18: 30.6% men married by age 18: 4.8% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 3% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42.4% male: 54% female: 31.1% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 14 years female: 11 years (2016) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9% male: 3.2% female: 4.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification (the spread of the desert into agricultural lands in the north is accelerated by regular droughts) Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 33.11 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 6.48 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 5.8 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north Land use: agricultural land: 31.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 22.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.9% (2018 est.) forest: 40% (2018 est.) other: 28.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 49.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.24% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria animal contact diseases: rabies respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Benin is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 685,936 tons (1993 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 171,484 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25% (2005 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 145 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 30 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 59 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 26.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey, People's Republic of Benin etymology: named for the Bight of Benin, the body of water on which the country lies Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name Porto-Novo is Portuguese for "new port"; Cotonou means "by the river of death" in the native Fon language Administrative divisions: 12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 August (1960) Constitution: history: previous 1946, 1958 (preindependence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 amendments: proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended; amended 2019 Legal system: civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); prime minister position abolished cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 11 April 2021 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: Patrice TALON elected to a second term; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.4%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.3%, other 2.3% (2021) Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats - current 81; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 28 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Progressiste 56.2%, Bloc Republicain 43.8%; seats by party - Union Progressiste 47, Bloc Republicain 36; composition as of February 2022) - men 75, women 6, percent of women 7.4% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members, including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president); note - jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice is limited to cases of high treason by the national president or members of the government while in office judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; district courts; village courts; Assize courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for a Triumphant Benin or ABT [Abdoulaye BIO TCHANE] African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN] Benin Renaissance or RB [Lehady SOGLO] Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE [Yayi BONI] Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] National Alliance for Development and Democracy or AND [Valentin Aditi HOUDE] New Consciousness Rally or NC [Pascal KOUPAKI] Patriotic Awakening or RP [Janvier YAHOUEDEOU] Social Democrat Party or PSD [Emmanuel GOLOU] Sun Alliance or AS [Sacca LAFIA] Union Makes the Nation or UN [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] (includes PRD, MADEP) United Democratic Forces or FDU [Mathurin NAGO] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean Claude Felix DO REGO (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656; [1] (202) 232-2611 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 email address and website: ambassade.washington@gouv.bj https://beninembassy.us/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian SHUKAN (since 5 May 2022) embassy: 01 BP 2012, Cotonou mailing address: 2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC  20521-2120 telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50 FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84 email address and website: ACSCotonou@state.gov https://bj.usembassy.gov/2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC  20521-2120 Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia National symbol(s): leopard; national colors: green, yellow, red National anthem: name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day) lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON note: adopted 1960 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Royal Palaces of Abomey (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for four years, though growth slowed in 2017, as its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity, with export earnings significantly impacted by the price of cotton in the broader market. The economy began deflating in 2017, with the consumer price index falling 0.8%.   During the first two years of President TALON’s administration, which began in April 2016, the government has followed an ambitious action plan to kickstart development through investments in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and governance. Electricity generation, which has constrained Benin’s economic growth, has increased and blackouts have been considerably reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for a large proportion of investment in infrastructure projects.   Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory, and has used equipment from donors effectively against such piracy. Pilferage has significantly dropped at the Port of Cotonou, though the port is still struggling with effective implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) first compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is a major contributor to Benin’s economy, with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget.   Benin will need further efforts to upgrade infrastructure, stem corruption, and expand access to foreign markets to achieve its potential. In September 2015, Benin signed a second MCC Compact for $375 million that entered into force in June 2017 and is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. As part of the Government of Benin’s action plan to spur growth, Benin passed public private partnership legislation in 2017 to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers. In April 2017, the IMF approved a three year $150.4 million Extended Credit Facility agreement to maintain debt sustainability and boost donor confidence.The free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for four years, though growth slowed in 2017, as its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity, with export earnings significantly impacted by the price of cotton in the broader market. The economy began deflating in 2017, with the consumer price index falling 0.8%. During the first two years of President TALON’s administration, which began in April 2016, the government has followed an ambitious action plan to kickstart development through investments in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and governance. Electricity generation, which has constrained Benin’s economic growth, has increased and blackouts have been considerably reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for a large proportion of investment in infrastructure projects. Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory, and has used equipment from donors effectively against such piracy. Pilferage has significantly dropped at the Port of Cotonou, though the port is still struggling with effective implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) first compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is a major contributor to Benin’s economy, with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget. Benin will need further efforts to upgrade infrastructure, stem corruption, and expand access to foreign markets to achieve its potential. In September 2015, Benin signed a second MCC Compact for $375 million that entered into force in June 2017 and is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. As part of the Government of Benin’s action plan to spur growth, Benin passed public private partnership legislation in 2017 to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers. In April 2017, the IMF approved a three year $150.4 million Extended Credit Facility agreement to maintain debt sustainability and boost donor confidence. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $40.29 billion (2020 est.) $38.79 billion (2019 est.) $36.3 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5.6% (2017 est.) 4% (2016 est.) 2.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $3,300 (2020 est.) $3,300 (2019 est.) $3,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $10.315 billion (2018 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.8% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 0% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2018) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 26.1% (2017 est.) industry: 22.8% (2017 est.) services: 51.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 70.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, yams, maize, cotton, oil palm fruit, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, vegetables, soybeans Industries: textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 3.662 million (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 1% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9% male: 3.2% female: 4.5% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 38.5% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 47.8 (2015 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29% (2003) Budget: revenues: 1.578 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.152 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 54.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 49.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 17.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.024 billion (2017 est.) -$808 million (2016 est.) Exports: $3.58 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.85 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Nigeria 25%, Bangladesh 14%, United Arab Emirates 14%, India 13%, China 8%, Vietnam 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cotton, refined petroleum, gold, cashews, copper (2019) Imports: $4.31 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.67 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.035 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 28%, Thailand 9%, India 8%, Togo 6%, United States 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: rice, cars, palm oil, electricity, cotton (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $698.9 million (31 December 2017 est.) $57.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $2.804 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.476 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 605.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 33% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 58% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 9% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 475,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 524.08 million kWh (2020 est.) exports: 2 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 646 million kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 346 million kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 96.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 78,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 78,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 46,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 8 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 1,514 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 38,040 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 19.057 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 19.057 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1.133 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.903 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 274,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 6.592 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 37,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 8.468 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 32,386 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11,140,891 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 92 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Benin’s telecom market continues to be restricted by the poor condition of the country’s fixed-line infrastructure;  this has hampered the development of fixed-line voice and internet services, and there is negligible revenue derived from these sectors; mobile networks account for almost all internet connections, and also carry most voice traffic; there is promise for considerable change in the mobile sector, which has been a duopoly between Moov and MTN since the closure of services from Glo Mobile and Libercom in 2018; slow progress is being made in developing competition in the mobile sector; the national infrastructure provider SBIN has been licensed to provide mobile services, and in mid-2021 Sonatel Group was awarded a five-year contract to oversee progress; in May 2021 the government sought foreign companies unaffiliated with MTN Group or Maroc Telecom to bid for a fourth mobile license; improved international internet connectivity has contributed to a reduction in end-user pricing, and provided the potential to transform many areas of the country’s economy, bringing a greater proportion of the population into the orbit of internet commerce and connectivity; a 2,000km fiber project started in 2016 was finally completed in mid-2021, prompting the government to secure a loan to build additional fiber infrastructure connecting four of the country’s 12 departments. (2022) domestic: fixed-line teledensity only about 1 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly, nearing 92 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 229; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC and ACE fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe, and most West African countries; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station providing a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2019) Internet country code: .bj Internet users: total: 3,152,032 (2020 est.) percent of population: 26% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 29,981 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1 (2015) annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 112,392 (2015) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 805,347 (2015) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TY Airports: total: 6 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021) Pipelines: 134 km gas Railways: total: 438 km (2014) narrow gauge: 438 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 16,000 km (2006) paved: 1,400 km (2006) unpaved: 14,600 km (2006) Waterways: 150 km (2011) (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) Merchant marine: total: 6 by type: other 6 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Cotonou LNG terminal(s) (import): Cotonou Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army, Navy, Air Force; Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2022) Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $130 million) 0.7% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $140 million) 0.9% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $160 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,000 active duty BDF troops; estimated 5,000 Republican Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAB is equipped with a small mix of mostly older French and Soviet-era equipment (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2021) Military deployments: 260 (plus about 160 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: as of 2022, a key focus for the security forces of Benin was countering infiltrations into the country by terrorist groups tied to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operating just over the border from north Benin in Burkina Faso and Niger; in May 2022, the Benin Government said it was "at war" with terrorism after suffering a series of attacks from these groups; in addition, the FAB participated in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) along with Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border the FAB has a close working relationship with the Belgian armed forces; the Belgians offer military advice, training, and secondhand equipment donations, and deploy to Benin for limited military exercises (2022) Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea"the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea" Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): al-Qa’ida (Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen); Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Boko Haram note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Benin-Burkina Faso: Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualau/Kourou. Benin-Togo: Talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjarala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River. Benin-Niger: The location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved.Benin-Burkina Faso: Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualau/Kourou. Benin-Togo: Talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjarala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River. Benin-Niger: The location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved. Illicit drugs: a significant transit and departure country for cocaine shipments in Africa destined for Europea significant transit and departure country for cocaine shipments in Africa destined for Europe

20220901

field-median-age-country-comparison

20220901

countries-barbados

Topic: Photos of Barbados Topic: Introduction Background: The island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. African slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the Caribbean sugar industry. By 1720, Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados became a republic on 30 November 2021, with the former Governor-General Sandra MASON elected as the first president. Barbados plans to create a new constitution in 2022.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 430 sq km land: 430 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 97 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Elevation: highest point: Mount Hillaby 336 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 32.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 25.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.7% (2018 est.) forest: 19.4% (2018 est.) other: 48% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 50 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas Natural hazards: infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides Geography - note: easternmost Caribbean island Map description: Barbados map showing the island situated in the Caribbean Sea.Barbados map showing the island situated in the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 302,674 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Barbadian(s) or Bajan (colloquial) adjective: Barbadian or Bajan (colloquial) Ethnic groups: African descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.) Languages: English (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings) Religions: Protestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.49% (male 25,762/female 25,764) 15-24 years: 12.34% (male 18,024/female 18,330) 25-54 years: 42.69% (male 62,655/female 63,093) 55-64 years: 13.91% (male 19,533/female 21,430) 65 years and over: 13.57% (2020 est.) (male 16,398/female 23,571) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.3 youth dependency ratio: 25.2 elderly dependency ratio: 25.1 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 39.5 years male: 38.4 years female: 40.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.26% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 10.83 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas Urbanization: urban population: 31.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 89,000 BRIDGETOWN (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.55 years male: 75.79 years female: 81.35 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 59.2% (2012) Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.3% (2019) Physicians density: 2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,700 (2019 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2019 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 23.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.5% (2020 est.) male: 15% (2020 est.) female: 1.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.5% (2012) Education expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.6% female: 99.6% (2014) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 17 years (2011) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26% male: 30.3% female: 21.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters from waste disposal by ships; soil erosion; illegal solid waste disposal threatens contamination of aquifers Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 22.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.28 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.35 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October) Land use: agricultural land: 32.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 25.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.7% (2018 est.) forest: 19.4% (2018 est.) other: 48% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 31.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 174,815 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 15,733 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9% (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 54.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Barbados etymology: the name derives from the Portuguese "as barbadas," which means "the bearded ones" and can refer either to the long, hanging roots of the island's bearded fig trees or to the alleged beards of the native Carib inhabitants Government type: parliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Bridgetown geographic coordinates: 13 06 N, 59 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after a bridge constructed over the swampy area (known as the Careenage) around the Constitution River that flows through the center of Bridgetown Administrative divisions: 11 parishes and 1 city*; Bridgetown*, Christ Church, Saint Andrew, Saint George, Saint James, Saint John, Saint Joseph, Saint Lucy, Saint Michael, Saint Peter, Saint Philip, Saint Thomas Independence: 30 November 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 November (1966) Constitution: history: adopted 22 November 1966, effective 30 November 1966; Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2021 establishes Barbados as a republic and revokes the earlier Order in Council amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, and the organization and authorities of the branches of government requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership of both houses of Parliament; passage of other amendments only requires a majority vote of both houses; amended several times, last in 2021 note: following the transition to a republic in November 2021, the Government of Barbados in February 2022 began the process of establishing a constitution commission to review a new draft constitution Legal system: English common law; no judicial review of legislative acts International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Sandra MASON (since 30 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Mia MOTTLEY (since 25 May 2018) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: the president is elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament for a four year renewable term; election last held 20 October 2021; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister election results: Sandra MASON elected as first president on 20 October 2021 to take office on 30 November 2021 Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (21 seats - 18 for current term; members appointed by the president - 12 on the advice of the prime minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at the discretion of the president) House of Assembly (30 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 4 February 2022 (next appointments in February 2027) House of Assembly - last held on 19 January 2022 (next to be held in January 2027) election results: Senate - appointed; composition as of March 2022- men 10, women 8, percent of women 44.4% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - BLP 69%, DLP 26.5%, other 4.5%; seats by party - BLP 30; composition as of March 2022 - men 22, women 8, percent of women 26.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 33.3% note: tradition dictates that the election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the High Court with 8 justices) and the Court of Appeal (consists of the High Court chief justice and president of the court and 4 justices; note - in 2005, Barbados acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister and opposition leader of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 5-member independent body consisting of the Supreme Court chief justice, the commission head, and presidential appointees recommended by the prime minister; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance Party for Progress or APP [Joseph ATHERLEY] Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY] Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Ronnie YEARWOOD] International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Noel Anderson LYNCH (since 11 January 2019) chancery: 2144 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9200 FAX: [1] (202) 332-7467 email address and website: washington@foreign.gov.bb consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Linda S. TAGLIALATELA (since 1 February 2016) note - also accredited to Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines embassy: Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I. mailing address: 3120 Bridgetown Place, Washington DC  20521-3120 telephone: (246) 227-4000 FAX: (246) 431-0179 email address and website: BridgetownACS@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of ultramarine blue (hoist side), gold, and ultramarine blue with the head of a black trident centered on the gold band; the band colors represent the blue of the sea and sky and the gold of the beaches; the trident head represents independence and a break with the past (the colonial coat of arms contained a complete trident) National symbol(s): Neptune's trident, pelican, Red Bird of Paradise flower (also known as Pride of Barbados); national colors: blue, yellow, black National anthem: name: "The National Anthem of Barbados" lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need" National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison Topic: Economy Economic overview: Barbados is the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, boosted by being in the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and by a relatively highly educated workforce. Following the 2008-09 recession, external vulnerabilities such as fluctuations in international oil prices have hurt economic growth, raised Barbados' already high public debt to GDP ratio - which stood at 105% of GDP in 2016 - and cut into its international reserves. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.7 billion (2020 est.) $4.49 billion (2019 est.) $4.49 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -0.2% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 2.2% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,900 (2020 est.) $15,600 (2019 est.) $15,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.99 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.4% (2017 est.) 1.5% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Caa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.5% (2017 est.) industry: 9.8% (2017 est.) services: 88.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 84.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit Industries: tourism, sugar, light manufacturing, component assembly for export Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 144,000 (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10% industry: 15% services: 75% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.1% (2017 est.) 9.9% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26% male: 30.3% female: 21.2% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 1.466 billion (2017 est.) (2013 est.) expenditures: 1.664 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 157.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 149.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 29.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$189 million (2017 est.) -$206 million (2016 est.) Exports: $485.4 million (2017 est.) $516.9 million (2016 est.) Exports - partners: US 21%, Poland 14%, Jamaica 8%, Guyana 6%,Trinidad and Tobago 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: rums and other hard liquor, ships, orthopedic appliances, cement, packaged medicines (2019) Imports: $1.52 billion (2017 est.) $1.541 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: United States 35%, Trinidad and Tobago 14%, China 9%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, cars, shipping containers, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $264.5 million (31 December 2017 est.) $341.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $4.49 billion (2010 est.) $668 million (2003 est.) Exchange rates: Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - 2 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) note: the Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 311,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1 billion kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 20 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 4.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 1,000 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 10,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,630 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 14.923 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 20.954 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 6.031 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 113 million cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.662 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 41,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 83.723 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 128,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 295,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 103 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity of roughly 45 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone density about 115 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 1-246; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cable with links to 15 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad and Puerto Ricco; satellite earth stations - 1 (Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean); tropospheric scatter to Trinidad and Saint Lucia (2019) Broadcast media: government-owned Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) operates the lone terrestrial TV station; CBC also operates a multi-channel cable TV subscription service; roughly a dozen radio stations, consisting of a CBC-operated network operating alongside privately owned radio stations (2019) Internet country code: .bb Internet users: total: 235,357 (2019 est.) percent of population: 82% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 128,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 8P Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 33 km gas, 64 km oil, 6 km refined products (2013) Roadways: total: 1,700 km (2015) paved: 1,700 km (2015) Merchant marine: total: 165 by type: bulk carrier 46, general cargo 103, other 16 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bridgetown Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Barbados Defense Force: The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2022) Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $35 million) 0.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $40 million) 0.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $40 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 600 active personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Netherlands provide the BDF's major equipment inventory (maritime patrol boats) (2022) Military service age and obligation: voluntary service only (men and women); 17 years, 9 months to 17 years, 11 months with letter of consent from a parent or guardian, or be in the age range of 18-25 years at the start of recruit training; citizens of Barbados by descent or naturalization (2022) Military - note: Barbados has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security; the RSS is headquartered in Barbados (2022)Barbados has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security; the RSS is headquartered in Barbados Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Barbados-Venezuela (Maritime Boundary): Barbados joins other Caribbean states and the United Kingdom to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island, a large sandbar with some vegetation, sustains human habitation or economic life, the criteria under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 121, which would permit Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea.  The dispute hampers hydrocarbon prospecting and creation of exploration blocks.  Barbados-Trinidad and Tobago (Maritime Boundary): Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone.Barbados-Venezuela (Maritime Boundary): Barbados joins other Caribbean states and the United Kingdom to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island, a large sandbar with some vegetation, sustains human habitation or economic life, the criteria under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Article 121, which would permit Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea.  The dispute hampers hydrocarbon prospecting and creation of exploration blocks.  Barbados-Trinidad and Tobago (Maritime Boundary): Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago abide by the April 2006 Permanent Court of Arbitration decision delimiting a maritime boundary and limiting catches of flying fish in Trinidad and Tobago's exclusive economic zone. Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Barbados; foreign women are subject to sex trafficking; children are exploited in sex trafficking by parents and caregivers, according to anecdotal reports; documented and undocumented migrants from Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Venezuela are at high risk for trafficking, while migrants from other nearby countries are increasingly vulnerable tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Barbados does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government completed an anti-trafficking manual on assisting and interviewing victims, reinstated the anti-trafficking task force, and increased training for law enforcement and child care officials; however, authorities again did not identify any trafficking victims, reported no new prosecutions, and have never convicted anyone of trafficking; the national action plan has yet to be completed (2020) Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbeana transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean

20220901

references-strategic-materials

Topic: Compounds Barite or Barium Sulfate (BaSO4): Description: Barite, a name that was derived from the Greek word "barus" (heavy), is the mineralogical name for barium sulfate. In commerce, the mineral is sometimes referred to as "baryte." Uses: used as a filler, extender, or weighting agent in products such as paints, plastics, and rubber; some specific applications include use in automobile brake and clutch pads, automobile paint primer for metal protection and gloss, used as a weighting agent in rubber, and in cement jackets around underwater petroleum pipelines; in the metal-casting industry, molds are often coated with barium sulfate to prevent the molten metal from bonding with the mold; because barite significantly blocks x-ray and gamma-ray emissions, it is used as aggregate in high-density concrete for radiation shielding around x-ray units in hospitals, nuclear power plants, and university nuclear research facilities; ultrapure barite is used as a contrast medium in x-ray and computed tomography examinations of the gastrointestinal tractUS imports: 1,700,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its barite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 41%; India, 28%; Morocco, 14%; Mexico, 13%; and other, 4%World Resources: In the US, identified resources of barite are estimated to be 150 million tons, and undiscovered resources contribute an additional 150 million tons. The world’s barite resources in all categories are about 2 billion tons, but only about 740 million tons are identified resources. However, no known systematic assessment of either US or global barite resources has been conducted since the 1980s.Substitutes: In the drilling mud market, alternatives to barite include celestite, ilmenite, iron ore, and synthetic hematite that is manufactured in Germany. None of these substitutes, however, has had a major impact on the barite drilling mud industry.Note(s): More than 90% of the barite sold in the US is used as a weighting agent in fluids used in the drilling of oil and natural gas wells.Description: Barite, a name that was derived from the Greek word "barus" (heavy), is the mineralogical name for barium sulfate. In commerce, the mineral is sometimes referred to as "baryte." Uses: used as a filler, extender, or weighting agent in products such as paints, plastics, and rubber; some specific applications include use in automobile brake and clutch pads, automobile paint primer for metal protection and gloss, used as a weighting agent in rubber, and in cement jackets around underwater petroleum pipelines; in the metal-casting industry, molds are often coated with barium sulfate to prevent the molten metal from bonding with the mold; because barite significantly blocks x-ray and gamma-ray emissions, it is used as aggregate in high-density concrete for radiation shielding around x-ray units in hospitals, nuclear power plants, and university nuclear research facilities; ultrapure barite is used as a contrast medium in x-ray and computed tomography examinations of the gastrointestinal tractUS imports: 1,700,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its barite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 41%; India, 28%; Morocco, 14%; Mexico, 13%; and other, 4%World Resources: In the US, identified resources of barite are estimated to be 150 million tons, and undiscovered resources contribute an additional 150 million tons. The world’s barite resources in all categories are about 2 billion tons, but only about 740 million tons are identified resources. However, no known systematic assessment of either US or global barite resources has been conducted since the 1980s.Substitutes: In the drilling mud market, alternatives to barite include celestite, ilmenite, iron ore, and synthetic hematite that is manufactured in Germany. None of these substitutes, however, has had a major impact on the barite drilling mud industry. Fluorspar or Calcium Fluoride (CaF2): Description: When found in nature, fluorspar is known by the mineral name fluorite. Fluorspar is calcium fluoride (CaF2). Metallurgical grade fluorspar (60–85% CaF2), is traditionally used as a flux to lower the melting point of raw materials in steel production to facilitate the removal of impurities, and in the production of aluminum. Ceramic grade fluorspar (85–95% CaF2) is used in the manufacture of enamels. Acid grade fluorspar (97%+ CaF2) is used to make hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid.Uses: metal processing; steel and iron production; catalyst; semiconductor etching; electrical power distribution; pharmaceuticals; high-quality camera and telescope lenses; seals and adhesives in engine componentsUS imports: 470,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 100% import reliant for its fluorspar needs.Import Sources (2017-20):  Mexico, 66%; Vietnam, 16%; South Africa, 7%; Canada, 4%; and other, 7%World Resources: No known systematic assessment of either US or global resources has been conducted since the 1980s. Enormous quantities of fluorine are present in phosphate rock. Current US reserves of phosphate rock are estimated to be 1 billion tons, containing about 72 million tons of 100% fluorspar equivalent assuming an average fluorine content of 3.5% in the phosphate rock. World reserves of phosphate rock are estimated to be 70 billion tons, equivalent to about 5 billion tons of 100% fluorspar equivalent.Substitutes: Fluorosilicic acid is used to produce aluminum fluoride (AlF3), but because of differing physical properties, AlF3 produced from fluorosilicic acid is not readily substituted for AlF3 produced from fluorspar. Fluorosilicic acid has been used to produce hydrofluoric acid, but this practice has not been widely adopted. However, the preferred product is currently aqueous hydrofluoric acid rather than fluorspar. Aluminum smelting dross, borax, calcium chloride, iron oxides, manganese ore, silica sand, and titanium dioxide have been used as substitutes for fluorspar fluxes.Note(s): Hydrofluoric acid is the primary feedstock for the manufacture of virtually all fluorine-bearing chemicals and is also a key ingredient in the processing of aluminum and uranium. Fluorspar is also used in cement production, in enamels, as a flux in steelmaking, in glass manufacture, in iron and steel casting, and in welding rod coatings. A new mine in Canada that began operation in late 2017 reportedly sent its first shipment of 4,700 tons of fluorspar to the US. Another new mine in South Africa was under construction and production was expected to begin in early 2019.Description: When found in nature, fluorspar is known by the mineral name fluorite. Fluorspar is calcium fluoride (CaF2). Metallurgical grade fluorspar (60–85% CaF2), is traditionally used as a flux to lower the melting point of raw materials in steel production to facilitate the removal of impurities, and in the production of aluminum. Ceramic grade fluorspar (85–95% CaF2) is used in the manufacture of enamels. Acid grade fluorspar (97%+ CaF2) is used to make hydrogen fluoride and hydrofluoric acid.Uses: metal processing; steel and iron production; catalyst; semiconductor etching; electrical power distribution; pharmaceuticals; high-quality camera and telescope lenses; seals and adhesives in engine componentsUS imports: 470,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 100% import reliant for its fluorspar needs.Import Sources (2017-20):  Mexico, 66%; Vietnam, 16%; South Africa, 7%; Canada, 4%; and other, 7%World Resources: No known systematic assessment of either US or global resources has been conducted since the 1980s. Enormous quantities of fluorine are present in phosphate rock. Current US reserves of phosphate rock are estimated to be 1 billion tons, containing about 72 million tons of 100% fluorspar equivalent assuming an average fluorine content of 3.5% in the phosphate rock. World reserves of phosphate rock are estimated to be 70 billion tons, equivalent to about 5 billion tons of 100% fluorspar equivalent.Substitutes: Fluorosilicic acid is used to produce aluminum fluoride (AlF3), but because of differing physical properties, AlF3 produced from fluorosilicic acid is not readily substituted for AlF3 produced from fluorspar. Fluorosilicic acid has been used to produce hydrofluoric acid, but this practice has not been widely adopted. However, the preferred product is currently aqueous hydrofluoric acid rather than fluorspar. Aluminum smelting dross, borax, calcium chloride, iron oxides, manganese ore, silica sand, and titanium dioxide have been used as substitutes for fluorspar fluxes.Note(s): Hydrofluoric acid is the primary feedstock for the manufacture of virtually all fluorine-bearing chemicals and is also a key ingredient in the processing of aluminum and uranium. Fluorspar is also used in cement production, in enamels, as a flux in steelmaking, in glass manufacture, in iron and steel casting, and in welding rod coatings. A new mine in Canada that began operation in late 2017 reportedly sent its first shipment of 4,700 tons of fluorspar to the US. Another new mine in South Africa was under construction and production was expected to begin in early 2019. Potash (potassium-containing compounds such as KCl): Description: Potash denotes a variety of mined and manufactured salts that contain the element potassium in water-soluble form.Uses: The fertilizer industry uses about 85% of US potash, and the remainder is used for chemical and industrial applications. About 65% of the potash produced is potassium magnesium sulfate (K2Mg2(SO4)3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4), which are required to fertilize certain chloride sensitive crops. Muriate of potash (KCl) accounted for the remaining 35% of production and is used for agricultural and chemical applications.US Imports: 7 million mt (2021 est.) The US is 93% import reliant for its potash needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 75%; Russia, 10%; Belarus, 8%; and other, 7%World Resources: Estimated US domestic potash resources total about 7 billion tons. Estimated world resources total about 250 billion tons.Substitutes: No substitutes exist for potassium as an essential plant nutrient and as an essential nutritional requirement for animals and humans. Manure and glauconite (greensand) are low-potassium-content sources that can be profitably transported only short distances to crop fields.Description: Potash denotes a variety of mined and manufactured salts that contain the element potassium in water-soluble form.Uses: The fertilizer industry uses about 85% of US potash, and the remainder is used for chemical and industrial applications. About 65% of the potash produced is potassium magnesium sulfate (K2Mg2(SO4)3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4), which are required to fertilize certain chloride sensitive crops. Muriate of potash (KCl) accounted for the remaining 35% of production and is used for agricultural and chemical applications.US Imports: 7 million mt (2021 est.) The US is 93% import reliant for its potash needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 75%; Russia, 10%; Belarus, 8%; and other, 7%World Resources: Estimated US domestic potash resources total about 7 billion tons. Estimated world resources total about 250 billion tons. Topic: Metals Aluminum (Al/13): Description: Aluminum or aluminium is a silver-white metal, very light in weight (less than three times as dense as water), yet relatively strong. Because aluminum is ductile, it can be drawn into wires or pressed into sheets or foil. It is the most abundant metallic element, and the third most abundant of all elements in the Earth's crust, making up 8% of the crust by weight. Only silicon and oxygen are more plentiful. Bauxite ore is the main source of aluminum; bauxite is processed into alumina before being processed into metallic applications. As a general rule, 4 tons of dried bauxite is required to produce 2 tons of alumina, which, in turn, produces 1 ton of aluminum.Uses: transportation; containers and packaging; building and construction; electrical; machinery and equipment; structural airframe material for aircraft; military and combat vehiclesUS Imports: 3,600,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its bauxite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Bauxite: Jamaica, 62%; Brazil, 13%; Guyana, 8%; Australia, 6%; and other, 11%.  Alumina: Brazil, 54%; Australia, 20%; Jamaica, 12%; Canada, 5%; and other, 9%World Resources: Global resources of bauxite are estimated to be between 55 to 75 billion tons and are sufficient to meet world demand for metal well into the future.Substitutions: Composites can substitute for aluminum in aircraft fuselages and wings. Glass, paper, plastics, and steel can substitute for aluminum in packaging. Composites, magnesium, steel, and titanium can substitute for aluminum in ground transportation uses. Composites, steel, vinyl, and wood can substitute for aluminum in construction. Copper can replace aluminum in electrical and heat-exchange applications.Description: Aluminum or aluminium is a silver-white metal, very light in weight (less than three times as dense as water), yet relatively strong. Because aluminum is ductile, it can be drawn into wires or pressed into sheets or foil. It is the most abundant metallic element, and the third most abundant of all elements in the Earth's crust, making up 8% of the crust by weight. Only silicon and oxygen are more plentiful. Bauxite ore is the main source of aluminum; bauxite is processed into alumina before being processed into metallic applications. As a general rule, 4 tons of dried bauxite is required to produce 2 tons of alumina, which, in turn, produces 1 ton of aluminum.Uses: transportation; containers and packaging; building and construction; electrical; machinery and equipment; structural airframe material for aircraft; military and combat vehiclesUS Imports: 3,600,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its bauxite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Bauxite: Jamaica, 62%; Brazil, 13%; Guyana, 8%; Australia, 6%; and other, 11%.  Alumina: Brazil, 54%; Australia, 20%; Jamaica, 12%; Canada, 5%; and other, 9%World Resources: Global resources of bauxite are estimated to be between 55 to 75 billion tons and are sufficient to meet world demand for metal well into the future. Antimony (Sb/51): Description: Antimony is a silvery-gray, brittle semi-metal. It rarely occurs in nature as a native element, but is found in a number of different minerals, the most important of which is stibnite. Antimony is often called a semi-metal because in pure form it is not shiny and malleable like true metals.Uses: automotive batteries (lead-acid); ceramics and glass; flame retardants (flameproof fabrics); automotive brake pads (additive to adjust co-efficient of friction); cable sheathingUS Imports: 25,740 mt (2021 est.) The US is 84% import reliant for its antimony needs.Import Sources (2017–20): Ore and concentrates: China, 42%; Italy, 36%; India, 11%; Mexico, 4%; and other, 7%; total metal and oxide: China, 63%; Belgium, 7%; India, 6%; and other, 24%World Resources: Principal identified world resources are in Australia, Bolivia, China, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Tajikistan.Substitutions: Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are substitutes as flame retardants. Chromium, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium compounds substitute for antimony chemicals in enamels, paint, and pigments. Combinations of calcium, copper, selenium, sulfur, and tin are substitutes for alloys in lead-acid batteries.Note(s): US resources of antimony are mainly in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada.Description: Antimony is a silvery-gray, brittle semi-metal. It rarely occurs in nature as a native element, but is found in a number of different minerals, the most important of which is stibnite. Antimony is often called a semi-metal because in pure form it is not shiny and malleable like true metals.Uses: automotive batteries (lead-acid); ceramics and glass; flame retardants (flameproof fabrics); automotive brake pads (additive to adjust co-efficient of friction); cable sheathingUS Imports: 25,740 mt (2021 est.) The US is 84% import reliant for its antimony needs.Import Sources (2017–20): Ore and concentrates: China, 42%; Italy, 36%; India, 11%; Mexico, 4%; and other, 7%; total metal and oxide: China, 63%; Belgium, 7%; India, 6%; and other, 24%World Resources: Principal identified world resources are in Australia, Bolivia, China, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, and Tajikistan.Substitutions: Selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminum oxide are substitutes as flame retardants. Chromium, tin, titanium, zinc, and zirconium compounds substitute for antimony chemicals in enamels, paint, and pigments. Combinations of calcium, copper, selenium, sulfur, and tin are substitutes for alloys in lead-acid batteries. Beryllium (Be/4): Description: Beryllium is the 44th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Beryllium is a silvery-white, hard and brittle, extremely light metal, which is highly toxic. The mechanical and thermal properties relating to its low density are superior to those of all other materials, making it very useful for structural and electronic applications. Beryllium metal can be vacuum cast as an ingot or hot pressed as a powder.Uses: battery contacts and electronic connectors; windows for X-ray tubes; aerospace castings; high-definition and cable television; underwater fiber-optic cable systems; high-density circuits for high-speed computers and automotive ignition systems; pacemakers and other medical devicesUS Imports: 52 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 20% import reliant for its beryllium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Kazakhstan, 41%; Japan, 16%; Brazil, 11%; Latvia, 10%; and other, 22%World Resources: The world’s identified resources of beryllium have been estimated to be more than 100,000 tons. About 60% of these resources are in the US; by size, the Spor Mountain area in Utah, the McCullough Butte area in Nevada, the Black Hills area in South Dakota, the Sierra Blanca area in Texas, the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, and the Gold Hill area in Utah account for most of the total.Substitutes: Because the cost of beryllium is high compared with that of other materials, it is used in applications in which its properties are crucial. In some applications, certain metal matrix or organic composites, high-strength grades of aluminum, pyrolytic graphite, silicon carbide, steel, or titanium may be substituted for beryllium metal or beryllium composites. Copper alloys containing nickel and silicon, tin, titanium, or other alloying elements or phosphor bronze alloys (copper-tin-phosphorus) may be substituted for beryllium-copper alloys, but these substitutions can result in substantially reduced performance. Aluminum nitride or boron nitride may be substituted for beryllium oxide.Note(s): US domestic beryllium consumption in 2021 was estimated to be about the same as that of 2020.Description: Beryllium is the 44th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. Beryllium is a silvery-white, hard and brittle, extremely light metal, which is highly toxic. The mechanical and thermal properties relating to its low density are superior to those of all other materials, making it very useful for structural and electronic applications. Beryllium metal can be vacuum cast as an ingot or hot pressed as a powder.Uses: battery contacts and electronic connectors; windows for X-ray tubes; aerospace castings; high-definition and cable television; underwater fiber-optic cable systems; high-density circuits for high-speed computers and automotive ignition systems; pacemakers and other medical devicesUS Imports: 52 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 20% import reliant for its beryllium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Kazakhstan, 41%; Japan, 16%; Brazil, 11%; Latvia, 10%; and other, 22%World Resources: The world’s identified resources of beryllium have been estimated to be more than 100,000 tons. About 60% of these resources are in the US; by size, the Spor Mountain area in Utah, the McCullough Butte area in Nevada, the Black Hills area in South Dakota, the Sierra Blanca area in Texas, the Seward Peninsula in Alaska, and the Gold Hill area in Utah account for most of the total.Substitutes: Because the cost of beryllium is high compared with that of other materials, it is used in applications in which its properties are crucial. In some applications, certain metal matrix or organic composites, high-strength grades of aluminum, pyrolytic graphite, silicon carbide, steel, or titanium may be substituted for beryllium metal or beryllium composites. Copper alloys containing nickel and silicon, tin, titanium, or other alloying elements or phosphor bronze alloys (copper-tin-phosphorus) may be substituted for beryllium-copper alloys, but these substitutions can result in substantially reduced performance. Aluminum nitride or boron nitride may be substituted for beryllium oxide. Bismuth (Bi/83): Description: Bismuth is a silvery-white metallic element with a pinkish tint. Bismuth was long thought to be a variety of lead or tin, which it resembles, until the chemist Claude Geoffroy showed in 1753 that it is a separate element. Among the heavy metals, it is the heaviest and the only non-toxic.Uses: cosmetics (bismuth oxychloride); pharmaceuticals (compounds used in over-the-counter to treat stomach illness, burns, intestinal disorders, and stomach ulcers); metal alloys; solder; thermoelectric devices (bismuth telluride); fireworks; plastics with opacity to X-rays (implanted medical devices); ammunition (replacement for lead shot used for hunting, "less-lethal" riot projectile)US Imports: 1,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is 90% import reliant for its bismuth needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 67%; the Republic of Korea, 16%; Mexico, 6%; Belgium, 5%; and other, 6%World Resources: World reserves of bismuth are usually estimated based on the bismuth content of lead resources because bismuth production is most often a byproduct of processing lead ores. In China and Vietnam, bismuth production is a byproduct or coproduct of tungsten and other metal ore processing.Substitutes: Bismuth compounds can be replaced in pharmaceutical applications by alumina, antibiotics, and magnesia. Titanium dioxide-coated mica flakes and fish-scale extracts are substitutes in pigment uses. Indium can replace bismuth in low-temperature solders. Resins can replace bismuth alloys for holding metal shapes during machining, and glycerine-filled glass bulbs can replace bismuth alloys in triggering devices for fire sprinklers. Free machining alloys can contain lead, selenium, or tellurium as a replacement for bismuth.Note(s): Bismuth, at an estimated 8 parts per billion by weight, ranks 69th in elemental abundance in the Earth’s crust and is about twice as abundant as gold. Bismuth minerals rarely occur in sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products; a mine in China is the only one where bismuth is the primary product.Description: Bismuth is a silvery-white metallic element with a pinkish tint. Bismuth was long thought to be a variety of lead or tin, which it resembles, until the chemist Claude Geoffroy showed in 1753 that it is a separate element. Among the heavy metals, it is the heaviest and the only non-toxic.Uses: cosmetics (bismuth oxychloride); pharmaceuticals (compounds used in over-the-counter to treat stomach illness, burns, intestinal disorders, and stomach ulcers); metal alloys; solder; thermoelectric devices (bismuth telluride); fireworks; plastics with opacity to X-rays (implanted medical devices); ammunition (replacement for lead shot used for hunting, "less-lethal" riot projectile)US Imports: 1,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is 90% import reliant for its bismuth needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 67%; the Republic of Korea, 16%; Mexico, 6%; Belgium, 5%; and other, 6%World Resources: World reserves of bismuth are usually estimated based on the bismuth content of lead resources because bismuth production is most often a byproduct of processing lead ores. In China and Vietnam, bismuth production is a byproduct or coproduct of tungsten and other metal ore processing.Substitutes: Bismuth compounds can be replaced in pharmaceutical applications by alumina, antibiotics, and magnesia. Titanium dioxide-coated mica flakes and fish-scale extracts are substitutes in pigment uses. Indium can replace bismuth in low-temperature solders. Resins can replace bismuth alloys for holding metal shapes during machining, and glycerine-filled glass bulbs can replace bismuth alloys in triggering devices for fire sprinklers. Free machining alloys can contain lead, selenium, or tellurium as a replacement for bismuth.Note(s): Bismuth, at an estimated 8 parts per billion by weight, ranks 69th in elemental abundance in the Earth’s crust and is about twice as abundant as gold. Bismuth minerals rarely occur in sufficient quantities to be mined as principal products; a mine in China is the only one where bismuth is the primary product. Cadmium (Cd/48): Description: Cadmium is a very soft, silvery-white metallic element; it is so soft that it can be cut with a knife. Cadmium has many chemical similarities to zinc, but is less reactive with acids than is zinc. Metallic cadmium is rarely used industrially in pure form.Uses: nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries; pigments (yellow, orange, and red); plating (provides better rust resistance than zinc, especially in salt water environments)US Imports: 140 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 50% import reliant for its cadmium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Australia, 29%; China, 20%; Germany, 19%; Peru, 11%; and other, 21%World Resources: Most of the world’s primary cadmium metal is produced in Asia, and leading global producers are China and the Republic of Korea, followed by Japan and Canada. A smaller amount of secondary cadmium metal is recovered from recycling NiCd batteries.Substitutes: Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries can replace NiCd batteries in many applications. Except where the surface characteristics of a coating are critical (for example, fasteners for aircraft), coatings of zinc, zinc-nickel, or vapor-deposited aluminum can be substituted for cadmium in many plating applications. Cerium sulfide is used as a replacement for cadmium pigments, mostly in plastics. Barium-zinc or calcium-zinc stabilizers can replace barium-cadmium stabilizers in flexible PVC applications. Amorphous silicon and copper-indium-gallium-selenide photovoltaic cells compete with cadmium telluride in the thin-film solar-cell market.Note(s): Cadmium is generally recovered from zinc ores and concentrates. Sphalerite, the most economically significant zinc ore mineral, commonly contains minor amounts of cadmium, which shares certain similar chemical properties with zinc and often substitutes for zinc in the sphalerite crystal lattice. The cadmium mineral greenockite is frequently associated with weathered sphalerite and wurtzite.Description: Cadmium is a very soft, silvery-white metallic element; it is so soft that it can be cut with a knife. Cadmium has many chemical similarities to zinc, but is less reactive with acids than is zinc. Metallic cadmium is rarely used industrially in pure form.Uses: nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries; pigments (yellow, orange, and red); plating (provides better rust resistance than zinc, especially in salt water environments)US Imports: 140 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 50% import reliant for its cadmium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Australia, 29%; China, 20%; Germany, 19%; Peru, 11%; and other, 21%World Resources: Most of the world’s primary cadmium metal is produced in Asia, and leading global producers are China and the Republic of Korea, followed by Japan and Canada. A smaller amount of secondary cadmium metal is recovered from recycling NiCd batteries.Substitutes: Lithium-ion and nickel-metal hydride batteries can replace NiCd batteries in many applications. Except where the surface characteristics of a coating are critical (for example, fasteners for aircraft), coatings of zinc, zinc-nickel, or vapor-deposited aluminum can be substituted for cadmium in many plating applications. Cerium sulfide is used as a replacement for cadmium pigments, mostly in plastics. Barium-zinc or calcium-zinc stabilizers can replace barium-cadmium stabilizers in flexible PVC applications. Amorphous silicon and copper-indium-gallium-selenide photovoltaic cells compete with cadmium telluride in the thin-film solar-cell market. Cesium (Cs/55): Description: Cesium is a very soft, ductile, alkali metal that is liquid at 28.4° C. It is the most electropositive and reactive of the alkali metals and forms compounds with a variety of anions and alloys with the other alkali metals and with gold. The metal ignites spontaneously in the presence of air and reacts explosively in water. Because of this reactivity, cesium is classed as a hazardous material and must be stored and transported in isolation from possible reactants.Uses: The current application that likely requires the most cesium is as a specialty high-density component in drilling mud used for petroleum exploration. Cesium also has a wide-spectrum of photoemissive properties whereby electromagnetic radiation, which includes visible light and nearby regions of the radiation spectrum, are converted to electrical current. Thus, cesium is used in television image devices, night-vision equipment, solar photovoltaic cells, and other types of photoelectric cells. Perhaps one of its best known applications is its use in the super-accurate atomic cesium clock that is used as a standard for the world’s timekeeping systems. It is also used in the chemical process industry, primarily as an ingredient of metal-ion catalysts; in medical applications; in the removal of sulfur from crude oil in petroleum refining; and as an ingredient in specialty glasses used in fiber optics and night-vision devices.US imports: Only a few thousand kilograms of cesium are consumed in the US every year. The US is 100% import reliant for its cesium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): No reliable data has been available to determine the source of cesium ore imported by the US since 1988. Previously, Canada was thought to be the primary supplier of cesium ore.World Resources: US and world resources of cesium have not been estimated. It is a relatively uncommon element that can be mined in only a few places in the world. During 2021, no primary cesium mine production was reported globally but cesium was thought to have been mined in China. Mine production of cesium from all countries, excluding China, ceased within the past two decades. No reliable data are available to determine reserves for specific countries; however, Australia, Canada, China, and Namibia were thought to have reserves totaling less than 200,000 tons. Existing stockpiles at multiple former mine sites have continued feeding downstream refineries, though recent reports have indicated stockpiles will be depleted within a few years.Substitutes: Cesium and rubidium can be used interchangeably in many applications because they have similar physical properties and atomic radii. Cesium, however, is more electropositive than rubidium, making it a preferred material for some applications. However, rubidium is mined from similar deposits, in relatively smaller quantities, as a byproduct of cesium production in pegmatites and as a byproduct of lithium production from lepidolite (hard-rock) mining and processing, making it no more readily available than cesium.Note(s): In 2021, no cesium was mined domestically in the US.Description: Cesium is a very soft, ductile, alkali metal that is liquid at 28.4° C. It is the most electropositive and reactive of the alkali metals and forms compounds with a variety of anions and alloys with the other alkali metals and with gold. The metal ignites spontaneously in the presence of air and reacts explosively in water. Because of this reactivity, cesium is classed as a hazardous material and must be stored and transported in isolation from possible reactants.Uses: The current application that likely requires the most cesium is as a specialty high-density component in drilling mud used for petroleum exploration. Cesium also has a wide-spectrum of photoemissive properties whereby electromagnetic radiation, which includes visible light and nearby regions of the radiation spectrum, are converted to electrical current. Thus, cesium is used in television image devices, night-vision equipment, solar photovoltaic cells, and other types of photoelectric cells. Perhaps one of its best known applications is its use in the super-accurate atomic cesium clock that is used as a standard for the world’s timekeeping systems. It is also used in the chemical process industry, primarily as an ingredient of metal-ion catalysts; in medical applications; in the removal of sulfur from crude oil in petroleum refining; and as an ingredient in specialty glasses used in fiber optics and night-vision devices.US imports: Only a few thousand kilograms of cesium are consumed in the US every year. The US is 100% import reliant for its cesium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): No reliable data has been available to determine the source of cesium ore imported by the US since 1988. Previously, Canada was thought to be the primary supplier of cesium ore.World Resources: US and world resources of cesium have not been estimated. It is a relatively uncommon element that can be mined in only a few places in the world. During 2021, no primary cesium mine production was reported globally but cesium was thought to have been mined in China. Mine production of cesium from all countries, excluding China, ceased within the past two decades. No reliable data are available to determine reserves for specific countries; however, Australia, Canada, China, and Namibia were thought to have reserves totaling less than 200,000 tons. Existing stockpiles at multiple former mine sites have continued feeding downstream refineries, though recent reports have indicated stockpiles will be depleted within a few years.Substitutes: Cesium and rubidium can be used interchangeably in many applications because they have similar physical properties and atomic radii. Cesium, however, is more electropositive than rubidium, making it a preferred material for some applications. However, rubidium is mined from similar deposits, in relatively smaller quantities, as a byproduct of cesium production in pegmatites and as a byproduct of lithium production from lepidolite (hard-rock) mining and processing, making it no more readily available than cesium.Note(s): In 2021, no cesium was mined domestically in the US. Chromium (Cr/24): Description: Chromium is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard and brittle metal that takes a high polish, resists tarnishing, and has a high melting point. Chromium is produced from chromite ore. About 80% of world production of chromite ore comes from India, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.Uses: component in nickel super-alloys for land based turbines and jet engines; component in high-speed tool steel; surface coatings; catalysts for processing hydrocarbons; refractory materials; resistance heating wiresUS Imports: 590,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 80% import reliant for its chromium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Chromite (mineral): South Africa, 99%; and Canada, 1%. Chromium-containing scrap: United Kingdom, 53%; Canada, 28%; Japan, 9%; and other, 10%. Chromium (primary metal): Russia, 36%; United Kingdom, 23%; France, 21%; China, 15%; and other, 5%. Total imports: South Africa, 38%; Kazakhstan, 9%; Russia, 7%; Mexico, 6%; and other, 40%.World Resources: World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, sufficient to meet conceivable demand for centuries. The world’s chromium resources are heavily geographically concentrated (95%) in Kazakhstan and southern Africa; US chromium resources are mostly in the Stillwater Complex in Montana.  South Africa was the leading chromite ore producer. Ore production was estimated to increase in 2021 owing to recovery of the market following the COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use, or in superalloys, the major strategic end use. Chromium-containing scrap can substitute for ferrochromium in some metallurgical uses.Note(s): Stainless steels and superalloys require chromium. In 2021, the United States was expected to consume 5% of world chromite ore production in various forms of imported materials, such as chromite ore, chromium chemicals, chromium ferroalloys, chromium metal, and stainless steel.Description: Chromium is a steely-gray, lustrous, hard and brittle metal that takes a high polish, resists tarnishing, and has a high melting point. Chromium is produced from chromite ore. About 80% of world production of chromite ore comes from India, Kazakhstan, and South Africa.Uses: component in nickel super-alloys for land based turbines and jet engines; component in high-speed tool steel; surface coatings; catalysts for processing hydrocarbons; refractory materials; resistance heating wiresUS Imports: 590,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 80% import reliant for its chromium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Chromite (mineral): South Africa, 99%; and Canada, 1%. Chromium-containing scrap: United Kingdom, 53%; Canada, 28%; Japan, 9%; and other, 10%. Chromium (primary metal): Russia, 36%; United Kingdom, 23%; France, 21%; China, 15%; and other, 5%. Total imports: South Africa, 38%; Kazakhstan, 9%; Russia, 7%; Mexico, 6%; and other, 40%.World Resources: World resources are greater than 12 billion tons of shipping-grade chromite, sufficient to meet conceivable demand for centuries. The world’s chromium resources are heavily geographically concentrated (95%) in Kazakhstan and southern Africa; US chromium resources are mostly in the Stillwater Complex in Montana.  South Africa was the leading chromite ore producer. Ore production was estimated to increase in 2021 owing to recovery of the market following the COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Chromium has no substitute in stainless steel, the leading end use, or in superalloys, the major strategic end use. Chromium-containing scrap can substitute for ferrochromium in some metallurgical uses. Cobalt (Co/27): Description: Cobalt is a bluish-gray, shiny, brittle metallic element. It has magnetic properties like iron. Cobalt-nickel alloys have good temperature stability and corrosion and wear resistance and are used in high temperature applications. The cobalt resources identified in the world are mostly found in copper or nickel mines in Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), Russia, and Zambia. In the US, cobalt resources are in mostly found in Minnesota. Most of the cobalt used in the US is imported. An estimated 42% of the cobalt consumed in the United States was used in superalloys, mainly in aircraft gas turbine engines; 9% in cemented carbides for cutting and wear-resistant applications; 16% in various other metallic applications; and 33% in a variety of chemical applications.Uses: batteries; component in nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of jet engines and industrial gas turbines; pigments; medical implantsUS Imports: 9,900 mt (2021 est.) The US is 76% import reliant for its cobalt needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Cobalt contained in metal, oxide, and salts: Norway, 20%; Canada, 16%; Japan, 13%; Finland, 11%; and other, 40%.World Resources: Identified world terrestrial cobalt resources are about 25 million tons. The vast majority of these resources are in sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits in DROC and Zambia; nickel-bearing laterite deposits in Australia and nearby island countries, and in Cuba; and magmatic nickel-copper sulfide deposits hosted in mafic and ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada, Russia, and the US. Global cobalt mine and refinery production were forecast to increase to record high levels in 2021. The increase in raw materials feed was mainly from increased production at existing operations, although new production and restarts at suspended operations also contributed to supply. The DROC continued to be the world’s leading source of mined cobalt, supplying more than 70% of world cobalt mine production. China was the world’s leading producer of refined cobalt and a leading supplier of cobalt imports to the US. Much of China’s production comes from ore and partially refined cobalt imported from DROC; scrap and stocks of cobalt materials also contributed to China’s supply. China was the world’s leading consumer of  cobalt, with more than 80% of its consumption being used by the rechargeable battery industry.Substitutes: In some applications, substitution for cobalt would result in a loss in product performance. Potential substitutes include barium or strontium ferrites, neodymium-iron-boron, or nickel-iron alloys in magnets; cerium, iron, lead, manganese, or vanadium in paints; cobalt-iron-copper or iron-copper in diamond tools; copper-iron-manganese for curing unsaturated polyester resins; iron, iron-cobalt-nickel, nickel, cermets, or ceramics in cutting and wear resistant materials; iron-phosphorous, manganese, nickel-cobalt-aluminum, or nickel-cobalt-manganese in lithium-ion batteries; nickel-based alloys or ceramics in jet engines; nickel in petroleum catalysts; and rhodium in hydroformylation catalysts.Note(s): More than 120 million tons of cobalt resources have been identified in manganese nodules and crusts on the floor of the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Most US cobalt supply is comprised of imports and secondary (scrap) materials. The mineral cobaltite (cobalt sulfarsenide) is a valuable source of cobalt.Description: Cobalt is a bluish-gray, shiny, brittle metallic element. It has magnetic properties like iron. Cobalt-nickel alloys have good temperature stability and corrosion and wear resistance and are used in high temperature applications. The cobalt resources identified in the world are mostly found in copper or nickel mines in Australia, Canada, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), Russia, and Zambia. In the US, cobalt resources are in mostly found in Minnesota. Most of the cobalt used in the US is imported. An estimated 42% of the cobalt consumed in the United States was used in superalloys, mainly in aircraft gas turbine engines; 9% in cemented carbides for cutting and wear-resistant applications; 16% in various other metallic applications; and 33% in a variety of chemical applications.Uses: batteries; component in nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of jet engines and industrial gas turbines; pigments; medical implantsUS Imports: 9,900 mt (2021 est.) The US is 76% import reliant for its cobalt needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Cobalt contained in metal, oxide, and salts: Norway, 20%; Canada, 16%; Japan, 13%; Finland, 11%; and other, 40%.World Resources: Identified world terrestrial cobalt resources are about 25 million tons. The vast majority of these resources are in sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits in DROC and Zambia; nickel-bearing laterite deposits in Australia and nearby island countries, and in Cuba; and magmatic nickel-copper sulfide deposits hosted in mafic and ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada, Russia, and the US. Global cobalt mine and refinery production were forecast to increase to record high levels in 2021. The increase in raw materials feed was mainly from increased production at existing operations, although new production and restarts at suspended operations also contributed to supply. The DROC continued to be the world’s leading source of mined cobalt, supplying more than 70% of world cobalt mine production. China was the world’s leading producer of refined cobalt and a leading supplier of cobalt imports to the US. Much of China’s production comes from ore and partially refined cobalt imported from DROC; scrap and stocks of cobalt materials also contributed to China’s supply. China was the world’s leading consumer of  cobalt, with more than 80% of its consumption being used by the rechargeable battery industry.Substitutes: In some applications, substitution for cobalt would result in a loss in product performance. Potential substitutes include barium or strontium ferrites, neodymium-iron-boron, or nickel-iron alloys in magnets; cerium, iron, lead, manganese, or vanadium in paints; cobalt-iron-copper or iron-copper in diamond tools; copper-iron-manganese for curing unsaturated polyester resins; iron, iron-cobalt-nickel, nickel, cermets, or ceramics in cutting and wear resistant materials; iron-phosphorous, manganese, nickel-cobalt-aluminum, or nickel-cobalt-manganese in lithium-ion batteries; nickel-based alloys or ceramics in jet engines; nickel in petroleum catalysts; and rhodium in hydroformylation catalysts. Copper (Cu/29): Description: Copper is a mineral and an element. As a mineral, natural copper (also called native copper) is relatively rare. Copper is usually found in nature in association with sulfur. Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used. Because of its properties of high ductility, malleability, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion, copper has become a major industrial metal, ranking third after iron and aluminum in terms of quantities consumed.Uses: electric wire (motors, electromagnets, integrated circuits); plumbing (tubing, fittings); architectural roofing and features on buildings; alloys (brass, bronze)US Imports: 933,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 45% import reliant for its copper needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): Copper content of blister and anodes: Finland, 81%; Malaysia, 13%; and other, 6%. Copper content of matte, ash, and precipitates: Canada, 28%; Mexico, 20%; Belgium, 14%; Spain, 11%; and other, 27%. Copper content of ore and concentrates: Mexico, 97%; and other, 3%. Copper content of scrap: Canada, 54%; Mexico, 34%; and other, 12%. Refined copper: Chile, 62%; Canada, 23%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 4%. Refined copper accounted for 85% of all unmanufactured copper imports.World Resources: A 2015 US Geological Survey (USGS) global assessment of copper deposits indicated that identified resources contained about 2.1 billion tons of copper (porphyry deposits accounted for 1.8 billion tons of those resources), and undiscovered resources contained an estimated 3.5 billion tons. A 1998 USGS assessment estimated that 550 million tons of copper were contained in identified and undiscovered resources in the US. In the United States, mined copper production remained unchanged in 2021 from that in 2020.Substitutes: Aluminum substitutes for copper in power cable, electrical equipment, automobile radiators, and cooling and refrigeration tubes. Titanium and steel are used in heat exchangers. Optical fiber substitutes for copper in telecommunications applications, and plastics substitute for copper in water pipe, drain pipe, and plumbing fixtures.   Description: Copper is a mineral and an element. As a mineral, natural copper (also called native copper) is relatively rare. Copper is usually found in nature in association with sulfur. Copper is one of the oldest metals ever used. Because of its properties of high ductility, malleability, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion, copper has become a major industrial metal, ranking third after iron and aluminum in terms of quantities consumed.Uses: electric wire (motors, electromagnets, integrated circuits); plumbing (tubing, fittings); architectural roofing and features on buildings; alloys (brass, bronze)US Imports: 933,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 45% import reliant for its copper needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): Copper content of blister and anodes: Finland, 81%; Malaysia, 13%; and other, 6%. Copper content of matte, ash, and precipitates: Canada, 28%; Mexico, 20%; Belgium, 14%; Spain, 11%; and other, 27%. Copper content of ore and concentrates: Mexico, 97%; and other, 3%. Copper content of scrap: Canada, 54%; Mexico, 34%; and other, 12%. Refined copper: Chile, 62%; Canada, 23%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 4%. Refined copper accounted for 85% of all unmanufactured copper imports.World Resources: A 2015 US Geological Survey (USGS) global assessment of copper deposits indicated that identified resources contained about 2.1 billion tons of copper (porphyry deposits accounted for 1.8 billion tons of those resources), and undiscovered resources contained an estimated 3.5 billion tons. A 1998 USGS assessment estimated that 550 million tons of copper were contained in identified and undiscovered resources in the US. In the United States, mined copper production remained unchanged in 2021 from that in 2020.Substitutes: Aluminum substitutes for copper in power cable, electrical equipment, automobile radiators, and cooling and refrigeration tubes. Titanium and steel are used in heat exchangers. Optical fiber substitutes for copper in telecommunications applications, and plastics substitute for copper in water pipe, drain pipe, and plumbing fixtures.    Gallium (Ga/31): Description: Gallium is a metallic element that does not easily combine with other elements or ions to form ore minerals. It is, however, found as a trace element in a number of minerals and ores, the most important of which is bauxite (aluminum ore). In fact, gallium is a byproduct of alumina production. Gallium is not produced in the US, and demand is satisfied by imports. Imports of gallium metal and gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers continued to account for all US consumption of gallium.Uses: integrated circuits (cell phones, especially smart phones, wireless internet); optoelectronic devices (laser diodes, LEDs, photo-detectors, and solar cells); specialty alloysUS Imports: 280.6 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its gallium needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): metal - China,4 53%; the United Kingdom, 11%; Germany, 9%; Ukraine, 7%; and other, 20%.World Resources: Globally, primary gallium is recovered as a byproduct of processing bauxite and zinc ores. Gallium contained in world resources of bauxite is estimated to exceed 1 million tons, and a considerable quantity could be contained in world zinc resources. However, less than 10% of the gallium in bauxite and zinc resources is potentially recoverable. In 2021, gallium metal imports increased by an estimated 140% from those of 2020 owing to increased imports from Canada, Japan, and Singapore.Substitutes: Liquid crystals made from organic compounds are used in visual displays as substitutes for LEDs. Silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductor power amplifiers compete with GaAs power amplifiers in midtier 3G cellular handsets. Indium phosphide components can be substituted for GaAs-based infrared laser diodes in some specific-wavelength applications, and helium-neon lasers compete with GaAs in visible laser diode applications. Silicon is the principal competitor with GaAs in solar-cell applications. GaAs-based ICs are used in many defense-related applications because of their unique properties, and no effective substitutes exist for GaAs in these applications. GaAs in heterojunction bipolar transistors is being replaced in some applications by silicon-germanium.Note(s): No US primary (low-grade, unrefined) gallium has been recovered since 1987.Description: Gallium is a metallic element that does not easily combine with other elements or ions to form ore minerals. It is, however, found as a trace element in a number of minerals and ores, the most important of which is bauxite (aluminum ore). In fact, gallium is a byproduct of alumina production. Gallium is not produced in the US, and demand is satisfied by imports. Imports of gallium metal and gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafers continued to account for all US consumption of gallium.Uses: integrated circuits (cell phones, especially smart phones, wireless internet); optoelectronic devices (laser diodes, LEDs, photo-detectors, and solar cells); specialty alloysUS Imports: 280.6 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its gallium needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): metal - China,4 53%; the United Kingdom, 11%; Germany, 9%; Ukraine, 7%; and other, 20%.World Resources: Globally, primary gallium is recovered as a byproduct of processing bauxite and zinc ores. Gallium contained in world resources of bauxite is estimated to exceed 1 million tons, and a considerable quantity could be contained in world zinc resources. However, less than 10% of the gallium in bauxite and zinc resources is potentially recoverable. In 2021, gallium metal imports increased by an estimated 140% from those of 2020 owing to increased imports from Canada, Japan, and Singapore.Substitutes: Liquid crystals made from organic compounds are used in visual displays as substitutes for LEDs. Silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductor power amplifiers compete with GaAs power amplifiers in midtier 3G cellular handsets. Indium phosphide components can be substituted for GaAs-based infrared laser diodes in some specific-wavelength applications, and helium-neon lasers compete with GaAs in visible laser diode applications. Silicon is the principal competitor with GaAs in solar-cell applications. GaAs-based ICs are used in many defense-related applications because of their unique properties, and no effective substitutes exist for GaAs in these applications. GaAs in heterojunction bipolar transistors is being replaced in some applications by silicon-germanium. Hafnium (Hf/72): Description: Hafnium metal is produced when it is separated from zircon, a zirconium silicate mineral that is usually 98% zirconium and 2% hafnium. Hafnium is a metallic element used in a number of industrial applications because of its resistance to corrosion and high temperatures.Uses: control rods on nuclear reactors (primary use); nickel superalloys and high temperature alloys; integrated circuit production for features at 45mm and smaller; electrodes for plasma arc cuttingUS Imports: 16 mt (2021 est.) Import Sources (2017-20): Hafnium, unwrought: Germany, 42%; France, 29%; China, 24%; the United Kingdom, 2%; and other, 3%.World Resources: World resources of hafnium are associated with those of zircon and baddeleyite. Quantitative estimates of hafnium resources are not available.Substitutes: Silver-cadmium-indium control rods are used in lieu of hafnium at numerous nuclear power plants. Zirconium can be used interchangeably with hafnium in certain superalloys.Note(s): Production of hafnium metal from hafnium oxide (HfO2) at the Dubbo Zirconia Project, in New South Wales, Australia, would be independent of zirconium metal refinement for the nuclear industry where it is a byproduct. Additional heavy-mineral exploration and mining projects are underway in Australia, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.Description: Hafnium metal is produced when it is separated from zircon, a zirconium silicate mineral that is usually 98% zirconium and 2% hafnium. Hafnium is a metallic element used in a number of industrial applications because of its resistance to corrosion and high temperatures.Uses: control rods on nuclear reactors (primary use); nickel superalloys and high temperature alloys; integrated circuit production for features at 45mm and smaller; electrodes for plasma arc cuttingUS Imports: 16 mt (2021 est.) Import Sources (2017-20): Hafnium, unwrought: Germany, 42%; France, 29%; China, 24%; the United Kingdom, 2%; and other, 3%.World Resources: World resources of hafnium are associated with those of zircon and baddeleyite. Quantitative estimates of hafnium resources are not available.Substitutes: Silver-cadmium-indium control rods are used in lieu of hafnium at numerous nuclear power plants. Zirconium can be used interchangeably with hafnium in certain superalloys. Indium (In/49): Description: Indium is a soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element; it is produced mainly from residues generated during zinc ore processing.Uses: LCD displays; organic LEDs; fiber-optics; solder and alloys; infrared imaging; communicationsUS Imports: 170 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its indium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 31%; Canada, 23%; Republic of Korea, 20%; France, 9%; and other, 17%.World Resources: Indium is most commonly recovered from the zinc-sulfide ore mineral sphalerite. The indium content of zinc deposits from which it is recovered ranges from less than 1 part per million to 100 parts per million.Substitutes: Antimony tin oxide coatings have been developed as an alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings in LCDs and have been successfully annealed to LCD glass; carbon nanotube coatings have been developed as an alternative to ITO coatings in flexible displays, solar cells, and touch screens; PEDOT [poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)] has also been developed as a substitute for ITO in flexible displays and organic light-emitting diodes; and silver nanowires have been explored as a substitute for ITO in touch screens. Graphene has been developed to replace ITO electrodes in solar cells and also has been explored as a replacement for ITO in flexible touch screens. Researchers have developed a more adhesive zinc oxide nanopowder to replace ITO in LCDs. Gallium arsenide can substitute for indium phosphide in solar cells and in many semiconductor applications. Hafnium can replace indium in nuclear reactor control rod alloys.Note(s): Indium was not recovered from ores in the US in 2019. Several companies produced indium products - including alloys, compounds, high-purity metal, and solders - from imported indium metal. Production of ITO continued to account for most of global indium consumption.Description: Indium is a soft, malleable, silvery-white metallic element; it is produced mainly from residues generated during zinc ore processing.Uses: LCD displays; organic LEDs; fiber-optics; solder and alloys; infrared imaging; communicationsUS Imports: 170 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its indium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 31%; Canada, 23%; Republic of Korea, 20%; France, 9%; and other, 17%.World Resources: Indium is most commonly recovered from the zinc-sulfide ore mineral sphalerite. The indium content of zinc deposits from which it is recovered ranges from less than 1 part per million to 100 parts per million.Substitutes: Antimony tin oxide coatings have been developed as an alternative to indium tin oxide (ITO) coatings in LCDs and have been successfully annealed to LCD glass; carbon nanotube coatings have been developed as an alternative to ITO coatings in flexible displays, solar cells, and touch screens; PEDOT [poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)] has also been developed as a substitute for ITO in flexible displays and organic light-emitting diodes; and silver nanowires have been explored as a substitute for ITO in touch screens. Graphene has been developed to replace ITO electrodes in solar cells and also has been explored as a replacement for ITO in flexible touch screens. Researchers have developed a more adhesive zinc oxide nanopowder to replace ITO in LCDs. Gallium arsenide can substitute for indium phosphide in solar cells and in many semiconductor applications. Hafnium can replace indium in nuclear reactor control rod alloys. Lead (Pb/82): Description: Lead is a very corrosion-resistant, dense, ductile, and malleable blue-gray metal that has been used for at least 5,000 years. The most significant lead mineral is galena (lead sulfide).Uses: batteries; cable sheeting; solder; shielding (X-ray machines); ammunition The lead-acid battery industry accounted for an estimated 92% of reported US lead consumption during 2021. Lead-acid batteries were primarily used as starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) batteries for automobiles, as industrial-type batteries for standby power for computer and telecommunications networks, and for motive power.US Imports: 620,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 38% import reliant for its lead needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Refined metal: Canada, 43%; Mexico, 19%; the Republic of Korea, 17%; India, 4%; and other, 17%.World Resources: Identified world lead resources total more than 2 billion tons. In recent years, significant lead resources have been identified in association with zinc and (or) silver or copper deposits in Australia, China, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and the US (Alaska).Substitutes: Substitution by plastics has reduced the use of lead in cable covering and cans. Tin has replaced lead in solder for potable water systems. The electronics industry has moved toward lead-free solders and flat-panel displays that do not require lead shielding. Steel and zinc are common substitutes for lead in wheel weights.Note(s): According to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, global refined lead production in 2021 was forecast to increase by 4.4% to 12.4 million tons and metal consumption to increase by 5.5% to 12.4 million tons.Description: Lead is a very corrosion-resistant, dense, ductile, and malleable blue-gray metal that has been used for at least 5,000 years. The most significant lead mineral is galena (lead sulfide).Uses: batteries; cable sheeting; solder; shielding (X-ray machines); ammunition The lead-acid battery industry accounted for an estimated 92% of reported US lead consumption during 2021. Lead-acid batteries were primarily used as starting-lighting-ignition (SLI) batteries for automobiles, as industrial-type batteries for standby power for computer and telecommunications networks, and for motive power.US Imports: 620,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 38% import reliant for its lead needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Refined metal: Canada, 43%; Mexico, 19%; the Republic of Korea, 17%; India, 4%; and other, 17%.World Resources: Identified world lead resources total more than 2 billion tons. In recent years, significant lead resources have been identified in association with zinc and (or) silver or copper deposits in Australia, China, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and the US (Alaska).Substitutes: Substitution by plastics has reduced the use of lead in cable covering and cans. Tin has replaced lead in solder for potable water systems. The electronics industry has moved toward lead-free solders and flat-panel displays that do not require lead shielding. Steel and zinc are common substitutes for lead in wheel weights. Lithium (Li/3): Description: Lithium is a metallic element widely distributed in the earth's crust at low concentrations. Spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite are important mineral sources of lithium. Subsurface brines are the dominant raw material for lithium carbonate production worldwide because of lower production costs as compared with the costs for hard rock ores.Uses: enamels; glass; ceramics; air purification; lithium ion-batteries; focal lenses for telescopes Although lithium markets vary by location, global end-use markets are estimated as follows: batteries, 74%; ceramics and glass, 14%; lubricating greases, 3%; continuous casting mold flux powders, 2%; polymer production, 2%; air treatment, 1%; and other uses, 4%. Lithium consumption for batteries has increased significantly in recent years because rechargeable lithium batteries are used extensively in the growing market for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, and increasingly are used in electric tools, and grid storage applications. Lithium minerals were used directly as ore concentrates in ceramics and glass applications. US Imports: 2,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 25% import reliant for its lithium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Argentina, 54%; Chile, 37%; China, 5%; Russia, 3%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Owing to continuing exploration, identified lithium resources have increased substantially worldwide and total about 89 million tons. Lithium resources in the United States—from continental brines, geothermal brines, hectorite, oilfield brines, and pegmatites—are 6.8 million tons. Identified lithium resources in other countries have been revised to 80 million tons. Identified lithium resources are distributed as follows: Bolivia, 21 million tons; Argentina, 19 million tons; Chile, 9.8 million tons; Australia, 7.3 million tons; China, 5.1 million tons; Congo (Kinshasa), 3 million tons; Canada, 2.9 million tons; Germany, 2.7 million tons; Mexico, 1.7 million tons; Czechia, 1.3 million tons; Serbia, 1.2 million tons; Russia, 1 million tons; Peru, 880,000 tons; Mali, 700,000 tons; Zimbabwe, 500,000 tons; Brazil, 470,000 tons; Spain, 300,000 tons; Portugal, 270,000 tons; Ghana, 130,000 tons; Austria, 60,000 tons; and Finland, Kazakhstan, and Namibia, 50,000 tons each.Substitutes: Substitution for lithium compounds is possible in batteries, ceramics, greases, and manufactured glass. Examples are calcium, magnesium, mercury, and zinc as anode material in primary batteries; calcium and aluminum soaps as substitutes for stearates in greases; and sodic and potassic fluxes in ceramics and glass manufacture.Note(s): Lithium supply security has become a top priority for technology companies in the US and Asia. Strategic alliances and joint ventures among technology companies and exploration companies continue to be established to ensure a reliable, diversified supply of lithium for battery suppliers and vehicle manufacturers.Description: Lithium is a metallic element widely distributed in the earth's crust at low concentrations. Spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite are important mineral sources of lithium. Subsurface brines are the dominant raw material for lithium carbonate production worldwide because of lower production costs as compared with the costs for hard rock ores.Uses: enamels; glass; ceramics; air purification; lithium ion-batteries; focal lenses for telescopes Although lithium markets vary by location, global end-use markets are estimated as follows: batteries, 74%; ceramics and glass, 14%; lubricating greases, 3%; continuous casting mold flux powders, 2%; polymer production, 2%; air treatment, 1%; and other uses, 4%. Lithium consumption for batteries has increased significantly in recent years because rechargeable lithium batteries are used extensively in the growing market for electric vehicles and portable electronic devices, and increasingly are used in electric tools, and grid storage applications. Lithium minerals were used directly as ore concentrates in ceramics and glass applications. US Imports: 2,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 25% import reliant for its lithium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Argentina, 54%; Chile, 37%; China, 5%; Russia, 3%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Owing to continuing exploration, identified lithium resources have increased substantially worldwide and total about 89 million tons. Lithium resources in the United States—from continental brines, geothermal brines, hectorite, oilfield brines, and pegmatites—are 6.8 million tons. Identified lithium resources in other countries have been revised to 80 million tons. Identified lithium resources are distributed as follows: Bolivia, 21 million tons; Argentina, 19 million tons; Chile, 9.8 million tons; Australia, 7.3 million tons; China, 5.1 million tons; Congo (Kinshasa), 3 million tons; Canada, 2.9 million tons; Germany, 2.7 million tons; Mexico, 1.7 million tons; Czechia, 1.3 million tons; Serbia, 1.2 million tons; Russia, 1 million tons; Peru, 880,000 tons; Mali, 700,000 tons; Zimbabwe, 500,000 tons; Brazil, 470,000 tons; Spain, 300,000 tons; Portugal, 270,000 tons; Ghana, 130,000 tons; Austria, 60,000 tons; and Finland, Kazakhstan, and Namibia, 50,000 tons each.Substitutes: Substitution for lithium compounds is possible in batteries, ceramics, greases, and manufactured glass. Examples are calcium, magnesium, mercury, and zinc as anode material in primary batteries; calcium and aluminum soaps as substitutes for stearates in greases; and sodic and potassic fluxes in ceramics and glass manufacture. Magnesium (Mg/12): Description: Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, representing about 2% of its total mass; it belongs to the alkaline earth metal series. The metal is silvery white and is prized for its lightness and strength in alloys. Magnesium can be extracted from the minerals dolomite and carnallite, but it is most often obtained from seawater or well and lake brines.Uses: refractory material in furnace linings for steel, iron, metals, glass and cement production; used in agricultural, chemical, and construction industries The leading use for primary magnesium metal, which accounted for 45% of reported domestic US consumption, was in castings, principally used for the automotive industry.US Imports: 48,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 50% import reliant for its magnesium metal needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 20%; Israel, 15%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 54%.World Resources: Resources from which magnesium may be recovered range from large to virtually unlimited and are globally widespread. Resources of dolomite, serpentine, and magnesium-bearing evaporite minerals are enormous. Magnesium-bearing brines are estimated to constitute a resource in the billions of tons, and magnesium could be recovered from seawater along world coastlines.Substitutes: Aluminum and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. The relatively light weight of magnesium is an advantage over aluminum and zinc in castings and wrought products in most applications; however, its high cost is a disadvantage relative to these substitutes. For iron and steel desulfurization, calcium carbide may be used instead of magnesium. Magnesium is preferred to calcium carbide for desulfurization of iron and steel because calcium carbide produces acetylene in the presence of water.Note(s): Producers in China dominate magnesium production, but several projects are under development to increase primary magnesium metal capacity elsewhere.Description: Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, representing about 2% of its total mass; it belongs to the alkaline earth metal series. The metal is silvery white and is prized for its lightness and strength in alloys. Magnesium can be extracted from the minerals dolomite and carnallite, but it is most often obtained from seawater or well and lake brines.Uses: refractory material in furnace linings for steel, iron, metals, glass and cement production; used in agricultural, chemical, and construction industries The leading use for primary magnesium metal, which accounted for 45% of reported domestic US consumption, was in castings, principally used for the automotive industry.US Imports: 48,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 50% import reliant for its magnesium metal needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 20%; Israel, 15%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 54%.World Resources: Resources from which magnesium may be recovered range from large to virtually unlimited and are globally widespread. Resources of dolomite, serpentine, and magnesium-bearing evaporite minerals are enormous. Magnesium-bearing brines are estimated to constitute a resource in the billions of tons, and magnesium could be recovered from seawater along world coastlines.Substitutes: Aluminum and zinc may substitute for magnesium in castings and wrought products. The relatively light weight of magnesium is an advantage over aluminum and zinc in castings and wrought products in most applications; however, its high cost is a disadvantage relative to these substitutes. For iron and steel desulfurization, calcium carbide may be used instead of magnesium. Magnesium is preferred to calcium carbide for desulfurization of iron and steel because calcium carbide produces acetylene in the presence of water. Manganese (Mn/25): Description: Manganese is a very brittle but hard metallic element. Pyrolusite (manganese dioxide (MnO2) is the main ore mineral for manganese. Manganese is essential to iron and steel production by virtue of its sulfur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties.Uses: steelmaking; aluminum alloy production; additive in unleaded gasoline; glass making and coloring; batteries and dry cells; alloys for chemical processing applications; alloys for high temperature bolts and fastenersUS Imports: Manganese ore 460,000 mt; Ferromanganese 320,000; Silicomanganese 270,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its manganese needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Manganese ore: Gabon, 67%; South Africa, 18%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 4%. Ferromanganese: Australia, 20%; South Africa, 20%; Norway, 16%; Malaysia, 14%; and other, 30%. Silicomanganese: Georgia, 27%; Australia, 21%; South Africa, 21%; and other, 31%.World Resources: Land-based manganese resources are large but irregularly distributed. South Africa accounts for about 30% of the world’s manganese reserves. Those in the US are very low grade and have potentially high extraction costs. Global production of manganese ore was estimated to be about 6% more than that in 2020. The leading countries for manganese ore production were, in descending order on a contained-weight basis, South Africa, Gabon, and Australia.Substitutes: Manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications.Description: Manganese is a very brittle but hard metallic element. Pyrolusite (manganese dioxide (MnO2) is the main ore mineral for manganese. Manganese is essential to iron and steel production by virtue of its sulfur-fixing, deoxidizing, and alloying properties.Uses: steelmaking; aluminum alloy production; additive in unleaded gasoline; glass making and coloring; batteries and dry cells; alloys for chemical processing applications; alloys for high temperature bolts and fastenersUS Imports: Manganese ore 460,000 mt; Ferromanganese 320,000; Silicomanganese 270,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its manganese needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Manganese ore: Gabon, 67%; South Africa, 18%; Mexico, 11%; and other, 4%. Ferromanganese: Australia, 20%; South Africa, 20%; Norway, 16%; Malaysia, 14%; and other, 30%. Silicomanganese: Georgia, 27%; Australia, 21%; South Africa, 21%; and other, 31%.World Resources: Land-based manganese resources are large but irregularly distributed. South Africa accounts for about 30% of the world’s manganese reserves. Those in the US are very low grade and have potentially high extraction costs. Global production of manganese ore was estimated to be about 6% more than that in 2020. The leading countries for manganese ore production were, in descending order on a contained-weight basis, South Africa, Gabon, and Australia.Substitutes: Manganese has no satisfactory substitute in its major applications. Mercury (Hg/80): Description: Mercury is the only common metal that is liquid at room temperature. It occurs either as native metal or in cinnabar, corderoite, livingstonite, and other minerals. Mercury has uniform volumetric thermal expansion, good electrical conductivity, and easily forms amalgams with almost all common metals except iron.Uses: munition fuzes; missile and space guidance system gyroscopes; dental equipment; electric lighting; infrared detectionUS Imports: 2 mt (2021)Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 51%; France, 26%; China, 16%; Switzerland, 5%; and other, 2%.World Resources: China, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine have most of the world’s estimated 600,000 tons of mercury resources. Mexico reclaims mercury from Spanish colonial silver-mining waste. In Spain, once a leading producer of mercury, mining at its centuries-old Almaden Mine stopped in 2003. In the US, there are mercury occurrences in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Nevada, and Texas; however, mercury has not been mined as a principal mineral commodity since 1992. The declining consumption of mercury, except for small-scale gold mining, indicates that these resources are sufficient for centuries of use.Substitutes: Ceramic composites substitute for the dark-gray mercury-containing dental amalgam. “Galistan,” an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, replaces the mercury used in traditional mercury thermometers, and digital thermometers have replaced traditional thermometers. At chloralkali plants around the world, mercury-cell technology is being replaced by newer diaphragm and membrane cell technology. LEDs that contain indium substitute for mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. Lithium, nickel-cadmium, and zinc-air batteries replace mercury-zinc batteries in the US; indium compounds substitute for mercury in alkaline batteries; and organic compounds have been substituted for mercury fungicides in latex paint.Note(s): Owing to mercury toxicity and concerns for the environment and human health, overall mercury use has declined in the US. Mercury continues to be released to the environment from numerous sources, including mercury-containing car switches when automobiles are scrapped without recovering them for recycling, coal-fired power plant emissions, and incineration of mercury-containing medical devices. Mercury is no longer used in batteries and paints manufactured in the US.Description: Mercury is the only common metal that is liquid at room temperature. It occurs either as native metal or in cinnabar, corderoite, livingstonite, and other minerals. Mercury has uniform volumetric thermal expansion, good electrical conductivity, and easily forms amalgams with almost all common metals except iron.Uses: munition fuzes; missile and space guidance system gyroscopes; dental equipment; electric lighting; infrared detectionUS Imports: 2 mt (2021)Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 51%; France, 26%; China, 16%; Switzerland, 5%; and other, 2%.World Resources: China, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine have most of the world’s estimated 600,000 tons of mercury resources. Mexico reclaims mercury from Spanish colonial silver-mining waste. In Spain, once a leading producer of mercury, mining at its centuries-old Almaden Mine stopped in 2003. In the US, there are mercury occurrences in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Nevada, and Texas; however, mercury has not been mined as a principal mineral commodity since 1992. The declining consumption of mercury, except for small-scale gold mining, indicates that these resources are sufficient for centuries of use.Substitutes: Ceramic composites substitute for the dark-gray mercury-containing dental amalgam. “Galistan,” an alloy of gallium, indium, and tin, replaces the mercury used in traditional mercury thermometers, and digital thermometers have replaced traditional thermometers. At chloralkali plants around the world, mercury-cell technology is being replaced by newer diaphragm and membrane cell technology. LEDs that contain indium substitute for mercury-containing fluorescent lamps. Lithium, nickel-cadmium, and zinc-air batteries replace mercury-zinc batteries in the US; indium compounds substitute for mercury in alkaline batteries; and organic compounds have been substituted for mercury fungicides in latex paint. Molybdenum (Mo/42): Description: Molybdenum is a refractory metallic element used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron, and superalloys to enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance. The mineral molybdenite (molybdenum sulfide) is an important source of molybdenum.Uses: component in tool and alloy steels; component in nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of jet engines; lubricant; colorant; nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of turbine enginesUS Imports: 29,000 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Molybdenum ores and concentrates: Peru, 58%; Chile, 17%; Canada, 12%; Mexico, 12%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Global molybdenum production in 2021 increased slightly compared with that in 2020. In descending order of production, China, Chile, the United States, Peru, and Mexico provided 93% of total global production. Identified resources of molybdenum in the US are about 5.4 million tons, and in the rest of the world, about 20 million tons. Molybdenum occurs as the principal metal sulfide in large low-grade porphyry molybdenum deposits and as an associated metal sulfide in low-grade porphyry copper deposits. Resources of molybdenum are adequate to supply world needs for the foreseeable future.Substitutes: There is little substitution for molybdenum in its major application in steels and cast irons. Potential substitutes include boron, chromium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium in alloy steels; tungsten in tool steels; graphite, tantalum, and tungsten for refractory materials in high-temperature electric furnaces; and cadmium-red, chrome-orange, and organic-orange pigments for molybdenum orange.Description: Molybdenum is a refractory metallic element used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron, and superalloys to enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance. The mineral molybdenite (molybdenum sulfide) is an important source of molybdenum.Uses: component in tool and alloy steels; component in nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of jet engines; lubricant; colorant; nickel superalloys for high temperature sections of turbine enginesUS Imports: 29,000 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Molybdenum ores and concentrates: Peru, 58%; Chile, 17%; Canada, 12%; Mexico, 12%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Global molybdenum production in 2021 increased slightly compared with that in 2020. In descending order of production, China, Chile, the United States, Peru, and Mexico provided 93% of total global production. Identified resources of molybdenum in the US are about 5.4 million tons, and in the rest of the world, about 20 million tons. Molybdenum occurs as the principal metal sulfide in large low-grade porphyry molybdenum deposits and as an associated metal sulfide in low-grade porphyry copper deposits. Resources of molybdenum are adequate to supply world needs for the foreseeable future.Substitutes: There is little substitution for molybdenum in its major application in steels and cast irons. Potential substitutes include boron, chromium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium in alloy steels; tungsten in tool steels; graphite, tantalum, and tungsten for refractory materials in high-temperature electric furnaces; and cadmium-red, chrome-orange, and organic-orange pigments for molybdenum orange. Nickel (Ni/28): Description: Nickel is a silvery metallic element. Most of the nickel mined comes from two types of deposits: laterites where the principal minerals are nickeliferous limonite (hydrated iron oxide) and garnierite (hydrous nickel silicate), or magmatic sulfide deposits where the principal mineral is pentlandite (iron nickel sulfide).Uses: land based turbines; turbines for jet aircraft engines; turbines for large-scale power generation; liquid gas storage; high speed steelsUS Imports: 145,024 mt (2021 est.) The US is 48% import reliant for its nickel needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 43%; Norway, 10%; Finland, 9%; Australia, 8%; and other, 30%World Resources: Identified land-based resources averaging 1% nickel or greater contain at least 130 million tons of nickel, with about 60% in laterites and 40% in sulfide deposits. Extensive nickel resources also are found in manganese crusts and nodules on the ocean floor. The decline in discovery of new sulfide deposits in traditional mining districts has led to exploration in more challenging locations such as east-central Africa and the subarctic. Mine production in Indonesia increased by an estimated 30% in 2021.Substitutes: Low-nickel, duplex, or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels are being substituted for austenitic grades in construction. Nickel-free specialty steels are sometimes used in place of stainless steel in the power-generating and petrochemical industries. Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel metal or nickel-base alloys in corrosive chemical environments. Lithium-ion batteries may be used instead of nickel metal hydride batteries in certain applications.Note(s): In the United States, the leading uses for primary nickel are alloys and steels, electroplating, and other uses including catalysts and chemicals. Stainless and alloy steel and nickel-containing alloys typically account for more than 85% of domestic consumption. Description: Nickel is a silvery metallic element. Most of the nickel mined comes from two types of deposits: laterites where the principal minerals are nickeliferous limonite (hydrated iron oxide) and garnierite (hydrous nickel silicate), or magmatic sulfide deposits where the principal mineral is pentlandite (iron nickel sulfide).Uses: land based turbines; turbines for jet aircraft engines; turbines for large-scale power generation; liquid gas storage; high speed steelsUS Imports: 145,024 mt (2021 est.) The US is 48% import reliant for its nickel needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 43%; Norway, 10%; Finland, 9%; Australia, 8%; and other, 30%World Resources: Identified land-based resources averaging 1% nickel or greater contain at least 130 million tons of nickel, with about 60% in laterites and 40% in sulfide deposits. Extensive nickel resources also are found in manganese crusts and nodules on the ocean floor. The decline in discovery of new sulfide deposits in traditional mining districts has led to exploration in more challenging locations such as east-central Africa and the subarctic. Mine production in Indonesia increased by an estimated 30% in 2021.Substitutes: Low-nickel, duplex, or ultrahigh-chromium stainless steels are being substituted for austenitic grades in construction. Nickel-free specialty steels are sometimes used in place of stainless steel in the power-generating and petrochemical industries. Titanium alloys can substitute for nickel metal or nickel-base alloys in corrosive chemical environments. Lithium-ion batteries may be used instead of nickel metal hydride batteries in certain applications.Note(s): In the United States, the leading uses for primary nickel are alloys and steels, electroplating, and other uses including catalysts and chemicals. Stainless and alloy steel and nickel-containing alloys typically account for more than 85% of domestic consumption.  Niobium (Nb/41): Description: Columbium and niobium are synonymous names for the chemical element with atomic number 41; columbium was the name given in 1801, and niobium (Nb) was the name officially designated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in 1950. The US does not have a niobium mining industry because identified resources are low grade. Brazil and Canada are the major producers of niobium mineral concentrates.Uses: alloying element in steels, stainless steels, superalloys (nickel, cobalt, and iron-based); jet engine components; gas turbines; heat resistant and combustion equipment; tool bits and cutting toolsUS Imports: 8,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its niobium needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): Niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates: Australia, 36%; Rwanda, 34%; Congo (Kinshasa), 7%; Mozambique, 6%; and other, 17%. Niobium oxide: Brazil, 60%; Thailand, 15%; Russia, 11%; Estonia, 6%; and other, 8%. Ferroniobium and niobium metal: Brazil, 67%; Canada, 31%; Germany, 1%,  and other, 1%. Total imports: Brazil, 65%; Canada, 27%; and other, 8%. Of the U.S. niobium material imports (by contained weight), 89% was ferroniobium, 10% was niobium oxide, 1% was niobium ores and concentrates, and <1% was niobium metal.World Resources: Brazil continued to be the world's leading niobium producer with approximately 88% of global production, followed by Canada with about 10%. Global niobium production and consumption were thought to have increased in 2021 as steel production in most countries began to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic. World resources of niobium are more than adequate to supply projected needs. Most of the world’s identified resources of niobium fall outside the US.  Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for niobium, but a performance loss or higher cost may ensue: molybdenum and vanadium, as alloying elements in high-strength low-alloy steels; tantalum and titanium, as alloying elements in stainless- and high-strength steels; and ceramics, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten in high temperature applications.Note(s): Significant US niobium mine production has not been reported since 1959. Niobium principally is imported in the form of ferroniobium.Description: Columbium and niobium are synonymous names for the chemical element with atomic number 41; columbium was the name given in 1801, and niobium (Nb) was the name officially designated by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in 1950. The US does not have a niobium mining industry because identified resources are low grade. Brazil and Canada are the major producers of niobium mineral concentrates.Uses: alloying element in steels, stainless steels, superalloys (nickel, cobalt, and iron-based); jet engine components; gas turbines; heat resistant and combustion equipment; tool bits and cutting toolsUS Imports: 8,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its niobium needs.US Import Sources (2017-20): Niobium and tantalum ores and concentrates: Australia, 36%; Rwanda, 34%; Congo (Kinshasa), 7%; Mozambique, 6%; and other, 17%. Niobium oxide: Brazil, 60%; Thailand, 15%; Russia, 11%; Estonia, 6%; and other, 8%. Ferroniobium and niobium metal: Brazil, 67%; Canada, 31%; Germany, 1%,  and other, 1%. Total imports: Brazil, 65%; Canada, 27%; and other, 8%. Of the U.S. niobium material imports (by contained weight), 89% was ferroniobium, 10% was niobium oxide, 1% was niobium ores and concentrates, and <1% was niobium metal.World Resources: Brazil continued to be the world's leading niobium producer with approximately 88% of global production, followed by Canada with about 10%. Global niobium production and consumption were thought to have increased in 2021 as steel production in most countries began to recover from the global COVID-19 pandemic. World resources of niobium are more than adequate to supply projected needs. Most of the world’s identified resources of niobium fall outside the US.  Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for niobium, but a performance loss or higher cost may ensue: molybdenum and vanadium, as alloying elements in high-strength low-alloy steels; tantalum and titanium, as alloying elements in stainless- and high-strength steels; and ceramics, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten in high temperature applications. Rhenium (Re/75) : Description: Rhenium is a silvery-gray, heavy, transition metal. With an estimated average concentration of 1 part per billion (ppb), rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust. Rhenium has the third-highest melting point and second-highest boiling point of any element. Rhenium resembles manganese and technetium chemically and is mainly obtained as a by-product of the extraction and refinement of molybdenum and copper ores.Uses: superalloys used in high-temperature turbine engine components; petroleum-reforming catalystsUS Imports: 23 mt (2021 est.) The US is 72% import reliant for its rhenium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ammonium perrhenate: Kazakhstan, 21%; Canada, 18%; Germany, 16%; Poland, 16%; and other, 29%. Rhenium metal powder: Chile, 84%; Germany, 7%; Canada, 6%; and other, 3%. Total imports: Chile, 51%; Canada, 13%; Kazakhstan, 11%; Japan, 7%; and other, 18%.World Resources: Most rhenium occurs with molybdenum in porphyry copper deposits. Identified US resources are estimated to be about 5 million kilograms, and the identified resources of the rest of the world are approximately 6 million kilograms. Rhenium also is associated with copper minerals in sedimentary deposits in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, and Uzbekistan, where ore is processed for copper recovery and the rhenium-bearing residues are recovered at copper smelters. World  rhenium production in 2021 was estimated to be essentially the same as that in 2020.Substitutes: Substitutes for rhenium in platinum-rhenium catalysts are being evaluated continually. Iridium and tin have achieved commercial success in one such application. Other metals being evaluated for catalytic use include gallium, germanium, indium, selenium, silicon, tungsten, and vanadium. The use of these and other metals in bimetallic catalysts might decrease rhenium’s share of the existing catalyst market; however, this would likely be offset by rhenium-bearing catalysts being considered for use in several proposed gas-to-liquid projects. Materials that can substitute for rhenium in various end uses are as follows: cobalt and tungsten for coatings on copper x-ray targets, rhodium and rhodium-iridium for high-temperature thermocouples, tungsten and platinum-ruthenium for coatings on electrical contacts, and tungsten and tantalum for electron emitters.Note(s): In 2021, apparent consumption in the United States decreased by 6% compared with that in 2020. During 2021, the United States continued to rely on imports for much of its supply of rhenium. Canada, Chile, Japan, and Kazakhstan supplied most of the imported rhenium.Description: Rhenium is a silvery-gray, heavy, transition metal. With an estimated average concentration of 1 part per billion (ppb), rhenium is one of the rarest elements in the earth's crust. Rhenium has the third-highest melting point and second-highest boiling point of any element. Rhenium resembles manganese and technetium chemically and is mainly obtained as a by-product of the extraction and refinement of molybdenum and copper ores.Uses: superalloys used in high-temperature turbine engine components; petroleum-reforming catalystsUS Imports: 23 mt (2021 est.) The US is 72% import reliant for its rhenium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ammonium perrhenate: Kazakhstan, 21%; Canada, 18%; Germany, 16%; Poland, 16%; and other, 29%. Rhenium metal powder: Chile, 84%; Germany, 7%; Canada, 6%; and other, 3%. Total imports: Chile, 51%; Canada, 13%; Kazakhstan, 11%; Japan, 7%; and other, 18%.World Resources: Most rhenium occurs with molybdenum in porphyry copper deposits. Identified US resources are estimated to be about 5 million kilograms, and the identified resources of the rest of the world are approximately 6 million kilograms. Rhenium also is associated with copper minerals in sedimentary deposits in Armenia, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia, and Uzbekistan, where ore is processed for copper recovery and the rhenium-bearing residues are recovered at copper smelters. World  rhenium production in 2021 was estimated to be essentially the same as that in 2020.Substitutes: Substitutes for rhenium in platinum-rhenium catalysts are being evaluated continually. Iridium and tin have achieved commercial success in one such application. Other metals being evaluated for catalytic use include gallium, germanium, indium, selenium, silicon, tungsten, and vanadium. The use of these and other metals in bimetallic catalysts might decrease rhenium’s share of the existing catalyst market; however, this would likely be offset by rhenium-bearing catalysts being considered for use in several proposed gas-to-liquid projects. Materials that can substitute for rhenium in various end uses are as follows: cobalt and tungsten for coatings on copper x-ray targets, rhodium and rhodium-iridium for high-temperature thermocouples, tungsten and platinum-ruthenium for coatings on electrical contacts, and tungsten and tantalum for electron emitters. Rubidium (Rb/37): Description: Rubidium is a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal that melts at 39.3 °C. Naturally occurring rubidium is slightly radioactive. Rubidium is an extremely reactive metal - it ignites spontaneously in the presence of air and decomposes water explosively, igniting the liberated hydrogen.Uses: Rubidium is used interchangeably or together with cesium in many uses; its principal application is in specialty glasses used in fiber optic telecommunication systems; Rubidium’s photoemissive properties have led to its use in night-vision devices, photoelectric cells, and photomultiplier tubes; it has several uses in medical science, such as in positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging, the treatment of epilepsy, and the ultracentrifugal separation of nucleic acids and viruses.US imports: US salient statistics, such as consumption, exports, and imports, are not available. Some concentrate was imported to the US for further processing. Industry information during the past decade suggests a domestic consumption rate of approximately 2,000 kilograms per year. The US was 100% import reliant for rubidium minerals.Import sources: No reliable data has been available to determine the source of rubidium ore imported by the United States since 1988. Previously, Canada was thought to be the primary supplier of rubidium ore.World Resources: Although rubidium is more abundant in the earth’s crust than copper, lead, or zinc, it forms no minerals of its own, and is, or has been, produced in small quantities as a byproduct of the processing of cesium and lithium ores taken from a few small deposits in Canada, Namibia, and Zambia.Substitutes: Cesium and rubidium can be used interchangeably in many applications because they have similar physical properties and atomic radii.Description: Rubidium is a soft, ductile, silvery-white metal that melts at 39.3 °C. Naturally occurring rubidium is slightly radioactive. Rubidium is an extremely reactive metal - it ignites spontaneously in the presence of air and decomposes water explosively, igniting the liberated hydrogen.Uses: Rubidium is used interchangeably or together with cesium in many uses; its principal application is in specialty glasses used in fiber optic telecommunication systems; Rubidium’s photoemissive properties have led to its use in night-vision devices, photoelectric cells, and photomultiplier tubes; it has several uses in medical science, such as in positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging, the treatment of epilepsy, and the ultracentrifugal separation of nucleic acids and viruses.US imports: US salient statistics, such as consumption, exports, and imports, are not available. Some concentrate was imported to the US for further processing. Industry information during the past decade suggests a domestic consumption rate of approximately 2,000 kilograms per year. The US was 100% import reliant for rubidium minerals.Import sources: No reliable data has been available to determine the source of rubidium ore imported by the United States since 1988. Previously, Canada was thought to be the primary supplier of rubidium ore.World Resources: Although rubidium is more abundant in the earth’s crust than copper, lead, or zinc, it forms no minerals of its own, and is, or has been, produced in small quantities as a byproduct of the processing of cesium and lithium ores taken from a few small deposits in Canada, Namibia, and Zambia.Substitutes: Cesium and rubidium can be used interchangeably in many applications because they have similar physical properties and atomic radii. Strontium (Sr/38): Description: Strontium is a silvery-white metal, found in nature in two minerals, celestite (strontium sulfate) and strontianite (strontium carbonate).Uses: alloys; pyrotechnics; ceramics and glasses; electrolytic production of zinc; tracer ammunitionUS Imports: strontium compounds – 4,800 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its strontium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Celestite: Mexico, 100%. Strontium compounds: Mexico, 47%; Germany, 43%; China, 5%; and other, 5%. Total imports: Mexico, 80%; Germany, 16%; China, 2%; and other, 2%.World Resources: World resources of strontium are thought to exceed 1 billion tons. All of the celestite is imported from Mexico and is thought to be used exclusively as an additive in drilling fluids for oil and natural gas exploration and production. For these applications, celestite is ground but undergoes no chemical processing. Outside the US, celestite is the raw material used for production of strontium compounds.Substitutes: Barium can be substituted for strontium in ferrite ceramic magnets; however, the resulting barium composite will have reduced maximum operating temperature when compared with that of strontium composites. Substituting for strontium in pyrotechnics is hindered by difficulty in obtaining the desired brilliance and visibility imparted by strontium and its compounds.Note(s): Strontium carbonate is sintered with iron oxide to produce permanent ceramic ferrite magnets. Strontium nitrate contributes a brilliant red color to fireworks and signal flares.Description: Strontium is a silvery-white metal, found in nature in two minerals, celestite (strontium sulfate) and strontianite (strontium carbonate).Uses: alloys; pyrotechnics; ceramics and glasses; electrolytic production of zinc; tracer ammunitionUS Imports: strontium compounds – 4,800 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its strontium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Celestite: Mexico, 100%. Strontium compounds: Mexico, 47%; Germany, 43%; China, 5%; and other, 5%. Total imports: Mexico, 80%; Germany, 16%; China, 2%; and other, 2%.World Resources: World resources of strontium are thought to exceed 1 billion tons. All of the celestite is imported from Mexico and is thought to be used exclusively as an additive in drilling fluids for oil and natural gas exploration and production. For these applications, celestite is ground but undergoes no chemical processing. Outside the US, celestite is the raw material used for production of strontium compounds.Substitutes: Barium can be substituted for strontium in ferrite ceramic magnets; however, the resulting barium composite will have reduced maximum operating temperature when compared with that of strontium composites. Substituting for strontium in pyrotechnics is hindered by difficulty in obtaining the desired brilliance and visibility imparted by strontium and its compounds. Tantalum (Ta/73): Description: Tantalum is a metallic element that is ductile, easily fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, and a good conductor of heat and electricity with a high melting point. The major use for tantalum, as tantalum metal powder, is in the production of electronic components, mainly tantalum capacitors. Major end uses for tantalum capacitors include portable telephones, pagers, personal computers, and automotive electronics. Alloyed with other metals, tantalum is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components.Uses: chemical processing equipment; heat exchangers; anti-lock brake systems; high temperature aerospace engine parts; night vision goggles; global positioning systems; missile systemsUS Imports: 1,300 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its tantalum needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Tantalum ores and concentrates: Australia, 36%; Rwanda, 34%; Congo (Kinshasa), 7%; Mozambique, 6%; and other, 17%. Tantalum metal and powder: China,6 39%; Germany, 22%; Kazakhstan, 12%; Thailand, 12%; and other, 15%. Tantalum waste and scrap: Indonesia, 20%; China,6 17%; Japan, 16%; and other, 47%. Total: China,6 23%; Germany, 11%; Australia, 8%; Indonesia, 8%; and other, 50%.World Resources: Identified resources of tantalum, most of which are in Australia, Brazil, and Canada, are considered adequate to meet projected needs. Brazil, Congo (Kinshasa), Nigeria, and Rwanda accounted for about 80% of estimated global tantalum production in 2021. The US has about 55,000 tons of tantalum resources in identified deposits, most of which are considered uneconomic at 2021 prices.Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for tantalum, but usually with less effectiveness: niobium in carbides; aluminum and ceramics in electronic capacitors; glass, niobium, platinum, titanium, and zirconium in corrosion-resistant applications; and hafnium, iridium, molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, and tungsten in high-temperature applications.Note(s): No significant US tantalum mine production has been reported since 1959. Domestic tantalum resources are of low grade, some are mineralogically complex, and most are not commercially recoverable. Companies in the US produce tantalum alloys, capacitors, compounds, and metal from imported tantalum ores and concentrates, tantalum-containing materials, and metal and alloys recovered from foreign and domestic scrap.Description: Tantalum is a metallic element that is ductile, easily fabricated, highly resistant to corrosion by acids, and a good conductor of heat and electricity with a high melting point. The major use for tantalum, as tantalum metal powder, is in the production of electronic components, mainly tantalum capacitors. Major end uses for tantalum capacitors include portable telephones, pagers, personal computers, and automotive electronics. Alloyed with other metals, tantalum is also used in making carbide tools for metalworking equipment and in the production of superalloys for jet engine components.Uses: chemical processing equipment; heat exchangers; anti-lock brake systems; high temperature aerospace engine parts; night vision goggles; global positioning systems; missile systemsUS Imports: 1,300 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its tantalum needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Tantalum ores and concentrates: Australia, 36%; Rwanda, 34%; Congo (Kinshasa), 7%; Mozambique, 6%; and other, 17%. Tantalum metal and powder: China,6 39%; Germany, 22%; Kazakhstan, 12%; Thailand, 12%; and other, 15%. Tantalum waste and scrap: Indonesia, 20%; China,6 17%; Japan, 16%; and other, 47%. Total: China,6 23%; Germany, 11%; Australia, 8%; Indonesia, 8%; and other, 50%.World Resources: Identified resources of tantalum, most of which are in Australia, Brazil, and Canada, are considered adequate to meet projected needs. Brazil, Congo (Kinshasa), Nigeria, and Rwanda accounted for about 80% of estimated global tantalum production in 2021. The US has about 55,000 tons of tantalum resources in identified deposits, most of which are considered uneconomic at 2021 prices.Substitutes: The following materials can be substituted for tantalum, but usually with less effectiveness: niobium in carbides; aluminum and ceramics in electronic capacitors; glass, niobium, platinum, titanium, and zirconium in corrosion-resistant applications; and hafnium, iridium, molybdenum, niobium, rhenium, and tungsten in high-temperature applications. Tin (Sn/50): Description: Tin is a silvery-white metallic element. The most important ore mineral of tin, cassiterite (tin dioxide), is formed in high-temperature veins that are usually related to igneous rocks such as granites and rhyolites. It is often found in association with tungsten minerals.Uses: bearings; containers; solder; bronze; chemicals; LCD TVs, touch screens and portable electronicsUS Imports: refined – 35,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 78% import reliant for its tin needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Refined tin: Indonesia, 25%; Peru, 22%; Malaysia, 19%; Bolivia, 17%; and other, 17%. World Resources: World resources, principally in western Africa, southeastern Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia, are extensive and, if developed, could sustain recent annual production rates well into the future.Substitutes: Aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, or tin-free steel substitute for tin content in cans and containers. Other materials that substitute for tin are epoxy resins for solder; aluminum alloys, alternative copper-base alloys, and plastics for bronze; plastics for bearing metals that contain tin; and compounds of lead and sodium for some tin chemicals.Note(s): Identified resources of tin in the US, primarily in Alaska, are insignificant compared with those of the rest of the world. Tin has not been mined or smelted in the US since 1993 and 1989, respectively.Description: Tin is a silvery-white metallic element. The most important ore mineral of tin, cassiterite (tin dioxide), is formed in high-temperature veins that are usually related to igneous rocks such as granites and rhyolites. It is often found in association with tungsten minerals.Uses: bearings; containers; solder; bronze; chemicals; LCD TVs, touch screens and portable electronicsUS Imports: refined – 35,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 78% import reliant for its tin needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Refined tin: Indonesia, 25%; Peru, 22%; Malaysia, 19%; Bolivia, 17%; and other, 17%. World Resources: World resources, principally in western Africa, southeastern Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia, are extensive and, if developed, could sustain recent annual production rates well into the future.Substitutes: Aluminum, glass, paper, plastic, or tin-free steel substitute for tin content in cans and containers. Other materials that substitute for tin are epoxy resins for solder; aluminum alloys, alternative copper-base alloys, and plastics for bronze; plastics for bearing metals that contain tin; and compounds of lead and sodium for some tin chemicals. Titanium (Ti/22) : Description: Titanium is a hard, silvery-white metallic element. As a metal, titanium is well known for corrosion resistance and for its high strength-to-weight ratio. When titanium metal is produced from ore, it is first produced in sponge form before it is melted into metal shapes. Titanium dioxide pigment is a white pigment characterized by its purity, refractive index, particle size, and surface properties. Titanium metal and pigment are produced from the minerals ilmenite, leucoxene, and rutile.Uses: landing gear, springs, rotors (helicopter), fittings, and attachments; structural components for airplanes, satellites, and spacecraft; gas turbine engines; chemical processingUS Imports: Sponge metal: 14,000 mt, Titanium dioxide pigment: 260,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 90% import reliant for its titanium mineral concentrate needs, and more than 90% import reliant for titanium sponge.Import Sources (2017-20): Sponge metal: Japan, 88%; Kazakhstan, 8%; Ukraine, 3%; and other, 1%. Titanium dioxide pigment: Canada, 40%; China, 19%; Germany, 9%; Belgium, 5%; and other, 27%.World Resources: Ilmenite accounts for about 90% of the world’s consumption of titanium minerals. World resources of anatase, ilmenite, and rutile total more than 2 billion tons.Substitutes: Few materials possess titanium metal’s strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. In high-strength applications, titanium competes with aluminum, composites, intermetallics, steel, and superalloys. Aluminum, nickel, specialty steels, and zirconium alloys may be substituted for titanium for applications that require corrosion resistance. Ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, kaolin, and talc compete with titanium dioxide as a white pigment.Note(s): Reduced demand from the aerospace and other industries resulted in a 27% decrease in imports of titanium sponge compared with those in 2020. Japan (92%) and Kazakhstan (6%) were the leading import sources for titanium sponge in 2021.Description: Titanium is a hard, silvery-white metallic element. As a metal, titanium is well known for corrosion resistance and for its high strength-to-weight ratio. When titanium metal is produced from ore, it is first produced in sponge form before it is melted into metal shapes. Titanium dioxide pigment is a white pigment characterized by its purity, refractive index, particle size, and surface properties. Titanium metal and pigment are produced from the minerals ilmenite, leucoxene, and rutile.Uses: landing gear, springs, rotors (helicopter), fittings, and attachments; structural components for airplanes, satellites, and spacecraft; gas turbine engines; chemical processingUS Imports: Sponge metal: 14,000 mt, Titanium dioxide pigment: 260,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 90% import reliant for its titanium mineral concentrate needs, and more than 90% import reliant for titanium sponge.Import Sources (2017-20): Sponge metal: Japan, 88%; Kazakhstan, 8%; Ukraine, 3%; and other, 1%. Titanium dioxide pigment: Canada, 40%; China, 19%; Germany, 9%; Belgium, 5%; and other, 27%.World Resources: Ilmenite accounts for about 90% of the world’s consumption of titanium minerals. World resources of anatase, ilmenite, and rutile total more than 2 billion tons.Substitutes: Few materials possess titanium metal’s strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. In high-strength applications, titanium competes with aluminum, composites, intermetallics, steel, and superalloys. Aluminum, nickel, specialty steels, and zirconium alloys may be substituted for titanium for applications that require corrosion resistance. Ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate, kaolin, and talc compete with titanium dioxide as a white pigment. Tungsten (W/74): Description: Tungsten is a gray-white metallic element; it has the highest melting temperature of all elements except carbon and is one of the heaviest elements. Tungsten is produced from the mineral ores scheelite (calcium tungstate) and wolframite (iron-manganese tungstate). The ore is concentrated and then usually produced into the intermediate product ammonium paratungstate (APT) before being processed into metallic applications. The US does not have any operating tungsten mines.Uses: steels; wear-resistant alloys; component in nickel superalloys for high-temperature sections of jet engines; armor penetrating projectiles; aircraft weights and counterweights; small arms ammunitionUS Imports: 11,400 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 50% import reliant for its tungsten needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Tungsten contained in ores and concentrates, intermediate and primary products, wrought and unwrought tungsten, and waste and scrap: China, 32%; Bolivia, 9%; Germany, 9%; Canada, 5%; and other, 45%.World Resources: World tungsten resources are geographically widespread. China ranks first in the world in terms of tungsten resources and reserves and has some of the largest deposits. Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the US also have significant tungsten resources.Substitutes: Potential substitutes for cemented tungsten carbides include cemented carbides based on molybdenum carbide and titanium carbide, ceramics, ceramic-metallic composites (cermets), and tool steels. Potential substitutes for other applications are as follows: molybdenum for certain tungsten mill products; molybdenum steels for tungsten steels; lighting based on carbon nanotube filaments, induction technology, and light-emitting diodes for lighting based on tungsten electrodes or filaments; depleted uranium or lead for tungsten or tungsten alloys in applications requiring high-density or the ability to shield radiation; and depleted uranium alloys or hardened steel for cemented tungsten carbides or tungsten alloys in armor-piercing projectiles.Note(s): World tungsten supply was dominated by production in China and exports from China. China was the world’s leading tungsten consumer. There has been no known domestic commercial production of tungsten concentrates since 2015.Description: Tungsten is a gray-white metallic element; it has the highest melting temperature of all elements except carbon and is one of the heaviest elements. Tungsten is produced from the mineral ores scheelite (calcium tungstate) and wolframite (iron-manganese tungstate). The ore is concentrated and then usually produced into the intermediate product ammonium paratungstate (APT) before being processed into metallic applications. The US does not have any operating tungsten mines.Uses: steels; wear-resistant alloys; component in nickel superalloys for high-temperature sections of jet engines; armor penetrating projectiles; aircraft weights and counterweights; small arms ammunitionUS Imports: 11,400 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 50% import reliant for its tungsten needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Tungsten contained in ores and concentrates, intermediate and primary products, wrought and unwrought tungsten, and waste and scrap: China, 32%; Bolivia, 9%; Germany, 9%; Canada, 5%; and other, 45%.World Resources: World tungsten resources are geographically widespread. China ranks first in the world in terms of tungsten resources and reserves and has some of the largest deposits. Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, and the US also have significant tungsten resources.Substitutes: Potential substitutes for cemented tungsten carbides include cemented carbides based on molybdenum carbide and titanium carbide, ceramics, ceramic-metallic composites (cermets), and tool steels. Potential substitutes for other applications are as follows: molybdenum for certain tungsten mill products; molybdenum steels for tungsten steels; lighting based on carbon nanotube filaments, induction technology, and light-emitting diodes for lighting based on tungsten electrodes or filaments; depleted uranium or lead for tungsten or tungsten alloys in applications requiring high-density or the ability to shield radiation; and depleted uranium alloys or hardened steel for cemented tungsten carbides or tungsten alloys in armor-piercing projectiles. Uranium (U/92): Description: Uranium is a common metal found in rocks all over the world. Uranium occurs in combination with small amounts of other elements. Uranium ranks 48th among the most abundant elements found in natural crustal rocks. It is 1.67 times more dense than lead.Uses: Uranium is the fuel most widely used by nuclear power plants for nuclear fission. In nuclear fission, energy is released when atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms. Nuclear power plants use the heat from nuclear fission to produce electricity.US Imports: 17,962 mt (2020)Import Sources (2020): Canada, 22%; Kazakhstan, 22%; Russia, 16%; Australia, 11%; Uzbekistan, 8%; Namibia, 5%; other, 16%World Resources: Economically recoverable uranium deposits have been discovered primarily in the western US, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, Africa, and South America. About 20% of the uranium delivered to US reactors in 2020 was produced in the US and 80% came from other countries.Substitutes: NoneNote(s): Nuclear power plants use a certain type of uranium, U-235, as fuel because its atoms are easily split apart. Although uranium is about 100 times more common than silver, U-235 is relatively rare. After uranium is mined, the U-235 must be extracted and processed before it can be used as a fuel. Mined uranium ore typically yields 0.5 to 2 kg (1 to 4 pounds) of uranium oxide concentrate (U3O8 or yellowcake) per ton, or 0.05% to 0.20% yellowcake.Description: Uranium is a common metal found in rocks all over the world. Uranium occurs in combination with small amounts of other elements. Uranium ranks 48th among the most abundant elements found in natural crustal rocks. It is 1.67 times more dense than lead.Uses: Uranium is the fuel most widely used by nuclear power plants for nuclear fission. In nuclear fission, energy is released when atoms are split apart to form smaller atoms. Nuclear power plants use the heat from nuclear fission to produce electricity.US Imports: 17,962 mt (2020)Import Sources (2020): Canada, 22%; Kazakhstan, 22%; Russia, 16%; Australia, 11%; Uzbekistan, 8%; Namibia, 5%; other, 16%World Resources: Economically recoverable uranium deposits have been discovered primarily in the western US, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, Africa, and South America. About 20% of the uranium delivered to US reactors in 2020 was produced in the US and 80% came from other countries.Substitutes: None Vanadium (V/23): Description: Vanadium is a soft, silver-gray metallic element. There is no single mineral ore from which vanadium is recovered. However, it is found as a trace element in a several types of rock and is a by-product of other mining operations. Vanadinite (lead chlorovanadate) is mineral that contains vanadium.Uses: steel; Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium alloys in jet engines and high-speed aircraft; cladding titanium to steel; energy storageUS Imports: Ferrovanadium 2,000 mt; Vanadium pentoxide 2,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 100% import reliant for its vanadium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ferrovanadium: Austria, 44%; Canada, 33%; Russia, 12%; Japan, 4%; and other, 7%. Vanadium pentoxide:  Brazil, 47%; South Africa, 35%; China, 8%; Taiwan, 5%; and other, 5%. Total: Canada, 26%; China, 14%; Brazil, 10%; South Africa, 9%; and other, 41%.World Resources: World resources of vanadium exceed 63 million tons. Vanadium occurs in deposits of phosphate rock, titaniferous magnetite, and uraniferous sandstone and siltstone, in which it constitutes less than 2% of the host rock. Significant quantities are also present in bauxite and carboniferous materials, such as coal, crude oil, oil shale, and tar sands. Because vanadium is typically recovered as a byproduct or coproduct, demonstrated world resources of the element are not fully indicative of available supplies.Substitutes: Steels containing various combinations of other alloying elements can be substituted for steels containing vanadium. Certain metals, such as manganese, molybdenum, niobium (columbium), titanium, and tungsten, are to some degree interchangeable with vanadium as alloying elements in steel. Platinum and nickel can replace vanadium compounds as catalysts in some chemical processes. Currently, no acceptable substitute for vanadium is available for use in aerospace titanium alloys.Note(s): U.S. apparent consumption of vanadium in 2021 increased by 25% from that in 2020. Although US resources and secondary recovery are adequate to supply a large portion of domestic needs, all of US demand is currently met by foreign sources. Metallurgical use, primarily as an alloying agent for iron and steel, accounted for about 94% of US domestic vanadium consumption in 2021.Description: Vanadium is a soft, silver-gray metallic element. There is no single mineral ore from which vanadium is recovered. However, it is found as a trace element in a several types of rock and is a by-product of other mining operations. Vanadinite (lead chlorovanadate) is mineral that contains vanadium.Uses: steel; Titanium-Aluminum-Vanadium alloys in jet engines and high-speed aircraft; cladding titanium to steel; energy storageUS Imports: Ferrovanadium 2,000 mt; Vanadium pentoxide 2,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 100% import reliant for its vanadium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ferrovanadium: Austria, 44%; Canada, 33%; Russia, 12%; Japan, 4%; and other, 7%. Vanadium pentoxide:  Brazil, 47%; South Africa, 35%; China, 8%; Taiwan, 5%; and other, 5%. Total: Canada, 26%; China, 14%; Brazil, 10%; South Africa, 9%; and other, 41%.World Resources: World resources of vanadium exceed 63 million tons. Vanadium occurs in deposits of phosphate rock, titaniferous magnetite, and uraniferous sandstone and siltstone, in which it constitutes less than 2% of the host rock. Significant quantities are also present in bauxite and carboniferous materials, such as coal, crude oil, oil shale, and tar sands. Because vanadium is typically recovered as a byproduct or coproduct, demonstrated world resources of the element are not fully indicative of available supplies.Substitutes: Steels containing various combinations of other alloying elements can be substituted for steels containing vanadium. Certain metals, such as manganese, molybdenum, niobium (columbium), titanium, and tungsten, are to some degree interchangeable with vanadium as alloying elements in steel. Platinum and nickel can replace vanadium compounds as catalysts in some chemical processes. Currently, no acceptable substitute for vanadium is available for use in aerospace titanium alloys. Zinc (Zn/30) : Description: Zinc is a blue-gray, metallic element; it is recovered from a number of different zinc minerals, the most significant of which is sphalerite (zinc sulfide). Other minerals, such as smithsonite (zinc carbonate) and zincite (zinc oxide), are also zinc ores.Uses: galvanized steel; bronze and brass; solder; batteries; solar cellsUS Imports: Ore and refined metal – 708,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 76% import reliant for its zinc needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ores and concentrates: Peru, 89%; China, 11%; other, <1%. Refined metal: Canada, 63%; Mexico, 15%; Peru, 7%; Spain, 7%; and other, 8%.World Resources: Identified zinc resources of the world are about 1.9 billion tons. Estimated global zinc mine production in 2021 increased from that in 2020, when mine  production was constrained in some countries because of Government-mandated lockdowns and a decrease in zinc prices following the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Aluminum and plastics substitute for galvanized sheet in automobiles; aluminum alloys, cadmium, paint, and plastic coatings replace zinc coatings in other applications. Aluminum- and magnesium-base alloys are major competitors for zinc-base die-casting alloys. Many elements are substitutes for zinc in chemical, electronic, and pigment uses.Description: Zinc is a blue-gray, metallic element; it is recovered from a number of different zinc minerals, the most significant of which is sphalerite (zinc sulfide). Other minerals, such as smithsonite (zinc carbonate) and zincite (zinc oxide), are also zinc ores.Uses: galvanized steel; bronze and brass; solder; batteries; solar cellsUS Imports: Ore and refined metal – 708,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 76% import reliant for its zinc needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ores and concentrates: Peru, 89%; China, 11%; other, <1%. Refined metal: Canada, 63%; Mexico, 15%; Peru, 7%; Spain, 7%; and other, 8%.World Resources: Identified zinc resources of the world are about 1.9 billion tons. Estimated global zinc mine production in 2021 increased from that in 2020, when mine  production was constrained in some countries because of Government-mandated lockdowns and a decrease in zinc prices following the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Aluminum and plastics substitute for galvanized sheet in automobiles; aluminum alloys, cadmium, paint, and plastic coatings replace zinc coatings in other applications. Aluminum- and magnesium-base alloys are major competitors for zinc-base die-casting alloys. Many elements are substitutes for zinc in chemical, electronic, and pigment uses. Zirconium (Zr/40) : Description: Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral that is usually 98% zirconium and 2% hafnium and is the primary source of both materials. Zirconium is a metallic element used in a number of industrial applications because it is so resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.Uses: space vehicles and parts; abrasives; alloys for naval applications; metallurgical furnaces; ceramic knives; artificial joints and limbsUS Imports: 18,810 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 25% import reliant for its zirconium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Zirconium ores and concentrates: South Africa, 54%; Senegal, 25%; Australia, 19%; Russia, 2%; and other, <1%World Resources: Resources of zircon in the US included about 14 million tons associated with titanium resources in heavy-mineral-sand deposits. Phosphate rock and sand and gravel deposits could potentially yield substantial amounts of zircon as a byproduct.Substitutes: Chromite and olivine can be used instead of zircon for some foundry applications. Dolomite and spinel refractories can also substitute for zircon in certain high-temperature applications.Note(s): The leading consumers of zirconium metal are the chemical process and nuclear energy industries.Description: Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral that is usually 98% zirconium and 2% hafnium and is the primary source of both materials. Zirconium is a metallic element used in a number of industrial applications because it is so resistant to corrosion and high temperatures.Uses: space vehicles and parts; abrasives; alloys for naval applications; metallurgical furnaces; ceramic knives; artificial joints and limbsUS Imports: 18,810 mt (2021 est.) The US is less than 25% import reliant for its zirconium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Zirconium ores and concentrates: South Africa, 54%; Senegal, 25%; Australia, 19%; Russia, 2%; and other, <1%World Resources: Resources of zircon in the US included about 14 million tons associated with titanium resources in heavy-mineral-sand deposits. Phosphate rock and sand and gravel deposits could potentially yield substantial amounts of zircon as a byproduct.Substitutes: Chromite and olivine can be used instead of zircon for some foundry applications. Dolomite and spinel refractories can also substitute for zircon in certain high-temperature applications. Topic: Metals, precious Iridium (Ir/77): Description: Iridium, the second densest element, is silvery-white that resembles platinum but with a slightly yellow tint. It is hard and brittle with a high boiling point that makes it difficult to use or work. Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant metal; it has handling temperatures as high as 2,000ºC, but in a powder or dust form it is highly reactive and flammable.Uses: spark plug tips; backlit LED screens and organic LEDS; platinum hardening agent; iridium alloys used in aircraft engines; guided missile systems; computers and radar screens; military semiconductorsUS Imports: 2.5 mt (2021 est.)Description: Iridium, the second densest element, is silvery-white that resembles platinum but with a slightly yellow tint. It is hard and brittle with a high boiling point that makes it difficult to use or work. Iridium is the most corrosion-resistant metal; it has handling temperatures as high as 2,000ºC, but in a powder or dust form it is highly reactive and flammable.Uses: spark plug tips; backlit LED screens and organic LEDS; platinum hardening agent; iridium alloys used in aircraft engines; guided missile systems; computers and radar screens; military semiconductorsUS Imports: 2.5 mt (2021 est.) Palladium (Pd/46): Description: Palladium, like other platinum group metals (PGMs), is a rare, silvery-white metal found in the earth’s crust. When annealed, it is a soft, ductile, noble  metal that does not tarnish in air below 800ºC. The strength and hardness of palladium can be increased by cold-working. It has the lowest boiling point (2,963ºC) and is the least dense of all PGMs. Palladium has a unique ability to absorb hydrogen at up to 900 times its own volume.Uses: electronic conductive connectors; automotive catalysts; multilayer ceramic capacitors; internal computer components; aerospace brazing and solderingUS Imports: 76 mt (2021 est.) The US is 37% import reliant for its palladium needs. Import Sources (2017-20): Russia, 35%; South Africa, 31%; Germany, 9%; and other, 25%.World Resources: World resources of PGMs are estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.Substitutes: For some industrial end uses, one PGM can substitute for another, but with losses in efficiency.Note(s): Palladium is used for investments as an exchange-traded product and in individual holdings of physical bars and coins.Description: Palladium, like other platinum group metals (PGMs), is a rare, silvery-white metal found in the earth’s crust. When annealed, it is a soft, ductile, noble  metal that does not tarnish in air below 800ºC. The strength and hardness of palladium can be increased by cold-working. It has the lowest boiling point (2,963ºC) and is the least dense of all PGMs. Palladium has a unique ability to absorb hydrogen at up to 900 times its own volume.Uses: electronic conductive connectors; automotive catalysts; multilayer ceramic capacitors; internal computer components; aerospace brazing and solderingUS Imports: 76 mt (2021 est.) The US is 37% import reliant for its palladium needs. Import Sources (2017-20): Russia, 35%; South Africa, 31%; Germany, 9%; and other, 25%.World Resources: World resources of PGMs are estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.Substitutes: For some industrial end uses, one PGM can substitute for another, but with losses in efficiency. Platinum (Pt/78): Description: Platinum, one of the rarest elements found in the Earth’s crust, has a silvery-white color that never tarnishes. It is a dense, ductile metal that is malleable. Platinum, a noble metal, is corrosion-resistant with high-temperature stability and is non-oxidizable with stable electrical properties. It is part of a group of metals known as the platinum group metals (PGMs).Uses: LCD/flat panel displays; catalysts (automotive, bulk chemical, petroleum refining); high-temperature, corrosion-resistant alloy; aircraft turbine blades; coatings; engine seals and gasketsUS Imports: 56 mt (2021 est.) The US is 70% import reliant for its platinum needs.Import Sources (2017-20): South Africa, 38%; Germany, 20%; Switzerland, 12%; Italy, 6%; and other, 24%.World Resources: World resources of PGMs are estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.Substitutes: Palladium has been substituted for platinum in most gasoline-engine catalytic converters because of the historically lower price for palladium relative to that of platinum. About 25% of palladium can routinely be substituted for platinum in diesel catalytic converters; the proportion can be as much as 50% in some applications.Note(s): Platinum is used for investments as an exchange-traded product and in individual holdings of physical bars and coins.Description: Platinum, one of the rarest elements found in the Earth’s crust, has a silvery-white color that never tarnishes. It is a dense, ductile metal that is malleable. Platinum, a noble metal, is corrosion-resistant with high-temperature stability and is non-oxidizable with stable electrical properties. It is part of a group of metals known as the platinum group metals (PGMs).Uses: LCD/flat panel displays; catalysts (automotive, bulk chemical, petroleum refining); high-temperature, corrosion-resistant alloy; aircraft turbine blades; coatings; engine seals and gasketsUS Imports: 56 mt (2021 est.) The US is 70% import reliant for its platinum needs.Import Sources (2017-20): South Africa, 38%; Germany, 20%; Switzerland, 12%; Italy, 6%; and other, 24%.World Resources: World resources of PGMs are estimated to total more than 100 million kilograms. The largest reserves are in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa.Substitutes: Palladium has been substituted for platinum in most gasoline-engine catalytic converters because of the historically lower price for palladium relative to that of platinum. About 25% of palladium can routinely be substituted for platinum in diesel catalytic converters; the proportion can be as much as 50% in some applications.Note(s): Platinum is used for investments as an exchange-traded product and in individual holdings of physical bars and coins. Silver (Ag/47): Description: A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. The metal is found in the earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. The physical properties of silver include high ductility, electrical conductivity, malleability, and reflectivity.Uses: antimicrobial bandages; clothing; pharmaceuticals; plastics; batteries; bearings; brazing and soldering; catalytic converters in automobiles; electroplating; inks; mirrors; photovoltaic solar cells; water purification; wood treatmentUS Imports: 6,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is 79% import reliant for its silver needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Mexico, 47%; Canada, 23%; Chile, 4%; Poland, 4%; and other, 22%.World Resources: Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc mines, copper mines, and gold mines, in descending order of production. The polymetallic ore deposits from which silver was recovered account for more than two-thirds of US and world resources of silver. Most recent silver discoveries have been associated with gold occurrences; however, copper and lead-zinc occurrences that contain byproduct silver will continue to account for a significant share of reserves and resources in the future. World silver mine production increased slightly in 2021 to an estimated 24,000 tons, principally as a result of increased production from mines in Argentina, India, Mexico, and Peru following shutdowns in 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Digital imaging, film with reduced silver content, silverless black-and-white film, and xerography substitute for traditional photographic applications for silver. Surgical pins and plates may be made with stainless steel, tantalum, and titanium in place of silver. Stainless steel may be substituted for silver flatware. Non-silver batteries may replace silver batteries in some applications. Aluminum and rhodium may be used to replace silver that was traditionally used in mirrors and other reflecting surfaces. Silver may be used to replace more costly metals in catalytic converters for off-road vehicles.Note(s):  In 2021, the estimated domestic uses for silver were physical investment, 26%; electrical and electronics, 21%; coins and medals, 11%; jewelry and  silverware, 4%; and other, 38%. Description: A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal. The metal is found in the earth's crust in the pure, free elemental form ("native silver"), as an alloy with gold and other metals, and in minerals such as argentite and chlorargyrite. The physical properties of silver include high ductility, electrical conductivity, malleability, and reflectivity.Uses: antimicrobial bandages; clothing; pharmaceuticals; plastics; batteries; bearings; brazing and soldering; catalytic converters in automobiles; electroplating; inks; mirrors; photovoltaic solar cells; water purification; wood treatmentUS Imports: 6,500 mt (2021 est.) The US is 79% import reliant for its silver needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Mexico, 47%; Canada, 23%; Chile, 4%; Poland, 4%; and other, 22%.World Resources: Although silver was a principal product at several mines, silver was primarily obtained as a byproduct from lead-zinc mines, copper mines, and gold mines, in descending order of production. The polymetallic ore deposits from which silver was recovered account for more than two-thirds of US and world resources of silver. Most recent silver discoveries have been associated with gold occurrences; however, copper and lead-zinc occurrences that contain byproduct silver will continue to account for a significant share of reserves and resources in the future. World silver mine production increased slightly in 2021 to an estimated 24,000 tons, principally as a result of increased production from mines in Argentina, India, Mexico, and Peru following shutdowns in 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.Substitutes: Digital imaging, film with reduced silver content, silverless black-and-white film, and xerography substitute for traditional photographic applications for silver. Surgical pins and plates may be made with stainless steel, tantalum, and titanium in place of silver. Stainless steel may be substituted for silver flatware. Non-silver batteries may replace silver batteries in some applications. Aluminum and rhodium may be used to replace silver that was traditionally used in mirrors and other reflecting surfaces. Silver may be used to replace more costly metals in catalytic converters for off-road vehicles.Note(s):  In 2021, the estimated domestic uses for silver were physical investment, 26%; electrical and electronics, 21%; coins and medals, 11%; jewelry and  silverware, 4%; and other, 38%.  Topic: Non-metals Arsenic (As/33): Description: Arsenic is a gray, yellow, or black metalloid that is generally recovered as a by-product from other metal processing. The brittle gray form used by industry is the most common form.Uses: high-purity arsenic (99.9999%) is used to produce Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors for solar cells, space research, and telecommunications; used for Germanium-Arsenide-Selenide specialty optical materials; Indium-Gallium-Arsenide (InGaAs) is used for short-wave infrared technology; lead-hardening alloy for use in ammunition and batteries; pesticides, herbicides, Chromated-Copper-Arsenide (CCA) wood preservativeUS imports: Arsenic metal 750 mt, Arsenic compounds 6,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its arsenic needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Arsenic metal: China, 95%; Japan, 4%; and other, 1%. Arsenic trioxide: China, 57%; Morocco, 38%; Belgium, 4%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust, as well as from roasting arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. Arsenic has been recovered from orpiment and realgar in China, Peru, and the Philippines, as well as from copper-gold ores in Chile; it was associated with gold occurrences in Canada. Orpiment and realgar from gold mines in Sichuan Province, China, were stockpiled for later recovery of arsenic. Arsenic also may be recovered from enargite, a copper mineral. Arsenic trioxide was produced at the hydrometallurgical complex of Guemassa, near Marrakech, Morocco, from cobalt arsenide ore from the Bou-Azzer Mine.Substitutes: Substitutes for CCA in wood treatment include alkaline copper quaternary, ammoniacal copper quaternary, ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate, alkaline copper quaternary boron-based preservatives, copper azole, copper citrate, and copper naphthenate. Treated wood substitutes include concrete, plastic composite material, plasticized wood scrap, or steel. Silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductor power amplifiers compete with GaAs power amplifiers in mid-tier 3G cellular handsets. Indium phosphide components can be substituted for GaAs-based infrared laser diodes in some specific-wavelength applications, and helium-neon lasers compete with GaAs in visible laser diode applications. Silicon is the principal competitor with GaAs in solar-cell applications. GaAs-based integrated circuits are used in many defense-related applications because of their unique properties, and no effective substitutes exist for GaAs in these applications. GaAs in heterojunction bipolar transistors is being replaced in some applications by silicon-germanium.Note(s): Arsenic trioxide and primary arsenic metal have not been produced in the United States since 1985. Peru, China, and Morocco, in descending order, were the leading global producers of arsenic trioxide, accounting for about 98% of estimated world production. China and Morocco continued to supply about 90% of United States imports of arsenic trioxide in 2021. China was the leading world producer of arsenic metal and supplied about 94% of United States arsenic metal imports in 2021.Description: Arsenic is a gray, yellow, or black metalloid that is generally recovered as a by-product from other metal processing. The brittle gray form used by industry is the most common form.Uses: high-purity arsenic (99.9999%) is used to produce Gallium-Arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors for solar cells, space research, and telecommunications; used for Germanium-Arsenide-Selenide specialty optical materials; Indium-Gallium-Arsenide (InGaAs) is used for short-wave infrared technology; lead-hardening alloy for use in ammunition and batteries; pesticides, herbicides, Chromated-Copper-Arsenide (CCA) wood preservativeUS imports: Arsenic metal 750 mt, Arsenic compounds 6,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its arsenic needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Arsenic metal: China, 95%; Japan, 4%; and other, 1%. Arsenic trioxide: China, 57%; Morocco, 38%; Belgium, 4%; and other, 1%.World Resources: Arsenic may be obtained from copper, gold, and lead smelter flue dust, as well as from roasting arsenopyrite, the most abundant ore mineral of arsenic. Arsenic has been recovered from orpiment and realgar in China, Peru, and the Philippines, as well as from copper-gold ores in Chile; it was associated with gold occurrences in Canada. Orpiment and realgar from gold mines in Sichuan Province, China, were stockpiled for later recovery of arsenic. Arsenic also may be recovered from enargite, a copper mineral. Arsenic trioxide was produced at the hydrometallurgical complex of Guemassa, near Marrakech, Morocco, from cobalt arsenide ore from the Bou-Azzer Mine.Substitutes: Substitutes for CCA in wood treatment include alkaline copper quaternary, ammoniacal copper quaternary, ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate, alkaline copper quaternary boron-based preservatives, copper azole, copper citrate, and copper naphthenate. Treated wood substitutes include concrete, plastic composite material, plasticized wood scrap, or steel. Silicon-based complementary metal-oxide semiconductor power amplifiers compete with GaAs power amplifiers in mid-tier 3G cellular handsets. Indium phosphide components can be substituted for GaAs-based infrared laser diodes in some specific-wavelength applications, and helium-neon lasers compete with GaAs in visible laser diode applications. Silicon is the principal competitor with GaAs in solar-cell applications. GaAs-based integrated circuits are used in many defense-related applications because of their unique properties, and no effective substitutes exist for GaAs in these applications. GaAs in heterojunction bipolar transistors is being replaced in some applications by silicon-germanium. Boron (B/5): Description: Boron is a relatively rare element representing only 0.001% of the earth’s crust. It is a metalloid with properties that are in-between or a mixture of those of metals and nonmetals. Ordinary elemental boron is a brown-black, amorphous powder. Pure boron can be made into extremely hard yellow monoclinic crystals with semiconductor properties much like silicon. Boron has two naturally occurring and stable isotopes, 11B (80.1%) and 10B (19.9%). Although the term “boron” is commonly referenced, it does not occur in nature in an elemental state. Boron combines with oxygen and other elements to form boric acid, or inorganic salts called borates. Boric acid is sometimes found in volcanic spring waters. Boron compounds, chiefly borates, are commercially important. Four borates - colemanite, kernite, tincal, and ulexite - make up 90% of the borates used by industry worldwide.Uses: component of composite materials (boron fibers) in advanced aerospace structures; industrial catalyst for many organic reactions, such as polymerization reactions; major role in electroplating of nickel, lead and tin; inner plates of ballistic vests and for tank armor (carbon boride); permanent Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnetsUS Imports: Refined borax – 230,000 mt, Boric acid – 50,000 mt, Borates – 60,000 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): All forms: Turkey, 88%; Bolivia, 5%; Chile, 3%; and other, 4%.World Resources: Deposits of borates are associated with volcanic activity and arid climates, with the largest economically viable deposits located in the Mojave Desert of the US, the Alpide belt in southern Asia, and the Andean belt of South America. US deposits consist primarily of tincal, kernite, and borates contained in brines, and to a lesser extent ulexite and colemanite. About 70% of all deposits in Turkey are colemanite, primarily used in the production of heat-resistant glass. At current levels of consumption, world resources are adequate for the foreseeable future.Substitutes: The substitution of other materials for boron is possible in detergents, enamels, insulation, and soaps. Sodium percarbonate can replace borates in detergents and requires lower temperatures to undergo hydrolysis, which is an environmental consideration. Some enamels can use other glass-producing substances, such as phosphates. Insulation substitutes include cellulose, foams, and mineral wools. In soaps, sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids can act as cleaning and emulsifying agents.Description: Boron is a relatively rare element representing only 0.001% of the earth’s crust. It is a metalloid with properties that are in-between or a mixture of those of metals and nonmetals. Ordinary elemental boron is a brown-black, amorphous powder. Pure boron can be made into extremely hard yellow monoclinic crystals with semiconductor properties much like silicon. Boron has two naturally occurring and stable isotopes, 11B (80.1%) and 10B (19.9%). Although the term “boron” is commonly referenced, it does not occur in nature in an elemental state. Boron combines with oxygen and other elements to form boric acid, or inorganic salts called borates. Boric acid is sometimes found in volcanic spring waters. Boron compounds, chiefly borates, are commercially important. Four borates - colemanite, kernite, tincal, and ulexite - make up 90% of the borates used by industry worldwide.Uses: component of composite materials (boron fibers) in advanced aerospace structures; industrial catalyst for many organic reactions, such as polymerization reactions; major role in electroplating of nickel, lead and tin; inner plates of ballistic vests and for tank armor (carbon boride); permanent Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnetsUS Imports: Refined borax – 230,000 mt, Boric acid – 50,000 mt, Borates – 60,000 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): All forms: Turkey, 88%; Bolivia, 5%; Chile, 3%; and other, 4%.World Resources: Deposits of borates are associated with volcanic activity and arid climates, with the largest economically viable deposits located in the Mojave Desert of the US, the Alpide belt in southern Asia, and the Andean belt of South America. US deposits consist primarily of tincal, kernite, and borates contained in brines, and to a lesser extent ulexite and colemanite. About 70% of all deposits in Turkey are colemanite, primarily used in the production of heat-resistant glass. At current levels of consumption, world resources are adequate for the foreseeable future.Substitutes: The substitution of other materials for boron is possible in detergents, enamels, insulation, and soaps. Sodium percarbonate can replace borates in detergents and requires lower temperatures to undergo hydrolysis, which is an environmental consideration. Some enamels can use other glass-producing substances, such as phosphates. Insulation substitutes include cellulose, foams, and mineral wools. In soaps, sodium and potassium salts of fatty acids can act as cleaning and emulsifying agents. Germanium (Ge/32): Description: Germanium is mainly a byproduct of zinc ore processing. It is a hard, grayish-white element and has a metallic luster and the same crystal structure as diamond; it is also brittle, like glass. Germanium is a semiconductor, with electrical properties between those of a metal and an insulator.Uses: polymerization catalyst for polyethylene terephthalates (PET); telecommunication fiber optics; lenses for mid- and long- wavelength infrared (IR) devices; solar cellsUS Imports: Germanium metal 13 mt; Germanium dioxide 17 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 50% import reliant for its germanium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Germanium metal: China, 53%; Belgium, 22%; Germany, 11%; Russia, 9%; and other, 5%.World Resources: China was a leading global exporter of germanium in 2021. The available resources of germanium are associated with certain zinc and lead-zinc-copper sulfide ores. Substantial US reserves of recoverable germanium are contained in zinc deposits in Alaska and Tennessee. Based on an analysis of zinc concentrates, US reserves of zinc may contain as much as 2,500 tons of germanium. Because zinc concentrates are shipped globally and blended at smelters, however, the recoverable germanium in zinc reserves cannot be determined. On a global scale, as little as 3% of the germanium contained in zinc concentrates is recovered. Significant amounts of germanium are contained in ash and flue dust generated in the combustion of certain coals for power generation.Substitutes: Silicon can be a less-expensive substitute for germanium in certain electronic applications. Some metallic compounds can be substituted in high-frequency electronics applications and in some light-emitting-diode applications. Zinc selenide and germanium glass substitute for germanium metal in infrared applications systems, but often at the expense of performance. Antimony and titanium are substitutes for use as polymerization catalysts.Note(s): Germanium-containing infrared optics are primarily for military use, but the demand for thermal-imaging devices that use germanium lenses increased during the past few years. Fiber-optic cable manufacturing accounted for about one-third of global germanium consumption.Description: Germanium is mainly a byproduct of zinc ore processing. It is a hard, grayish-white element and has a metallic luster and the same crystal structure as diamond; it is also brittle, like glass. Germanium is a semiconductor, with electrical properties between those of a metal and an insulator.Uses: polymerization catalyst for polyethylene terephthalates (PET); telecommunication fiber optics; lenses for mid- and long- wavelength infrared (IR) devices; solar cellsUS Imports: Germanium metal 13 mt; Germanium dioxide 17 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 50% import reliant for its germanium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Germanium metal: China, 53%; Belgium, 22%; Germany, 11%; Russia, 9%; and other, 5%.World Resources: China was a leading global exporter of germanium in 2021. The available resources of germanium are associated with certain zinc and lead-zinc-copper sulfide ores. Substantial US reserves of recoverable germanium are contained in zinc deposits in Alaska and Tennessee. Based on an analysis of zinc concentrates, US reserves of zinc may contain as much as 2,500 tons of germanium. Because zinc concentrates are shipped globally and blended at smelters, however, the recoverable germanium in zinc reserves cannot be determined. On a global scale, as little as 3% of the germanium contained in zinc concentrates is recovered. Significant amounts of germanium are contained in ash and flue dust generated in the combustion of certain coals for power generation.Substitutes: Silicon can be a less-expensive substitute for germanium in certain electronic applications. Some metallic compounds can be substituted in high-frequency electronics applications and in some light-emitting-diode applications. Zinc selenide and germanium glass substitute for germanium metal in infrared applications systems, but often at the expense of performance. Antimony and titanium are substitutes for use as polymerization catalysts. Graphite / Carbon (C/6): Description: Graphite is a form of pure carbon that normally occurs as black crystal flakes and masses. It has important properties, such as chemical inertness, thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and lubricity (slipperiness) that make it suitable for many industrial applications. Graphite ores are classified as “amorphous” (microcrystalline), and “crystalline” (“flake” or “lump or chip”) based on the ore’s crystallinity, grain-size, and morphology. All graphite deposits mined today formed from metamorphism of carbonaceous sedimentary rocks, and the ore type is determined by the geologic setting.Uses: The major uses of natural graphite were in brake linings, lubricants, powdered metals, refractory applications, and steelmaking. Steelmaking and refractory applications in metallurgy use the largest amount of produced graphite; however, emerging technology uses in large-scale fuel cell, battery, and lightweight high-strength composite applications could substantially increase world demand for graphite.US Imports: 53,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its graphite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 33%; Mexico, 21%; Canada, 17%; India, 9%; and other, 20%.World Resources: US domestic resources of graphite are relatively small, but the rest of the world’s inferred resources exceed 800 million tons of recoverable graphite.Substitutes: Synthetic graphite powder, scrap from discarded machined shapes, and calcined petroleum coke compete for use in iron and steel production. Synthetic graphite powder and secondary synthetic graphite from machining graphite shapes compete for use in battery applications. Finely ground coke with olivine is a potential competitor in foundry-facing applications. Molybdenum disulfide competes as a dry lubricant but is more sensitive to oxidizing conditions.Note(s): During 2021, China was the world’s leading graphite producer, producing an estimated 79% of total world output. Approximately 24% of production in China was amorphous graphite and about 76% was flake. Large graphite deposits were being developed in Madagascar, northern Mozambique, Namibia, and south-central Tanzania. A graphite mine in Mozambique in a high-grade graphite deposit was reportedly the largest natural graphite mine globally.Description: Graphite is a form of pure carbon that normally occurs as black crystal flakes and masses. It has important properties, such as chemical inertness, thermal stability, high electrical conductivity, and lubricity (slipperiness) that make it suitable for many industrial applications. Graphite ores are classified as “amorphous” (microcrystalline), and “crystalline” (“flake” or “lump or chip”) based on the ore’s crystallinity, grain-size, and morphology. All graphite deposits mined today formed from metamorphism of carbonaceous sedimentary rocks, and the ore type is determined by the geologic setting.Uses: The major uses of natural graphite were in brake linings, lubricants, powdered metals, refractory applications, and steelmaking. Steelmaking and refractory applications in metallurgy use the largest amount of produced graphite; however, emerging technology uses in large-scale fuel cell, battery, and lightweight high-strength composite applications could substantially increase world demand for graphite.US Imports: 53,000 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its graphite needs.Import Sources (2017-20): China, 33%; Mexico, 21%; Canada, 17%; India, 9%; and other, 20%.World Resources: US domestic resources of graphite are relatively small, but the rest of the world’s inferred resources exceed 800 million tons of recoverable graphite.Substitutes: Synthetic graphite powder, scrap from discarded machined shapes, and calcined petroleum coke compete for use in iron and steel production. Synthetic graphite powder and secondary synthetic graphite from machining graphite shapes compete for use in battery applications. Finely ground coke with olivine is a potential competitor in foundry-facing applications. Molybdenum disulfide competes as a dry lubricant but is more sensitive to oxidizing conditions. Helium (He/2): Description: colorless, odorless, inert gasUses: magnetic resonance imaging, 30%; lifting gas, 17%; analytical and laboratory applications, 14%; welding, 9%; engineering and scientific applications, 6%; leak detection and semiconductor manufacturing, 5% each; and various other minor applications, 14%.US imports: 9 million cubic meters (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Qatar, 65%; Algeria, 12%; Canada, 11%; Portugal, 7%; and other, 5%.World Resources:  As of year end 2021, the mean volume of recoverable helium within the known geologic natural gas reservoirs in the United States was estimated to be 8,490 million cubic meters. Helium resources of the world, exclusive of the United States, were estimated to be about 31.3 billion cubic meters. The locations and volumes of the major deposits, in billion cubic meters, are Qatar, 10.1; Algeria, 8.2; Russia, 6.8; Canada, 2.0; and China, 1.1.Substitutes: There is no substitute for helium in cryogenic applications if temperatures below -256°C (-429°F) are required. Argon can be substituted for helium in welding, and hydrogen can be substituted for helium in some lighter-than-air applications in which the flammable nature of hydrogen is not objectionable. Hydrogen is also being investigated as a substitute for helium in deep-sea diving applications below 305 m (1,000 ft).Description: colorless, odorless, inert gasUses: magnetic resonance imaging, 30%; lifting gas, 17%; analytical and laboratory applications, 14%; welding, 9%; engineering and scientific applications, 6%; leak detection and semiconductor manufacturing, 5% each; and various other minor applications, 14%.US imports: 9 million cubic meters (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Qatar, 65%; Algeria, 12%; Canada, 11%; Portugal, 7%; and other, 5%.World Resources:  As of year end 2021, the mean volume of recoverable helium within the known geologic natural gas reservoirs in the United States was estimated to be 8,490 million cubic meters. Helium resources of the world, exclusive of the United States, were estimated to be about 31.3 billion cubic meters. The locations and volumes of the major deposits, in billion cubic meters, are Qatar, 10.1; Algeria, 8.2; Russia, 6.8; Canada, 2.0; and China, 1.1. Natural Rubber: Description: Natural rubber is produced from rubber trees as a latex liquid. Rubber is very useful because it is waterproof, is highly elastic, and is highly resilient.Uses: tires and inner tubes; footwear; gasket packaging and sealing; hoses and beltingUS Imports: 34,885,568 mt (2021) The US is 100% import reliant for its natural rubber needs.Import Sources (2020): Indonesia, 56%; Thailand, 23%; Cote d’Ivoire, 6%; Liberia, 3%; Malaysia, 3%; Vietnam, 3%; other, 4%World Resources: Largest producers of natural rubber are Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, China, Philippines, and Nigeria.Description: Natural rubber is produced from rubber trees as a latex liquid. Rubber is very useful because it is waterproof, is highly elastic, and is highly resilient.Uses: tires and inner tubes; footwear; gasket packaging and sealing; hoses and beltingUS Imports: 34,885,568 mt (2021) The US is 100% import reliant for its natural rubber needs.Import Sources (2020): Indonesia, 56%; Thailand, 23%; Cote d’Ivoire, 6%; Liberia, 3%; Malaysia, 3%; Vietnam, 3%; other, 4%World Resources: Largest producers of natural rubber are Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, China, Philippines, and Nigeria. Quartz Crystal : Description: Industrial cultured quartz crystal is electronic-grade quartz crystal that is manufactured, not mined. Cultured or synthetic quartz is produced by a hydrothermal process and is used for its unique piezoelectric properties. Used in crystal oscillators within watches and clocks, signal stabilization with radio transmitters and receivers, sensor material in extremely sensitive scales, and in Global Positioning Systems (GPS).Uses: military radios; electronic warfare; guidance systems; radar; navigation; aviation electronicsUS Imports: Piezoelectric quartz 84 mt (2021)Import Sources (2017-20): Piezoelectric quartz - China, 88%; Japan, 4%; Russia, 2%; and other, 6%.World Resources: Limited resources of natural quartz crystal suitable for direct electronic or optical use are available throughout the world. World dependence on these resources will continue to decline because of the increased acceptance of cultured quartz crystal as an alternative material.Substitutes: Silicon is increasingly being used as a substitute for quartz crystal for frequency-control oscillators in electronic circuits. Other materials, such as aluminum orthophosphate (the very rare mineral berlinite), langasite, lithium niobate, and lithium tantalate, which have larger piezoelectric coupling constants, have been studied and used. The cost competitiveness of these materials, as opposed to cultured quartz crystal, is dependent on the type of application that the material is used for and the processing required.Description: Industrial cultured quartz crystal is electronic-grade quartz crystal that is manufactured, not mined. Cultured or synthetic quartz is produced by a hydrothermal process and is used for its unique piezoelectric properties. Used in crystal oscillators within watches and clocks, signal stabilization with radio transmitters and receivers, sensor material in extremely sensitive scales, and in Global Positioning Systems (GPS).Uses: military radios; electronic warfare; guidance systems; radar; navigation; aviation electronicsUS Imports: Piezoelectric quartz 84 mt (2021)Import Sources (2017-20): Piezoelectric quartz - China, 88%; Japan, 4%; Russia, 2%; and other, 6%.World Resources: Limited resources of natural quartz crystal suitable for direct electronic or optical use are available throughout the world. World dependence on these resources will continue to decline because of the increased acceptance of cultured quartz crystal as an alternative material.Substitutes: Silicon is increasingly being used as a substitute for quartz crystal for frequency-control oscillators in electronic circuits. Other materials, such as aluminum orthophosphate (the very rare mineral berlinite), langasite, lithium niobate, and lithium tantalate, which have larger piezoelectric coupling constants, have been studied and used. The cost competitiveness of these materials, as opposed to cultured quartz crystal, is dependent on the type of application that the material is used for and the processing required. Selenium (Se/34): Description: Selenium is a purplish-gray nonmetal semiconductor with an unusual property: its conductivity is proportional to the intensity of light shined onto it. Also, selenium can produce electricity directly from sunlight, making it useful in solar cells.Uses: largely consumed in metallurgy and the manufacturing of glass; electrolytic manganese (selenium dioxide); lead-acid batteries; solar cells (copper indium gallium diselenide, CIGs)US Imports: Selenium metal 360 mt, Selenium dioxide 77 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its selenium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Selenium metal: Philippines, 18%; China, 16%; Mexico, 14%; Germany, 13%; and other, 39%. Selenium dioxide: Republic of Korea, 29%; China, 24%; Germany, 18%; Canada, 14%; and other, 15%.World Resources: Reserves for selenium are based on identified copper deposits and average selenium content. Coal generally contains between 0.5 and 12 parts per million of selenium, or about 80 to 90 times the average for copper deposits. The supply of selenium is directly affected by the supply of the materials from which it is a byproduct - copper, and to a lesser extent, nickel - and it is directly affected by the number of facilities that recover selenium.Substitutes: Silicon is the major substitute for selenium in low- and medium-voltage rectifiers. Organic pigments have been developed as substitutes for cadmium sulfoselenide pigments. Other substitutes include cerium oxide as either a colorant or decolorant in glass; tellurium in pigments and rubber; bismuth, lead, and tellurium in free machining alloys; and bismuth and tellurium in lead-free brasses. Sulfur dioxide can be used as a replacement for selenium dioxide in the production of electrolytic manganese metal, but it is not as energy efficient.Note(s): Selenium is an essential micronutrient and is used as a human dietary supplement, a dietary supplement for livestock, and as a fertilizer additive to enrich selenium-poor soils. Selenium also is used as an active ingredient in antidandruff shampoos. Estimates for world consumption are as follows: metallurgy (including manganese production), 40%; glass manufacturing, 25%; agriculture, 10%; chemicals and pigments, 10%; electronics, 10%; and other uses, 5%.Description: Selenium is a purplish-gray nonmetal semiconductor with an unusual property: its conductivity is proportional to the intensity of light shined onto it. Also, selenium can produce electricity directly from sunlight, making it useful in solar cells.Uses: largely consumed in metallurgy and the manufacturing of glass; electrolytic manganese (selenium dioxide); lead-acid batteries; solar cells (copper indium gallium diselenide, CIGs)US Imports: Selenium metal 360 mt, Selenium dioxide 77 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 75% import reliant for its selenium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Selenium metal: Philippines, 18%; China, 16%; Mexico, 14%; Germany, 13%; and other, 39%. Selenium dioxide: Republic of Korea, 29%; China, 24%; Germany, 18%; Canada, 14%; and other, 15%.World Resources: Reserves for selenium are based on identified copper deposits and average selenium content. Coal generally contains between 0.5 and 12 parts per million of selenium, or about 80 to 90 times the average for copper deposits. The supply of selenium is directly affected by the supply of the materials from which it is a byproduct - copper, and to a lesser extent, nickel - and it is directly affected by the number of facilities that recover selenium.Substitutes: Silicon is the major substitute for selenium in low- and medium-voltage rectifiers. Organic pigments have been developed as substitutes for cadmium sulfoselenide pigments. Other substitutes include cerium oxide as either a colorant or decolorant in glass; tellurium in pigments and rubber; bismuth, lead, and tellurium in free machining alloys; and bismuth and tellurium in lead-free brasses. Sulfur dioxide can be used as a replacement for selenium dioxide in the production of electrolytic manganese metal, but it is not as energy efficient. Silicon (Si/14): Description: Silicon is a hard and brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic luster; it is a tetravalent metalloid and semiconductor. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a synthetic mineral most commonly produced in electrical resistance furnaces by the Acheson process. A mixture of carbon material (usually petroleum coke) and either silica or quartz sand is reacted at high temperatures (1,700 – 2,500°C) resulting in the formation of α-SiC. Silicon carbide occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. Virtually all the silicon carbide sold in the world is synthetic. SiC has an outstanding hardness, only surpassed by diamond, cubic boron nitride, and boron carbide.Uses: machining or finishing cast iron, non-ferrous metals, stone, leather and rubber; pressure blasting, lapping, grinding and polishing of hard metal alloys and non-metallic materials; slicing of silicon wafers; finishing and polishing of manufactured equipment; clean and shot peen jet rotor blades and other precision parts to increase resistance to fatigue failureUS Imports: Ferrosilicon – 120,000 mt; Silicon metal – 93,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 32% import reliant for its silicon needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ferrosilicon: Russia, 40%; Canada, 14%; Brazil, 10%; Iceland, 8%; and other, 28%. Silicon metal: Brazil, 30%; Canada, 21%; Norway, 13%; Australia, 8%; and other, 28%.World Resources: World and domestic resources for making silicon metal and alloys are abundant and, in most producing countries, adequate to supply world requirements for many decades. The source of the silicon is silica in various natural forms, such as quartzite. Excluding the US, ferrosilicon accounts for about 61% of world silicon production on a silicon-content basis. The leading countries for ferrosilicon production are, in descending order and on a contained-weight basis, China, Russia, and Norway. For silicon metal, the leading producers are China, Norway, and France. China accounted for approximately 70% of total global estimated production of silicon materials in 2021.Substitutes: Aluminum, silicon carbide, and silicomanganese can be substituted for ferrosilicon in some applications. Gallium arsenide and germanium are the principal substitutes for silicon in semiconductor and infrared applications.Note(s): The main consumers of silicon metal were producers of aluminum alloys and the chemical industry. The semiconductor and solar energy industries, which manufacture chips for computers and photovoltaic cells from high-purity silicon, respectively, accounted for only a small percentage of silicon demand.Description: Silicon is a hard and brittle crystalline solid with a blue-grey metallic luster; it is a tetravalent metalloid and semiconductor. Silicon carbide (SiC) is a synthetic mineral most commonly produced in electrical resistance furnaces by the Acheson process. A mixture of carbon material (usually petroleum coke) and either silica or quartz sand is reacted at high temperatures (1,700 – 2,500°C) resulting in the formation of α-SiC. Silicon carbide occurs in nature as the extremely rare mineral moissanite. Virtually all the silicon carbide sold in the world is synthetic. SiC has an outstanding hardness, only surpassed by diamond, cubic boron nitride, and boron carbide.Uses: machining or finishing cast iron, non-ferrous metals, stone, leather and rubber; pressure blasting, lapping, grinding and polishing of hard metal alloys and non-metallic materials; slicing of silicon wafers; finishing and polishing of manufactured equipment; clean and shot peen jet rotor blades and other precision parts to increase resistance to fatigue failureUS Imports: Ferrosilicon – 120,000 mt; Silicon metal – 93,000 mt (2021 est.) The US is 32% import reliant for its silicon needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Ferrosilicon: Russia, 40%; Canada, 14%; Brazil, 10%; Iceland, 8%; and other, 28%. Silicon metal: Brazil, 30%; Canada, 21%; Norway, 13%; Australia, 8%; and other, 28%.World Resources: World and domestic resources for making silicon metal and alloys are abundant and, in most producing countries, adequate to supply world requirements for many decades. The source of the silicon is silica in various natural forms, such as quartzite. Excluding the US, ferrosilicon accounts for about 61% of world silicon production on a silicon-content basis. The leading countries for ferrosilicon production are, in descending order and on a contained-weight basis, China, Russia, and Norway. For silicon metal, the leading producers are China, Norway, and France. China accounted for approximately 70% of total global estimated production of silicon materials in 2021.Substitutes: Aluminum, silicon carbide, and silicomanganese can be substituted for ferrosilicon in some applications. Gallium arsenide and germanium are the principal substitutes for silicon in semiconductor and infrared applications. Tellurium (Te/52): Description: Tellurium is a brittle, silver-white metalloid that appears similar to tin and is mildly toxic to people. Tellurium is primarily alloyed with steel and copper to improve machining and alloyed with bismuth for thermoelectric devices.Uses: alloying additive in steel, copper, lead, and cast iron; vulcanizing agent (rubber); thermoelectric devices; as a component of the compound Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe) substrates in mid- and long-wave infrared devices; metal alloysUS Imports: 22 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 95% import reliant for its tellurium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 57%; Germany, 19%; China,5 17%; the Philippines, 4%; and other, 3%.World Resources: Data on tellurium resources is not available. World production of tellurium was estimated to be about 580 mt in 2021. More than 90% of tellurium has been produced from anode slimes collected from electrolytic copper refining, and the remainder was derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dusts and gases generated during the smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead-zinc ores. Other potential sources of tellurium include bismuth telluride and gold telluride ores.Substitutes: Several materials can replace tellurium in most of its uses, but usually with losses in efficiency or product characteristics. Bismuth, calcium, lead, phosphorus, selenium, and sulfur can be used in place of tellurium in many free-machining steels. Several of the chemical process reactions catalyzed by tellurium can be carried out with other catalysts or by means of noncatalyzed processes. In rubber compounding, sulfur and (or) selenium can act as vulcanization agents in place of tellurium. The selenides and sulfides of niobium and tantalum can serve as electrical conducting solid lubricants in place of tellurides of those metals. Note(s): US imports of tellurium were estimated to have increased by about 83% in 2021 from those of 2020, mostly as a result of a significant increase in imports from the Philippines.Description: Tellurium is a brittle, silver-white metalloid that appears similar to tin and is mildly toxic to people. Tellurium is primarily alloyed with steel and copper to improve machining and alloyed with bismuth for thermoelectric devices.Uses: alloying additive in steel, copper, lead, and cast iron; vulcanizing agent (rubber); thermoelectric devices; as a component of the compound Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CdZnTe) substrates in mid- and long-wave infrared devices; metal alloysUS Imports: 22 mt (2021 est.) The US is more than 95% import reliant for its tellurium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Canada, 57%; Germany, 19%; China,5 17%; the Philippines, 4%; and other, 3%.World Resources: Data on tellurium resources is not available. World production of tellurium was estimated to be about 580 mt in 2021. More than 90% of tellurium has been produced from anode slimes collected from electrolytic copper refining, and the remainder was derived from skimmings at lead refineries and from flue dusts and gases generated during the smelting of bismuth, copper, and lead-zinc ores. Other potential sources of tellurium include bismuth telluride and gold telluride ores.Substitutes: Several materials can replace tellurium in most of its uses, but usually with losses in efficiency or product characteristics. Bismuth, calcium, lead, phosphorus, selenium, and sulfur can be used in place of tellurium in many free-machining steels. Several of the chemical process reactions catalyzed by tellurium can be carried out with other catalysts or by means of noncatalyzed processes. In rubber compounding, sulfur and (or) selenium can act as vulcanization agents in place of tellurium. The selenides and sulfides of niobium and tantalum can serve as electrical conducting solid lubricants in place of tellurides of those metals. Note(s): US imports of tellurium were estimated to have increased by about 83% in 2021 from those of 2020, mostly as a result of a significant increase in imports from the Philippines. Topic: Rare earth elements Cerium (Ce/58): Description: A very reactive iron-gray colored metal and the most abundant of the lanthanide series. Cerium averages 63 mg/kg, making it the 26th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is mostly used in one of its many oxide states, as the unalloyed metal is toxic and reactive.Uses: glass manufacture additive and polishing compound; phosphors in TV screens and fluorescent lamps; chemical oxidizing agent; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors and other LCD components; wastewater treatmentUS imports: Ferrocerium compounds 320 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Rare-earth compounds and metals: China, 78%; Estonia, 6%; Malaysia, 5%; Japan, 4%; and other, 7%; Compounds and metals imported from Estonia, Japan, and Malaysia were derived from mineral concentrates and chemical intermediates produced in Australia, China, and elsewhere.World Resources: Rare earths are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, but minable concentrations are less common than for most other ores. Resources are primarily in four geologic environments: carbonatites, alkaline igneous systems, ion-adsorption clay deposits, and monazite-xenotime-bearing placer deposits. Carbonatites and placer deposits are the leading sources of production of light rare-earth elements. Ion-adsorption clays are the leading source of production of heavy rare-earth elements.Substitutes: Substitutes are available for many applications but generally are less effective.Note(s): The estimated distribution of rare earths by end use was as follows: catalysts, 74%; ceramics and glass, 10%; metallurgical applications and alloys, 6%; polishing, 4%; and other, 6%.Description: A very reactive iron-gray colored metal and the most abundant of the lanthanide series. Cerium averages 63 mg/kg, making it the 26th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. It is mostly used in one of its many oxide states, as the unalloyed metal is toxic and reactive.Uses: glass manufacture additive and polishing compound; phosphors in TV screens and fluorescent lamps; chemical oxidizing agent; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors and other LCD components; wastewater treatmentUS imports: Ferrocerium compounds 320 mt (2021 est.)Import Sources (2017-20): Rare-earth compounds and metals: China, 78%; Estonia, 6%; Malaysia, 5%; Japan, 4%; and other, 7%; Compounds and metals imported from Estonia, Japan, and Malaysia were derived from mineral concentrates and chemical intermediates produced in Australia, China, and elsewhere.World Resources: Rare earths are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust, but minable concentrations are less common than for most other ores. Resources are primarily in four geologic environments: carbonatites, alkaline igneous systems, ion-adsorption clay deposits, and monazite-xenotime-bearing placer deposits. Carbonatites and placer deposits are the leading sources of production of light rare-earth elements. Ion-adsorption clays are the leading source of production of heavy rare-earth elements.Substitutes: Substitutes are available for many applications but generally are less effective. Dysprosium (Dy/66): Description: A soft metal with a bright silver luster. The metal is a by-product in the commercial production of yttrium.Uses: permanent magnets; high-intensity lighting; capacitors and chips; data storage applications; chemical reaction testing; laser materials (ceramics and specialty glass) World resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada. Description: A soft metal with a bright silver luster. The metal is a by-product in the commercial production of yttrium.Uses: permanent magnets; high-intensity lighting; capacitors and chips; data storage applications; chemical reaction testing; laser materials (ceramics and specialty glass) World resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.  Erbium (Er/68): Description: A bright, silvery metal. It belongs to the heavy rare earth elements that are less abundant in nature. Erbium occurs in nature in mixtures with other lanthanide elements. A common mineral is gadolinite. The metal is fairly stable in air and does not oxidize as rapidly as some other metals.Uses: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (YAG) laser applications; lasers used for cutting and welding; alloy additive for vanadium; activator for phosphors; fiber optic cables; erbium-doped optical fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) World resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.Description: A bright, silvery metal. It belongs to the heavy rare earth elements that are less abundant in nature. Erbium occurs in nature in mixtures with other lanthanide elements. A common mineral is gadolinite. The metal is fairly stable in air and does not oxidize as rapidly as some other metals. Europium (Eu/63): Description: A soft silvery metal. Europium has the second lowest melting point and the lowest density of all lanthanides. It ignites in air at 150–180°C to form europium oxide and is the most reactive of the rare earth elements. The metal is soft and quite ductile. Europium is a fission product generated in nuclear reactors. Europium is not found in nature as a free element but is found mixed with other rare earth elements.Uses: phosphors used in display screens, TVs and fluorescent lights, ceramics and specialty glass, activator for yttrium-based phosphors in TVs and computer screens, polishing powders and magnetsWorld resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.Description: A soft silvery metal. Europium has the second lowest melting point and the lowest density of all lanthanides. It ignites in air at 150–180°C to form europium oxide and is the most reactive of the rare earth elements. The metal is soft and quite ductile. Europium is a fission product generated in nuclear reactors. Europium is not found in nature as a free element but is found mixed with other rare earth elements.Uses: phosphors used in display screens, TVs and fluorescent lights, ceramics and specialty glass, activator for yttrium-based phosphors in TVs and computer screens, polishing powders and magnetsWorld resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada. Gadolinium (Gd/64): Description: A silvery white ductile metal which is classified as a light rare earth element. It is relatively stable in dry air but tarnishes in moist air. It is ferromagnetic at temperatures below 20°C and paramagnetic above this temperature.Uses: medical services as an MRI contrast agent and in X-ray tubes, high refractive index glass or garnets, added to chromium, iron and related alloys, high power permanent magnets, lasers, radar warning receivers and radar jammers, optical lenses, optical fibers and coatings, because Gadolinium has the highest thermal neutron capture cross-section of any known element it is used to target tumors in neutron therapyWorld resources: Gadolinium is produced both from monazite and bastnasite deposits.Note(s): Gadolinium possesses unusual metallurgical properties, to the extent that as little as 1% of gadolinium can significantly improve the workability and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures of iron, chromium, and related metals. Gadolinium as a metal or a salt absorbs neutrons and is, therefore, used sometimes for shielding in neutron radiography and in nuclear reactors. It is used as a secondary, emergency shut-down measure in some nuclear reactors.Description: A silvery white ductile metal which is classified as a light rare earth element. It is relatively stable in dry air but tarnishes in moist air. It is ferromagnetic at temperatures below 20°C and paramagnetic above this temperature.Uses: medical services as an MRI contrast agent and in X-ray tubes, high refractive index glass or garnets, added to chromium, iron and related alloys, high power permanent magnets, lasers, radar warning receivers and radar jammers, optical lenses, optical fibers and coatings, because Gadolinium has the highest thermal neutron capture cross-section of any known element it is used to target tumors in neutron therapyWorld resources: Gadolinium is produced both from monazite and bastnasite deposits.Note(s): Gadolinium possesses unusual metallurgical properties, to the extent that as little as 1% of gadolinium can significantly improve the workability and resistance to oxidation at high temperatures of iron, chromium, and related metals. Gadolinium as a metal or a salt absorbs neutrons and is, therefore, used sometimes for shielding in neutron radiography and in nuclear reactors. It is used as a secondary, emergency shut-down measure in some nuclear reactors. Holmium (Ho/67): Description: A soft, malleable metal with a bright silver luster. It oxidizes rapidly in moist air and at elevated temperatures. It falls within the heavy lanthanide rare earth elements and has the strongest magnetic moment of any natural element.Uses: strong, artificially generated magnetic fields; red/yellow colors in glass; calibration in gamma ray spectrometers; solid state Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) and Yttrium-Lithium-Fluoride (YLF) lasersWorld Resources: Holmium is found as a minor component of the minerals monazite and bastnaesite. It is extracted via ion exchange and solvent extraction from ores that are processed to extract yttrium. The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia.Description: A soft, malleable metal with a bright silver luster. It oxidizes rapidly in moist air and at elevated temperatures. It falls within the heavy lanthanide rare earth elements and has the strongest magnetic moment of any natural element.Uses: strong, artificially generated magnetic fields; red/yellow colors in glass; calibration in gamma ray spectrometers; solid state Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) and Yttrium-Lithium-Fluoride (YLF) lasers Lanthanum (La/57): Description: A soft, silver white metal. It is rarely kept in elemental form because it quickly oxidizes in air; it burns easily when ignited. Its oxide is much more stable and is the basis for most applications that use lanthanum.Uses: optical fibers, glasses, and lenses; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other LCD and electronic components; metal alloys for nickel metal hydride batteries; fiber-optic communication systems; samarium cobalt magnets; high-strength, low-alloy steel; infrared-absorbing glass for night vision gogglesWorld resources: Lanthanum is found in rare earth minerals, principally monazite (25% lanthanum) and bastnaesite (38% lanthanum). The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia.Note(s): Ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques are used to isolate rare earth elements from minerals. Lanthanum metal is usually obtained by reducing the anhydrous fluoride with calcium. Nickel-metal hydride batteries use anodes made of a lanthanum-based alloys.Description: A soft, silver white metal. It is rarely kept in elemental form because it quickly oxidizes in air; it burns easily when ignited. Its oxide is much more stable and is the basis for most applications that use lanthanum.Uses: optical fibers, glasses, and lenses; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other LCD and electronic components; metal alloys for nickel metal hydride batteries; fiber-optic communication systems; samarium cobalt magnets; high-strength, low-alloy steel; infrared-absorbing glass for night vision gogglesWorld resources: Lanthanum is found in rare earth minerals, principally monazite (25% lanthanum) and bastnaesite (38% lanthanum). The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia. Lutetium (Lu/71): Description: A silvery white metal that is relatively stable in air. It is found in very small amounts in almost all minerals containing yttrium. Commercially extracted from monazite, it is one of the most difficult metals to prepare. It is one of the rarest and the most expensive of the rare earth metals with a price about US $10,000 per kilogram. It has very few commercial applications and is used primarily in research.Uses: high-refractive-index optical Lutetium-Aluminum-Garnet (LuAG) lenses; X-ray phosphors; specialty silicon nitride ceramic bearings; catalyst in cracking hydrocarbons in oil refineriesWorld resources: In common with many other lanthanides, the main source of lutetium is the mineral monazite. It is extracted, with difficulty, by reducing the anhydrous fluoride with calcium metal. The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia.Description: A silvery white metal that is relatively stable in air. It is found in very small amounts in almost all minerals containing yttrium. Commercially extracted from monazite, it is one of the most difficult metals to prepare. It is one of the rarest and the most expensive of the rare earth metals with a price about US $10,000 per kilogram. It has very few commercial applications and is used primarily in research.Uses: high-refractive-index optical Lutetium-Aluminum-Garnet (LuAG) lenses; X-ray phosphors; specialty silicon nitride ceramic bearings; catalyst in cracking hydrocarbons in oil refineriesWorld resources: In common with many other lanthanides, the main source of lutetium is the mineral monazite. It is extracted, with difficulty, by reducing the anhydrous fluoride with calcium metal. The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia. Neodymium (Nd/60): Description: A soft, bright, silvery metal. It is one of the most reactive of rare earth elements and quickly oxidizes in air. The primary source of neodymium is from carbonatites and bastnaesite, and a secondary source is in monazite. It is found in minerals such as cerite and allanite. The pure metal has limited application. A component, along with praseodymium, of didymium glass.Uses: glass production; incandescent light bulbs; cathode ray tubes; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other components for LCDs and electronics; Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets in smartphones, hard drives, other consumer electronics;  gas turbine ship propulsionWorld resources: The main sources of most lanthanide elements are the minerals monazite and bastnaesite. Neodymium can be extracted from these minerals by ion exchange and solvent extraction. The element can also be obtained by reducing anhydrous neodymium chloride or fluoride with calcium. The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia.Note(s): Neodymium glass is used to make lasers. These are used as laser pointers, as well as in eye surgery, cosmetic surgery and for the treatment of skin cancers. Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets, which are the strongest known type of magnets, are used when space and weight are restrictions.Description: A soft, bright, silvery metal. It is one of the most reactive of rare earth elements and quickly oxidizes in air. The primary source of neodymium is from carbonatites and bastnaesite, and a secondary source is in monazite. It is found in minerals such as cerite and allanite. The pure metal has limited application. A component, along with praseodymium, of didymium glass.Uses: glass production; incandescent light bulbs; cathode ray tubes; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other components for LCDs and electronics; Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets in smartphones, hard drives, other consumer electronics;  gas turbine ship propulsionWorld resources: The main sources of most lanthanide elements are the minerals monazite and bastnaesite. Neodymium can be extracted from these minerals by ion exchange and solvent extraction. The element can also be obtained by reducing anhydrous neodymium chloride or fluoride with calcium. The main producers are China, Russia, and Malaysia. Praseodymium (Pr/59): Description: A soft, silvery, malleable, and ductile metal. Its average concentration in earth’s crust makes it more abundant than silver, gold, or antimony. It is too reactive to be found in native form, and pure praseodymium metal slowly develops a green oxide coating when exposed to air.Uses: doping agent in fiber optic cables and several metal alloys; thermal resistant alloys; optical lenses, filters, and coatings; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other components in LCDs and electronics; Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) high-power magnets; alloyed with magnesium in aircraft engines; lasersWorld resources: Found in nature associated with other rare earth elements. Monazite and bastnaesite are the two principal commercial sources for praseodymium production, even though it is also found in apatite, trachyte, fergusonite, and eudialyte.Description: A soft, silvery, malleable, and ductile metal. Its average concentration in earth’s crust makes it more abundant than silver, gold, or antimony. It is too reactive to be found in native form, and pure praseodymium metal slowly develops a green oxide coating when exposed to air.Uses: doping agent in fiber optic cables and several metal alloys; thermal resistant alloys; optical lenses, filters, and coatings; ceramic capacitors, semiconductors, and other components in LCDs and electronics; Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) high-power magnets; alloyed with magnesium in aircraft engines; lasers Samarium (Sm/62): Description: A bright silver metal that is reasonably stable in air. Widely distributed in nature but in trace quantities always associated with other rare earth elements. The commercial source of samarium is from carbonatites and bastnaesite. It is also found in Precambrian granite rocks, shale, and in minerals such as xenotime and basalt.Uses: Samarium-cobalt permanent magnets used in tank navigation; present in Neodymium-Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (NYAG) laser glass; infrared absorption glass; optical glass World resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.Description: A bright silver metal that is reasonably stable in air. Widely distributed in nature but in trace quantities always associated with other rare earth elements. The commercial source of samarium is from carbonatites and bastnaesite. It is also found in Precambrian granite rocks, shale, and in minerals such as xenotime and basalt. Scandium (Sc/21): Description: Scandium is a transition metal that is silvery white, soft and light, and has historically been classified as a rare-earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanides. It is found widely dispersed in low concentrations in many minerals, but primarily as a trace constituent of ferro magnesium minerals. The strengthening effects of scandium on aluminum alloys were discovered in the 1970s, and its use in such alloys remains its only major application.Uses: scandium alloy in pistol frames; electronics, light aluminum-scandium alloy for aerospace components; lasers; high-intensity lamps for landing gear; solid oxide fuel cells; ceramicsUS Imports: rare earth metals including Scandium 540 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its scandium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Although no definitive data exist listing import sources, imported material is mostly from Europe, China, Japan, and Russia.World Resources: Resources of scandium are abundant. Scandium is more abundant in the earth's crust than lead. Scandium lacks affinity for the common ore-forming anions; therefore, it is widely dispersed in the lithosphere and forms solid solutions with low concentrations in more than 100 minerals. There are identified scandium resources in Australia, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Norway, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, and the US.Substitutes: Titanium and aluminum high-strength alloys, as well as carbon-fiber materials, may substitute in high performance scandium-alloy applications. Light-emitting diodes displace mercury-vapor high-intensity lights in some industrial and residential applications. In some applications that rely on scandium’s unique properties, substitution is not possible.Description: Scandium is a transition metal that is silvery white, soft and light, and has historically been classified as a rare-earth element, together with yttrium and the lanthanides. It is found widely dispersed in low concentrations in many minerals, but primarily as a trace constituent of ferro magnesium minerals. The strengthening effects of scandium on aluminum alloys were discovered in the 1970s, and its use in such alloys remains its only major application.Uses: scandium alloy in pistol frames; electronics, light aluminum-scandium alloy for aerospace components; lasers; high-intensity lamps for landing gear; solid oxide fuel cells; ceramicsUS Imports: rare earth metals including Scandium 540 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its scandium needs.Import Sources (2017-20): Although no definitive data exist listing import sources, imported material is mostly from Europe, China, Japan, and Russia.World Resources: Resources of scandium are abundant. Scandium is more abundant in the earth's crust than lead. Scandium lacks affinity for the common ore-forming anions; therefore, it is widely dispersed in the lithosphere and forms solid solutions with low concentrations in more than 100 minerals. There are identified scandium resources in Australia, Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Norway, the Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, and the US.Substitutes: Titanium and aluminum high-strength alloys, as well as carbon-fiber materials, may substitute in high performance scandium-alloy applications. Light-emitting diodes displace mercury-vapor high-intensity lights in some industrial and residential applications. In some applications that rely on scandium’s unique properties, substitution is not possible. Terbium (Tb/65): Description: A silvery-grey rare earth metal that is malleable and ductile, soft enough to be cut with a knife, and relatively stable in air compared with other lanthanides. It is a fairly electropositive metal that reacts with water, evolving hydrogen gas. Terbium is found in nature associated with other rare earth elements in xenotime, euxenite, cerite, monazite and gadolinite at concentrations typically < 1% rare earth oxides.Uses: green phosphors in compact fluorescent light bulbs, LCDs, video displays and night vision goggles; additive in high-strength neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets; lasersWorld resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.Description: A silvery-grey rare earth metal that is malleable and ductile, soft enough to be cut with a knife, and relatively stable in air compared with other lanthanides. It is a fairly electropositive metal that reacts with water, evolving hydrogen gas. Terbium is found in nature associated with other rare earth elements in xenotime, euxenite, cerite, monazite and gadolinite at concentrations typically < 1% rare earth oxides.Uses: green phosphors in compact fluorescent light bulbs, LCDs, video displays and night vision goggles; additive in high-strength neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets; lasersWorld resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada. Thulium (Tm/69): Description: A silvery-white, lustrous metal that is soft, malleable, and ductile. Thulium is the second-rarest element after promethium. It is very difficult to separate from the other rare earth elements and, because of its scarcity and high price, there are few applications for this element.Uses: portable X-ray devices; ceramic magnets for microwave equipmentWorld resources: Found in small quantities with other rare earth elements in several yttrium-rich minerals such as xenotime, gadolinite, euxenite, loparite, fergusonite, yttroparisite, and samaskite, but extracted commercially from monazite.Note(s): The wavelength of thulium-based lasers is very efficient for superficial ablation of tissue, with minimal coagulation depth in air or in water. This feature makes thulium lasers attractive for laser-based surgery. Thulium has been used in high-temperature superconductors similarly to yttriumDescription: A silvery-white, lustrous metal that is soft, malleable, and ductile. Thulium is the second-rarest element after promethium. It is very difficult to separate from the other rare earth elements and, because of its scarcity and high price, there are few applications for this element.Uses: portable X-ray devices; ceramic magnets for microwave equipmentWorld resources: Found in small quantities with other rare earth elements in several yttrium-rich minerals such as xenotime, gadolinite, euxenite, loparite, fergusonite, yttroparisite, and samaskite, but extracted commercially from monazite. Ytterbium (Yb/70): Description: A soft, malleable, and ductile silvery metal; its concentration in the upper continental crust is ~1.96 mg/kg. Found naturally in the minerals euxenite, gadolinite, monazite and xenotime, but it is principally commercially extracted from monazite sand that contains ~0.03% Yb.Uses: portable X-ray machines; optical glasses, crystals, and ceramics; ytterbium lasers are used to heat treat turbine blades; super alloys for jet engines; infrared lasers World resources: Global mine production was estimated to have increased to 280,000 tons of rare-earth-oxide (REO) equivalent in 2021. In North America, measured and indicated resources of rare earths were estimated to include 2.4 million tons in the United States and more than 15 million tons in Canada.Description: A soft, malleable, and ductile silvery metal; its concentration in the upper continental crust is ~1.96 mg/kg. Found naturally in the minerals euxenite, gadolinite, monazite and xenotime, but it is principally commercially extracted from monazite sand that contains ~0.03% Yb. Yttrium (Y/39): Description: A soft, silver-colored metal that has similar properties to the lanthanides and is classified with the rare earth elements; its abundance in the earth’s crust is ~ 21 mg/kg, making it the 28th most abundant crustal element. Yttrium occurs with most rare earths deposits.Uses: metallic alloy component; garnet crystals; LED phosphor for white and grey colors; optical and camera lenses; protective ceramic layers in jet engines; heat-resistant superalloys for jet engines; Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (YAG) and Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) laser crystalsUS imports: Yttrium oxide 670 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its yttrium needs.Import sources (2017-20): Yttrium compounds: China, 97%; the Republic of Korea, 1%; Japan, 1%; and other, 1%. Nearly all imports of yttrium metal and compounds are derived from mineral concentrates produced in China.World Resources: Large resources of yttrium in monazite and xenotime are available worldwide in placer deposits, carbonatites, uranium ores, and weathered clay deposits (ion-adsorption ore). Additional resources of yttrium occur in apatite-magnetite-bearing rocks, deposits of niobium-tantalum minerals, non-placer monazite-bearing deposits, sedimentary phosphate deposits, and uranium ores. Global reserves of Yttrium oxide equivalent were estimated to be more than 500,000 metric tons. The leading countries for these reserves included Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and India.Substitutes: Substitutes for yttrium are available for some applications but generally are much less effective. In most uses, especially in electronics, lasers, and phosphors, yttrium is generally not subject to substitution by other elements. As a stabilizer in zirconia ceramics, yttrium oxide may be substituted with calcium oxide or magnesium oxide, but the substitutes generally impart lower toughness.Note(s): China produces most of the world’s supply of yttrium from its weathered clay, ion-adsorption ore deposits in the southern provinces - primarily Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi - and from a lesser number of deposits in Guangxi and Hunan Provinces. Processing occurs primarily at facilities in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Jiangxi Provinces. Yttrium was produced from similar clay deposits in Burma (Myanmar).Description: A soft, silver-colored metal that has similar properties to the lanthanides and is classified with the rare earth elements; its abundance in the earth’s crust is ~ 21 mg/kg, making it the 28th most abundant crustal element. Yttrium occurs with most rare earths deposits.Uses: metallic alloy component; garnet crystals; LED phosphor for white and grey colors; optical and camera lenses; protective ceramic layers in jet engines; heat-resistant superalloys for jet engines; Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (YAG) and Yttrium-Iron-Garnet (YIG) laser crystalsUS imports: Yttrium oxide 670 mt (2021 est.). The US is 100% import reliant for its yttrium needs.Import sources (2017-20): Yttrium compounds: China, 97%; the Republic of Korea, 1%; Japan, 1%; and other, 1%. Nearly all imports of yttrium metal and compounds are derived from mineral concentrates produced in China.World Resources: Large resources of yttrium in monazite and xenotime are available worldwide in placer deposits, carbonatites, uranium ores, and weathered clay deposits (ion-adsorption ore). Additional resources of yttrium occur in apatite-magnetite-bearing rocks, deposits of niobium-tantalum minerals, non-placer monazite-bearing deposits, sedimentary phosphate deposits, and uranium ores. Global reserves of Yttrium oxide equivalent were estimated to be more than 500,000 metric tons. The leading countries for these reserves included Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, and India.Substitutes: Substitutes for yttrium are available for some applications but generally are much less effective. In most uses, especially in electronics, lasers, and phosphors, yttrium is generally not subject to substitution by other elements. As a stabilizer in zirconia ceramics, yttrium oxide may be substituted with calcium oxide or magnesium oxide, but the substitutes generally impart lower toughness.

20220901

references-terrorist-organizations

Topic: Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB)aka – AAB, Ziyad al-Jarrah Battalions of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades; Yusuf al-‘Uyayri Battalions of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades; Marwan Hadid Brigades; Marwan Hadid Brigade;  Abdullah Azzam Brigades in the Land of Al Shamhistory – assessed as disbanded; formed around 2005 as a Sunni jihadist group with ties to al-Qa’ida; formally announced its presence in a 2009 video statement while claiming responsibility for a rocket attack against Israel; in 2013, became involved in the Syrian War where it fought against Iranian-backed forces, particularly Hizballah; has been largely dormant over the past several years and in 2019 announced that it was disbandinggoals – rid the Middle East of Western influence, disrupt Israel's economy and its efforts to establish security, and erode Shia Muslim influence in Lebanonleadership and organization – Sirajeddin ZURAYQAT (var: Siraj al-Din Zreqat, Siraj al-Din Zuraiqat) was AAB's spiritual leader, spokesman, and commander; was divided into regionally based branches representing fighters in southern Lebanon (Ziyad al-Jarrah Battalions), the Gaza Strip (Marwan Hadid Brigade), and Syriaareas of operation – was based in Lebanon and operated chiefly in Lebanon; was also active in Gaza and Syria, but announced in November 2019 that its forces Syria were dissolvingtargets, tactics, and weapons – principal targets were Shia Muslims, the Shia terrorist group Hizballah, and Israel; was responsible for several car and suicide bombing attacks against Shia Muslims in Beirut, Lebanon; claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks against Israel and Lebanon; members were typically armed with small arms, light machine guns, grenades, rockets, and improvised explosive devicesstrength – was estimated to be down to a few dozen members prior to disbandingfinancial and other support – funding support is unknown but probably received donations from sympathizers and engaged in smuggling contraband, including weaponsdesignation - placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 30 May 2012 Topic: Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) aka – al-Harakat al Islamiyya (the Islamic Movement); al-Harakat-ul al-Islamiyah; Bearer of the Sword; Father of the Executioner; Father of the Swordsman; International Harakatu'l Al-Islamia; Lucky 9; Islamic State in the Philippines; Mujahideen Commando Freedom Fightershistory – formed in 1991 when it split from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; has carried out dozens of attacks in the Philippines; linked to al-Qa’ida in the 1990s and 2000s; in recent years, the group has focused on local violence and criminal activity, especially kidnap-for-ransom operations; some factions have declared allegiance to the Islamic State and have had a large role in the operations of ISIS-East Asia (ISIS-EA) in the Philippines, including the attack on Marawi City in 2017; ASG fighters affiliated with ISIS-EA were reportedly linked to suicide attacks in 2019 and 2020 in Jolo, Sulu province; the commander of an ASG faction, Hatib Hajan SAWADJAAN, was the acting leader of ISIS-EA until his reported death in mid-2020; continued to be active into 2022, despite considerable losses to counter-terrorism operations by Philippine security forces goals – establish an Islamic State in the southern Philippines and ultimately across Southeast Asialeadership and organization - leadership fragmented; loosely structured and family/clan/network-based; factions tend to coalesce around individual leaders; Sulu-based Radullan SAHIRON (aka Putol, Kahal Mohammad) reportedly became the leader in 2017; SAHIRON has not pledged allegiance to ISISareas of operation – the southern Philippines, especially Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi islands and their surrounding waters, as well as Mindanao; also has been active in Malaysiatargets, tactics, and weapons - targets military and security personnel, facilities, and checkpoints; also attacks civilian targets, such as churches, markets, and ferry boats; conducted the country’s deadliest terrorist attack when it bombed a ferry boat in Manila Bay in 2004, killing 116 people; known for kidnapping civilians, particularly foreigners, for ransom and has killed hostages when ransoms were not paid; tactics include car bombings, ambushes, complex assaults involving dozens of fighters, beheadings, and assassinations, as well as possible suicide bombings; has conducted acts of piracy in local waters; weapons include small arms, light and heavy machine guns, mortars, landmines, and improvised explosive devicesstrength – assessed in 2022 to have less than 200 armed fightersfinancial and other support – funded primarily through kidnapping-for-ransom operations and extortion; makes financial appeals on social media; may receive funding from external sources, including remittances from overseas Philippine workers and Middle East-based sympathizers; has received training and other assistance from other regional terrorist groups, such as Jemaah Islamiya; buys weapons and ammunition from corrupt local government officials or smuggles them in from nearby countries designation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 8 October 1997 Topic: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB) aka – al-Aqsa Martyrs Battalion; al-Aqsa Brigades; Martyr Yasser Arafat; Kata'ib Shuhada al-Aqsa; The Brigades; al-Aqsa Intifada Martyrs' Group; Martyrs of al-Aqsa Grouphistory – emerged at the outset of the second intifada in September 2000 as a loosely-organized armed wing of Yasser ARAFAT's Fatah faction in the West Bank; in 2002, some members splintered from Fatah while others remained loyal; the group carried out suicide attacks against Israeli targets between 2001-2007; most of the group’s leaders have been captured or killed by Israel; following an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) after the HAMAS takeover of Gaza in 2007, Israel pardoned some AAMB fighters in return for an agreement to disarm; after a trial period, those that disarmed were absorbed into PA security forces while those that refused were targeted by PA security forces; still others formed splinter groups such as the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades-Nidal al-Amoudi Division and the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza; some factions participated in operations against Israeli targets through the 2010s, including the “Stabbing Intifada” of 2015-16, as well as periodic rocket attacks in 2017-2018; claimed responsibility for an attack in 2022 by a gunman that killed 5 near Tel Avivgoals – drive the Israeli military and Israeli settlers from the West Bank and establish a Palestinian state loyal to Fatahleadership and organization – most of the group’s original leaders have been captured or killed by Israel; typically has operated under a decentralized power structure, with each cell/faction reporting to a local leader and mostly acting independently of each otherareas of operation –  Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank; has members in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanontargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily employed bombing and small-arms attacks against Israeli military personnel and settlers after the second intifada began in September 2000, but by 2002 had turned increasingly to attacks against civilians inside Israel, including the first female suicide bombing; since 2010, has launched numerous rocket attacks against Israeli communities; largest attack was in November 2012, when it fired more than 500 rockets into Israel during Israeli military operations in Gaza; fighters typically armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns, grenades, mortars, improvised explosive devices, and rocketsstrength – estimated in 2020 to have a few hundred membersfinancial and other support – Iran has provided AAMB with funds and guidance, mostly through Hizballah facilitators; has cooperated with other terrorist groups throughout its existence, including Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)designation –placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 27 March 2002 Topic: al-Ashtar Brigades (AAB)aka - Saraya al-Ashtar; the military arm of the al-Wafa Islamic movementhistory – is an Iranian-backed Shia militant group established in 2013 with the aim of overthrowing the ruling Sunni family in Bahrain; in 2018, formally adopted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps branding in its logo and flag and reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to Tehran; has not claimed any attacks in recent years, but reportedly still active through 2021goals – foment an insurgency against the ruling Sunni family of Bahrain and, ultimately, replace it with a Shia-based government; also seeks to expel US and other Western military forces from Bahrainleadership and organization – Qassim Abdullah Ali AHMED (aka Qassim al Muamen) is the Iran-based leader of AAB; operates in cellsareas of operation – located in Bahrain; also active in Iran and Iraqtargets, tactics, and weapons – targets local security forces in Bahrain and plotted to attack oil pipelines; also has promoted violence against the British, Saudi Arabian, and US governments; methods include shootings and bombings; equipped with small arms and explosives, including improvised explosive devicesstrength – not availablefunding and other support – receives funding, training, and weapons support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps; also receives training from the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah terrorist groupdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 11 July 2018 Topic: al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)aka – al-Mulathamun Brigade; al-Muwaqqi’un bil-Dima; Those Signed in Blood Battalion (or Brigade); Signatories in Blood; Those who Sign in Blood; Witnesses in Blood; Signed-in-Blood Battalion; Masked Men Brigade; Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade; al-Mulathamun Masked Ones Brigade; al-Murabitoun; The "Sentinels" or "Guardians"history – was part of al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) but split from AQIM in 2012 over leadership disputes; merged with the Mali-based Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa to form al-Murabitoun in August 2013; some members split from the group in mid-2015 and declared allegiance to the Islamic State, which acknowledged the pledge in October 2016, creating the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara; in late 2015, al-Mulathamun/al-Mourabitoun announced a re-merger with AQIM and in 2017, joined a coalition of al-Qa’ida-affiliated groups operating in the Sahel region known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); the group remained active in 2022 under the JNIM bannergoals – replace regional governments with an Islamic stateleadership and organization – unclear; Mokhtar BELMOKHTAR or Abderrahman al-SANHADJI (BELMOKHTAR has been declared killed several times since 2013); operations guided by a governing shura council but details on the sub-structure are not available areas of operation – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Nigertargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily targets Western interests in the Sahel but also regional military forces; known for high-profile attacks with small arms and explosives against civilian targets frequented or run by Westerners, including restaurants, hotels, mines, and energy facilities; in 2013, claimed responsibility for taking over 800 people hostage during a four-day siege at the Tiguentourine gas plant in southeastern Algeria, resulting in the deaths of 39 civilians; has claimed responsibility for suicide car bombings at military bases in Niger and Mali, including a suicide car bombing attack on a military camp in Gao, Mali, that killed at least 60 and wounded more than 100; has been involved in fighting against French military and local security forces in Mali; armed with small arms, machine guns, landmines, mortars, and improvised explosive devices strength – not available; dated information suggests a few hundredfinancial and other support – engages in kidnappings for ransom and smuggling activities; receives support through its connections to other terrorist organizations in the region; acquired weapons from Libya, battlefield captures, and seized stockpiles from local militariesdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 19 December 2013 Topic: al-Nusrah Front (ANF)/Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)aka – Jabhat al-Nusrah; Jabhet al-Nusrah; The Victory Front; al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant; al-Nusrah Front in Lebanon; Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad; Support Front for the People of the Levant; Jabhat Fath al-Sham; Jabhat Fath al Sham; Jabhat Fatah al-Sham; Jabhat Fateh al-Sham; Front for the Conquest of Syria; the Front for liberation of al Sham; Front for the Conquest of Syria/the Levant; Front for the Liberation of the Levant; Conquest of the Levant Front; Fatah al-Sham Front; Fateh al-Sham Front; Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham; Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham; HTS; Assembly for the Liberation of Syria; Assembly for Liberation of the Levant; Liberation of al-Sham Commission; Liberation of the Levant Organization; Tahrir al-Sham; Tahrir al-Sham Hay’athistory – formed circa late 2011 when former al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI) leader Abu Bakr al-BAGHDADI sent Syrian militant Abu Muhammad al-JAWLANI (var: al-GOLANI, al-JOLANI) to organize al-Qa'ida cells in Syria; split from AQI in early 2013 and became an independent entity; operated as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham briefly in 2016; in 2017, joined with four smaller Syrian Islamist factions (Harakat Nur al Din al Zenki, Liwa al Haqq, Ansar al Din, and Jaysh al Sunna) and created Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, "Assembly for the Liberation of the Levant") as a vehicle to advance its position in Syria; since 2017, additional groups and individuals have joined; as of 2022, HTS was the dominate militant group in northwest Syria and asserted considerable influence and control over the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Iblib de-escalation zone where it continued to defend against attacks from Syrian Government forces and its allies and consolidate its position; maintained a tense relationship with al-Qa'ida affiliate in Syria Hurras al-Din (HAD) and refused efforts to resolve differences; has reportedly detained or killed some HAD leaders; has openly clashed with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) and regularly detained ISIS members seeking to use Idlib as a safehavengoals – unify under its banner the various anti-ASAD jihadist groups operating in Syria and consolidate its control over the Idlib region; ultimately oust Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime and replace it with a Sunni Islamic stateleadership and organization – led by an overall commander (al-JAWLANI) assisted by a small consultative council (“majlis-ash-shura”); has branches for political, religious, military, financial, civilian services, media, and administrative affairs; operational structure varies from clandestine cells to paramilitary/semi-conventional military units organized as battalions and brigades; claims to have 10 brigades, each with the ability to operate independently with its own infantry, armor, supply, and fire support units; reportedly operates a commando unit known as the "Red Bands" or "Band of Deaths" that is responsible for conducting raids behind regime front linesareas of operation – headquartered in Syria's Idlib Province in the northwest, operationally active primarily in northwestern Syria after regime advances cleared opposition groups from other areas of the countrytargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily attacks Syrian Government and pro-regime forces (including Iranian-backed) and other Syrian insurgent groups, including ISIS, as well as some minorities and civilians; engages in conventional and guerrilla-style attacks using small arms and other light weapons, artillery, rockets, landmines, anti-tank missiles, armored combat vehicles, and surface-to-air missiles; also known for using terrorist tactics, including assassinations and suicide attacks incorporating car bombs and explosive vestsstrength – assessed in 2022 to have as many as 15,000 fightersfinancial and other support – derives funding from smuggling, extortion, taxes and fines on local populations and at border crossings it controls, and donations from external Gulf-based donors; taxes imposed on local populations include income, business, and services and utilities such as access to electricity, water, and bread; also raises funds through control of the import and distribution of fuel through a front company; has conducted kidnappings-for-ransom operations in the past; maintains training camps and provides some logistical support to like-minded groups; has also reportedly received military training from private foreign contractorsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 15 May 2014; on 31 May 2018, the Department of State amended the designation of al-Nusrah Front to include Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other aliases Topic: al-Qa'ida (AQ) aka – al-Qa’eda; al-Qaeda; Qa’idat al-Jihad (The Base for Jihad); formerly Qa’idat Ansar Allah (The Base of the Supporters of God); the Islamic Army; Islamic Salvation Foundation; The Base; The Group for the Preservation of the Holy Sites; The Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places; the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders; the Usama Bin Ladin Network; the Usama Bin Ladin Organization; al-Jihad; the Jihad Group; Egyptian al-Jihad; Egyptian Islamic Jihad; New Jihadhistory – formed under Usama BIN LADIN (UBL) circa 1988 and now one of the largest and longest-operating jihadist organizations in the world; helped finance, recruit, transport, and train fighters for the Afghan resistance against the former Soviet Union in the 1980s; in the 1990s, was based in Sudan and then Afghanistan, where it planned and staged attacks; merged with al-Jihad (Egyptian Islamic Jihad) in June 2001; developed a reputation for carrying out large-scale, mass casualty attacks against civilians; has lost dozens of mid- and senior-level operatives to counterterrorism efforts, including UBL in May 2011, which has disrupted operations but the group continues to recruit, plan, inspire, and conduct attacks; has established affiliated organizations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and its contemporary strength is primarily in these affiliates; tied to the Taliban in Afghanistan and remained active there into 2022goals – eject Western influence from the Islamic world, unite the worldwide Muslim community, overthrow governments perceived as un-Islamic, and ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia; direct, enable, and inspire individuals to conduct attacks, recruit, disseminate propaganda, and raise funds on behalf of the group around the world; destabilize local economies and governments by attacking security services, government targets, and civilian targets; maintain its traditional safe haven in Afghanistan; establish and maintain additional safehavens elsewhereleadership and organization – not available; Egyptian Ayman al-ZAWAHIRI, who was selected to lead following UBL's death, was killed in 2022; has a leadership council (“majlis al-shura”); al-Qa’ida reportedly maintains branches for military, political, religious, financial, and media affairs; affiliates have separate emirs (leaders) and organizational structures that vary by regionareas of operation – based in Afghanistan; employs an affiliate or proxy model, which includes al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen), al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (North Africa and the Sahel), Hurras al-Din (Syria), al-Shabaab (Somalia), and al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan); has supporters, sympathizers, and associates worldwide, including in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America; maintains a strong online presence and individuals inspired by AQ’s ideology may conduct operations without direction from its central leadership; opportunistically enters (or secures the allegiance of participants in) local conflictstargets, tactics, and weapons – considers its enemies to be Shia Muslims, US and Western interests, so-called "apostate" governments (such as Saudi Arabia) perceived to be supporting the US and the West, and the Islamic State; leader ZAWAHIRI has encouraged followers to attack European (particularly British and French), Israeli, NATO, Russian, and US targets, specifically military bases and forces; targets have included embassies, restaurants, hotels, airplanes, trains, and tourists sites; employs a combination of guerrilla warfare hit-and-run and terrorist tactics against security and military forces; known for use of suicide bombers, car bombs, explosive-laden boats, and airplanes; conducted the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US, which involved 19 operatives hijacking and crashing four US commercial jets—two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and the last into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania—killing nearly 3,000 peoplestrength – as of 2022, it was estimated to have several hundred operatives in Afghanistan; the organization remained a focal point of inspiration for a worldwide network of affiliated groups and other sympathetic terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic Jihad Union, Lashkar i Jhangvi, Harakat ul-Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistanfinancial and other support –primarily depends on donations from like-minded supporters and from individuals, primarily in the Gulf States; uses social media platforms to solicit donations and has been channeled funds through cyberfinancing campaigns; has received some funds from kidnapping for ransom operations; historically has acquired money from Islamic charitable organizations; also recruits followers through social mediadesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 8 October 1999 note - has some ideological and tactical similarities with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) and the groups typically operate in the same conflict zones, but the relationship is mostly adversarial, and they compete for resources and recruits, and often clash militarily  Topic: al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) aka – al-Qa’ida in the South Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida in Yemen; al-Qa’ida of Jihad Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; Tanzim Qa’idat al-Jihad fi Jazirat al-Arab; AQY; Ansar al-Shari’a; Sons of Abyan; Sons of Hadramawt; Sons of Hadramawt Committee; Civil Council of Hadramawt; National Hadramawt Councilhistory – formed in January 2009 when the now-deceased leader of al-Qa’ida (AQ) in Yemen, Nasir AL-WAHISHI, publicly announced that Yemeni and Saudi al-Qa’ida operatives were working together under the banner of AQAP; the announcement signaled the rebirth of an AQ franchise that previously carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia; beginning in 2014-2015, AQAP was able to take advantage of Yemen’s civil war and expand operations in the country, controlling a large portion of the southern part of the Yemen by 2016"; after 2017, the group began losing territory and fighters, as well as leaders, to internal dissensions, desertions to ISIS, and casualties from Yemeni and international military operations and fighting with ISIS and the Huthis; however, in 2022 the group continued to occupy territory, conduct attacks, and pose a significant threat in Yemengoals – establish a caliphate and a government/society based on sharia in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Middle East; support the broader goals of AQ’s central leadershipleadership and organization – led by Khalid bin Umar BATARFI (aka Abu Miqdad al-Kindi); has a leadership council (“majlis al-shura”) comprised of lieutenant commanders who are responsible for overall political direction and military operations; organized in branches or wings for military operations, political, propaganda (recruitment), and religious issues (for justifying attacks from a theological perspective while offering spiritual guidance)areas of operation – most active in southern and central Yemen; probably has a limited presence in Saudi Arabiatargets, tactics, and weapons – chiefly targets Security Belt Forces and other groups affiliated with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the Shabwa and Abyan governorates, as well as the Huthis in the Bayda governorate; also targets Yemeni Government officials, oil facilities, merchant ships, and Shia Muslims; has targeted Western interests, including embassies, diplomats, business people, tourists, and airliners; has waged open warfare with Islamic State elements in Yemen since 2018; employs guerrilla-style and terrorist tactics, including ambushes, complex assaults, assassinations, snipers, bombings, and suicide attacks; equipped with small arms, machine guns, artillery, rockets, landmines, anti-tank missiles, armored combat vehicles, man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs), and improvised explosive devices, including car bombs, road side bombs, and suicide vestsstrength – estimated 2-3,000 in 2022, down from as many as 6-7,000 in 2018financial and other support – receives funding from theft, robberies, oil and gas revenue, kidnapping-for-ransom operations, and donations from like-minded supporters; for nearly a year after seizing the city of Mukallah in April 2015, had access millions of dollars from port fees and funds stolen from the central bank; many of its weapons have been seized from the Yemeni military; recruits through social media, print, and digital meansdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 19 January 2010 Topic: al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) aka – al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent; Qaedat al-Jihad in the Indian Subcontinent, Qaedat al-Jihad, Jamaat Qaidat al-Jihad fi'shibhi al-Qarrat al-Hindiya,history – al-Qa'ida leader Dr. Ayman al-ZAWAHIRI announced AQIS's inception in a video address in September 2014; the group claimed responsibility for a September 2014 attack on a naval dockyard in Karachi in an attempt to seize a Pakistani warship; since the assault, the group has conducted a limited number of small attacks on civilians, but has not publicly claimed any attacks since 2017, although some members fought in Afghanistan with the Taliban; suffered some losses to counter-terrorism operations in 2020-2022; in September and October 2021, the group released two propaganda videos specifically targeting India and Kashmir, and in mid-2022 threatened to conduct suicide bombings in several Indian cities; has strong ties to Lashkare Tayyiba (LeT) and a rivalry with the Islamic State's Khorasan branch goals – establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent; support the broader goals of al-Qai’da’s central leadershipleadership and organization – reportedly Usama MAHMOOD (alt. Osama MEHMOOD); has a shura council, which, like other AQ affiliates, probably includes subordinates and branches/wings for military, religious, propaganda, and political matters; reportedly has regional branches for Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan; Ansar al-Islam in Bangladesh has claimed to be the official wing of AQIS in Bangladeshareas of operation – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and possibly Burmatargets, tactics, and weapons – military and security personnel, political parties, foreigners, foreign aid workers, university professors, students, and secular bloggers; has used small arms and improvised explosive devices, as well as crude weapons such as machetes; claimed responsibility for the 2016 machete murders of two editors of a human rights magazine in Dhaka, Bangladeshmembership – estimated in 2022 to have up to 400 fightersfinancial and other support – likely receives financial and material support from AQ senior leadership; also engages in kidnapping-for-ransom, extortion, and general criminal activity to raise fundsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 1 July 2016 Topic: al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) aka – GSPC; Le Groupe Salafiste Pour la Predication et le Combat; Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat; Salafist Group for Call and Combat; Tanzim al-Qa’ida fi Bilad alMaghrib al-Islamiyahistory – formed in 1998 in Algeria under Hassan HATTAB, when he split from the Armed Islamic Group; was known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) until rebranding itself as AQIM in September 2006; has since undergone various schisms and rapprochements; in 2011, a Mauritanian-led group broke away, calling itself the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA); in 2012, the Veiled Men Battalion split off and rebranded itself the al-Mulathamun Battalion; al-Mulathamun and MUJWA merged to form al-Mourabitoun in 2013; in late 2015, AQIM reincorporated al-Murabitoun and in 2017, the Mali Branch of AQIM and al-Murabitoun joined the Mali-based al-Qa’ida coalition Jama‘at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); continued to be active in 2022 despite heavy pressure from regional and international counterterrorism operations, particularly in using North Africa as a support zone for assisting JNIM operations in Mali and the Sahel, including operating transnational financial networks to move and share fundsgoals – overthrow “apostate” African regimes and establish a regional Islamic state across all of North and West Africa; support the broader goals of al-Qai’da’s central leadershipleadership and organization – Abu Obaida al-ANNABI (aka Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi, Yazid Mubarak); has a 14-member shura council comprised of regional commanders and the heads of the political, military, judicial, and media committees; locally organized into "battalions" and "brigades," which range in size from a few dozen to several hundred fighters at any given timeareas of operation – based in northeastern Algeria, but reportedly shifting more towards the Sahel because of Algerian counterterrorism pressure; operates in northern Mali, southwest Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’Ivoiretargets, tactics, and weapons – local and international military and security forces using both terrorist and guerrilla warfare tactics; employs improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, as well as light weapons, machine guns, mortars, rockets, and landmines; also attacks “soft” civilian targets such as hotels, resorts, and restaurants that cater to Westerners and tourists with small arms, explosives, and suicide bombers; known for assassinations and kidnappingsstrength – estimated in 2020 to have 500-1,000 fightersfinancial and other support – engages in kidnappings-for-ransom and other criminal activities, particularly extorting drug trafficking groups and others; arms largely acquired from Libyan stockpiles, battlefield captures, or via illicit regional arms marketsdesignation – GSPC was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on 27 March 2002; the Department of State amended the GSPC designation on 20 February 2008, after the GSPC officially joined with al-Qa’ida in September 2006 and became AQIM Topic: al-Shabaab (AS)aka – the Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin (HSM); al-Shabab; Shabaab; the Youth; Mujahidin al-Shabaab Movement; Mujahideen Youth Movement; Mujahidin Youth Movement; al-Hijra, Al Hijra, Muslim Youth Center, MYC, Pumwani Muslim Youth, Pumwani Islamist Muslim Youth Centerhistory – descended from Al-Ittihad Al-Islami, a Somali terrorist group whose leaders fought in Afghanistan in the 1990s and formed circa 2003; operates as a core al-Qa'ida affiliate; was the militant wing of the former Somali Islamic Courts Council that took over parts of Somalia in 2006; since the end of 2006, has engaged in an insurgency against the transitional governments of Somalia and supporting foreign military forces and a campaign of violence against Somali civilians; responsible for numerous high-profile bombings and shootings throughout Somalia, and more than 3,000 civilian deaths since 2015; has influence in large areas of rural Somalia through coercion, control over local economies and commercial transit points; provides rudimentary government services in areas under its control, including rule of law through sharia courts, sharia-based institutions and schools, funding, services, security, and food; in 2019, was involved in more than 1,000 violent incidents in Somalia and eastern Kenya; continued to conduct widespread attacks through 2021 and into 2022, particularly in central and southern Somalia and the capital Mogadishu; in July 2022, it launched an incursion into Ethiopia with several hundred fightersgoals – discredit and destabilize the Federal Government of Somalia and establish Islamic rule in Somalia and Kenya's border regions; drive out Western influenceleadership and organization – led by Ahmad DIRIYE (aka Abu UBEYDAH/UBAIDAH, Abu Ubaidah DIREYE, Ahmad UMAR) since September 2014; structure is both hierarchical and decentralized and influenced by Somalia’s many clans; DIRIYE directs a shura council made up of multiple committees and ministries, including for finance, media, and military/security operations, as well as regional commanders; military operations reportedly includes 2 sub-branches, one for external operations, and one that enforces sharia in areas under the group's control; the shura council oversees regional commanders, although regional commanders can make decisions and take actions without the approval of the emir or the council; each regional division has military and administrative wingsareas of operation – controls a large swathe of the Lower and Middle Juba regions, as well as the Bakol, Bay, Benaadir, Gedo, and Shabelle regions; also maintains a presence in northern Somalia along the Golis Mountains and within Puntland’s urban areas; has conducted attacks in Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda; especially active in the region of Kenya adjacent to Somalia; has also mounted armed incursions into Ethiopia in 2022 and 2007 (planned attacks inside Ethiopia were reportedly disrupted in 2013 and 2014) targets, tactics, and weapons – Somali Government officials, military units, police, and civilians, international aid workers, journalists, foreign troops (including US), and neighboring countries contributing to military stabilization operations in Somalia, particularly Kenya and Uganda; has attacked hotels, schools, military bases, police stations, shopping areas, and telecommunications towers in Kenya; has clashed with an Islamic State faction operating in northern Somalia; methods include assassinations, drive-by shootings, guerrilla style ambushes, suicide bombings, hostage taking, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and roadside IEDs; typical attacks consist of a single or multiple suicide bombers, followed by an assault by members carrying small arms and explosives; in March 2022, for example, it conducted a complex ground assault involving multiple vehicle-mounted bombs and hundreds of militants on an international military peacekeeper base that killed more than 50 troops; in March 2019, operatives attacked a hotel in Mogadishu using a suicide bomber and small arms, killing at least 20; has placed truck-mounted bombs in high-density urban areas, including attacks in Mogadishu in December 2019 and October 2017 that together killed approximately 600 civilians; employs insurgent-type tactics against Somali and international military forces, including ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, improvised explosive device operations, land mines, mortar attacks, and targeted killings; typically armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns (including truck-mounted machine guns), mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and man-portable air defense systemsstrength – estimated in 2022 to have 7,000 to 12,000 fightersfinancial and other support – obtains funds primarily through extortion of businesses, taxation, and zakat (religious donations) collections from the local populations, robbery, and remittances and other money transfers from the Somali diaspora (although these funds are not always intended to support al-Shabaab members); probably receives training, arms, and bomb-making materials from other al-Qa’ida branches; operates military training camps in areas it occupies; has captured arms, ammunition, and other materiel from regional and Somali military forces; also purchases arms and ammunition through black marketsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 18 March 2008 Topic: Ansar al-Dine (AAD) aka – Ansar Dine; Ansar al-Din; Ancar Dine; Ansar ul-Din; Ansar Eddine; Defenders of the Faithhistory – created in late 2011; was among the terrorist groups (including al-Qa’ida) to take over northern Mali following the March 2012 coup that toppled the Malian government; proceeded to destroy UNESCO World Heritage sites and enforce a severe interpretation of Islam upon the civilian population living in the areas under their control; beginning in 2013, French and African military forces forced AAD and its allies out of the population centers they had seized, severely weakening AAD, although the group made a comeback in 2015 and 2016; in 2017, joined Jama'ah Nusrah al-Islam wal-Muslimin (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked groups in Mali that formed the same year; continued to conduct attacks under the JNIM banner into 2022goals – replace the Malian government with an Islamic stateleadership and organization – led by its founder Iyad Ag GHALI (aka Abu al-FADEL), who also leads JNIM; reportedly has regionally based branchesareas of operation – operates mostly in central and northern Malitargets, tactics, and weapons – targets Malian military and security forces, French and French coalition troops, and UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) personnel; uses a mix of guerrilla warfare hit-and-run and terrorist tactics, including ambushes, complex ground assaults involving dozens of fighters, road side bombs, rocket attacks, assassinations, kidnappings, and car and suicide bombings; fighters are armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, landmines, mortars, rockets, trucks mounting machine guns (aka “technicals”), and explosives, including improvised explosive devicesstrength – not availablefinancial and other support – cooperates with and has received support from al-Qa’ida since its inception; also reportedly receives funds from foreign donors and through smuggling; many of its arms were captured from the Malian Army or taken from Libyan military stockpiles; takes advantage of trans-Saharan smuggling routes to resupply from illicit markets in Libya and elsewhere in the regiondesignation - placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 22 March 2013

20220901

field-legislative-branch

This entry has three subfields. The description subfield provides the legislative structure (unicameral – single house; bicameral – an upper and a lower house); formal name(s); number of member seats; types of constituencies or voting districts (single seat, multi-seat, nationwide); electoral voting system(s); and member term of office. The elections subfield includes the dates of the last election and next election. The election results subfield lists percent of vote by party/coalition and number of seats by party/coalition in the last election (in bicameral legislatures, upper house results are listed first). In general, parties with less than four seats and less than 4 percent of the vote are aggregated and listed as "other," and non-party-affiliated seats are listed as "independent." Also, the entries for some countries include two sets of percent of vote by party and seats by party; the former reflects results following a formal election announcement, and the latter – following a mid-term or byelection – reflects changes in a legislature’s political party composition. Of the approximately 240 countries with legislative bodies, approximately two-thirds are unicameral, and the remainder, bicameral. The selection of legislative members is typically governed by a country's constitution and/or its electoral laws. In general, members are either directly elected by a country's eligible voters using a defined electoral system; indirectly elected or selected by its province, state, or department legislatures; or appointed by the country's executive body. Legislative members in many countries are selected both directly and indirectly, and the electoral laws of some countries reserve seats for women and various ethnic and minority groups. Worldwide, the two predominant direct voting systems are plurality/majority and proportional representation. The most common of the several plurality/majority systems is simple majority vote, or first-past-the-post, in which the candidate receiving the most votes is elected. Countries' legislatures such as Bangladesh's Parliament, Malaysia's House of Representatives, and the United Kingdom's House of Commons use this system. Another common plurality/majority system – absolute majority or two-round – requires that candidates win at least 50 percent of the votes to be elected. If none of the candidates meets that vote threshold in the initial election, a second poll or"runoff" is held soon after for the two top vote getters, and the candidate receiving a simple vote majority is declared the winner. Examples of the two-round system are Haiti's Chamber of Deputies, Mali's National Assembly, and Uzbekistan's Legislative Chamber. Other plurality/majority voting systems, referred to as preferential voting and generally used in multi-seat constituencies, are block vote and single non-transferable vote, in which voters cast their ballots by ranking their candidate preferences from highest to lowest. Proportional representation electoral systems – in contrast to plurality/majority systems – generally award legislative seats to political parties in approximate proportion to the number of votes each receives. For example, in a 100-member legislature, if Party A receives 50 percent of the total vote, Party B, 30 percent, and Party C, 20 percent, then Party A would be awarded 50 seats, Party B 30 seats, and Party C 20 seats. There are various forms of proportional representation and the degree of reaching proportionality varies. Some forms of proportional representation are focused solely on achieving the proportional representation of different political parties and voters cast ballots only for political parties, whereas in other forms, voters cast ballots for individual candidates within a political party. Many countries - both unicameral and bicameral - use a mix of electoral methods, in which a portion of legislative seats are awarded using one system, such as plurality/majority, while the remaining seats are awarded by another system, such as proportional representation. Many countries with bicameral legislatures use different voting systems for the two chambers. Topic: Afghanistandescription: before 15 August, 2021, Afghanistan had a bicameral National Assembly that consisted of a House of Elders and a House of People; since August 15, the Taliban’s so-called “interim government” has not purported to announce the formation of a legislative branch Topic: Albaniadescription: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) Topic: Algeriadescription: bicameral Parliament or Barlaman consists of: Council of the Nation or Majlis al-Umma (174 seats; two-thirds of members indirectly elected by simple majority vote by an electoral college composed of local assemblies within each wilaya, and one-third of members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National People's Assembly or al-Majlis al-Sha'abi al-Watani (407 seats including 8 seats for Algerian diaspora); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms); note - in March 2021, President TEBBOUNE ordered the number of Assembly seats be reduced to 407 from 462 elections: Council of the Nation - last held on 5 February 2022 (next election NA) National People's Assembly - snap election held on 12 June 2021 (next to be held on 12 June 2026) election results: Council of the Nation - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 54, RND 22, Future Front 7, National Construction Movement 5, FFS 4, other 6, independent 18, appointed 58; composition NA National People's Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FLN 98, MSP 65, RND 58, (Future Front) 48, Movement of National Construction 39, other 15, independent 84; composition - men 374, women 33, percent of women 8.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 7.3% Topic: American Samoadescription: bicameral Legislature or Fono consists of: Senate (18 seats; members indirectly selected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members directly elected by simple majority vote and 1 decided by public meeting on Swains Island; members serve 2-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 18; composition - men 17, women 1; percent of women 5.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 20, women 1; percent of women 4.8%; note total Legislature percent of women 5.1% 5 note: American Samoa elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022); Amata Coleman RADEWAGEN elected delegate; Amata Coleman RADEWAGEN (Republican Party) 83.5%, Oreta CHRICHTON (Democratic Party) 14.4%, Meleagi SUITONU-CHAPMAN (Democratic Party) 2.1% Topic: Andorradescription: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de les Valls (a minimum of 28 seats; 14 members directly elected in two-seat constituencies (7 parishes) by simple majority vote and 14 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - voters cast two separate ballots - one for a national list and one for a parish list elections: last held on 7 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - DA 35.1%, PS 30.6%, L'A 12.5%, Third Way/Lauredian Union 10.4%, other 22.4%; seats by party - DA 11, PS 7, L'A 4, Third Way/Lauredian Union 4, other 2; composition - men 15, women 13, percent of women 46.4% Topic: Angoladescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members directly elected in a single national constituency and in multi-seat constituencies by closed list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 23 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 61.1%, UNITA 26.7%, CASA-CE 9.5%, PRS 1.4%, FNLA 0.9%, other 0.5%; seats by party - MPLA 150, UNITA 51, CASA-CE 16, PRS 2, FNLA 1; composition - men 155, women 65, percent of women 29.5% Topic: Anguilladescription: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 29 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APM 7, AUF 4; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3% Topic: Antigua and Barbudadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) House of Representatives (18 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointed on 26 March 2018 (next NA) House of Representatives - last held on 21 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: Senate -  composition - men 8, women 9, percent of women 52.9% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - ABLP 59.4%, UPP 37.2%, BPM 1.4%, other 1.9% ; seats by party - ABLP 15, UPP 1, BPM 1; composition - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31.4% Topic: Argentinadescription: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (72 seats; members directly elected on a provincial basis with 2 seats awarded to the party with the most votes and 1 seat to the party with the second highest number of votes; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies or Cámara de Diputados (257 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years) elections: Senate - last held on 14 November 2021 (next to be held 29 October 2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 14 November 2021 (next to be held 29 October 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FdT 35, JxC 33, other 4; composition (as of February 2022) men 41, women 31, percent of women 43.1% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FdT 118, JxC 116, FIT-U 4, other: 19; composition (as of February 2022) - men 142, women 115, percent of women 44.7%; note - total National Congress percent of women 44.4% Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FdT 35, JxC 33, other 4; composition (as of February 2022) men 41, women 31, percent of women 43.1%Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FdT 118, JxC 116, FIT-U 4, other: 19; composition (as of February 2022) - men 142, women 115, percent of women 44.7%; note - total National Congress percent of women 44.4% Topic: Armeniadescription: unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (minimum 101 seats, with additional seats allocated as necessary and generally changing with each parliamentary convocation; current - 107; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms; four mandates are reserved for national minorities; no more than 70% of the top membership of a party list can belong to the same sex; political parties must meet a 5% threshold and alliances a 7% threshold to win seats; at least three parties must be seated in the parliament) elections: last held early on 20 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - Civil Contract 53.9%, Armenia Alliance 21.0%, I Have Honour Alliance 5.2%; seats by party - Civil Contract 71 of 107 seats, Armenia Alliance 29, I Have Honour Alliance 7; composition (as of February 2022) - men 69, women 38, percent of women 35.5% Topic: Arubadescription: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2025) election results: percent of vote by party MEP 35.3%, AVP 31.3%, ROOTS 9.4%, MAS 8%, Accion21 5.8%; seats by party - MEP 9, AVP 7, ROOTS 2, MAS 2, Accion21 1; composition - men 13, women 8, percent of women 38.1% Topic: Australiadescription: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of: Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) House of Representatives (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years) elections: Senate - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held on May 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held on May 2025) election results: Senate (initial results) - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National coalition 32.13%, ALP 29.81%, The Greens 13.85%, One Nation 4.38%, Lambie Network .26%; seats by party - Liberal/National coalition 29, ALP 21, The Greens 9, One Nation 1, Lambie Network 1, undecided 14 House of Representatives (initial results) - percent of vote by party - ALP 32.83%, Liberal/National coalition 35.77%, The Greens 11.85%, Katter's Australian Party 0.4%, Centre Alliance 0.24%, independents 5.52%; seats by party - ALP 76, Liberal/National Coalition 57, The Greens 4, Katter's Australian Party 1, Centre Alliance 1, independent 10, undecided 2 Topic: Austriadescription: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of: Federal Council or Bundesrat (61 seats; members appointed by state parliaments with each state receiving 3 to 12 seats in proportion to its population; members serve 5- or 6-year terms) National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Federal Council - last appointed in 2021 National Council - last held on 29 September 2019 (next to be held in 2024); note - election was originally scheduled for 2022, but President VAN DER BELLEN called for an early election election results: Federal Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition (as of March 2022) - men 36, women 25, percent of women 41%  National Council - percent of vote by party - OeVP 37.5%, SPOe 21.2%, FPOe 16.2%, The Greens 13.9%, NEOS 8.1%, other 3.1%; seats by party - OeVP 71, SPOe 40, FPOe 31, The Greens 26,  NEOS 15; composition (as of March 2022) - men 107, women 76, percent of women 41.5%; note - total Federal Assembly percent of women 41.4% Topic: Azerbaijandescription: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held early on 9 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - YAP 69, CSP 3, AVP 1, CUP 1, ADMP 1, PDR 1, Great Order 1, National Front Party 1, REAL 1, VP 1, Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front 1, party unknown 1, independent 41; composition - men 103, women 22, percent of women 17.6% Topic: Bahamas, Thedescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 9 selected on the advice of the prime minister, 4 on the advice of  the leader of the opposition party, and 3 on the advice of the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 24 May 2017 (next appointments in 2022) House of Assembly - last held on 16 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2026) election results: Senate - appointed; composition as of March 2022 - men 12, women 4, percent of women 25% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, FNM 36.2%; seats by party - PLP 32, FNM 7; composition as of March 2022 - men 32, women 7, percent of women 18%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20% note: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time Topic: Bahraindescription: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (40 seats; members appointed by the king) Council of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (40 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year renewable terms) elections: Consultative Council - last appointments on 12 December 2018 (next NA) Council of Representatives - first round for 9 members held on 24 November 2018; second round for remaining 31 members held on 1 December 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: Consultative Council - composition - men 31, women 9, percent of women 22.5% Council of Representatives (for 2018 election)  - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Islamic Al-Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar al-Taqadumi (Communist) 2, National Unity Gathering (Sunni progovernment) 1, National Islamic Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 1, independent 33; composition - men 34, women 6, percent of women 15%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 19% Topic: Bangladeshdescription: unicameral House of the Nation or Jatiya Sangsad (350 seats; 300 members in single-seat territorial constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote; 50 members - reserved for women only - indirectly elected by the elected members by proportional representation vote using single transferable vote; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 30 December 2018 (next to be held in December 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of February 2022 - AL 299, JP 27, BNP 7, other 10, independent 4; composition - men 277, women 73, percent of women 20.9% Topic: Barbadosdescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (21 seats - 18 for current term; members appointed by the president - 12 on the advice of the prime minister, 2 on the advice of the opposition leader, and 7 at the discretion of the president) House of Assembly (30 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 4 February 2022 (next appointments in February 2027) House of Assembly - last held on 19 January 2022 (next to be held in January 2027) election results: Senate - appointed; composition as of March 2022- men 10, women 8, percent of women 44.4% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - BLP 69%, DLP 26.5%, other 4.5%; seats by party - BLP 30; composition as of March 2022 - men 22, women 8, percent of women 26.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 33.3% note: tradition dictates that the election is held within 5 years of the last election, but constitutionally it is 5 years from the first seating of Parliament plus a 90-day grace period Topic: Belarusdescription: bicameral National Assembly or Natsyyalny Skhod consists of: Council of the Republic or Savet Respubliki (64 seats; 56 members indirectly elected by regional and Minsk city councils and 8 members appointed by the president; members serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives or Palata Pradstawnikow (110 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Council of the Republic - indirect election last held on 7 November 2019 House of Representatives - last held on 17 November 2019 (next to be held in 2023); OSCE observers determined that the election was neither free nor impartial and that vote counting was problematic in a number of polling stations; pro-LUKASHENKA candidates won every seat; international observers determined that the previous elections, on 28 September 2008, 23 September 2012, and 11 September 2016 also fell short of democratic standards, with pro-LUKASHENKA candidates winning every, or virtually every, seat election results: Council of the Republic - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KPB 11, Republican Party of Labor and Justice 6, Belarusian Patriotic Party 2, LDP 1, AP 1, independent 89; composition - men 66, women 44, percent of women 40% note: the US does not recognize the legitimacy of the National Assembly Topic: Belgiumdescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senaat (in Dutch), Senat (in French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election results, and 10 elected by the 50 other senators; members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (in Dutch), Chambre des Representants (in French) (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) Chamber of Representatives - last held on 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024); note - elections coincided with the EU elections election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition as of March 2022 - men 31, women 29, percent of women 48.3% Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - N-VA 16.0%, VB 11.9%, PS 9.5%, CD&V 8.9%, PVDA+/PTB 8.62%, Open VLD 8.5%, MR 7.6%, SP.A 6.7%, Ecolo 6.1%, Groen 6.1%, CDH 3.7%, Defi 2.2%, PP 1.1%, other 20.1%; seats by party - N-VA 25, VB 18, PS 20, CD&V 12, PVDA+PTB 12, Open VLD 12, MR 14, SP.A 9, Ecolo 13, Groen 8, CDH 5, Defi 2; composition as of March 2022 - men 87, women 63, percent of women 42%; note - overall Parliament percent of women 43.8% note: the 1993 constitutional revision that further devolved Belgium into a federal state created three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; changes above occurred since the sixth state reformSenate - last held 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) Topic: Belizedescription: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (14 seats, including the president); members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, non-governmental organizations in good standing, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year terms House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate -  last appointed 11 November 2020 (next appointments in November 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 11 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: Senate - all members appointed; composition as of March 2022 - composition - men 9, women 5, percent of women 35.7% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PUP 59.6%, UDP 38.8%, other 1.6%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 5; composition as of March 2022 -  men 27, women 4, percent of women 12.9%; note - total percent of women in the National Assembly 20%   Topic: Benindescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats - current 81; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 28 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Progressiste 56.2%, Bloc Republicain 43.8%; seats by party - Union Progressiste 47, Bloc Republicain 36; composition as of February 2022) - men 75, women 6, percent of women 7.4% Topic: Bermudadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (11 seats; 3 members appointed by the governor, 5 by the premier, and 3 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) and the House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms) House of Assembly (36 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve up to 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments in August 2017 (next appointments in 2022) House of Assembly - last held on 1 October 2020 (next to be held not later than 2025) election results: Senate - composition as of March 2022 - men 5, women 6, percent of women 54.5% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 62.1%, OBA 32.3%, other 5.4%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - PLP 30, OBA 6; composition as of March 2022 - men 28, women 8, percent of women 22.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women as of March 2022 - 29.8% Topic: Bhutandescription: bicameral Parliament or Chi Tshog consists of: non-partisan National Council or Gyelyong Tshogde (25 seats; 20 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 members appointed by the king; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly or Tshogdu (47 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies in a two-round majoritarian voting system; members serve 5-year terms) elections: National Council election last held on 20 April 2018 (next to be held in 2023) National Assembly - first round held on 15 September 2018 and second round held on 18 October 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: National Council - seats by party - independent 20 (all candidates ran as independents); composition - men 23, women 2, percent of women 8% National Assembly - first round - percent of vote by party - DNT 31.9%, DPT 30.9%, PDP 27.4%, BKP 9.8%; second round - percent of vote by party -  NA; seats by party - DNT 30, DPT 17; composition - men 40, women 7, percent of women 14.9%; note - total Parliament percent of women 12.5% Topic: Boliviadescription: bicameral Plurinational Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa Plurinacional consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (36 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (130 seats; 70 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 53 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, and 7 (apportioned to non-contiguous, rural areas in 7 of the 9 states) directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in 2025) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 18 October 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 21, ACC 11, Creemos 4; composition as of March 2022 - men 16, women 20, percent of women 55.6% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MAS 75, ACC 39, Creemos 16; composition as of March 2022 - men 70, women 60, percent of women 46.2%; note - total Plurinational Legislative Assembly percent of women as of March 2022 - 48.2% Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinadescription: bicameral Parliamentary Assembly or Skupstina consists of: House of Peoples or Dom Naroda (15 seats - 5 Bosniak, 5 Croat, 5 Serb; members designated by the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina's House of Peoples and the Republika Srpska's National Assembly to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives or Predstavnicki Dom (42 seats to include 28 seats allocated to the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and 14 to the Republika Srpska; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has a bicameral legislature that consists of the House of Peoples (58 seats - 17 Bosniak, 17 Croat, 17 Serb, 7 other) and the House of Representatives (98 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms); Republika Srpska's unicameral legislature is the National Assembly (83 directly elected delegates serve 4-year terms) elections: House of Peoples - last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held on 2 October 2022) House of Representatives - last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held on 2 October 2022) election results: House of Peoples - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - NA; composition - men 12, women 3, percent of women 20% House of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - SDA 17%, SNSD 16%, SDS/NDP/NS/SRS-VS 9.8%, SDP 9.1%, HDZ-BiH/HSS/HKDU/HSP-AS BiH/HDU BiH 9.1%, DF, 5.8%, PDP 5.1%, DNS 4.2%, SBB BiH 4.2%, NS/HC 2.9%, NB 2.5%, PDA 2.3%, SP 1.9%, A-SDA 1.8%, other 17.4%; seats by coalition/party - SDA 9, SNSD 6, SDP 5, HDZ-BiH/HSS/HKDU/HSP-AS BiH/HDU BiH 5, SDS/NDP/NS/SRS-VS 3, DF 3, PDP 2, SBB BiH 2, NS/HC 2, DNS 1, NB 1 PDA 1, SP 1, A-SDA 1; composition - men 31, women 11, percent of women 26.2%; note - total Parliamentary Assembly percent of women 24.6% Topic: Botswanadescription: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments elections: last held on 23 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 52.7%, UDC 35.9%, BPF 4.4%, AP 5.1%, other 1.7%; seats by party - BDP 38, UDC 15, BPF 3, AP 1; composition as of February 2022 - men 56, women 7, percent of women 11.1% Topic: Brazildescription: bicameral National Congress or Congresso Nacional consists of: Federal Senate or Senado Federal (81 seats; 3 members each from 26 states and 3 from the federal district directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 8-year terms, with one-third and two-thirds of the membership elected alternately every 4 years) Chamber of Deputies or Camara dos Deputados (513 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Federal Senate - last held on 7 October 2018 for two-thirds of the Senate (next to be held on 2 October 2022 for one-third of the Senate) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held on 2 October 2022) election results: Federal Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PMDB 7, PP 5, REDE 5, DEM 4, PSDB 4, PSDC 4, PSL 4, PT 4, PDT 2, PHS 2, PPS 2, PSB 2, PTB 2, Podemos 1, PR 1, PRB 1, PROS 1, PRP 1, PSC 1, SD 1; composition - men 67, women 14, percent of women 17.3%     Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PT 56, PSL 52, PP 37, PMDB 34, PSDC 34, PR 33, PSB 32, PRB 30, DEM 29, PSDB 29, PDT 28, SD 13, Podemos 11, PSOL 10, PTB 10, PCdoB 9, NOVO 8, PPS 8, PROS 8, PSC 8, Avante 7, PHS 6, Patriota 5, PRP 4, PV 4, PMN 3, PTC 2, DC 1, PPL 1, REDE 1; composition - men 437, women 76, percent of women 14.8%; total National Congress percent of women 15.2% Topic: British Virgin Islandsdescription: unicameral House of Assembly (15 seats; 13 members - 9 in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats directly elected by simple majority vote and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and the speaker - chosen from outside the House; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 February 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 46.5%, NDP 28.2%, PVIM 17.4%, PU 8%; seats by party - VIP 8, NDP 3, PVIM 1, PU 1; composition as of March 2022 - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7% Topic: Bruneidescription: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries elections: January 2017 - appointed by the sultan election results: NA; composition (as of February 2022) - men 30, women 3, percent of women 9.1% Topic: Bulgariadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 November 2021 (next election to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - PP 25.3%, GERB-SDS 22.4%, DPS 12.8%, BSP for Bulgaria 10.1%, ITN 9.4%, DB 6.3%, Revival 4.8%, other 8.9%; seats by party/coalition - PP 67, GERB-SDS 59, DPS 34, BSP for Bulgaria 26, ITN 25, DB 16, Revival 13; composition as of March 2022 - men 186, women 54, percent of women 22.5% Topic: Burkina Fasodescription: unicameral National Assembly (127 seats; 111 members directly elected in 13 multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 26 members elected in a nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; all member serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 22 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - MPP 34.6%, CDP 13.3%, UPC 10.2%, NTD 5.6%, other 36.3%; seats by party - MPP 56, CDP 20, NTD 13, UPC 12, other 26; composition as of October 2021 - men 119, women 8, percent of women 6.3% Topic: Burmadescription: bicameral Assembly of the Union or Pyidaungsu consists of: House of Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats, currently 433; 330 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year terms); note - on 1 February 2021, the military dissolved the Assembly of the Union; the State Administration Council (SAC) governs in place of the Assembly of the Union elections: House of Nationalities - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025); note - the military junta overturned the results of the 8 November legislative elections election results: House of Nationalities - percent of vote by party - NLD 61.6%, USDP 3.1%, ANP 1.8%, MUP 1.3%, KSDP 1.3%, other 5.9%, military appointees 25%; seats by party - NLD 138, USDP 7, ANP 4, MUP 3, KSPD 3, SNLD 2, TNP 2, other 2, canceled due to insurgency 7, military appointees 56 House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NLD 58.6%, USDP 5.9%, SNLD 3.0%, other 7.5%, military 25%; seats by party - NLD 258, USDP 26, SNLD 13, ANP 4, PNO 3, TNP 3, MUP 2, KSPD 2, other 4, canceled due to insurgency 15, military appointees 110 Topic: Burundidescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Inama Nkenguzamateka (39 seats in the July 2020 election); 36 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of provincial councils using a three-round voting system, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in the first two rounds and simple majority vote for the two leading candidates in the final round; 3 seats reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly or Inama Nshingamateka (123 seats in the May 2020 election; 100 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 23 co-opted members; 60% of seats allocated to Hutu and 40% to Tutsi; 3 seats reserved for Twas; 30% of total seats reserved for women; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 20 July 2020 (next to be held in 2025) National Assembly - last held on 20 May 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 87.2%, Twa 7.7%, CNL 2.6%, UPRONA 2.6%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 34, CNL 1, UPRONA 1, Twa 3; composition - men 23, women 16, percent of women 37.2% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 70.9%, CNL 23.4%, UPRONA 2.5%, other (co-opted Twa) 3.2%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 86, CNL 32, UPRONA 2, Twa 3; composition - men 76, women 47, percent of women 38.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 38% Topic: Cabo Verdedescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 18 April 2021 (next to be held on 18 April 2026) election results: percent of vote by party Monument for Democracy 50.2%, African Party for Independence in Cape Verde 39.55%, Democratic and Independent Cape Verdean Union 9.0%; seats by party - MD 38, APICV 30, DICVU 4; composition - men 44, women 28, percent of women 37.5% Topic: Cambodiadescription: bicameral Parliament of Cambodia consists of: Senate (62 seats; 58 indirectly elected by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by the monarch; members serve 6-year terms) National Assembly (125 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 25 February 2018 (next to be held in 2024); National Assembly - last held on 29 July 2018 (next to be held in July 2023) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 96%, FUNCINPEC 2.4%, KNUP 1.6%; seats by party - CPP 58; composition - men 53, women 9, percent of women 14.5% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 76.9%, FUNCINPEC 5.9%, LDP 4.9%, Khmer Will Party 3.4%, other 8.9%; seats by party - CPP 125; composition - men 100, women 25, percent of women 20%; note - total Parliament of Cambodia percent of women 18.2% Topic: Cameroondescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (100 seats; 70 members indirectly elected by regional councils and 30 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (180 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held in 2023) National Assembly - last held on 9 February 2020 (current term extended by president); note - the Constitutional Court has ordered a partial rerun of elections in the English speaking areas; date to be determined election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDPM 81.1%, SDF 8.6%, UNDP 5.8%, UDC 1.16%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CPDM 63, SDF 7; composition as of March 2022 - men 74, women 26, percent of women 26% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPDM 139, UNDP 7, SDF 5, PCRN 5, UDC 4, FSNC 3, MDR 2, Union of Socialist Movements 2; 13 vacant; composition as of March 2022 - men 119, women 61, percent of women 33.9%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31.1% Topic: Canadadescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75) House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote with terms up to 4 years) elections: Senate - appointed; latest appointments in July 2021 House of Commons - last held on 20 September 2021 (next to be held on or before 20 October 2025) election results: Senate - composition as of May 2022 - men 47, women 45, percent of women 48.9% House of Commons - percent of vote by party - CPC 33.7%, Liberal Party 32.6%, NDP 17.8%, Bloc Quebecois 7.7%, Greens 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 159, CPC 119, NDP 25, Bloc Quebecois 32, Greens 2, independent 1; composition as of May 2022 - men 235, women 103, percent of women 30.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 34.4% Topic: Cayman Islandsdescription: unicameral Parliament (21 seats; 19 members directly elected by majority vote and 2 ex officio members - the deputy governor and attorney general - appointed by the governor; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 April 2021 (next to be held on 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - independent 79.1%, PPM 19.6%; seats by party - independent 12, PPM 7; composition of elected members - men 15, women 4, percent of women 21.1%; ex-officio members - men 2 Topic: Central African Republicdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (140 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms) elections: first round last held on 27 December 2020; note - on election day, voting in many electoral areas was disrupted by armed groups; on 13 February 2021, President TOUADERA announced that a new first round of elections will be held on 27 February for those areas controlled by armed groups and and second round on 14 March election results: December 2015 election: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNDP 16, URCA 11, RDC 8, MLPC 10, KNK 7, other 28, independent 60; composition as of March 2022 - men 122, women 18, percent of women 12.9% Topic: Chaddescription: formerly a unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (188 seats; 163 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 25 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 4-year terms); note - on 5 October 2021, Interim President Mahamat Idriss DEBY installed 93 members of an interim parliament, called the National Transitional Council (NTC); according to DEBY, the NTC will act as a national assembly of transition until the country’s next elections take place elections: members of the so called "National Transitional Council" were installed by Interim President DEBY on 24 September 2021 (next election NA) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 64, women 29, percent of women 31.2% note: the National Assembly mandate was extended to 2020, reportedly due to a lack of funding for the scheduled 2015 election; the MPS has held a majority in the NA since 1997members of the so called "National Transitional Council" were installed by Interim President DEBY on 24 September 2021 (next election NA) Topic: Chiledescription: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (50 seats); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 8-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 4 years) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (155 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 21 November 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 November 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ChP+ 12 (RN 5, UDI 5, EVOPOLI 2), NPS 8 (PS 4, PPD 2, PDC 2), PLR 1, AD 4 (PCCh 2, FREVS 2) independent 2; note - total composition of the Senate as of 1 May 2022: seats by party - ChP+ 24 (RN 12, UDI 9, EVOPOLI 3), NPS 18 (PS 7, PPD 6, PDC 5), AD 6 (PCCh 2, FREVS 2, RD 2), PLR 1, independent 1; composition - men 38, women 12, percent of women 24% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ChP+ 53 (RN 25, UDI 23, EVOPOLI 4, PRI 1), AD 37 (PCCh 12, CS 9, RD 8, Commons 6, FREVS 2), NPS 37 (PS 13, PDC 8, PPD 7, PL 4, PRSD 4, CIU 1), FSC 15 (PLR 14, PCC 1), PDG 6, PH 3, PEV 2, IU 1, independent 1; composition - men 100, women 55, percent of women 35.5%; note - overall National Congress percent of women 32.7% Topic: Chinadescription: unicameral National People's Congress or Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui (maximum of 3,000 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal, regional, and provincial people's congresses, and the People's Liberation Army; members serve 5-year terms); note - in practice, only members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), its 8 allied independent parties, and CCP-approved independent candidates are elected elections: last held in December 2017-February 2018 (next to be held in late 2022 to early 2023) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 2,238, women 742, percent of women 24.9% Topic: Christmas Islanddescription: unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: held every 2 years with half the members standing for election; last held in October 2021 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 9; composition as of 17 October 2021 - men 8, women 1, percent of women 11.1% Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsdescription: unicameral Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council (7 seats; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms with 4 members renewed every 2 years) elections: last held on 16 October 2021 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 4, women 3, percent of women 42.9% Topic: Colombiadescription: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of: Senate or Senado (108 seats; 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for indigenous communities, 5 members of the Commons political party, formerly the People's Alternative Revolutionary Force (FARC), for 2 legislative terms only: 2018-2022 and 2022-2026 as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (188 seats; 162 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for Afro-Colombians, 1 member elected by Colombians residing abroad, 1 member elected in a special nationwide constituency for the indigenous communities, 5 members of the Commons political party for two legislative terms only: 2018-2022 and 2022-2026 as per the 2016 peace accord, 16 seats for rural conflict victims for two legislative terms only: 2022-2026 and 2026-2030, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up vice presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms) elections:   Senate - last held on 13 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2026) Chamber of Representatives - last held on 13 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2026) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PHxC 16, PC 16, PL 15, Green Alliance and Center Hope Coalition 14, CD 14, CR 11, U Party 10, MIRA–Colombia Free and Just Coalition 4; composition - men 75, women 33, percent of women 31% Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 33, PHxC 28, PC 27, CR 18, CD 16, U Party 16, Green Alliance 14, League of Anticorruption Governors 2, others 34; composition - men 136, women 52, percent of women 28%; total Congress percent of women 29%Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (188 seats; 162 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for Afro-Colombians, 1 member elected by Colombians residing abroad, 1 member elected in a special nationwide constituency for the indigenous communities, 5 members of the Commons political party for two legislative terms only: 2018-2022 and 2022-2026 as per the 2016 peace accord, 16 seats for rural conflict victims for two legislative terms only: 2022-2026 and 2026-2030, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up vice presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms) Topic: Comorosdescription: unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly elected by the 3 island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms) (2017) elections: last held on 19 January 2020 with a runoff on 23 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025) (2020) election results: seats by party -1st round - Boycotting parties 16, Independent 3, CRC 2, RDC 2, RADHI 1, Orange party 0; note -  9 additional seats filled by the 3 island assemblies; 2nd round - CRC 20, Orange Party 2, Independents 2; composition for elected members as of 2022 - men 20, women 4, percent of women 16.7%   (2019)  : Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thedescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate (109 seats; 109 members to include 108 indirectly elected by provincial assemblies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and a former president, appointed for life) National Assembly (500 seats; 439 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 61 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 14 March 2019 National Assembly - last held on 30 December 2018 (first round), 31 March 2019 (second round) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 22, MLC 14, FR 7, RCD 7, PDC 6, CDC 3, MSR 3, PALU 2, other 18, independent 26; composition as of 2022 - men 83, women 26, percent of women 23.9% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PPRD 62, UDPS 41, PPPD 29, MSR 27, MLC 22, PALU 19, UNC 17, ARC 16, AFDC 15, ECT 11, RRC 11, other 214 (includes numerous political parties that won 10 or fewer seats and 2 constituencies where voting was halted), independent 16; composition as of 2022 - men 436, women 64, percent of women  12.8%; total Parliament percent of women 14.8% Topic: Congo, Republic of thedescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate (72 seats; members indirectly elected by local, district, and regional councils by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-half of membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms) elections:   Senate - last held on 31 August 2017 for expiry of half the seats (next to be held in 2020) National Assembly - last held on 16 and 30 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, independent 12, MAR 2, RDPS 2, UPADS 2, DRD 1, FP 1, MCDDI 1, PRL 1, Pulp 1, PUR 1, RC 1; composition - men 58, women 14, percent of women 19.4% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 96, UPADS 8, MCDDI 4, other 23 (less than 4 seats) independent 20; composition - men 134, women 17, percent of women 11.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 13.9% Topic: Cook Islandsdescription: unicameral Parliament, formerly the Legislative Assembly (24 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the Queen's representative serves as a consultative body to the Parliament elections: last held on 14 June 2018 (next to be held by 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Demo 11, CIP 10, One Cook Islands Movement 1, independent 2; composition - men 17, women 7, percent of women 17.7% Topic: Costa Ricadescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 6 February 2022 (next to be held in February 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - PLN 24.8%, PPSD 15%, PUSC 11.4%, PNR 10.1%, PLP 9.1%, 8.3%, other 21.3%; seats by party - PLN 19,  PPSD 10, PUSC 9, PNR 7, PLP 6, PFA 6; composition - men 30, women 27, percent of women 47.4% Topic: Cote d'Ivoiredescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senat (99 seats; 66 members indirectly elected by the National Assembly and members of municipal, autonomous districts, and regional councils, and 33 members appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (255 seats - 254 for 2021-2026 term; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - first ever held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held on 31 March 2023) National Assembly - last held on 6 March 2021 (next to be held on 31 March 2026) election results: Senate - percent by party NA; seats by party - RHDP 50, independent 16; composition - men 80, women 19, percent of women 19.2% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - RHDP 49.2%, PDCI-RRA-EDS 16.5%, DPIC 6%, TTB 2.1%  IPF 2%  seats by party - RHDP, 137, PDCI-RRA-EDS 50, DPIC 23, EDS 8, TTB 8, IPF 2, independent 26; composition - men 218, women 36, percent of women 14.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 15.6% Topic: Croatiadescription: unicameral Assembly or Hrvatski Sabor (151 seats; 140 members in 10 multi-seat constituencies and 3 members in a single constituency for Croatian diaspora directly elected by proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method with a 5% threshold; an additional 8 members elected from a nationwide constituency by simple majority by voters belonging to minorities recognized by Croatia; the Serb minority elects 3 Assembly members, the Hungarian and Italian minorities elect 1 each, the Czech and Slovak minorities elect 1 jointly, and all other minorities elect 2; all members serve 4-year terms elections: early election held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held by 2024) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - HDZ-led coalition 37.3%, Restart coalition 24.9%, DPMS-led coalition 10.9%, MOST 7.4%, Green-Left coalition 7%, P-F-SSIP 4%, HNS-LD 1.3%, NS-R 1%, other 6.2%; number of seats by coalition/party - HDZ-led coalition 66, Restart coalition 41, DPMS-led coalition 16, MOST 8, Green-Left coalition 7, P-F-SSIP 3, HNS-LD 1, NS-R 1, national minorities 8; composition as of January 2021 - men 103, women 48, percent of women 31.8% note: seats by party as of March 2021 - HDZ 62, SDP 33, DP 9, Most 6, Croatian Sovereignists 4, We Can! 4, IDS 3, SDSS 3, HSS 2, HSLS 2, BZH 1, Center 1, FOKUS 1, GLAS 1, HDS 1, HSU 1, NL 1, Reformists 1, SSIP 1, WF 1, independent 12 Topic: Cubadescription: unicameral National Assembly of People's Power or Asamblea Nacional del Poder Popular (605 seats; (586 seats filled in 2021); members directly elected by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note 1 - the National Candidature Commission submits a slate of approved candidates; to be elected, candidates must receive more than 50% of valid votes otherwise the seat remains vacant or the Council of State can declare another election; note 2 - in July 2019, the National Assembly passed a law which reduces the number of members from 605 to 474, effective with the 2023 general election elections: last held on 11 March 2018 (next to be held in early 2023) election results: Cuba's Communist Party is the only legal party, and officially sanctioned candidates run unopposed; composition (as of June 2021) - men 273, women 313, percent of women 53.4% Topic: Curacaodescription: unicameral Parliament of Curacao (21 seats; members directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 19 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - MFK 28.1%, PAR 14.1%, PNP 12.6%, MAN 6.5%, KEM 5.4%, TPK 5.3%; seats by party - MFK 9, PAR 4, PNP 4, MAN 2, KEM 1, TPK 1; composition - NA Topic: Cyprusdescription: area under government control: unicameral House of Representatives or Vouli Antiprosopon (80 seats; 56 assigned to Greek Cypriots, 24 to Turkish Cypriots, but only those assigned to Greek Cypriots are filled; members directly elected by both proportional representation and preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: unicameral "Assembly of the Republic" or Cumhuriyet Meclisi (50 seats; members directly elected to 5-year terms by proportional representation system using a hybrid d'Hondt method with voter preferences for individual candidates elections: area under government control: last held on 30 May 2021 (next to be held in 2026); area administered by Turkish Cypriots: last held on 7 January 2018 (next to be held in 2023, unless early election called) election results: area under government control: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - DISY 27.8%, AKEL 22.3%, DIKO 11.3%, ELAM 6.8%, EDEK-SP 6.7%, DiPa 6.1%, Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation 4.4%, other 14.6%; seats by party/coalition - DISY 17, AKEL 15, DIKO 9, ELAM 4, EDEK-SP 4, DiPa 4, Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation 3; area administered by Turkish Cypriots: "Assembly of the Republic" - percent of vote by party - UBP 35.6%, CTP 20.9%, HP 17.1%, TDP 8.6%, DP 7.8%, YDP 7%, 3%; seats by party - UBP 21, CTP 12, HP 9, DP 3, TDP 3, YDP 2 Topic: Czechiadescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Senate or Senat (81 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies or Poslanecka Snemovna (200 seats; members directly elected in 14 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote with a 5% threshold required to fill a seat; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held in 2 rounds on 2-3 and 9-10 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2022) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 8-9 October 2021 (next to be held by October 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - STAN 19, ODS 18, KDU-CSL 12, ANO 5, TOP 09 5, CSSD 3, SEN 21 3, Pirates 2, SZ 1, minor parties with one seat each 9, independents 4; composition (as of October 2021) - men 69, women 12, percent of women 14.8% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party – SPOLU 27.8%, Action of Dissatisfied Persons 27.1%, Pirates and Mayors 15.6%, Freedom and Direct Democracy 9.6%, other 19.9%; seats by party - Action of Dissatisfied Persons 72, SPOLU 71, Pirates and Mayors 37, Freedom and Direct Democracy 20; composition (as of October 2021) - men 154, women 46, percent of women 23%; note - total Parliament percent of women 26% Topic: Denmarkdescription: unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 each representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier) elections: last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held in June 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - SDP 25.9%, V 23.4%, DF 8.7%, SLP 8.6%, SF 7.7%, EL 6.9%, C 6.6%, AP 3.0%, NB 2.4%, LA 2.3%; seats by party - SDP 48, V 43, DF 16, SLP 16, SF 14, EL 13, C 12, AP 5, NB 4, LA 4; composition (as of September 2021) - men 108, women 71 (includes 2 from Greenland), percent of women 39.7% Topic: Djiboutidescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale, formerly the Chamber of Deputies (65 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 23 February 2018 (next to be held in February 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 57, UDJ-PDD 7, CDU 1; composition - men 48, women 17, percent of women 26.2% Topic: Dominicadescription: unicameral House of Assembly (32 seats; 21 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 9 senators appointed by the president - 5 on the advice of the prime minister, and 4 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party, plus 2 ex-officio members - the house speaker and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 6 December 2019 (next to be held in 2024); note - tradition dictates that the election is held within 5 years of the last election, but technically it is 5 years from the first seating of parliament plus a 90-day grace period election results: percent of vote by party - DLP 59.0%, UWP 41.0%; seats by party - DLP 18, UWP 3; composition - men 21, women 11, percent of women 34.4% Topic: Dominican Republicdescription: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (32 seats; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 6 members indirectly elected based upon province-wide party plurality votes for its candidates to the Chamber of Deputies; all members serve 4-year terms; note - in 2019, the Central Election Commission changed the electoral system for seats in26 constituencies to direct simple majority but retained indirect election for the remaining 6 constituencies; previously all 32 members were indirectly elected; the change had been challenged by the ruling and opposition parties) House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; 178 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method, 5 members in a nationwide constituency and 7 diaspora members directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 17, PLD 6, PRSC 6, BIS 1, DXC 1, FP 1; composition - men 28, women 4, percent of women 12.5% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 86, PLD 75,  PRSC 6, PRD 4, Broad Front 3, FP 3, AP 2, APD 2, BIS 2, DXC 2, other 5; composition - men 137, women 53, percent of women 27.9%; note - total National Congress percent of women 25.7% Topic: Ecuadordescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (137 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 15 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies for Ecuadorians living abroad by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - all Assembly members have alternates from the same party who cast votes when a primary member is absent, resigns, or is removed from office elections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next scheduled in February 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - UNES 32.21%, MUPP 16.81%, ID 11.98%, PSC 9.73%, CREO 9.65%, MC-PSE 3.76%, other 15.86%; seats by party - UNES 49, MUPP 27, ID 18, PSC 18, CREO 12, MC-PSE 2, independents 3, other 8; composition as of March 2022 - men 84, women 53, percent of women 38.7%; note - defections by members of National Assembly are commonplace, resulting in frequent changes in the numbers of seats held by the various parties Topic: Egyptdescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (Majlis Al-Shiyoukh) (300 seats; 100 members elected in single seat constituencies, 100 elected by closed party-list system, and 100 appointed by the president; note - the upper house, previously the Shura Council, was eliminated in the 2014 constitution, reestablished as the Senate, following passage in a 2019 constitutional referendum and approved by the House of Representatives in June 2020 House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nowaab) (596 seats; 448 members directly elected by individual candidacy system, 120 members - with quotas for women, youth, Christians and workers - elected in party-list constituencies by simple majority popular vote, and 28 members appointed by the president; members of both houses serve 5-year terms elections: Senate - first round held on 11-12 August 2020 (9-10 August for diaspora); second round held on 8-9 September (6-7 September for diaspora) (next to be held in 2025) House of Representatives - last held 24-25 October and 7-8 November 2020) (next to be held in 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nation's Future Party 100, independent 100; composition - men 260, women 40, percent of women 13.3%  House of Representatives (2020) - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nation's Future Party 316, Republican People's Party 50, New Wafd Party 26, Homeland Defenders Party 23, Modern Egypt Party 11, Reform and Development Party 9, Al-Nour Party 7, Egyptian Conference Party 7, Egyptian Freedom Party 7, Egyptian Social Democratic Party 7, Tagammu 6, Justice Party 2, Etradet Geel Party 1, independent 124; composition - men 428, women 164, percent of women 27.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.8% Topic: El Salvadordescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (84 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies and a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 28 February 2021 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NI 66.46%, ARENA 12.18%, FMLN 6.91%, GANA 5.29%, PCN 4.08%, NT 1.7%, PDC 1.7%, V 1.01%; seats by party - NI 56, ARENA 14, GANA 5, FMLN 4, PCN 2, PDC 1, NT 1, V 1; composition - men 61, women 23, percent of women 27.4% Topic: Equatorial Guineadescription: bicameral National Assembly or Asemblea Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (70 seats statutory, 72 seats for current term; 55 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote, 15 appointed by the president, and 2 ex-officio) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de los Diputados (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed paryt-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 12 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022/2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; elected seats by party - PDGE and aligned coalition 70; composition (including 2 ex-officio) - men 60, women 12, percent of women 16.7% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 99, CI 1; composition - men 78, women 22, percent of women 22%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 18.8% Topic: Eritreadescription: unicameral National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito) (150 seats; 75 members indirectly elected by the ruling party and 75 directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: in May 1997, following the adoption of the new constitution, 75 members of the PFDJ Central Committee (the old Central Committee of the EPLF), 60 members of the 527-member Constituent Assembly, which had been established in 1997 to discuss and ratify the new constitution, and 15 representatives of Eritreans living abroad were formed into a Transitional National Assembly to serve as the country's legislative body until countrywide elections to form a National Assembly were held; although only 75 of 150 members of the Transitional National Assembly were elected, the constitution stipulates that once past the transition stage, all members of the National Assembly will be elected by secret ballot of all eligible voters; National Assembly elections scheduled for December 2001 were postponed indefinitely due to the war with Ethiopia, and as of late 2021, there was no sitting legislative body (2021) election results: NA Topic: Estoniadescription: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - RE 28.9%, K 23.1%, EKRE 17.8%, Pro Patria 11.4%, SDE 9.8%, other 9%; seats by party - RE 34, K 26, EKRE 19, Pro Patria 12, SDE 10; composition - men 75, women 26, percent of women 25.7% Topic: Eswatinidescription: bicameral Parliament (Libandla) consists of: Senate (30 seats; 20 members appointed by the monarch and 10 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the House of Assembly; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (70 seats statutory, current 74; 59 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies or tinkhundla by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, 10 members appointed by the monarch, 4 women elected by the members if representation of elected women is less than 30%, and 1 ex-officio member - the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 23 October 2018 (next to be held - 31 October 2023) House of Assembly - last held on 21 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: Senate - percent of seats by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 18, women 12, percent of women 40% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 59; composition - men 65, women 9, percent of women 12.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.2% Topic: Ethiopiadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Federation or Yefedereshein Mikir Bete (153 seats maximum; 144 seats current; members indirectly elected by state assemblies to serve 5-year terms) House of People's Representatives or Yehizb Tewokayoch Mekir Bete (547 seats maximum; 470 seats current; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; 22 seats reserved for minorities; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: House of Federation - last held 4 October 2021 (next expected 31 October 2026) House of People's Representatives - last held in two parts on 21 June 2021 and 30 September 2021 (next election expected 30 June 2026) election results: House of Federation - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - NA; composition - men 100, women 44, percent of women 30.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Prosperity Party 410, NAMA 5, EZEMA 4, Gedeo People's Democratic organization 2, Independents 4; composition - men 275, women 195, percent of women  41.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 38.9% notes: House of Federation is responsible for interpreting the constitution and federal-regional issues and the House of People's Representatives is responsible for passing legislation; percent of vote percentages are calculated on the number of members actually seated versus on the constitutional maximums Topic: European Uniondescription: two legislative bodies consisting of the Council of the European Union (27 seats; ministers representing the 27 member states) and the European Parliament (705 seats; seats allocated among member states roughly in proportion to population size; members elected by proportional representation to serve 5-year terms); note - the European Parliament President, David SASSOLI (Italian center-left), was elected in July 2019 by a majority of fellow members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and represents the Parliament within the EU and internationally; the Council of the EU and the MEPs share responsibilities for adopting the bulk of EU legislation, normally acting in co-decision on Commission proposals (but not in the area of Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is governed by consensus of the EU member state governments) elections: last held on 23-26 May 2019 (next to be held May 2024) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party (as of 31 January 2020) - EPP 187, S&D 148, ALDE/EDP 97, ID 76, Greens/EFA 67, ECR 59, GUE-NGL 40, non-inscripts 31; Parliament composition - men 428, women 277, percent of women 39.3%; note - composition of the European Council - men 23, women 4, percent of women 11.1%; total Council and Parliament percent of women 38.3% Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)description: unicameral Legislative Assembly, formerly the Legislative Council (10 seats; 5 members directly elected in the Stanley constituency and 3 members in the Camp constituency by simple majority vote, 2 appointed non-voting ex-officio members - the chief executive, appointed by the governor, and the financial secretary; members serve 4-year terms); note - several previous referendums -  the latest in September 2020 - on whether to merge the Stanley and Camp constituencies into a single islands wide constituency, failed elections: last held on 4 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 8; composition of elected members -men 6, women 2, percent of women 25% Topic: Faroe Islandsdescription: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms elections: Faroese Parliament - last held on 31 August 2019 (next to be held in 2023) Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held no later than June 2023) election results: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - People's Party 24.5%, JF 22.1%, Union Party 20.3%, Republic 18.1%, Center Party 5.4%, Progress Party 4.6%, Self-Government Party 3.4%, other 1.4%, seats by party - People's Party 8, JF 7, Union Party 7, Republic 6, Center Party 2, Progress Party 2, Self-Government Party 1, composition - men 25, women 8; percent of women 24.2% Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, Republic 1; composition - men 2 Topic: Fijidescription: unicameral Parliament (51 seats; members directly elected in a nationwide, multi-seat constituency by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 November 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - FijiFirst 50%, SODELPA 39.6%, NFP 7.4%; seats by party - FijiFirst 27, SODELPA 21, NFP 3; composition - men 41, women 10, percent of women 19.6% Topic: Finlanddescription: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; 199 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 1 member in the province of Aland directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - SDP 17.7%, PS 17.5%, Kok 17.0%. Center Party  13.8%, Vihr 11.5%, Vas 8.2%, SFP 4.5%, KD 3.9%, other 5.9%; seats by party/coalition - SDP 40, PS 39, Kok 38, Centre Party 31, Vihr 20, Vas 16, SFP 9, KD 5; composition men 109, women 91, percent of women 45.5% Topic: Francedescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (348 seats - 328 for metropolitan France and overseas departments and regions of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Reunion, and Mayotte, 2 for New Caledonia, 2 for French Polynesia, 1 for Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, 1 for Saint-Barthelemy, 1 for Saint-Martin, 1 for Wallis and Futuna, and 12 for French nationals abroad; members indirectly elected by departmental electoral colleges using absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for departments with 1-3 members, and proportional representation vote in departments with 4 or more members; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (577 seats - 556 for metropolitan France, 10 for overseas departments, and 11 for citizens abroad; members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 24 and 27 September 2020 (next to be held in September 2023) National Assembly - last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by political caucus (party or group of parties)  - NA; composition - men 226, women 122, percent of women 35.1% National Assembly - percent of vote by party first round - LREM 28.2%, LR 15.8%. FN 13.2%, FI 11%, PS 7.4%, other 24.4%; percent of vote by party second round - LREM 43.1%, LR 22.2%, FN 8.8%, MoDEM 6.1%, PS 5.7%. FI 4.9%, other 9.2%; seats by political caucus (party or group of parties) - LREM 306, LR 104, MoDEM 46, UDI/Agir 29, PS 29, UDI 18, FI 17, Liberties and Territories 16, PCF 16, other 14; composition - men 349, women 228, percent of women 39.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 37.8% Topic: French Polynesiadescription: unicameral Assembly of French Polynesia or Assemblée de la Polynésie française (57 seats; elections held in 2 rounds; in the second round, 38 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by a closed-list proportional representation vote; the party receiving the most votes gets an additional 19 seats; members serve 5-year terms; French Polynesia indirectly elects 2 senators to the French Senate via an electoral college by absolute majority vote for 6-year terms with one-half the membership renewed every 3 years and directly elects 3 deputies to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for 5-year terms French Polynesia indirectly elects 2 senators to the French Senate via an electoral college by absolute majority vote for 6-year terms with one-half the membership renewed every 3 years and directly elects 3 deputies to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for 5-year terms elections: Assembly of French Polynesia - last held on 22 April 2018 and 6 May 2018 (next to be held in 2023) French Senate - last held on 28 September 2020 (next to be held on 30 September 2023) French National Assembly - last held in 2 rounds on 3 and 17 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022) election results: Assembly of French Polynesia - percent of vote by party - Tapura Huiraatira 45.1%, Popular Rally 29.3%, Tavini Huiraatira 25.6%; seats by party - Tapura Huiraatira 38, Popular Rally 11, Tavini Huiraatira 8; composition - men 27, women 30, percent of women 52.6% French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Popular Rally 1, People's Servant Party 1; composition - NA French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Tapura Huiractura 2, Tavini Huiraatura 1; composition - NA Topic: Gabondescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (102 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal councils and departmental assemblies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms) National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (143 seats; members elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 30 January and 6 February 2021 (next to be held in December 2026) National Assembly - held in 2 rounds on 6 and 27 October 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 81, CLR 7, PSD 2, ADERE-UPG 1, UPG 1, PGCI 1, independent 7; composition - NA National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 98, The Democrats or LD 11, RV 8, Social Democrats of Gabon 5, RH&M 4, other 9, independent 8; composition - men 121, women 22, percent of women 15.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women NA Topic: Gambia, Thedescription: unicameral National Assembly (58 seats; 53 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 5 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 9 April 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: percent of vote by party - NPP 33.9%, UDP 28.3%, independent 22.6%, NRP 7.5%, PDOIS 3.7%, APRL 3.7%; seats by party - NPP 18, UDP 15, independent 12,NRP 4, APRL 2, PDOIS 2; composition - men 52, women 6, percent of women 10.3% Topic: Georgiadescription: unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats statutory, 144 current; 120 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote and 30 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by at least 50% majority vote, with a runoff if needed; no party earning less than 40% of total votes may claim a majority; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 31 October and 21 November 2020 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.2%, UNM 27.2%, European Georgia 3.8%, Lelo 3.2%, Strategy 3.2%, Alliance of Patriots 3.1%, Girchi 2.9%, Citizens 1.3%, Labor 1%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 90, UNM 36, European Georgia 5, Lelo 4, Strategy 4, Alliance of Patriots 4, Girchi 4, Citizens 2, Labor 1; composition (as of October 2021) - men 117, women 27, percent of women 18.8% Topic: Germanydescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 seats statutory, 71 current; members appointed by each of the 16 state governments) Federal Diet or Bundestag (736 seats statutory, 736 for the 2021-25 term - total seats can vary each electoral term; currently includes 4 seats for independent members; approximately one-half of members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and approximately one-half directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members' terms depend upon the states they represent) elections: Bundesrat - none; determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election Bundestag - last held on 26 September 2021 (next to be held in September 2025 at the latest); almost all postwar German governments have been coalitions election results: Bundesrat - composition - men 46, women 23, percent of women 33.3% Bundestag - percent of vote by party - SPD 25.7%, CDU/CSU 24.1%, Alliance '90/Greens 14.8%, FDP 11.5%, AfD 10.3%, The Left 4.9%, other 8.7%; seats by party - SPD 206, CDU/CSU 196, Alliance '90/Greens 118, FDP 92, AfD 83, The Left 39, other 1; composition - men 479, women 257, percent of women 34.9%; note - total Parliament percent of women 34.8% note - due to Germany's recognition of the concepts of "overhang" (when a party's share of the nationwide votes would entitle it to fewer seats than the number of individual constituency seats won in an election under Germany's mixed member proportional system) and "leveling" (whereby additional seats are elected to supplement the members directly elected by each constituency in order to ensure that each party's share of the total seats is roughly proportional to the party's overall shares of votes at the national level), the 20th Bundestag is the largest to date Topic: Ghanadescription: unicameral Parliament (275 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 7 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party (preliminary) - NPP 137, NDC 137, independent 1; composition - men 235, women 40, percent of women 14.5% Topic: Gibraltardescription: unicameral Parliament (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by majority vote and 1 appointed by Parliament as speaker; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 17 October 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 52.5% (GSLP 37.0%, LPG 15.5%), GSD 25.6%, TG 20.5%, independent 1.4%; seats by party - GSLP-Liberal Alliance 10 (GSLP 7, LPG 3), GSD 6, TG 1; composition including Parliament speaker - men 16, women 2, percent of women 1.1% Topic: Greecedescription: unicameral Hellenic Parliament or Vouli ton Ellinon (300 seats; 280 members in multi-seat constituencies and 12 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; 8 members in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote; members serve up to 4 years);  note - only parties surpassing a 3% threshold are entitled to parliamentary seats; parties need 10 seats to become formal parliamentary groups but can retain that status if the party participated in the last election and received the minimum 3% threshold elections: last held on 7 July 2019 (next to be held by July 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - ND 39.9%, SYRIZA 31.5%, KINAL 8.1%, KKE 5.3%, Greek Solution 3.7%, MeRA25 3.4%, other 8.1%; seats by party - ND 158, SYRIZA 86, KINAL 22, KKE 15, Greek Solution 10, MeRA25 9; composition - men 244, women 56, percent of women 18.7% Topic: Greenlanddescription: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote  - using the d'Hondt method - to serve 4-year terms) Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms elections: Greenland Parliament - last held on 6 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025) Greenland members to Danish Parliament - last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held by 4 June 2023) election results: Greenland Parliament - percent of vote by party - IA 36.6%, S 29.5%, N 12%, D 9.1%, A 6.9%, other 3.8%; seats by party - IA 12, S 10, PN 4, D 3, A 2; composition - men 21, women 10, percent of women 32.2% Greenland members in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IA 1, S 1; composition - 2 women Topic: Grenadadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (13 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 10 on the advice of the prime minister and 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives (15 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 April 2018 (next no later than 2023) House of Representatives - last held on 13 March 2018 (next no later than 2023) election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 11, women 2 percent of women 15.4% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 58.9%, NDC 40.5%; other 0.6% seats by party - NNP 15; composition - men 8, women 7, percent of women 46.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 32.1% Topic: Guamdescription: unicameral Legislature of Guam or Liheslaturan Guahan (15 seats; members elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as the delegate to the US House of Representatives; note - the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote elections: Guam Legislature - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2022) delegate to the US House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 with runoff on 17 November (next to be held on 5 November 2022) election results: Guam Legislature - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, Republican Party 5; composition - men 5, women 10, percent of women 66.7% Guam delegate to the US House of Representatives - Democratic Party 1 (man) Topic: Guatemaladescription: unicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica (160 seats; 128 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies in the country's 22 departments and 32 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote, using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 16 June 2019 (next to be held on June 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNE 52, VAMOS 17, UCN 12, VALOR 9, BIEN 8, FCN-NACION 8, SEMILLA 7, TODOS 7, VIVA 7, CREO 6, PHG 6, VICTORIA 4, Winaq 4, PC 3, PU 3, URNG 3, PAN 2, MLP 1, PODEMOS 1; composition - men 129, women 31, percent of women 19.4% Topic: Guernseydescription: unicameral States of Deliberation (40 seats; 38 People's Deputies and 2 representatives of the States of Alderney; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - non-voting members include the bailiff (presiding officer), attorney-general, and solicitor-general elections: last held on 7 October 2020 (next to be held in June 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 38; composition - men 32, women 8, percent of women 20% Topic: Guineadescription: formerly the People's National Assembly;  note - on 5 September 2021, Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA led a military coup in which President CONDE was arrested and detained, the constitution suspended, and the government and People's National Assembly dissolved; on 22 January 2022, an 81-member Transitional National Council was installed elections: 81 members to the Transitional National Council were appointed by the transitional president Col. Mamady DOUMBOUYA on 22 January 2022; elections for a permanent legislature had not been announced as of late January 2022 election results: 81 members of the National Transitional Council appointed on 22 January 2022 by the transitional president; the members represent all of the country's socio-professional organizations and political parties Topic: Guinea-Bissaudescription: unicameral National People's Assembly or Assembleia Nacional Popular (102 seats; 100 members directly elected in 27 multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote and 2 elected in single-seat constituencies for citizens living abroad (Africa 1, Europe 1 ); all members serve 4-year terms) elections: note: President dissolved parliament on 16 May 2022 and decreed new elections for 18 December 2022    last held on 10 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - PAIGC 35.2%, Madem G-15 21.1%, PRS 21.1%, other 22.6%; seats by party - PAIGC 47, Madem G-15 27, PRS 21, other 7; composition - men 88, women 14, percent of women 13.7% Topic: Guyanadescription: unicameral National Assembly (70 seats; 40 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituencies, 25 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - all by closed-list proportional representation vote, 2 non-elected ministers, 2 non-elected parliamentary secretaries, and the speaker; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - PPP/C 50.69%, APNU-AFC 47.34%, LJP 0.58%, ANUG 0.5%, TNM 0.05%, other 0.84%; seats by party - PPP/C 33, APNU-AFC 31, LJP-ANUG-TNM 1; composition (elected and non-elected) - men 45, women 25, percent of women 35.7%; note - the initial results were declared invalid and a partial recount was conducted from 6 May to 8 June 2020, in which PPP/C was declared the winner Topic: Haitidescription: bicameral legislature or le Corps legislatif ou le Parlement consists of: le Sénat de la République or Senate (30 seats; 10 filled as of March 2022); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms (2-term limit) with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) la Chambre des députés or Chamber of Deputies (119 seats; 0 filled as of March 2022; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms; no term limits); note - when the 2 chambers meet collectively it is known as L'Assemblée nationale or the National Assembly and is convened for specific purposes spelled out in the constitution elections: Senate - last held on 20 November 2016 with runoff on 29 January 2017 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019, but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 August 2015 with runoff on 25 October 2015 and 20 November 2016 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019, but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 10, women 0, percent of women 0% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA note: the Chamber of Deputies is currently defunct, and the Senate is only one-third filled (not enough seats for a quorum) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)description: unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City or Pontificia Commissione per lo Stato della Citta del Vaticano (7 seats; the president of the Governorate of Vatican City State and 6 cardinals appointed by the pope to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 11 July 2018 election results: composition - men 7, women 0 Topic: Hondurasdescription: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - LIBRE 39.8%, PNH 31.3%, PL 16.4%, PSH 10.9%, DC 0.8%, PAC 0.8%; seats by bloc or party - LIBRE 51, PNH 40, PL 21, PSH 14, DC 1, PAC 1; composition - men 93, women 35, percent of women 27.3% note: seats by bloc or party as of 1 May 2022 - LIBRE 50, PNH 44, PL 22, PSH 10, DC 1, PAC 1 Topic: Hong Kongdescription: unicameral Legislative Council or LegCo (90 seats); 20 members directly elected in 2-seat constituencies, 30 indirectly elected by the approximately 220,000 members of various functional constituencies based on a variety of methods, and 50 indirectly elected by the 1,500-member Election Committee; members serve 4-year terms; note: in March 2021, China's National People's Congress amended the electoral rules and system for the LegCo; the total number of seats increased from 70 to 90, directly elected geographical constituencies were reduced from 35 to 20 seats, while trade-based indirectly elected functional constituencies remained at 30; an additional 40 seats were elected by the 1,500-member Election Commission; all political candidates are evaluated by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC), established in April 2022; the CERC consists of the chairperson, 2-4 official members and 1-3 non-official members, all appointed by the chief executive elections: last held on 19 Dec 2021 (next scheduled for 2025) election results: percent of vote by bloc: pro-Beijing 93%, non-establishment 7%; seats by block/party - pro-Beijing 89 (DAB 19, FTU 8, BPA 7, NPP 5, Liberal Party 4, FEW 2, FLU 2, other 46), non-establishment 1 (Third Side); composition - men 73, women 17, percent of women 18.9%; voter turnout 30.2%; note - Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy political parties boycotted the 2021 election  percent of vote by bloc: pro-Beijing 93%, non-establishment 7%; seats by block/party - pro-Beijing 89 (DAB 19, FTU 8, BPA 7, NPP 5, Liberal Party 4, FEW 2, FLU 2, other 46), non-establishment 1 (Third Side); composition - men 73, women 17, percent of women 18.9%; voter turnout 30.2%; note - Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy political parties boycotted the 2021 election  Topic: Hungarydescription: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (199 seats; 106 members directly elected in single-member constituencies by simple majority vote and 93 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, using the d’Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: percent of vote by party list - Fidesz-KDNP 54.1%, United for Hungary 34.5%, Mi Hazank 5.9%, other 5.5%; seats by party - Fidesz-KDNP 135, United for Hungary 57, Mi Hazank 6, independent 1; composition - men 175, women 24, percent of women 12.1% Topic: Icelanddescription: unicameral Althingi or Parliament (63 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 25 September 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - IP 24.4%, PP 17.3%, LGM 12.6%, SDA 9.9%, People's Party 8.8%, Pirate Party 8.6%, Reform Party 8.3%. CP 5.4%, other 4.7%; seats by party - IP 16, PP 13, LGM 8, SDA 6, People's Party 6, Pirate Party 6, Reform Party 5, CP 3; composition - men 33, women 30; percent of women 47.6%percent of vote by party - IP 24.4%, PP 17.3%, LGM 12.6%, SDA 9.9%, People's Party 8.8%, Pirate Party 8.6%, Reform Party 8.3%. CP 5.4%, other 4.7%; seats by party - IP 16, PP 13, LGM 8, SDA 6, People's Party 6, Pirate Party 6, Reform Party 5, CP 3; composition - men 33, women 30; percent of women 47.6% Topic: Indiadescription: bicameral Parliament or Sansad consists of: Council of States or Rajya Sabha (245 seats; 233 members indirectly elected by state and territorial assemblies by proportional representation vote and 12 members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years at various dates) House of the People or Lok Sabha (545 seats; 543 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 2 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held by state and territorial assemblies at various dates in 2019 (in progress March through July 2022 to fill 70 expiry seats) House of the People - last held April-May 2019 in 7 phases (next to be held in 2024) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - BJP 97, INC 34, AITC 13, DMK 10, other 2, independent 2; composition - men 209, women 29, percent of women 13.8% House of the People - percent of vote by party - BJP 55.8%, INC 9.6%, AITC 4.4%, YSRC 4.4%, DMK 4.2%, SS 3.3%, JDU 2.9%, BJD 2.2%, BSP 1.8%, TRS 1.7%, LJP 1.1%, NCP 0.9%, SP 0.9%, other 6.4%, independent 0.7%; seats by party - BJP 303, INC 52, DMK 24, AITC 22, YSRC 22, SS 18, JDU 16, BJD 12, BSP 10, TRS 9, LJP 6, NCP 5, SP 5, other 35, independent 4, vacant 2; composition - men 465, women 78, percent of women 14.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 11.3% Topic: Indonesiadescription: bicameral People's Consultative Assembly or Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat (MPR) consists of: Regional Representative Council or Dewan Perwakilan Daerah (136 seats; non-partisan members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - 4 each from the country's 34 electoral districts - by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms); note - the Regional Representative Council has no legislative authority House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat (DPR) (575 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 5-year terms) (2019) elections: Regional Representative Council - last held on 17 April 2019 (next to be held 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 17 April 2019 (next to be held 2024) (2019) election results: Regional Representative Council - all seats elected on a non-partisan basis; composition - men 102, women 34, percent of women 25% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDI-P 19.3%, Gerindra 12.6%, Golkar 12.3%,  PKB 9.7%, Nasdem 9.1%, PKS 8.2%, PD 7.8%, PAN 6.8%, PPP 4.5%, other 9.6%; seats by party - PDI-P 128, Golkar 85, Gerindra 78, Nasdem 59, PKB 58, PD 54, PKS 50, PAN 44, PPP 19; composition - men 449, women 126, percent of women 21.9%; total People's Consultative Assembly percent of women 22.5% (2019) Topic: Irandescription: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami or Majles (290 seats; 285 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by 2-round vote, and 1 seat each for Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, Armenians in the north of the country and Armenians in the south; members serve 4-year terms); note - all candidates to the Majles must be approved by the Council of Guardians, a 12-member group of which 6 are appointed by the supreme leader and 6 are jurists nominated by the judiciary and elected by the Majles elections: first round held on 21 February 2020 and second round for 11 remaining seats held on 11 September 2020 (next full Majles election to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by coalition (first round) - NA; seats by coalition (first round) - conservatives and hardliners 226, reformists 19, independents 40, religious minorities 5; as of June 2021 by-elections; composition - men 274, women 16, percent of women 5.6% Topic: Iraqdescription: unicameral Council of Representatives of Iraq (COR) or Majlis an-Nuwwab al-Iraqiyy (329 seats; 320 members directly elected in 83 multi-seat constituencies by single nontransferable vote, 9 seats reserved for minorities - 5 for Christians, 1 each for Sabaean-Mandaeans, Yazidis, Shabaks, Fayli Kurds, and 25% of seats allocated to women; members serve 4-year terms); note - in late 2020, the COR approved an electoral law, replacing the proportional representation voting system with the single non-transferable system elections: last held on 10 October 2021 (next to be held in October 2025) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Sadrist Bloc 73, National Progress Alliance 37, State of Law Coalition 33, Kurdish Democratic Party 31, Al Fatah Alliance 17, Kurdistan Alliance 17, Al Iraq Alliance 14, New Generation Movement 14, Ishraqet Konoon 6, Tasmin Alliance 5, Babylon Movement 4, National Contract Alliance 4, National State Forces Alliance 4, other 22, independent 43; composition - men 234, women 95, percent of women 28.9% Topic: Irelanddescription: bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of: Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members indirectly elected from 5 vocational panels of nominees by an electoral college, 11 appointed by the prime minister House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (160 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; all Parliament members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held early on 21-30 May 2020 (next to be held in March 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 8 February 2020 (next to be held no later than 2025) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fianna Fail 16, Fine Gael 12, Labor Party 5, Sinn Fein 5, Green Party 2, independent 9; composition - men 36, women 24, percent of women 40%   House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Sinn Fein 23%, Fianna Fail 23%, Fine Gael 22%, Green Party 8%, Labor Party 4%, Social Democrats 4%, AAA-PBD 3%, Aontu 0.6%, Independents for Change 0.6%, Ceann Comhairle 0.6%, independent 12%; seats by party - Sinn Fein 37, Fianna Fail 37, Fine Gael 35, Green Party 12, Labor Party 6, Social Democrats 6, AAA-PBD 5, Aontu l, Independents for Change 1, Ceann Comhairle 1, Independents 19; composition as of March 2022 - men 123, women 37, percent of women 23.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 27.7% Topic: Isle of Mandescription: bicameral Tynwald or the High Court of Tynwald consists of: Legislative Council (11 seats; includes the President of Tynwald, 2 ex-officio members - the Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man and the attorney general (non-voting) - and 8 members indirectly elected by the House of Keys with renewal of 4 members every 2 years; elected members serve 4-year terms) House of Keys (24 seats; 2 members directly elected by simple majority vote from 12 constituencies to serve 5-year terms) elections: Legislative Council - last held 29 February 2020 (next to be held on 28 February 2022) House of Keys - last held on 23 September 2021 (next to be held in September 2026) election results: Legislative Council - composition (as of 2021) - men 6, women 3, 2 vacancies; percent of women 27.3% House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 5.3%, Manx Labour Prty 5.1%, Green Party 3.3% independent 86.3%; seats by party - independent 21; Manx Labour Party 2, Liberal Vannin 1, Green Party 0; composition – men 14, women 10, percent of women 41.7%; note - total Tynwald percent of women 37.1%Legislative Council - composition (as of 2021) - men 6, women 3, 2 vacancies; percent of women 27.3%House of Keys - percent of vote by party - Liberal Vannin 5.3%, Manx Labour Prty 5.1%, Green Party 3.3% independent 86.3%; seats by party - independent 21; Manx Labour Party 2, Liberal Vannin 1, Green Party 0; composition – men 14, women 10, percent of women 41.7%; note - total Tynwald percent of women 37.1% Topic: Israeldescription: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3.25% vote threshold to gain representation; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 23 March 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent by party - Likud 24.2%, Yesh Atid 13.9%, Shas 7.2%, Blue and White 6.6%, Yamina 6.2%, Labor 6.1%, UTJ 5.6%, Yisrael Beiteinu 5.6%, Religious Zionist Party 5.1%, Joint List 4.8%, New Hope 4.7%, Meretz 4.6%, Ra'am 3.8%, other 0.5%; seats by party - Likud 30, Yesh Atid 17, Shas 9, Blue and White 8, Yamina 7, Labor 7, UTJ 7, Yisrael Beiteinu 7, Religious Zionist Party 6, Joint List 6, New Hope 6, Meretz 6, Ra'am 4; composition as of March 2022 - men 84, women 36, percentage of women 30% Topic: Italydescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of: Senate or Senato della Repubblica (320 seats; 116 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 193 members in multi-seat constituencies and 6 members in multi-seat constituencies abroad directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 5 ex-officio members appointed by the president of the Republic to serve for life) Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 629 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 1 member from Valle d'Aosta elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 4 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 4 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - center-right coalition 137 (Lega 58, FI 57, FdI 18, NCI-UDC 4), M5S 112, center-left coalition 60 (PD 53, SVP-PATT 3, CP 1, +EU 1, Together 1, VdAI 1), LeU 4, MAIE 1, USEI 1; composition (as of March 2022) - men 208, women 112, percent of women 35% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - center-right coalition 265 (Lega 125, FI 104, FdI 32, NeI-UDC 4), M5S 227, center-left coalition 122 (PD 112, SVP-PATT 4, +EU 3, CP 2, Together 1), LeU 14, MAIE 1,USEI 1; composition (as of September 2021) - men 401, women 229, percent of women 36.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 35.9% Note: in October 2019, Italy's Parliament voted to reduce the number of Senate seats from 315 to 200 and the number of Chamber of Deputies seats from 630 to 400; a referendum to reduce the membership of Parliament held on 20-21 September 2020 was approved, effective for the 2023 election Topic: Jamaicadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (21 seats; 13 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and 8 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the opposition party leader; members serve 5-year terms (no term limits) or until Parliament is dissolved) House of Representatives (63 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms (no term limits) or until Parliament is dissolved) elections: Senate - last full slate of appointments early on 3 September 2020 (next full slate in 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 3 September 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition (as of June 2021) - men 13, women 8, percent of women 38.1% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - JLP 57%, PNP 42.8%, independent 0.2%; seats by party - JLP 48, PNP 15; composition (as of June 2021) - men 45, women 18; percent of women 28.6%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31% Topic: Japandescription: bicameral Diet or Kokkai consists of: House of Councillors or Sangi-in (245 seats, currently 242; 146 members directly elected in multi-seat districts by simple majority vote and 96 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with half the membership renewed every 3 years); note - the number of seats increases to 248 at the July 2022 election for renewal of half the membership House of Representatives or Shugi-in (465 seats; 289 members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote and 176 directly elected in multi-seat districts by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: House of Councillors - last held on 21 July 2019 (next to be held in July 2022) House of Representatives - last held on 31 October 2021 (next to be held by October 2025) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 55, DP 32, Komeito 14, JCP 6, Osaka Ishin no Kai (Initiatives from Osaka) 7, PLPTYF 1, SDP 1, independent 5; composition - men 186, women 56, percent of women 21.3% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDP 261, CDP 96, Ishin 41, Komeito 32, DPFP 11, JCP 10, Reiwa 3, SDP 1, independent 10; composition - men 420, women 45, percent of women 9.7%; note - total Diet percent of women 14.7% note: the Diet in June 2017 redrew Japan's electoral district boundaries and reduced from 475 to 465 seats in the House of Representatives; the amended electoral law, which cuts 6 seats in single-seat districts and 4 in multi-seat districts, was reportedly intended to reduce voting disparities between densely and sparsely populated voting districts Topic: Jerseydescription: unicameral Assembly of the States of Jersey (49 elected members; 8 senators to serve 4-year terms, and 29 deputies and 12 connetables, or heads of parishes, to serve 4-year terms; 5 non-voting members appointed by the monarch include the bailiff, lieutenant governor, dean of Jersey, attorney general, and the solicitor general) elections: last held on 16 May 2018 (next to be held on 16 May 2022) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 49; composition (as of October 2021) - men 35, women 14, percent of women 28.6% Topic: Jordandescription: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of: Senate or the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (65 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (130 seats; 115 members directly elected in 23 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote and 15 seats for women; 12 of the 115 seats reserved for Christian, Chechen, and Circassian candidates; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 Sep 2020 (next appointments in 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Senate - composition men 58, women 7, percent of women 10.8% Chamber of Deputies - note - tribal, centrist, and pro-government candidates dominated in the 130-seat election; the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, garnered only 10 seats, down from 15 in the previous election; women, who are guaranteed 15 seats by Jordan’s legislative quota system, won 16 seats, down from 20 seats won in the previous election; composition - men 114, women 16, percent of women 12.3%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 11.8%    Topic: Kazakhstandescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (49 seats statutory, 48 as of October 2021); 34 members indirectly elected by 2-round majority vote by the oblast-level assemblies and 15 members appointed by decree of the president; members serve 6-year terms, with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) Mazhilis (107 seats; 98 members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 9 indirectly elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, a 351-member, presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities) elections: Senate - last held on 12 August 2020 (next to be held in August 2023) Mazhilis - last held on 10 January 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results:   Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition (as of October 2021) - men 39, women 9, percent of women 18.4% Mazhilis - percent of vote by party - Nur Otan 71.1%, Ak Zhol 11%, People's Party 9.1%, other 8.8%; seats by party - Nur Otan 76, Ak Zhol 12, People's Party 10; composition (as of October 2021) - men 78, women 29, percent of women 27.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.4% Topic: Kenyadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (68 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, 2 representing the disabled, and the Senate speaker; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (350 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled, and the Assembly speaker; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2022) National Assembly - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held on 9 August 2022) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 24; National Super Alliance 28, other 14, independent 1; composition - men 46, women 22, percent of women is 32.4% National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 165, National Super Alliance 119, other 51, independent 13; composition - men 275, women 75, percent of women 21.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 23% Topic: Kiribatidescription: unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats; 44 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two-rounds if needed; 1 member appointed by the Rabi Council of Leaders - representing Banaba Island, and 1 ex officio member - the attorney general; members serve 4-year terms) elections: legislative elections originally scheduled to be held in two rounds on 7 and 15 April 2020 but rescheduled for 14 and 21 April (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party (second round) - NA; seats by party (second round) - TKB 22, BKM 22, 1 independent Topic: Korea, Northdescription: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms); note - the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates elections: last held on 10 March 2019 (next to be held March 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KWP 607, KSDP 50, Chondoist Chongu Party 22, General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) 5, religious associations 3; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; composition as of March 2022 - men 566, women 121, percent of women 17.6% note: KWP, KSDP, Chondoist Chongu Party, and Chongryon are under the KWP's control; a token number of seats reserved for minor parties Topic: Korea, Southdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Kuk Hoe (300 seats statutory, current 295; 253 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 47 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 15 April 2020 (next to be held on 10 April 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP/Together Citizens Party 180, UFP/Free Korea Party 103, JP 6, ODP 3, PP 3, independent 5; composition as of April 2022 - men 240, women 55, percent of women 18.6% Topic: Kosovodescription: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova (120 seats; 100 members directly elected by open-list proportional representation vote with 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities - 10 for Serbs and 10 for other ethnic minorities; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - VV 50%, PDK 16.9%, LDK 12.7%, AAK 7.1%, Serbian List 5.1%, other 8.2%; seats by party - VV 58, PDK 19, LDK 15, Serbian List 10, AAK 8, other 10; composition as of December 2021 - men 79, women 41, percent of women 34.2% Topic: Kuwaitdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (65 seats; 50 members directly elected from 5 multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 15 ex-officio members (cabinet ministers) appointed by the amir; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 5 December 2020 (next to be held NA) election results: all candidates ran as independents, though nearly one-half were oppositionists; composition of elected members - men 50, women 0, percent of women 0% Topic: Kyrgyzstandescription: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kenesh (90 seats statutory, current 88; 54 seats allocated for proportional division among political party lists from the national vote and 36 seats allocated for candidates running in single-seat constituencies; members serve 5-year terms; parties must receive 5% of the vote to win seats in the Council) elections: last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan 19.1%, Ishenim 15%, Yntymak 12.1%, Alliance 9.2%, Butun Kyrgyzstan 7.8%, Yiman Nuru 6.8%, other 30%; seats by party - Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan 15, Ishenim 12, Yntymak 9, Alliance 7, Butun Kyrgyzstan 6, Yiman Nuru 5, other 36; composition - men 70, women 18, percent of women 20.5% Topic: Laosdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9% Topic: Latviadescription: unicameral Parliament or Saeima (100 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 6 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - S 19.8%, KPV LV 14.3%, JKP 13.6%, AP! 12%, NA 11%, ZZS 9.9%, JV 6.7%, other 12.7%; seats by party - S 23, KPV LV 16, JKP 16, AP! 13, NA 13, ZZS 11, JV 8; composition as of April 2022 - men 73, women 27, percent of women 27% Topic: Lebanondescription: unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Nuwab in Arabic or Assemblee Nationale in French (128 seats; members directly elected in multi-member constituencies by listed-based proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); prior to 2017, the electoral system was by majoritarian vote elections: last held on 15 May 2022 (next to be held in May 2026) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party – NA; seats by party/coalition – FPM 16, LF 14, Amal Movement 13, Hezbollah 13, PSP 9, Future Movement Bloc (candidates did not run in 2022; members ran as independents) 8, Kata’ib Party 4, other 30, independent 21; composition - men 120, women 8, percent of women 6.3% note: Lebanon’s constitution states the National Assembly cannot conduct regular business until it elects a president when the position is vacant Topic: Lesothodescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (33 seats; 22 principal chiefs and 11 other senators nominated by the king with the advice of the Council of State, a 13-member body of key government and non-government officials; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (120 seats; 80 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 40 elected through proportional representation; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last nominated by the king 11 July 2017 (next NA) National Assembly - last held on 3 June 2017 (next to be held in 2022) election results: Senate - percent of votes by party - NA, seats by party - NA; composition - men 26, women 7, percent of women 21.2% National Assembly - percent of votes by party - ABC 40.5%, DC 25.8%, LCD 9%, AD 7.3%, MEC 5.1%, BNP 4.1, PFD 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - ABC 51, DC 30, LCD 11, AD 9, MEC 6, BNP 5, PFD 3, other 5; composition - men 95, women 27, percent of women 22.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.9% Topic: Liberiadescription: bicameral National Assembly consists of: The Liberian Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms; each district elects 1 senator and elects the second senator 3 years later, followed by a 6-year hiatus, after which the first Senate seat is up for election) House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term) elections: Senate - general election held on 8 December 2020 with half the seats up for election (next election 2023) House of Representatives - last held on 10 October 2017 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Collaborating Political Parties 40.27%, Congress for Democratic Change 28.02%, People's Unification Party 6.40, Movement for Democracy and Reconstructions 4.30%, All Liberia Coalition 1.09%,Rainbow Alliance 1.09%, Liberia Restoration Party 0,82%, Liberia National Union 0.77%, Movement for Progressive Change 0.74%, United People's Party 0.66%, Liberia Transformation Party 0.16%, National Democratic Coalition 0.07%, Movement for One Liberia 0.01; seats by coalition/party- CPP 13, CDC 5, PUP 2, MDR 1, NDC 1      House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - Coalition for Democratic Change 15.6%, UP 14%, LP 8.7%, ANC 6.1%, PUP 5.9%, ALP 5.1%, MDR 3.4%, other 41.2%; seats by coalition/party - Coalition for Democratic Change 21, UP 20, PUP 5, LP 3, ALP 3, MDR 2, independent 13, other 6; composition - men 64, women 9, percent of women 12.3%; total Parliament percent of women 11.7% Topic: Libyadescription: unicameral House of Representatives (Majlis Al Nuwab) or HoR (200 seats including 32 reserved for women; members directly elected by majority vote; member term NA); note - the High State Council serves as an advisory group for the HoR elections: last held on 25 June 2014 election results: 25 June 2014 - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition; note - only 188 of the 200 seats were filled in the June 2014 election because of boycotts and lack of security at some polling stations; some elected members of the HoR also boycotted the election Topic: Liechtensteindescription: unicameral Parliament or Landtag (25 seats; members directly elected in 2 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 7 February 2021 (next to be held on 7 February 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - FBP 35.9%, VU 35.9%, FL 12.9%, DpL 11.1%, independent 4.2%; seats by party - FBP 10, VU 10, FL 3, DpL 2; composition - men 18, women 7, percent of women 28% Topic: Lithuaniadescription: unicameral Parliament or Seimas (141 seats; 71 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote and 70 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 11 and 25 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - TS-LKD 50, LVZS 32, LSDP 13, LRLS 13, Freedom 11, DP 10, AWPL 3, LSDDP 3, LT 1, Greens 1, independent 4; composition - men 102, women 39, percent of women 27.7% Topic: Luxembourgdescription: unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (60 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - a 21-member Council of State appointed by the Grand Duke on the advice of the prime minister serves as an advisory body to the Chamber of Deputies elections: last held on 14 October 2018 (next to be held by 31 October 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - CSV 28.3%, LSAP 17.6%, DP 16.9%, Green Party 15.1%, ADR 8.3%, Pirate Party 6.4%, The Left 5.5%, other 1.9%; seats by party - CSV 21, DP 12, LSAP 10, Green Party 9, ADR 4, Pirate Party 2, The Left 2; composition (as of September 2021) - men 39, women 21, percent of women 35% Topic: Macaudescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (33 seats; 14 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 12 indirectly elected by an electoral college of professional and commercial interest groups, and 7 appointed by the chief executive; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 12 September 2021 (next to be held in September 2025) election results: percent of vote - ACUM 20.1%, UPD 18%, NE 13.8%, UMG 12.7%, UPP 11.4%, ABL 10.8%, PS 6.6%, other 6.6%; seats by political group - ACUM 3, UPD 2, UMG 2, UPP 2, ABL 2, NE 2, PS 1; composition NA Topic: Madagascardescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (reestablished on 22 January 2016, following the December 2015 senatorial election) (63 seats; 42 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders and 21 appointed by the president of the republic; members serve 5-year terms); note - in December 2020 President RAJOELINA ordered that the senate now have only 18 seats, 6 of which are appointed by the president, the remaining 12 indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders National Assembly or Antenimierampirenena (151 seats; 87 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 64 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 29 December 2015 (scheduled for 2021; note - opposition parties boycotted this legislative election) National Assembly - last held on 27 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - HVM 34, TIM 3, MAPAR 2, LEADER-Fanilo 1, independent 2, appointed by the president 21; composition - men 51, women 12, percent of women 19% National Assembly - percent of vote by party -Independent Pro-HVM 18%, MAPAR 17%, MAPAR pro-HVM 16%, VPM-MMM 10%, VERTS 3%, LEADER FANILO 3%, HIARAKA ISIKA 3%, GPS/ARD 7%,  INDEPENDENT 9%, TAMBATRA 1%, TIM 13%;  composition - men 120, women 31, percent of women 20.5%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 20.1% Topic: Malawidescription: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - DPP 62, MCP 55, UDF 10, PP 5, other 5, independent 55, vacant 1; composition - men 161, women 32, percent of women 16.6% Topic: Malaysiadescription: bicameral Parliament of Malaysia or Parlimen Malaysia consists of: Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members appointed by the king and 26 indirectly elected by 13 state legislatures; members serve 3-year terms) House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) (2019) elections: Senate - appointed House of Representatives - last held on 9 May 2018 (next national elections are not scheduled until 2023 but are widely expected to be called in 2022) election results: Senate - appointed; composition - men 54, women 14, percent of women 20.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - PH 45.6%, BN 33.8%, PAS 16.9%, WARISAN 2.3%, other 1.4%; seats by party/coalition - PH 113, BN 79, PAS 18, WARISAN 8, USA 1, independent 3; composition - men 199, women 23, percent of women 10.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 12.8% note: as of 16 November 2019, seats by party - PH 129, BN 41, GS 18, GPS 18, WARISAN 9, GBS 3, UPKO 1, PSB 1, independent 1, vacant 1 Topic: Maldivesdescription: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (87 seats - includes 2 seats added by the Elections Commission in late 2018; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 6 April 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote - MDP 44.7%, JP 10.8%, PPM 8.7%, PNC 6.4%, MDA 2.8%, other 5.6%, independent 21%; seats by party - MDP 65, JP 5, PPM 5, PNC 3, MDA 2, independent 7; composition - men 83, women 4, percent of women 4.6% Topic: Malidescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members directly elected in single and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; 13 seats reserved for citizens living abroad; members serve 5-year terms) note - the National Assembly was dissolved on 18 August 2020 following a military coup and the resignation of President KEITA; note - the transition government created a National Transition Council (CNT) whose 121 members were selected by then-transition vice president Assimi GOITA; the CNT acts as the transition government's legislative body with Malick DIAW serving as the president; in February 2022 the CNT increased the number of seats to 147 but the additional seats have not yet been filled elections: last held on 30 March and 19 April 2020 election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA composition - NA Topic: Maltadescription: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (normally 65 seats but can include at-large members; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - an additional two seats were added in 2016 by the Constitutional Court to correct for mistakes made in the 2013 vote-counting process elections: last held on 26 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: percent of vote by party - PL 55.1%, PN 41.7%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PL 38 PN 29; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% Topic: Marshall Islandsdescription: bicameral National Parliament consists of: Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - legislative power resides in the Nitijela elections: last held on 18 November 2019 (next to be held by November 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 33 Topic: Mauritaniadescription: unicameral Parliament or Barlamane consists of the National Assembly or Al Jamiya Al Wataniya (157 seats; 113 members in single- and multi-seat constituencies directly elected by a combination of plurality and proportional representation voting systems, 40 members in a single, nationwide constituency directly elected by proportional representation vote, and 4 members directly elected by the diaspora; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: first held as the unicameral National Assembly in 2 rounds on 1 and 15 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UPR 95, Tawassoul 14, UDP 6, El Karama 6, AND 4, PUCM 4, RFD 3, UFP 3, Shura Party for Development 3, Burst of Youth for the Nation 3, SAWAB 3, APP 3, DIL 2, El Wiam 2, AJD/MR 2, Coalition of Wava Mauritanian Party 1, El Ghad 1, National Democratic Union 1, Ravah Party 1, Party of Peace and Democratic Progress 1, El Islah 1 note: a referendum held in August 2017 approved a constitutional amendment to change the Parliament structure from bicameral to unicameral by abolishing the Senate and creating Regional Councils for local development Topic: Mauritiusdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (70 seats maximum; 62 members directly elected multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 8 seats allocated to non-elected party candidates by the Office of Electoral Commissioner; members serve a 5-year term) elections: last held on 7 November 2019 (next to be held by late 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - MSM 61%,  Mauritius Labour Party 23%, MMM 13%, OPR 3%; elected seats by party as of - the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) wins 38 seats, the Mauritius Labour Party (PTR) or (MLP) 14, Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) 8 and the Rodrigues People's Organization (OPR) 2; composition - men 49, women 13; percent of women 20% (2019) Topic: Mexicodescription: bicameral National Congress or Congreso de la Union consists of: Senate or Camara de Senadores (128 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 32 directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (500 seats; 300 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 200 directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 1 July 2018 (next to be held in July 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 6 June 2021 (next to be held in July 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MORENA 58, PAN 22, PRI 14, PRD 9, MC 7, PT 7, PES 5, PVEM 5, PNA/PANAL 1; composition (as of July 2018) - men 65, women 63, percent of women 49.2% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MORENA 197, PAN 111, PRI 69, PVEM 44, PT 38, MC 25, PRD 16; composition - men 250, women 250, percent of women 50%; note - overall percent of women in National Congress 49.8% note: as of the 2018 election, senators will be eligible for a second term and deputies up to 4 consecutive terms Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofdescription: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 at- large members directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 2 March 2021 (next to be held on March 2023) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14; composition - men 14, women 0 Topic: Moldovadescription: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 51 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 50 members directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote; all members serve 4-year terms elections: last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition (as of October 2021) - men 61, women 40, percent of women 39.6%last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025)percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition (as of October 2021) - men 61, women 40, percent of women 39.6% Topic: Monacodescription: unicameral National Council or Conseil National (24 seats; 16 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 8 directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 11 February 2018 (next to be held on 28 February 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - Priorite Monaco 57.7%, Horizon Monaco 26.1%, Union Monegasque 16.2%; seats by party - Priorite Monaco 21, Horizon Monaco 2, Union Monegasque 1; composition - men 16, women 8, percent of women 33.3% Topic: Mongoliadescription: unicameral State Great Hural or Ulsyn Ikh Khural (76 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; each constituency requires at least 50% voter participation for the poll to be valid; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 24 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - MPP 44.9%, DP 24.5%, Our Coalition 8.1%, independent 8.7%, Right Person Electorate Coalition 5.2%, other 8.5%; seats by party - MPP 62, DP 11, Our Coalition 1, Right Person Electorate Coalition 1; independent 1; composition -  63 men, 13 women; percent of women 17.1%; note - the MPRP, Civil Will-Green Party, and Mongolian Traditionally United Party formed Our Coalition for the 2020 election; the Right Person Electorate Coalition was established in 2020 by the National Labor Party, Mongolian Social Democratic Party, and Justice Party Topic: Montenegrodescription: unicameral Assembly or Skupstina (81 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 30 August 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - DPS 35.1%, ZBCG 32.6%, MNIM 12.5%, URA 5.5%, SD 4.1%, BS 3.9%, SDP 3.1%, AL 1.6%, AK 1.1%, other 0.4%; seats by party/coalition - DPS 30, ZBCG 27, MNIM 10, URA 4, BS 3, SD 3, SDP 2, AL 1, AK 1.; composition - men 57, women 24, percent of women 29.6% Topic: Montserratdescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly (11 seats; 9 members directly elected in a single constituency by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds to serve 5-year terms and 2 ex-officio members - the attorney general and financial secretary) elections: last held on 18 November 2019 (next scheduled for 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - MCAP 42.7%, PDM 29.9%, other 17.1%; seats by party - MCAP 5, PDM 3, independent 1 Topic: Moroccodescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Councillors or Majlis al-Mustacharine (120 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college of local councils, professional organizations, and labor unions; members serve 6-year terms) House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (395 seats; 305 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 90 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - 90 seats are reserved for a combination of women and those under age 40 in regional multi-member constituencies, with the seats divided proportionally among the 12 regions by population size of the region elections: House of Councillors - last held on 5 October 2021 (next to be held by 31 October 2027) House of Representatives - last held on 8 September 2021 (next to be held by 30 September 2026) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RNI 27, PAM 19, PI 17, MP 12, USFP 8, UGIM 6, CDT 3, PJD 3, UC 2, UMT 2, Amal 1, FDT 1, MDS 1, PRD 1, independent 1; composition as of October 2021) men 106, women 14, percent of women 11.7% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - RNI 102, PAM 87, PI 81, USFP 34, MP 28, PPS 22, UC 18, PJD 13, MDS 5, other 5; composition (as of October 2021)- men 305, women 90, percent of women 22.8%; note - overall percent of women in Parliament 20.2% Topic: Mozambiquedescription: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (250 seats; 248 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 2 single members representing Mozambicans abroad directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) (2019) elections: last held on 15 October 2019 (next to be held on 15 October 2024) (2019) election results: percent of vote by party - FRELIMO 71%, RENAMO 23%, MDM 4%; seats by party - FRELIMO 184, RENAMO 60, MDM 6; composition - men 151, women 99, percent of women 39.6% (2019) Topic: Namibiadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: National Council (42 seats); members indirectly elected 3 each by the 14 regional councils to serve 5-year terms); note - the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly National Assembly (104 seats; 96 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed list, proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 8 nonvoting members appointed by the president) elections: National Council - elections for regional councils to determine members of the National Council held on 25 November 2020 (next to be held on 25 November 2025) National Assembly - last held on 27 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SWAPO 28, LPM 6,IPC 2, PDM 2, UDF 2, NUDO 1,  independent 1; composition - men 36, women 6, percent of women 16.6% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - SWAPO 65.5%, PDM 16.6%, LPM 4.7%, NUDO 1.9%, APP 1.8%, UDF 1.8%, RP 1.8%, NEFF 1.7%, RDP 1.1%, CDV .7%, SWANU .6%, other 1.8%; seats by party - SWAPO 63, PDM 16, LPM 4, NUDO 2, APP 2, UDF 2, RP 2, NEFF 2, RDP 1, CDV 1, SWANU 1; composition - NA Topic: Naurudescription: unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 24 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19; composition - men 17, women 2, percent of women 10.5% Topic: Nepaldescription: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of: National Assembly (59 seats; 56 members, including at least 3 women, 1 Dalit, 1 member with disabilities, or 1 minority indirectly elected by an electoral college of state and municipal government leaders, and 3 members, including 1 woman, nominated by the president of Nepal on the recommendation of the government; members serve 6-year terms with renewal of one-third of the membership every 2 years) House of Representatives (275 seats; 165 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 110 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a threshold of 3% overall valid vote to be allocated a seat; members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Representatives was dissolved on 22 May 2021, but on 13 July, the Supreme Court directed its reinstatement elections: first election for the National Assembly held on 7 February 2018 (next to be held in 2024) first election for House of Representatives held on 26 November and 7 December 2017 (next scheduled for 12, 19 November 2021) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 42, NC 13, FSFN 2, RJPN 2; composition - men 37, women 22, percent of women 37.3% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NCP 174, NC 63, RJPN 17, FSFN 16, other 4, independent 1; composition - men 185, women 90, percent of women 32.7%; note - total Federal Parliament percent of women 33.5% Topic: Netherlandsdescription: bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of: First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial council members by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve up to 4-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held on 27 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2023) Second Chamber - last held on 15-17 March 2021 (next to be held on 31 March 2025) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - FvD 15.9%, VVD 15.1%, CDA 11.4%, GL 11.2%, D66 8.8%, LP 8.6%, PVV 6.5%, SP 5.9%, CU 5%, other 11.6%; seats by party - FvD 12, VVD 12, CDA 9, GL 8, D66 7, LP 6, PVV 5, SP 4, CU 4, other 8; composition (as of September 2021) - men 46, women 29, percent of women 38.7% Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - VVD 21.9%, D66 15%, PVV 10.8%, CDA 9.5%, ,SP 9.1%, PvdA 5.7%, GL 5.2%, FvD 5%, PvdD 3.8%, CU 3.4%, other 13.7%; seats by party - VVD 34, D66 24, PVV 17, CDA 15, GL 8, FvD8, PvdD 6, CU 5, other 8; composition (as of September 2021) - men 91, women 59, percent of women 39.3%; note - total States General percent of women 39.1% Topic: New Caledoniadescription: unicameral Territorial Congress or Congrès du Territoire (54 seats; members indirectly selected proportionally by the partisan makeup of the 3 Provincial Assemblies or Assemblés Provinciales; members of the 3 Provincial Assemblies directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population, which rules on laws affecting the indigenous population New Caledonia indirectly elects 2 members to the French Senate by an electoral colleges for a 6-year term with one seat renewed every 3 years and directly elects 2 members to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term elections: Territorial Congress - last held on 12 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) French Senate - election last held in September 2019 (next to be held not later than 2021) French National Assembly - election last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) election results: Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party -Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26); composition - NA representation in French Senate - NA representation in French National Assembly - NA French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 2 French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CE 2Territorial Congress - percent of vote by party - N/A; seats by party -Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26); composition - NA representation in French Senate - NA representation in French National Assembly - NA Topic: New Zealanddescription: unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats for 2020-23 term); 72 members directly elected in 65 single-seat constituencies and 7 Maori constituencies by simple majority vote and 48 directly elected by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 17 October 2020 (next scheduled for 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 49.1%, National Party 26.8%, ACT Party 8%, Green Party 6.3%, Maori Party 1%; seats by party - Labor Party 64, National Party 35, Green Party 10, ACT Party 10, Maori Party 1; composition - men 63, women 57, percent of women 47.5% Topic: Nicaraguadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 statutory seats, current 91; 70 members in multi-seat constituencies, representing the country's 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions, and 20 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; up to 2 seats reserved for the previous president and the runner-up candidate in the previous presidential election; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held on 1 November 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 75, PLC 10, ALN 2, APRE 1, PLI 2, YATAMA 1; composition - men 45, women 46, percent of women 50.6% Topic: Nigerdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (171 seats - 166 currently; 158 members directly elected from 8 multi-member constituencies in 7 regions and Niamey by party-list proportional representation, 8 reserved for minorities elected in special single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 5 seats reserved for Nigeriens living abroad - l seat per continent - elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 27 December 2020  election results: percent of vote by party - percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 37.04%, MODEN/FA Lumana 8.71%, MPR-Jamhuriya 7.59%, MNSD-Nassara 6.77%,  RDR-Tchanji 4.41%, CPR-Inganci 4.15%, MPN-Kishin Kassa 3.97%, PJP Generation Dubara 2.88%, ANDP Zaman Lahya 2.46%, RPP Farrilla 2.10%, ARD Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 1.74%, AMEN AMIN 1.43%, MDEN Falala 1.42%, other 15.33%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 79, MODEN/FA Lumana 19, MPR-Jamhuriya 14, MNSD-Nassara 13, CPR-Inganci 8, MPN-Kishin Kassa 6, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 3, RPP Farrilla 2, PJP Generation Dubara 2, ARD Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 2, AMEN AMIN 2, other 16; composition - men 123, women 43, percent of women 25.9% Topic: Nigeriadescription: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (109 seats - 3 each for the 36 states and 1 for Abuja-Federal Capital Territory; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (360 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 23 February 2019 (next to be held on 25 February 2023); note: election was scheduled for 16 February 2019 but was postponed on 15 February 2019 House of Representatives - last held on 23 February 2019 (next to be held on 25 February 2023); note: election was scheduled for 16 February 2019 but was postponed on 15 February 2019 election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 65, PDP 39, YPP 1, TBD 3; composition - men 103, women 6, percent of women 5.5% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 217, PDP 115, other 20, TBD 8; composition - men 346, women 14, percent of women 3.9%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 4.3% Topic: Niuedescription: unicameral Assembly or Fono Ekepule (20 seats; 14 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 6 directly elected from the National Register or "common roll" by majority vote; members serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 30 May 2020 (next to be held on 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 20 Topic: Norfolk Islanddescription: unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); mayor elected annually by the councillors elections: elections last held 28 May 2016 (next rescheduled to be held in 2022) election results: seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percent of women 20% note: following an administrative restructuring of local government, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved on 18 June 2015 and replaced by an interim Norfolk Island Advisory Council effective 1 July 2015; the Advisory Council consisted of 5 members appointed by the Norfolk Island administrator based on nominations from the community; following elections on 28 May 2016, the new Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) commenced operations on 1 July 2016; on 20 December 2020 the NIRC was suspended for three months following a public audit and this suspension was extended on 3 February 2021 for an additional three months pending the outcome of a public inquiry; the council election previously scheduled for 13 March 2021 has been postponed 12 months Topic: North Macedoniadescription: unicameral Assembly - Sobraine in Macedonian, Kuvend in Albanian (between 120 and 140 seats, currently 120; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; possibility of 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies by simple majority vote provided there is sufficient voter turnout; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last election was to be held on 12 April 2020 but was postponed until 15 July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - We Can 35.9%, Renewal 34.6%, BDI 11.5%, AfA-Alternative 9%, The Left 4.1%, PDSh 1.5%, other 3.4%; seats by party/coalition - We Can 46, Renewal 44, BDI 15, AfA-Alternative 12, The Left 2, PDSh 1 Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsdescription: bicameral Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature consists of: Senate (9 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (20 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms) the Northern Mariana Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term elections: CNMI Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) CNMI House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022) Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives  - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022) election results: CNMI Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 6, independent 3; composition - men 8, women 1, percent of women 11.1% CNMI House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 9, Democrat Party 8, independent 3 delegate to US House of Representatives - seat won by independent; composition - 1 man note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House" but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote Topic: Norwaydescription: unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 13 September 2021 (next to be held on 30 September 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - Ap 26.3%, H 20.5%, SP 13.6%, FrP 11.7%, SV 7.6%, R 4.7%, V 4.6%, MDG 3.9%, KrF 3.8%, PF 0.2%, other 3.1%; seats by party - Ap 48, H 36, SP 28, FrP 21, SV 13, R 8, V 8, , KrF 3, MDG 3, PF 1; composition (as of October 2021) men 93, women 76, percent of women 45%percent of vote by party - Ap 26.3%, H 20.5%, SP 13.6%, FrP 11.7%, SV 7.6%, R 4.7%, V 4.6%, MDG 3.9%, KrF 3.8%, PF 0.2%, other 3.1%; seats by party - Ap 48, H 36, SP 28, FrP 21, SV 13, R 8, V 8, , KrF 3, MDG 3, PF 1; composition (as of October 2021) men 93, women 76, percent of women 45% Topic: Omandescription: bicameral Council of Oman or Majlis Oman consists of: Council of State or Majlis al-Dawla (85 seats including the chairman; members appointed by the sultan from among former government officials and prominent educators, businessmen, and citizens) Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (86 seats; members directly elected in single- and 2-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve renewable 4-year terms); note - since political reforms in 2011, legislation from the Consultative Council is submitted to the Council of State for review by the Royal Court elections: Council of State - last appointments on 11 July 2019 (next - NA) Consultative Assembly - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: Council of State - composition - men 70, women 15, percent of women 17.6% Consultative Council percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA (organized political parties in Oman are legally banned); composition men 84, women 2, percent of women 2.3%; note - total Council of Oman percent of women 9.9% Topic: Pakistandescription: bicameral Parliament or Majlis-e-Shoora consists of: Senate (100 seats; members indirectly elected by the 4 provincial assemblies and the territories' representatives by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National Assembly (342 seats; 272 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 70 members - 60 women and 10 non-Muslims - directly elected by proportional representation vote; all members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2024) National Assembly - last held on 25 July 2018 (next to be held on 25 July 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PTI 25, PPP 21, PML-N 18, BAP 13, JU-F 5, other 13, independent 5; composition - men 81, women 19, percent of women 19% National Assembly - percent of votes by party NA; seats by party - PTI 156, PML-N 83, PPP 55, MMA 16, MQM-P 7, BAP 5, PML-Q 5, BNP 4, GDA 3, AML 1, ANP 1, JWP 1, independent 4; composition - men 273, women 69, percent of women 20.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20.1% Topic: Palaudescription: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of: Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) House of Delegates - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 13; composition - men 12, women 1; percent of women 7.7% House of Delegates - percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16; composition - men 15, women 1; percent of women 6.3%; note - overall percent of women in National Congress 6.9% Topic: Panamadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (71 seats; 45 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - populous towns and cities - by open list proportional representation vote and 26 directly elected in single-seat constituencies - outlying rural districts - by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 5 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRD 35, CD 18, Panamenista 8, MOLIRENA 5, independent 5; composition - men 55, women 16, percent of women 22.5% Topic: Papua New Guineadescription: unicameral National Parliament (111 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies - 89 local, 20 provinicial, the autonomous province of Bouganville, and the National Capital District - by majority preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the constitution allows up to 126 seats elections: last held from 24 June 2017 to 8 July 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - PNC 37%; NA 13%; Pangu 14%; URP 11%; PPP 4%; SDP 4%; Independents 3%; and smaller parties 14%; seats by party - NA; composition - men 108, women 3, percent of women 3% Topic: Paraguaydescription: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 17 departments and capital city - by closed-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 22 April 2018 (next to be held in April 2023) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 32.52%, PLRA 24.18%, FG 11.83%, PPQ 6.77%, MH 4.47%, PDP 3.66%, MCN 2.48%, UNACE 2.12%, other 11.97%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 17, PLRA 13, FG 6, PPQ 3, MH 2, PDP 2, MCN 1, UNACE 1; composition - men 38, women 7, percent of women 15.6% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party/coalition - ANR 39.1%, PLRA 17.74%, Ganar Alliance 12.08%, PPQ 4.46%, MH 3.19%; other 23.43%; seats by party/coalition - ANR 42, PLRA 17, Ganar Alliance 13, PPQ 3, MH 2, other 3; composition - men 66, women 14, percent of women 17.5%; note - total National Congress percent of women 16.8% Topic: Perudescription: unicameral Congress of the Republic of Peru or Congreso de la Republica del Peru (130 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote to serve single 5-year terms) elections: last held on 11 April 2021 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Free Peru 32, Popular Force 24, AP 15, APP 15, Avanza Pais 10, Popular Renewal 9, Democratic Peru 7, We Are Peru 5, We Can Peru 5, JP 5, Purple Party 3; composition - men 78, women 52, percent of women 40% Topic: Philippinesdescription: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists of: Senate or Senado (24 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) House of Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (304 seats; 243 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 61 representing minorities directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms) elections: Senate - elections last held on 13 May 2019 (next to be held on 9 May 2022) House of Representatives - elections last held on 13 May 2019 (next to be held on 9 May 2022) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PDP-Laban 21.4%, NP 16.8%, LP 11.6%, NPC 8.64%, other 26.3%, independent 14.9%; seats by party - PDP-Laban 5, NP 4, LP 4, NPC 3, other 4, independent 4; composition - men 17, women 7, percent of women 29% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDP-Laban 21.2%, NP 16.1%, PNG 14.3%, NUP 9.5%, LP 5.7%, independent 5.0%, others 18.2%; seats by party - PDP-Laban 82, NP 42, PNG 37, NUP 25, LP 18, other 98, independent 2, party-list 61; composition - men 217, women 87, percent of women 28.6% Topic: Pitcairn Islandsdescription: unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 4 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 1 nominated by the elected Council members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 3 ex-officio members - the governor, deputy governor, and commissioner; elected members serve 1-year terms) elections: last held in November 2017 (next to be held not later than December 2019) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 5 independent; composition - men 5, women 5, percent of women 50% Topic: Polanddescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senat (100 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) Sejm (460 seats statutory - current 459; members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote with 5% threshold of total votes needed for parties and 8% for coalitions to gain seats; minorities exempt from threshold; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 13 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) Sejm - last held on 13 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PiS 48, KO 43, PSL 3, SLD 2, independent 4; composition (as of October 2021) - men 76, women 24, percent of women 24% Sejm - percent of vote by party - PiS 43.6%, KO 27.4%, SLD 12.6%, PSL 8.5% Confederation 6.8%, other 1.1%; seats by party - PiS 235, KO 134, SLD 49, PSL 30, KWiN 11, MN 1; men 329, women 130, percent of women 28.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 27.5% note: the designation National Assembly or Zgromadzenie Narodowe is only used on those rare occasions when the 2 houses meet jointly Topic: Portugaldescription: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 30 January 2022 (next to be held in January 2026); note - early elections were called after parliament was dissolved on 3 November 2021 because of the 27 October 2021 rejection of the government's budget election results: percent of vote by party - PS 42.5%, PSD 28.4%, Enough 7.4%, IL 5%, BE 4.5%, CDU 4.4%, other 7.8%; seats by party - PS 120, PSD 72, Enough 12, IL 8, CDU 6, BE 5, other 3; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% Topic: Puerto Ricodescription: bicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa consists of: Senate or Senado (30 seats; 16 members directly elected in 8 2-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 14 at-large members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (51 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 3 November 2020) House of Representatives - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held on 3 November 2020) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 21, PPD 7, PIP 1, Independent 1; composition - men 23, women 7, percent of women 23.3% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNP 34, PPD 16, PIP 1; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7%; total Legislative Assembly percent of women 16% note: Puerto Rico directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 4-year term as a commissioner to the US House of Representatives; the commissioner can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House but not when legislation is submitted for a 'full floor' House vote; election of commissioner last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022) Topic: Qatardescription: unicameral Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura (45 seats; 30 members directly elected by popular vote for 4-year re-electable terms; 15 members appointed by the monarch to serve until resignation or until relieved; note - legislative drafting authority rests with the Council of Ministers and is reviewed by the Advisory Council or Majlis al-Shura elections: first election held for 30 elected members on 2 October 2021 (next to be held in 2025); date of appointed members NA election results: 30 nonpartisan members elected;  composition of elected members - men 30, women 0 Topic: Romaniadescription: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of: Senate or Senat (136 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 2 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Camera Deputatilor (330 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies - including 4 seats for diaspora - by party-list, proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - PSD 29.3%, PNL 25.6%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.9%, AUR 9.2%, UDMR 5.9%, other 14.1%; seats by party - PSD 47, PNL 41, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 25, AUR 14, UDMR 9; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSD 28.9%, PNL 25.2%, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 15.4%, AUR 9.1%, UDMR 5.7%, other 15.7%; seats by party - PSD 110, PNL 93, 2020 USR-PLUS Alliance 55, AUR 33, UDMR 21, other 18; composition men NA, women NA, percent of women NA; note - total Parliament percent of women NA% Topic: Russiadescription: bicameral Federal Assembly or Federalnoye Sobraniye consists of: Federation Council or Sovet Federatsii (170 seats; 2 members in each of the 83 federal administrative units (see note below) - oblasts, krays, republics, autonomous okrugs and oblasts, and federal cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg - appointed by the top executive and legislative officials; members serve 4-year terms) State Duma or Gosudarstvennaya Duma (450 seats (see note below); as of February 2014, the electoral system reverted to a mixed electoral system for the 2016 election, in which one-half of the members are directly elected by simple majority vote and one-half directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: State Duma - last held 17 - 19 September 2021 (next to be held in September 2026) election results: Federation Council (members appointed); composition (as of October 2021) - men 141, women 29, percent of women 17.1% State Duma - United Russia 50.9%, CPRF 19.3%, LDPR 7.7%, A Just Russia 7.6%, New People 5.3% other minor parties and Independents 9.2%; seats by party - United Russia 324, CPRF 57, LDPR 21, A Just Russia 27, New People 13; Rodina 1, CP 1, Party of Growth 1, independent 5; composition (as of October 2021) - men 377, women 73, percent of women 16.2%; note - total Federation Council percent of women 16.5% note 1: the State Duma now includes 3 representatives from the "Republic of Crimea," while the Federation Council includes 2 each from the "Republic of Crimea" and the "Federal City of Sevastopol," both regions that Russia occupied and attempted to annex from Ukraine and that the US does not recognize as part of RussiaState Duma - United Russia 50.9%, CPRF 19.3%, LDPR 7.7%, A Just Russia 7.6%, New People 5.3% other minor parties and Independents 9.2%; seats by party - United Russia 324, CPRF 57, LDPR 21, A Just Russia 27, New People 13; Rodina 1, CP 1, Party of Growth 1, independent 5; composition (as of October 2021) - men 377, women 73, percent of women 16.2%; note - total Federation Council percent of women 16.5% Topic: Rwandadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women selected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 16-18 September 2019 (next to be held in 2027) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 September 2018 (next to be held in September 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 16, women 10, percent of women 38.5% Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 40, PSD 5, PL 4, other 4 indirectly elected 27; composition - men 26, women 54, percent of women 67.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 60.4% Topic: Saint Barthelemydescription: unicameral Territorial Council (19 seats; members elected by absolute majority vote in the first round vote and proportional representation vote in the second round; members serve 5-year terms); Saint Barthelemy indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term and directly elects 1 deputy (shared with Saint Martin) to the French National Assembly elections: Territorial Council - first round held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027); second round held on 27 March 2022 French Senate - election last held 24 September 2017 (next to be held in September 2020) French National Assembly - election last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) election results: Territorial Council - percent of vote by party (first round) - SBA 46.2%, Saint Barth Action Equilibre 27.1%, Unis pour Saint Barthelemy 26.8%; percent of vote by party (second round) - Saint Barth Action Equilibre and Unis pour Saint Barthelemy 50.9%, SBA 49.2%, seats by party - Saint Barth Action Equilibre and Unis pour Saint Barthelemy 13, SBA 6; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% French Senate - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party UMP 1 French National Assembly - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party UMP 1 Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhadescription: unicameral Legislative Council (17 seats including the speaker and deputy speaker; 12 members directly elected in a single countrywide constituency by simple majority vote and 3 ex-officio members - the chief secretary, financial secretary, and attorney general; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 13 October 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party - independent 12; composition - men 14, women 3, percent women 17.6% note: the Constitution Order provides for separate Island Councils for both Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisdescription: unicameral National Assembly (14 or 15 seats, depending on inclusion of attorney general; 11 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 3 appointed by the governor general - 2 on the advice of the prime minister and the third on the advice of the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 5 June 2020 (next to be held on 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - Team Unity (PAM, CCM,PLP) 56.4%, SKNLP 34.5%, NRP 9%; seats by party - PAM 4, SKNLP 2, CCM 3, PLP 2 Topic: Saint Luciadescription: bicameral Houses of Parliament consists of: Senate (11 seats; all members appointed by the governor general; 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 upon consultation with religious, economic, and social groups; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the speaker, designated from outside the Parliament; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 17 August 2021 (next in 2026) House of Assembly - last held on 26 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 6, women 5, percent of women 45.5% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 50.1%, UWP 42.9%, other o.3%, independent 6.6%; seats by party - SLP 13, UWP 2, independent 2; composition (including the speaker) - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.1% Topic: Saint Martindescription: unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms); Saint Martin elects 1 member to the French Senate and 1member (shared with Saint Barthelemy) to the French National Assembly elections: Territorial Council - first round held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) and second round held on 27 March 2022 election results: Territorial Council - percent of vote by party (first round) - RSM 25.4%, UD 24.7%, HOPE 17.5%, Saint Martin with You 13.8%, Alternative 11.2%, Future Saint Martin 7.5%; percent of vote by party (second rate) - RSM and Alternative 49.1%, UD 33.3%, HOPE, Saint Martin with You, and Future Saint Martin 17.6%; seats by party - RSM and Alternative 15, UD 5, HOPE, Saint Martin with You, and Future Saint Martin 3; composition - men 13, women 10, percent of women 43.5% French Senate - held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held not later than September 2020) French National Assembly - last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) French Senate - 1 seat: UMP 1 French National Assembly - 1 seat: UMP 1 Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelondescription: unicameral Territorial Council or Conseil Territorial (19 seats - Saint Pierre 15, Miquelon 4; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 6-year terms); Saint Pierre and Miquelon indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college to serve a 6-year term and directly elects 1 deputy to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote to serve a 5-year term elections: Territorial Council - first round held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2028); second round held on 27 March 2022 French Senate - last held on 24 September 2017 (next to be held no later than September 2023) French National Assembly - last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) election results: Territorial Council - percent of vote by party (first round) - AD 45.9%, Focus on the Future 37%, Together to Build 17.1%; percent of vote by party (second round) - AD 51.8%, Focus on the Future 38.1%, Together to Build 10.1%, seats by party - AD 15, Focus on the Future 4; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% French Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 1 (affiliated with UMP) French National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ensemble pour l'Avenir 1 (affiliated with PRG); the Republicans (LR) 1 Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesdescription: unicameral House of Assembly (23 seats; 15 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 6 senators appointed by the governor general, and 2 ex officio members - the speaker of the house and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 5 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 49.58%, NDP 50.34%, other 0.8%; seats by party - ULP 9, NDP 6 Topic: Samoadescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fono (53 seats for 2021-2026 term); members from 51 single-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote, with a minimum 10% representation of women in the Assembly required; members serve 5-year terms) elections: election last held on 9 April 2021 (next election to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - HRPP 55%, FAST 37%, TSP 3%, independents 5%; seats by party – FAST 30, HRPP 22, independents 1; composition - men 47, women 6, percent of women 11.3% note - on 29 November 2021, the Election Commissioner added two women seats to parliament, bringing the HRPP’s total from 20 to 22 seats Topic: San Marinodescription: unicameral Grand and General Council or Consiglio Grande e Generale (60 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by list proportional representation vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 8 December 2019 (next to be held by 31 December 2024) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - PDCS 33.3%, Tomorrow in Movement coalition 24.7% (RETE Movement 18.2%, Domani - Motus Liberi 6.2%, other 0.3%), Free San Marino 16.5%, We for the Republic 13.1%, Future Republic 10.3%, I Elect for a New Republic 2%; seats by coalition/party - PDCS 21, Tomorrow in Movement coalition 15 (RETE Movement 11, Domani - Motus Liberi 4), Free San Marino 10, We for the Republic 8, Future Republic 6; composition (as of October 2021) - men 40, women 20, percent of women 33.3% Topic: Sao Tome and Principedescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (55 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 7 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - ADI 41.8%, MLSTP/PSD 40.3%, PCD-GR 9.5%, MCISTP 2.1%, other 6.3%; seats by party - ADI 25, MLSTP-PSD 23, PCD-MDFM-UDD 5, MCISTP 2; composition - men 45, women 10, percent of women 18.2% Topic: Saudi Arabiadescription: unicameral Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 seats plus a speaker; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms); note - in early 2013, the monarch granted women 30 seats on the Council note: composition as of 2021 - men 121, women 30, percent of women 19.9% Topic: Senegaldescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblée Nationale (165 seats; 105 members including 15 representing Senegalese diaspora directly elected by plurality vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies and 60 members directly elected by proportional representation vote in single- and multi-seat constituencies) elections: National Assembly - last held on 2 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022) election results: National Assembly results - percent of vote by party/coalition - BBK 49.5%, CGWS 16.7%, MTS 11.7%, PUR 4.7%, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2%, other 15.4%; seats by party/coalition - BBY 125, CGWS 19, MTS 7, PUR 3, CP-Kaddu Askan Wi 2, other 9; composition - men 96, women 69, percent of women 41.8% Topic: Serbiadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Narodna Skupstina (250 seats; members directly elected by party list proportional representation vote in a single nationwide constituency to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - Together We Can Do Everything 44.2%, US 14.1%, Ivica Dacic - Prime Minister 11.8%, NADA 5.6%, We Must 4.9%, Dveri-POKS 3.9%, SSZ 3.8%, other 11.7%; seats by party/coalition - Together We Can Do Everything 120, US 38, Ivica Dacic - Prime Minister 31, NADA 15, We Must 13, Dveri-POKS 10, SSZ 10, SVM 6, SPP 3, other 4; composition -  men 150, women 100, percent of women 40% Topic: Seychellesdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (35 seats in the 2020 -25 term; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and up to 9 members elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 22-24 Oct 2020 (next to be held October 2025); note - the election was originally scheduled for 2021 but was moved up a year and will be held alongside the presidential election in order to cut election costs election results: percent of vote by party - LDS 54.8%, US 42.3% , other 2.9%; seats by party - LDS 25, US10; composition - men 25, women 10, percent of women 29% Topic: Sierra Leonedescription: unicameral Parliament (146 seats; 132 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 14 seats filled in separate elections by non-partisan members of Parliament called "paramount chiefs;" members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 7 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - APC 68, SLPP 49, C4C 8, other 7; composition - men 131, women 15, percent of women 10.3% Topic: Singaporedescription: unicameral Parliament (104 seats; 93 members directly elected by popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 12 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of nominated members increased to 12 for the 2020 election for the first time (2021) elections: last held on 10 July 2020 (next must be held by 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 61.2%, WP 11.2%, PSP 10.2%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 10, PSP 2; composition - men 79, women 25, percent of women 24% Topic: Sint Maartendescription: unicameral Parliament of Sint Maarten (15 seats; members directly elected by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held 9 January 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA 35.2%, UP 24.2%, US Party 13.2%, PFP 10.6%, UD 8.7%, other 8.1%; seats by party - NA 6, UP 4, PFP 2, US Party 2, UD 1 Topic: Slovakiadescription: unicameral National Council or Narodna Rada (150 seats; members directly elected in a single- and multi-seat constituencies by closed, party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 29 February 2020 (next to be held March 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - OLaNO-NOVA 25%, Smer-SD 18.3%, Sme-Rodina 8.2%, LSNS 8%, PS-SPOLU 7%, SaS 6.2%, Za Ludi 5.8%, other 21.5%; seats by party - OLaNO-NOVA 53, Smer-SD 38, Sme-Rodina 17, LSNS 17, SaS 13, Za Ludi 12, PS-SPOLU 0; composition - men 120, women 30, percent of women 20% Topic: Sloveniadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: National Council or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 5-year terms); note - the Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 88 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 2 directly elected in special constituencies for Italian and Hungarian minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: National Council - last held on 22 November 2017 (next to be held in 2022) National Assembly - last held on 24 April 2022 (next to be held in 2026) election results: National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 36, women 4, percent of women 10% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - GS 34.5%, SDS 23.5%, NSi 6.9%, SD 6.7%, Levica 4.4%, other 24%; seats by party - GS 41, SDS 27, NSi 8, SD 7, Levica 5; composition - men 54, women 36, percent of women 40%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31% Topic: Solomon Islandsdescription: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 April 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - UDP 10.7%, DAP 7.8%, PAP 4.4%, other 20.8%, independent 56.3%; seats by party - DAP 7, UDP 5, PAP 3, KPSI 1, SIPFP 1, SIPRA 1, independent 32; composition - men 49, women 1, percent of women 2% Topic: Somaliadescription: bicameral Federal Parliament to consist of: Upper House (54 seats; senators indirectly elected by state assemblies to serve 4-year terms) House of the People (275 seats; members indirectly elected by electoral colleges, each consisting of 51 delegates selected by the 136 Traditional Elders in consultation with sub-clan elders; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Upper House - first held on 10 October 2016 (next to be held by 25 February 2022) House of the People - first held 23 October - 10 November 2016 (next to be held by 25 February 2022) election results: Upper House - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 41, women 13, percent of women 24.1% House of the People - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 208, women 67, percent of women 24.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.3% note: the inaugural House of the People was appointed in September 2012 by clan elders; in 2016 and 2017, the Federal Parliament became bicameral with elections scheduled for 10 October 2016 for the Upper House and 23 October to 10 November 2016 for the House of the People; while the elections were delayed, they were eventually held in most regions despite voting irregularities; on 27 December 2016, 41 Upper House senators and 242 House of the People members were sworn in Topic: South Africadescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: National Council of Provinces (90 seats; 10-member delegations appointed by each of the 9 provincial legislatures to serve 5-year terms; note - the Council has special powers to protect regional interests, including safeguarding cultural and linguistic traditions among ethnic minorities) National Assembly (400 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: National Council of Provinces and National Assembly - last held on 8 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: National Council of Provinces - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANC 29, DA 13, EFF 9, FF+ 2, IFP 1; note - 36 appointed seats not filled National Assembly - percent of vote by party - ANC 57.5%, DA 20.8%, EFF 10.8%, IFP 3.8%, FF+ 2.4%, other 4.7%; seats by party - ANC 230, DA 84, EFF 44, IFP 14, FF+ 10, other 18; composition - men 237, women 163, percent of women 40.8% Topic: South Sudandescription: bicameral National Legislature consists of: Council of States, pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan; note - originally 400 seats; the TNLA was expanded to 550 members from 400 and reestablished in May 2020 under the 2018 peace agreement elections: Council of States - pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal Transitional National Legislative Assembly - 550 members; percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 332 SPLM, 128 SPLM-IO, 90 other political parties; composition - NA election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30; composition - men 44, women 6, percent of women 12% National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, DCP 10, independent 6, unknown 133; composition - men 291, women 109, percent of women 27.3%; note - total National Legislature percent of women 25.6% Topic: Spaindescription: bicameral General Courts or Las Cortes Generales consists of: Senate or Senado (265 seats; 208 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 57 members indirectly elected by the legislatures of the autonomous communities; members serve 4-year terms) Congress of Deputies or Congreso de los Diputados (350 seats; 348 members directly elected in 50 multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote, with a 3% threshold needed to gain a seat, and 2 directly elected from the North African Ceuta and Melilla enclaves by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms or until the government is dissolved) elections: Senate - last held on 10 November 2019 (next to be held no later than 30 November 2023) Congress of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2019 (next to be held no later than 30 November 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PSOE 113, PP 97, ERC 15, EAJ/PNV 10, C's 9, other 22; composition (as of October 2021) - men 157, women 108; percent of women 40.8% Congress of Deputies - percent of vote by party - PSOE 28.7%, PP 20.8%,Vox 15.1%, Unidos Podemos 12.8%, C's 6.8%, ERC 3.6%, other 12.8%; seats by party - PSOE 120, PP 88, Vox 52,  Unidos Podemos 35, C's 10, ERC 13, other 23; composition (as October 2021) - men 198, women 152, percent of women 43.4%; note - overall General Courts percent of women 42.3% Topic: Sri Lankadescription: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat district constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats, referred to as the "national list" are allocated by each party secretary according to the island wide proportional vote the party obtains; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 17 August 2015 (next originally scheduled for 25 April 2020 but postponed to due to the COVID-19 pandemic) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - SLFPA 59.1%, SJB 23.9%, JVP 3.8%, TNA 2.8%, UNP 2.2%, TNPF 0.6%, EPDP 0.5%,  other 7.1%; seats by coalition/party - SLFPA 145, SJB 54, TNA 10, JVP 3, other 13; composition - NA Topic: Sudandescription: according to the August 2019 Constitutional Declaration, which established Sudan's transitional government, the Transitional Legislative Council (TLC) was to have served as the national legislature during the transitional period until elections could be held; as of March 2022, the TLC had not been established elections: Council of State - last held 1 June 2015; subsequently dissolved in April 2019 National Assembly - last held on 13-15 April 2015; subsequently dissolved in April 2019 note – according to the 2019 Constitutional Declaration, elections for a new legislature are to be held in late 2023 election results: Council of State - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; former composition - men 35, women 19, percent of women 35.2% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; former seats by party - NCP 323, DUP 25, Democratic Unionist Party 15, other 44, independent 19; former composition - men 296 women 130, percent of women 30.5%; note - former total National Legislature percent of women 31% Topic: Surinamedescription: unicameral National Assembly or Nationale Assemblee (51 seats; members directly elected in 10 multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, using the D'Hondt method, to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 25 May 2020 (next to be held in May 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - VHP 41.1%, NDP 29.4%, ABOP 17.6%, NPS 7.8%, other 3.9%; seats by party - VHP 21, NDP 15, ABOP 9, NPS 4, other 2; composition - men 36, women 15, percent of women 29.4% Topic: Svalbarddescription: unicameral Longyearbyen Community Council (15 seats; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year-terms); note - the Council acts very much like a Norwegian municipality, responsible for infrastructure and utilities, including power, land-use and community planning, education, and child welfare; however, healthcare services are provided by the state elections: last held on 7 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: seats by party - Labor Party 5, Liberals 4, Conservatives 3, Progress Party 2, Green Party 1 Topic: Swedendescription: unicameral Parliament or Riksdag (349 seats; 310 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open party-list proportional representation vote and 39 members in "at-large" seats directly elected by open party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 9 September 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - SAP 28.3%, M 19.8%, SD 17.5%, C 8.6%, V 8%, KD 6.3%, L 5.5%, MP 4.4%, other 1.6%; seats by party - SAP 100, M 70, SD 62, C 31, V 28, KD 22, L 20, MP 16; composition - men 185, women 164, percent of women 47% Topic: Switzerlanddescription: description: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblée Fédérale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of: Council of States or Ständerat (in German), Conseil des États (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; members in multi-seat constituencies representing cantons and single-seat constituencies representing half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote except Jura and Neuchatel cantons which use list proportional representation vote; member term governed by cantonal law) National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; 195 members in cantons directly elected by proportional representation vote and 6 in half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) (e.g. 2019) elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons on 20 October 2019 (each canton determines when the next election will be held) National Council - last held on 20 October 2019 (next to be held on 31 October 2023) (e.g. 2019) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 13, FDP 12, SDP 9, Green Party 5, other 1; composition (as of October 2021) - men 34, women 12, percent of women 26.1% National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 25.6%, SP 16.8%, FDP 15.1%, Green Party 13.2%, CVP 11.4%, GLP 7.8%, other 10.1%; seats by party - SVP 53, SP 39, FDP 29, Green Party 28, CVP 25, GLP 16, other 10; composition (as of October 2021) - men 115, women 85, percent of women 42.5%; note - overall Federal Assembly percent of women 39.4% (e.g. 2019) Topic: Syriadescription: unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority preferential vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 19 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NPF 80%, other 20%; seats by party - NPF 200, other 50; composition - men 217, women 33, percent of women 13.2% Topic: Taiwandescription: unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single island-wide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 11 January 2020 (next to be held on 11 January 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 34.0%, Kuomintang (KMT) 33.4%, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) 11.2%, New Power Party (NPP) 7.5%; seats by party - DPP 61, KMT 38, TPP 5, NPP 3 Topic: Tajikistandescription: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of: National Assembly or Majlisi Milli (34 seats; 25 members indirectly elected by local representative assemblies or majlisi, 8 appointed by the president, and 1 reserved for each living former president; members serve 5-year terms) Assembly of Representatives or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; 41 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by 2-round absolute majority vote and 22 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: National Assembly - last held on 1 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025) Assembly of Representatives - last held on 1 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 28, women 6, percent of women 17.6% Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 50.4%, PERT 16.6%, APT 16.5%, SPT 5.2%, DPT 5.1%, CPT 3.1%, other 3.1%; seats by party - PDPT 47, APT 7, PERT 5, CPT 2, SPT 1, DPT 1; composition - men 48, women 15, percent of women 23.8%; note - total Supreme Assembly percent of women 21.6% Topic: Tanzaniadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (Bunge) (393 seats; 264 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 113 women indirectly elected by proportional representation vote, 5 indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the Zanzibar House of Representatives, 10 appointed by the president, and 1 seat reserved for the attorney general; members serve a 5-year term); note - in addition to enacting laws that apply to the entire United Republic of Tanzania, the National Assembly enacts laws that apply only to the mainland; Zanzibar has its own House of Representatives or Baraza La Wawakilishi (82 seats; 50 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 20 women directly elected by proportional representation vote, 10 appointed by the Zanzibar president, 1 seat for the House speaker, and 1 ex-officio seat for the attorney general; elected members serve a 5-year term) elections: Tanzania National Assembly and Zanzibar House of Representatives - elections last held on 25 October 2015 (next National Assembly election to be held in October 2020; next Zanzibar election either October 2020 or March 2021); note the Zanzibar Electoral Commission annulled the 2015 election; repoll held on 20 March 2016 election results: National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CCM 55%, Chadema 31.8%, CUF 8.6%, other 4.6%; seats by party - CCM 253, Chadema 70, CUF 42, other 2; composition as of September 2018 - men 245, women 145, percent of women 37.2% Zanzibar House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA Topic: Thailanddescription: bicameral National Assembly or Ratthasapha consists of: Senate or Wuthisapha (250 seats; members appointed by the Royal Thai Army to serve 5-year terms) House of Representatives or Saphaphuthan Ratsadon (500 seats; 375 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 150 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 14 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 24 March 2019 (next to be held in 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 224, women 26, percent of women 10.4% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party in 2019 election- PPRP 23.7%, PTP 22.2%, FFP* 17.8%, DP 11.1%, PJT 10.5%, TLP 2.3%, CTP 2.2%, NEP 1.4%, PCC 1.4%, ACT 1.2%, PCP 1.2%,  other 5.1%; seats by party - PTP 136, PPRP 116, FFP 81, DP 53, PJT 51, CTP 10, TLP 10, PCC 7, PCP 5, NEP 6, ACT 5, other 20; composition - men 421, women 79, percent of women 15.8%; note(s) - total National Assembly percent of women 14%; the FFP was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in February of 2020 and its representatives moved to the newly-formed Move Forward Party or to other political parties Topic: Timor-Lestedescription: unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 12 May 2018 (next to be held in July 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - AMP - 49.6%, FRETILIN 34.2%, PD 8.1%, DDF 5.5%, other 2.6%; seats by party - AMP 34, FRETILIN 23, PD 5, DDF 3; composition - men 39, women 26, percent of women 40% Topic: Togodescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (91 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed, party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 20 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by party - UNIR 59, UFC 6, NET 3, MPDD 3, other 2, independent 18; composition - men 75, women 16, percent of women 17.6% Topic: Tokelaudescription: unicameral General Fono (20 seats apportioned by island - Atafu 7, Fakaofo 7, Nukunonu 6; members directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 3-year terms); note - the Tokelau Amendment Act of 1996 confers limited legislative power to the General Fono elections: last held on 23 January 2020 depending on island (next to be held in January 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 20; composition - men 17, women 3, percent of women 15% Topic: Tongadescription: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party (elected members) - independents 11, nobles' representatives 9,  Democratic Party 3, Peoples Party 3; composition - men 26, women 0, percent of women 0% Topic: Trinidad and Tobagodescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (31 seats; 16 members appointed by the ruling party, 9 by the president, and 6 by the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms;) House of Representatives (42 seats; 41 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the house speaker - usually designated from outside Parliament; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 28 August 2020 (next appointments in August 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 10 August 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition as of May 2020 - men 19, women 13, percent of women 40.6% House of Representatives - percent by party - NA; seats by party - PNM 22, UNC 19; composition - as of May 2022 - men 31, women 11, percent of women 26.2%; note - overall Parliament percent of women 32.4% note: Tobago has a unicameral House of Assembly (19 seats; 15 assemblymen directly elected by simple majority vote and 4 appointed councilors - 3 on the advice of the chief secretary and 1 on the advice of the minority leader; members serve 4-year terms) Topic: Tunisiadescription: note: on 25 July 2021, President SAIED suspended indefinitely the Assembly, and on 30 March 2022 he dissolved the Assembly unicameral Assembly of the Representatives of the People or Majlis Nuwwab ash-Sha'b (Assemblee des representants du peuple) (217 seats; 199 members directly elected in Tunisian multi-seat constituencies and 18 members in multi-seat constituencies living abroad by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: initial election held on 6 October 2019 (next to be held in December 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - Ennahda 19.6%, Heart of Tunisia 14.6%, Free Destourian Party 6.6%, Democratic Current 6.4%, Dignity Coalition 5.9%, People's Movement 4.5%, TahyaTounes 4.1%, other 35.4%, independent 2.9%; seats by party -  Ennahda 52, Heart of Tunisia 38, Free Destourian Party 17, Democratic Current 22, Dignity Coalition 21, People's Movement 16, Long Live Tunisia 14, other 25, independent 12; composition (as of October 2021) - men 160, women 57, percent of women 26.3% Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)description: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkey Buyuk Millet Meclisi (600 seats - increased from 550 seats beginning with June 2018 election; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms - increased from 4 to 5 years beginning with June 2018 election) elections: last held on 24 June 2018 (next to be held in June 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - People's Alliance 53.7% (AKP 42.6%, MHP 11.1%), Nation Alliance 33.9% (CHP 22.6%, IYI 10%, SP 1.3%), HDP 11.7%, other 0.7%; seats by party - People's Alliance 344 (AKP 295, MHP 49), National Alliance 189 (CHP 146, IYI 43), HDP 67; composition - men 496, women 104, percent of women 17.3%; note - only parties surpassing a 10% threshold can win parliamentary seats Topic: Turkmenistandescription: bicameral National Council or Milli Genesi consists of: People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (56 seats; 48 members indirectly elected by provincial councils and 8 members appointed by the president) Assembly or Mejlisi (125 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms) note: in September 2020, the Turkmenistani legislature (Milli Genesi) adopted a constitutional amendment creating an upper chamber, making the legislature bicameral; the chairperson of the Halk Maslahaty is now designated as the constitutional successor to the presidency; as of March 2022, Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW continues to serve in this position after stepping away from the presidency elections: People's Council - first held on 28 March 2021 for 48 indirectly elected members (next to be held in 2026); first held on 14 April 2021 for 8 presidentially appointed members (next to be held NA) Assembly - last held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held NA) election results: People's Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 3, independent 45; composition - men 42, women 14, percent of women 32.3% Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 55, APT 11, PIE 11, independent 48 (individuals nominated by citizen groups); composition (as of March 2018) - men 94, women 31, percent of women 24.8%; note - total percent of National Council percent of women 24.9% Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsdescription: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor, and 2 ex-officio members; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: percent of vote (preliminary) - PNP 56.2%, PDM 39%, other 4.8%; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition (of elected members) - men 12, women 3; percent of women 20% Topic: Tuvaludescription: unicameral House of Assembly or Fale I Fono (16 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 9 September 2019 (next to be held on September 2023) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 16 (9 members reelected) Topic: Ugandadescription: unicameral National Assembly or Parliament (556 seats; 353 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 146 for women directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote, and 30 "representatives" reserved for special interest groups - army 10, disabled 5, youth 5, labor 5, older persons 5; 27 ex officio members appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 14 January 2021 (next to be held in February 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NRM 336, NUP 57, FDC 32, DP 9, UPDF 10, UPC 9, independent 76 (excludes 27 ex-officio members) Topic: Ukrainedescription: unicameral Supreme Council or Verkhovna Rada (450 seats; 225 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 225 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 21 July 2019 (next to be held in July 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - Servant of the People 43.2%, Opposition Platform-For Life 13.1%, Batkivshchyna 8.2%, European Solidarity 8.1%, Voice 5.8%, other 21.6%; seats by party (preliminary) - Servant of the People 254, Oposition Platform for Life 43, Batkivshchyna 26, European Solidarity 25, Voice 20, Opposition Bloc 6, Samopomich 1, Svoboda 1, other parties 2, independent 46; note - voting not held in Crimea and parts of two Russian-occupied eastern oblasts leaving 26 seats vacant; although this brings the total to 424 elected members (of 450 potential), article 83 of the constitution mandates that a parliamentary majority consists of 226 seats Topic: United Arab Emiratesdescription: unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected using single non-transferable vote by an electoral college whose members are selected by each emirate ruler proportional to its FNC membership, and 20 members appointed by the rulers of the 7 constituent states; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held for indirectly elected members on 5 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: all candidates ran as independents; seats by emirate - Abu Dhabi 4, Dubai 4, Sharjah 3, Ras al-Khaimah 3, Ajman 2, Fujairah 2, Umm al-Quwain 2; composition (preliminary) - 13 men, 7 women, percent of elected women 35%; note - to attain overall FNC gender parity, 13 women and 7 men will be appointed; overall FNC percent of women 50% Topic: United Kingdomdescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Lords (membership not fixed; as of October 2021, 787 lords were eligible to participate in the work of the House of Lords - 673 life peers, 88 hereditary peers, and 26 clergy; members are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister and non-party political members recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission); note - House of Lords total does not include ineligible members or members on leave of absence House of Commons (650 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 5-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier) elections: House of Lords - no elections; note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain; elections held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise) House of Commons - last held on 12 December 2019 (next to be held by 2 May 2024) election results: House of Lords - composition - men 579, women 217, percent of women 27.3% House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative 43.6%, Labor 32.1%, Lib Dems 11.6%, SNP 3.9%, Greens 2.7%, Brexit Party 2.0%, other 4.1%; seats by party - Conservative 365, Labor 202, SNP 48, Lib Dems 11, DUP 8, Sinn Fein 7, Plaid Cymru 4, other 9; composition - men 430, women 220, percent of women 34%; total Parliament percent of women 30.2% Topic: United Statesdescription: bicameral Congress consists of: Senate (100 seats; 2 members directly elected in each of the 50 state constituencies by simple majority vote except in Georgia and Louisiana which require an absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years) House of Representatives (435 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote except in Georgia which requires an absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 2-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 8 November 2022) House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 8 November 2022) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 50, Democratic Party 50; composition - men 76, women 24, percent of women 24% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 221, Republican Party 211, 3 seats vacant; composition - men 312, women 120, percent of women 27.8%; note - total US Congress percent of women 27.1% note: in addition to the regular members of the House of Representatives there are 6 non-voting delegates elected from the District of Columbia and the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands; these are single seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term (except for the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico who serves a 4-year term); the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegates last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 8 November 2022) Topic: Uruguaydescription: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of: Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; the vice-president serves as the presiding ex-officio member; elected members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Chamber of Senators - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) Chamber of Representatives - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 13, National Party 10, Colorado Party 4, Open Cabildo 3; composition - men 21, women 9, percent of women 30% Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 42, National Party 30, Colorado Party 13, Open Cabildo 11, Independent Party 1, other 2; composition - men 75, women 24, percent of women 24.2%; note - total General Assembly percent of women 25.6% Topic: Uzbekistandescription: bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of: Senate or Senat (100 seats; 84 members indirectly elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) Legislative Chamber or Qonunchilik Palatasi (150 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 16-17 January 2020 (next to be held in 2025) Legislative Chamber - last held on 22 December 2019 and 5 January 2020 (next to be held in December 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 77, women 23, percent of women 23% Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 53, National Revival Democratic Party 36, Adolat 24, PDP 22, Ecological Movement 15; composition - men 83, women, 17, percent of women 17% note: all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV Topic: Vanuatudescription: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9 multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with only 4% of the vote) elections: last held on 19–20 March 2020 (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GJP 9, RMC 7, VP 7, LPV 5, UMP 5, NUP 4, other 15; composition - men 52, women 0; percent of women 0%; note - political party associations are fluid note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language Topic: Venezueladescription: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (277 seats; 3 seats reserved for indigenous peoples of Venezuela; members serve 5-year terms); note - in 2020, the National Electoral Council increased the number of seats in the National Assembly from 167 to 277 for the 6 December 2020 election elections: last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - GPP (pro-government) 69.32%, Democratic Alliance (opposition coalition) 17.68%, other 13%; seats by party - GPP 253, Democratic Alliance 18, indigenous peoples 3, other 3; composition - NA Topic: Vietnamdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi  (500 seats - number following 2021 election - 499; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 23 May 2021 (next to be held in spring 2026) election results: percent of vote in 2016 election by party -CPV 95.8%, non-party members 4.2%; seats by party - CPV 474, non-party CPV-approved 20, self-nominated 2; note - 494 candidates elected, 2 CPV candidates-elect were disqualified; composition - men 364, women 122, percent of women 26.6% Topic: Virgin Islandsdescription: unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands (15 seats; senators directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms) the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term elections: Legislature of the Virgin Islands last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) US House of Representatives last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) election results: Legislature of the Virgin Islands - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independents 2; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7% delegate to US House of Representatives - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition - 1 woman note: the Virgin Islands to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote Topic: Wallis and Futunadescription: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats - Wallis 13, Futuna 7; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) Wallis and Futuna indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term, and directly elects 1 deputy to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote for a 5-year term elections: Territorial Assembly - last held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) French Senate - last held on 24 and 27 September 2020 (next to be held by September 2023) French National Assembly - last held on 11 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022) election results: Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua and 2 members are elected from list Mauli fetokoniaki, 1 seat each from 16 other lists; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA% representation in French Senate - LR 1 (man) representation in French National Assembly - independent 1 (man) Topic: Worldthere are 230 political entities with legislative bodies; of these 144 are unicameral (a single “house”) and 86 are bicameral (both upper and lower houses); note - while there are 195 countries in the world, 35 territories, possessions, or other special administrative units also have their own governing bodiesthere are 230 political entities with legislative bodies; of these 144 are unicameral (a single “house”) and 86 are bicameral (both upper and lower houses); note - while there are 195 countries in the world, 35 territories, possessions, or other special administrative units also have their own governing bodies Topic: Yemendescription: bicameral Parliament or Majlis consists of: Shura Council or Majlis Alshoora (111 seats; members appointed by the president; member tenure NA) House of Representatives or Majlis al Nuwaab (301 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms) elections: Shura Council - last appointments NA (next appointments NA) House of Representatives - last held in April 2019 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - GPC 58.0%, Islah 22.6%, YSP 3.8%, Unionist Party 1.9%, other 13.7%; seats by party - GPC 238, Islah 46, YSP 8, Nasserist Unionist Party 3, National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party 2, independent 4 Topic: Zambiadescription: unicameral National Assembly (167 seats; 156 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, and up to 8 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); 3 ex-officio members elected by National Assembly membership elections: last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - UPND 53.9%, PF 38.1%, PNUP 0.6%, independent 7.4%; seats by party - UPND 82, PF 62, PNUP 1, independent 11; composition - men 136, women 20, percent of women 13.5%; 156 seats filled;  Topic: Zimbabwedescription: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (80 seats; 60 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - 6 seats in each of the 10 provinces - by proportional representation vote, 16 indirectly elected by the regional governing councils, 2 reserved for the National Council Chiefs, and 2 reserved for members with disabilities; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (270 seats; 210 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 60 seats reserved for women directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held for elected member on 30 July 2018 (next to be held in 2023) National Assembly - last held on 30 July 2018 (next to be held in 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ZANU-PF 34, MDC Alliance 25, Chiefs 18, people with disabilities 2, MDC-T 1; composition - men 45, women 35, percent of women 43.8% National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ZANU-PF 179, MDC Alliance 88, MDC-T 1, NPF 1, independent 1; composition - men 185, women 25, percent of women 31.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 34.3%

20220901

countries-comoros

Topic: Photos of Comoros Topic: Introduction Background: The archipelago of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, composed of the islands of Mayotte, Anjouan, Moheli, and Grande Comore declared independence from France on 6 July 1975. Residents of Mayotte voted to remain in France, and France now has classified it as a department of France. Since independence, Comoros has endured political instability through realized and attempted coups. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI Assoumani seized power of the entire government in a bloodless coup; he initiated the 2000 Fomboni Accords, a power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its local government. AZALI won the 2002 federal presidential election as president of the Union of the Comoros from Grande Comore Island, which held the first four-year term. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed SAMBI was elected as president from Anjouan. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union of the Comoros, refusing to step down when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade to Anjouan, but in March 2008 the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In 2009, the Comorian population approved a constitutional referendum extending the term of the president from four years to five years. In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. In closely contested elections in 2016, former President AZALI Assoumani won a second term, when the rotating presidency returned to Grande Comore. A new July 2018 constitution removed the presidential term limits and the requirement for the presidency to rotate between the three main islands. In August 2018, President AZALI formed a new government and subsequently ran and was elected president in March 2019.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,235 sq km land: 2,235 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 340 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Elevation: highest point: Karthala 2,360 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish Land use: agricultural land: 84.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 46.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 29.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.1% (2018 est.) forest: 1.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1.3 sq km (2012) Population distribution: the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comorevolcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloudcyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comorevolcanism: Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud Geography - note: important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere Map description: Comoros map showing the three major islands that make up the country in the Indian Ocean.Comoros map showing the three major islands that make up the country in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 876,437 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Comoran(s) adjective: Comoran Ethnic groups: Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Languages: Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili) (Comorian) Religions: Sunni Muslim 98%, other (including Shia Muslim, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant) 2% note: Sunni Islam is the state religion Demographic profile: Comoros’ population is a melange of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians, and the much smaller number of Europeans that settled on the islands between the 8th and 19th centuries, when they served as a regional trade hub. The Arab and Persian influence is most evident in the islands’ overwhelmingly Muslim majority – about 98% of Comorans are Sunni Muslims. The country is densely populated, averaging nearly 350 people per square mile, although this varies widely among the islands, with Anjouan being the most densely populated.Given the large share of land dedicated to agriculture and Comoros’ growing population, habitable land is becoming increasingly crowded. The combination of increasing population pressure on limited land and resources, widespread poverty, and poor job prospects motivates thousands of Comorans each year to attempt to illegally migrate using small fishing boats to the neighboring island of Mayotte, which is a French territory. The majority of legal Comoran migration to France came after Comoros’ independence from France in 1975, with the flow peaking in the mid-1980s.At least 150,000 to 200,000 people of Comoran citizenship or descent live abroad, mainly in France, where they have gone seeking a better quality of life, job opportunities, higher education (Comoros has no universities), advanced health care, and to finance elaborate traditional wedding ceremonies (aada). Remittances from the diaspora are an economic mainstay, in 2013 representing approximately 25% of Comoros’ GDP and significantly more than the value of its exports of goods and services (only 15% of GDP). Grand Comore, Comoros’ most populous island, is both the primary source of emigrants and the main recipient of remittances. Most remittances are spent on private consumption, but this often goes toward luxury goods and the aada and does not contribute to economic development or poverty reduction. Although the majority of the diaspora is now French-born with more distant ties to Comoros, it is unclear whether they will sustain the current level of remittances.Comoros’ population is a melange of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians, and the much smaller number of Europeans that settled on the islands between the 8th and 19th centuries, when they served as a regional trade hub. The Arab and Persian influence is most evident in the islands’ overwhelmingly Muslim majority – about 98% of Comorans are Sunni Muslims. The country is densely populated, averaging nearly 350 people per square mile, although this varies widely among the islands, with Anjouan being the most densely populated.Given the large share of land dedicated to agriculture and Comoros’ growing population, habitable land is becoming increasingly crowded. The combination of increasing population pressure on limited land and resources, widespread poverty, and poor job prospects motivates thousands of Comorans each year to attempt to illegally migrate using small fishing boats to the neighboring island of Mayotte, which is a French territory. The majority of legal Comoran migration to France came after Comoros’ independence from France in 1975, with the flow peaking in the mid-1980s.At least 150,000 to 200,000 people of Comoran citizenship or descent live abroad, mainly in France, where they have gone seeking a better quality of life, job opportunities, higher education (Comoros has no universities), advanced health care, and to finance elaborate traditional wedding ceremonies (aada). Remittances from the diaspora are an economic mainstay, in 2013 representing approximately 25% of Comoros’ GDP and significantly more than the value of its exports of goods and services (only 15% of GDP). Grand Comore, Comoros’ most populous island, is both the primary source of emigrants and the main recipient of remittances. Most remittances are spent on private consumption, but this often goes toward luxury goods and the aada and does not contribute to economic development or poverty reduction. Although the majority of the diaspora is now French-born with more distant ties to Comoros, it is unclear whether they will sustain the current level of remittances. Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.68% (male 154,853/female 155,602) 15-24 years: 20.75% (male 85,208/female 90,422) 25-54 years: 33.99% (male 136,484/female 151,178) 55-64 years: 4.49% (male 17,237/female 20,781) 65 years and over: 4.08% (2020 est.) (male 15,437/female 19,079) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 75.5 youth dependency ratio: 67.4 elderly dependency ratio: 5.4 potential support ratio: 18.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 20.9 years male: 20.2 years female: 21.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.37% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 29.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 62,000 MORONI (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23 years (2012 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 273 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 57.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.2 years male: 64.93 years female: 69.54 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.78 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 19.4% (2012) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 88.5% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population rural: 11.5% of population total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.2% (2019) Physicians density: 0.26 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 62.4% of population rural: 43.6% of population total: 49% of population unimproved: urban: 37.6% of population rural: 56.4% of population total: 51% of population (2017 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020 est.) <200 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 7.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 20.3% (2020 est.) male: 29.5% (2020 est.) female: 11.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 16.9% (2012) Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2015 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 58.8% male: 64.6% female: 53% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2014) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.5% male: 20% female: 18.8% (2014) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil degradation and erosion results from forest loss and from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; marine biodiversity affected as soil erosion leads to the silting of coral reefs Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 18.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.2 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.19 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May) Land use: agricultural land: 84.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 46.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 29.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.1% (2018 est.) forest: 1.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 29.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.39% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 91,013 tons (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 4.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 500,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Union of the Comoros conventional short form: Comoros local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian)/ Union des Comores (French)/ Al Ittihad al Qumuri (Arabic) local short form: Komori (Comorian)/ Les Comores (French)/ Juzur al Qamar (Arabic) former: Comorian State, Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros etymology: name derives from the Arabic designation "Juzur al Qamar" meaning "Islands of the Moon" Government type: federal presidential republic Capital: name: Moroni geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Moroni derives from "mroni," which means "at the river" in Shingazidja, the Comorian language spoken on Grande Comore (N'gazidja) Administrative divisions: 3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali) Independence: 6 July 1975 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Constitution: history: previous 1996, 2001; newest adopted 30 July 2018 amendments: proposed by the president of the union or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Union membership; adoption requires approval by at least three-quarters majority of the total Assembly membership or approval in a referendum note: a referendum held on 30 July 2018 - boycotted by the opposition - overwhelmingly approved a new constitution that allows for 2 consecutive 5-year presidential terms and revises the rotating presidency within the islands Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote in 2 rounds for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 March 2019 (next to be held in 2024) election results: 2019: AZALI Assoumani (CRC) elected president in first round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 60.8%, Ahamada MAHAMOUDOU (PJ) 14.6%, Mouigni Baraka Said SOILIHI (Independent) 5.6%, other 19% 2016: AZALI Assoumani (CRC) elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed Ali SOILIHI (UPDC) 17.6%, Mouigni BARAKA (RDC) 15.1%, AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 15%, Fahmi Said IBRAHIM (PEC) 14.5%, other 37.8%; percent of vote in second round - AZALI Assoumani (CRC) 41.4%, Mohamed Ali SOILIHI (UPDC) 39.7%; Mouigni BARAKA (RDC) 19% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly elected by the 3 island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms) (2017) elections: last held on 19 January 2020 with a runoff on 23 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025) (2020) election results: seats by party -1st round - Boycotting parties 16, Independent 3, CRC 2, RDC 2, RADHI 1, Orange party 0; note -  9 additional seats filled by the 3 island assemblies; 2nd round - CRC 20, Orange Party 2, Independents 2; composition for elected members as of 2022 - men 20, women 4, percent of women 16.7%   (2019)  : Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges - selection and term of office NA subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts     Political parties and leaders: Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assoumani] Democratic Rally of the Comoros or RDC [Mouigni BARAKA] Independent Party Juwa Party or PJ [Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI, Mahamoudou AHAMADA] Orange Party [Mohamed DAOUDOU] Party for the Comorian Agreement (Partie Pour l'Entente Commorienne) or PEC [Fahmi Said IBRAHIM] Rally for an Alternative of Harmonious and Integrated Development or RADHI [Mohamed AHMED] Rally with a Development Initiative for Enlightened Youth or RIDJA [Said LARIFOU] Union for the Development of the Comoros or UPDC [Mohamed HALIFA] (2018) International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Issimail CHANFI (since 23 December 2020) chancery: Mission to the UN, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 495, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637 FAX: [1] (212) 750-1657 email address and website: comoros@un.int https://www.un.int/comoros/ Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a vertical white crescent moon with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - department of France, but claimed by Comoros) note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam National symbol(s): four five-pointed stars and crescent moon; national colors: green, white National anthem: name: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands) lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH note: adopted 1978 Topic: Economy Economic overview: One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang ylang (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports. Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor.   Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth. The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states.One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang ylang (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports. Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor. Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth. The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.73 billion (2020 est.) $2.6 billion (2019 est.) $2.55 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.) 2.2% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $3,100 (2020 est.) $3,100 (2019 est.) $3,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.186 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2017 est.) 1.8% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 47.7% (2017 est.) industry: 11.8% (2017 est.) services: 40.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 92.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -3.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.1% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, cassava, rice, bananas, pulses nes, milk, taro, sweet potatoes, maize, cloves Industries: fishing, tourism, perfume distillation Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 278,500 (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 20% (1996 est.) industry and services: 20% (1996 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.5% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.5% male: 20% female: 18.8% (2014) Population below poverty line: 42.4% (2013 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 45.3 (2014 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 55.2% (2004) Budget: revenues: 165.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 207.3 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 32.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 27.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 25.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$27 million (2017 est.) -$45 million (2016 est.) Exports: $140 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $150 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: France 32%, India 23%, Germany 10%, Turkey 9%, Madagascar 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: cloves, essential oils, vacuum flask, vanilla, scrap vessels (2019) Imports: $350 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $360 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 22%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 11%, Pakistan 9%, India 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: rice, chicken products, refined petroleum, cement, cars (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $208 million (31 December 2017 est.) $159.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $199.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $132 million (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 458.2 (2017 est.) 444.76 (2016 est.) 444.76 (2015 est.) 443.6 (2014 est.) 370.81 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 70% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 89% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 62% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 35,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 96.248 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.048 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,241 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 326,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 326,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 5.346 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,573 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 781,579 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Qatar launched a special program for the construction of a wireless network to inter connect the 3 islands of the archipelago; telephone service limited to the islands' few towns (2020) domestic: fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage about 54 per 100 persons; 2 companies provide domestic and international mobile service and wireless data (2020) international: country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy, Comoros Domestic Cable System, Avassa, and FLY-LION3 fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station; a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV Internet country code: .km Internet users: total: 69,568 (2020 est.) percent of population: 8% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,066 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: D6 Airports: total: 4 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2021) Roadways: total: 880 km (2002) paved: 673 km (2002) unpaved: 207 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 236 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 7, general cargo 112, oil tanker 31, other 78 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Moroni, Moutsamoudou Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (2022) note: when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 600 Defense Force personnel; estimated 500 Federal Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the defense forces are lightly armed with a mix of mostly older equipment from a variety of countries, including France, Italy, Russia, and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for 2-year voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2021) Military - note: the AND is limited in capabilities to performing search and rescue operations and maintaining internal security; a defense treaty with France provides naval resources for protection of territorial waters, training of Comoran military personnel, and air surveillance; France maintains a small maritime base and a Foreign Legion contingent on neighboring Mayotte (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces assisted the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces assisted the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001 Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers may exploit domestic and foreign victims in Comoros and Comorians abroad; some Comorian and Malagasy women are subject to forced labor in the Middle East; adults and children may be forced to work in agriculture, construction, or as domestics in Mayotte; children abandoned by parents who left to seek jobs abroad are vulnerable to exploitation in domestic service, vending, baking, fishing, and agriculture; children from poor families whose parents place them with a relative or acquaintance for educational opportunities are vulnerable to domestic servitude and physical and sexual abuse; some children in Koranic schools may experience forced labor in agriculture or domestic servitude; inadequate border controls; government corruption, and international crime networks leave Comorians vulnerable to international trafficking tier rating: Tier 3 — Comoros does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking is not making significant efforts to do so; the Anti-Trafficking Task Force met for the first time since 2017 and began drafting a national action plan for combatting trafficking; the government took steps to ratify the 2000 UN TIP Protocol and supported centers that identify and provide care to victims of crime, would include trafficking victims; however, authorities continued to lack an understanding of trafficking and did not make any anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts; the government did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any alleged traffickers or officials suspected of complicity in trafficking; the government did not develop any standing operating procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them to limited care providers; no public awareness campaigns were conducted (2020)

20220901

countries-puerto-rico-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: A foreign national or alien entering the US is generally required to present a passport and valid visa issued by a US Consular Official, unless they are a citizen of a country eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or are a lawful permanent resident of the US or a citizen of Canada. The VWP allows foreign nationals from certain countries to be admitted to the US under limited conditions and for a limited time without obtaining a visa. The foreign national must arrive on an approved carrier (if coming by air or sea), stay no more than 90 days (for pleasure, medical purposes, and/or business), and be able to prove they are not inadmissible. The foreign national is still required to have a passport. To obtain a list of VWP-eligible countries and VWP passport requirements, please visit https://www.dhs.gov/visa-waiver-program. Note: all travelers transiting the US are subject to US customs and/or immigration laws. US Embassy/Consulate: N/A Telephone Code: 787, 939 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation Currency (Code): US $ (USD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: Spanish, English Major Religions: Roman Catholic 85%, Protestant and other 15% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested for non-US citizens. Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: El Yunque National Rainforest; Old San Juan & El Morro Castle; Cabo Roho Lighthouse; Coamo Thermal Hot Springs; Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay; Fort San Cristobal Major Sports: Baseball, boxing, basketball, volleyball Cultural Practices: Puerto Ricans believe that directness is rude and will attempt to use euphemisms to avoid it. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 15-20% of the total bill for restaurant staff is appropriate.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Thursday, April 07, 2022

20220901

about-gallery-of-covers

Topic: SummaryThe World Factbook is privileged to work with a team of highly talented graphic designers and cartographers. Each year, The World Factbook cover design is assigned to a new graphic designer who is asked to provide a unique and innovative visual concept that captures the spirit of The World Factbook. The Gallery of Covers displays the evolution and diversity of our cover designs since 1981, and also presents selected covers from the first two decades of the Factbook’s existence. Information on the classification of The World Factbook in the 1960s and 1970s may be found on the History page.In 2017, the Government Printing Office discontinued printing The World Factbook.All editions of the Factbook from 2000 onward can be accessed on The World Factbook Archives page.

20220901

field-revenue-from-coal

This entry refers to the economic profits, expressed as a percentage of a country's GDP, from the extraction of coal. These profits equal coal gross revenues minus cost(s) to extract the coal. Other sources may refer to this field as coal rents. Topic: Afghanistancoal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Albaniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Algeriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: American Samoacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Angolacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Argentinacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Armeniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Australiacoal revenues: 0.78% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Austriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Azerbaijancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bahraincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bangladeshcoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Barbadoscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Belaruscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Belgiumcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Belizecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Benincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bhutancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Boliviacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinacoal revenues: 0.34% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Botswanacoal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Brazilcoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bruneicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Bulgariacoal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Burmacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Burundicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cambodiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Camerooncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Canadacoal revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Central African Republiccoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Chadcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Chilecoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Chinacoal revenues: 0.57% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Colombiacoal revenues: 0.75% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Comoroscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Costa Ricacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Croatiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cubacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Curacaocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Cypruscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Czechiacoal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Denmarkcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Djibouticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Dominicacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Dominican Republiccoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Ecuadorcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: El Salvadorcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Estoniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Eswatinicoal revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Ethiopiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: European Unioncoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Fijicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Finlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Francecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Gaboncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Georgiacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Germanycoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Ghanacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Greececoal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Greenlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Grenadacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Guamcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Guatemalacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissaucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Guyanacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Haiticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Hondurascoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Hong Kongcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Hungarycoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Icelandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Indiacoal revenues: 1.15% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Indonesiacoal revenues: 1.06% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Irancoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.) Topic: Iraqcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Irelandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Israelcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Italycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Jamaicacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Japancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Jordancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kazakhstancoal revenues: 0.99% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kenyacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kiribaticoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Korea, Southcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kosovocoal revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kuwaitcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstancoal revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Latviacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Lebanoncoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Lesothocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Liberiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Libyacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Lithuaniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Luxembourgcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Macaucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Madagascarcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Malawicoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Malaysiacoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Maldivescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Malicoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Maltacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Mauritaniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Mauritiuscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Mexicocoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Moldovacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Mongoliacoal revenues: 8.62% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Montenegrocoal revenues: 0.12% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Moroccocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Mozambiquecoal revenues: 4.17% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Namibiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Nepalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Netherlandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: New Zealandcoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Nicaraguacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Nigercoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Nigeriacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: North Macedoniacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Norwaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Omancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Pakistancoal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Panamacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Paraguaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Perucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Philippinescoal revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Polandcoal revenues: 0.27% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Portugalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Qatarcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Romaniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Russiacoal revenues: 0.53% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Rwandacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Saint Luciacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Samoacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Senegalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Serbiacoal revenues: 0.25% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Seychellescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Singaporecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Slovakiacoal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Sloveniacoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: South Africacoal revenues: 2.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Spaincoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Sri Lankacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Sudancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Surinamecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Swedencoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Switzerlandcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Tajikistancoal revenues: 0.54% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Tanzaniacoal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Thailandcoal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestecoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Togocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Tongacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagocoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Tunisiacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Turkeycoal revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Turkmenistancoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandscoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Ugandacoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Ukrainecoal revenues: 0.42% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratescoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: United Kingdomcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: United Statescoal revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Uruguaycoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Uzbekistancoal revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Vanuatucoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Vietnamcoal revenues: 0.35% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Yemencoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Zambiacoal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Zimbabwecoal revenues: 0.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

20220901

countries-zambia

Topic: Photos of Zambia Topic: Introduction Background: Multiple waves of Bantu-speaking groups moved into and through what is now Zambia over the past thousand years. In the 1880s, the British began securing mineral and other economic concessions from various local leaders and the territory that is now Zambia eventually came under the control of the former British South Africa Company and was incorporated as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. Administrative control was taken over by the UK in 1924. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) into power. The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. The MMD and BANDA lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) and Michael SATA in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in October 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until January 2015, when Edgar LUNGU won the presidential byelection and completed SATA's term. LUNGU then won a full term in August 2016 presidential elections. Hakainde HICHILEMA was elected president in August 2021.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 752,618 sq km land: 743,398 sq km water: 9,220 sq km Area - comparative: almost five times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,043.15 km border countries (8): Angola 1,065 km; Botswana 0.15 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,332 km; Malawi 847 km; Mozambique 439 km; Namibia 244 km; Tanzania 353 km; Zimbabwe 763 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Elevation: highest point: Mafinga Central 2,330 m lowest point: Zambezi river 329 m mean elevation: 1,138 m Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds, gold, silver, uranium, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 31.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 26.9% (2018 est.) forest: 66.3% (2018 est.) other: 2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,560 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Major aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin Population distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April) Geography - note: landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi) Map description: Zambia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Zambia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 19,642,123 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Zambian(s) adjective: Zambian Ethnic groups: Bemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Languages: Bemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.) note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects Religions: Protestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.) Demographic profile: Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries.Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries. Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.74% (male 4,005,134/female 3,964,969) 15-24 years: 20.03% (male 1,744,843/female 1,746,561) 25-54 years: 28.96% (male 2,539,697/female 2,506,724) 55-64 years: 3.01% (male 242,993/female 280,804) 65 years and over: 2.27% (2020 est.) (male 173,582/female 221,316) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 85.7 youth dependency ratio: 81.7 elderly dependency ratio: 4 potential support ratio: 25.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 16.9 years male: 16.7 years female: 17 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.9% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 34.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 45.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.042 million LUSAKA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.2 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 213 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 37.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.26 years male: 64.52 years female: 68.06 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 49.6% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 90.2% of population rural: 56.6% of population total: 71.6% of population unimproved: urban: 9.8% of population rural: 43.4% of population total: 28.4% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.3% (2019) Physicians density: 1.17 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 2 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 76.3% of population rural: 31.9% of population total: 51.7% of population unimproved: urban: 23.7% of population rural: 68.1% of population total: 48.3% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 11.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.5 million (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 24,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 14.4% (2020 est.) male: 25.1% (2020 est.) female: 3.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.8% (2018/19) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.2% women married by age 18: 29% men married by age 18: 2.8% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2019) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English total population: 86.7% male: 90.6% female: 83.1% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 30.1% male: 32.1% female: 27.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution and resulting acid rain in the mineral extraction and refining region; chemical runoff into watersheds; loss of biodiversity; poaching seriously threatens rhinoceros, elephant, antelope, and large cat populations; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; lack of adequate water treatment presents human health risks Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 24.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.14 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 14.1 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April) Land use: agricultural land: 31.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 26.9% (2018 est.) forest: 66.3% (2018 est.) other: 2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 45.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.45% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to reduced incomes and localized shortfalls in cereal production - an estimated 1.58 million people are projected to need humanitarian assistance at least up until March 2022, down from 2 million assessed to be food insecure in the corresponding period in 2020/21; the overall large national agricultural output in 2021 helped to reduce the prevalence of food insecurity in early 2022, however, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have constrained households’ economic access to food as well as localized shortfalls in crop production, have limited a larger improvement (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,608,268 tons (2002 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Major aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 290 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.152 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 104.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Zambia conventional short form: Zambia former: Northern Rhodesia etymology: name derived from the Zambezi River, which flows through the western part of the country and forms its southern border with neighboring Zimbabwe Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Lusaka; note - a proposal to build a new capital city in Ngabwe was announced in May 2017 geographic coordinates: 15 25 S, 28 17 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after a village called Lusaka, located at Manda Hill, near where Zambia's National Assembly building currently stands; the village was named after a headman (chief) Lusakasa Administrative divisions: 10 provinces; Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Luapula, Lusaka, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western, Southern, Western Independence: 24 October 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 October (1964) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 24 August 1991, promulgated 30 August 1991 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly in two separate readings at least 30 days apart; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms requires approval by at least one half of votes cast in a referendum prior to consideration and voting by the Assembly; amended 1996, 2015, 2016; note - in late 2020, an amendment which would have altered the structure of the constitution was defeated in the National Assembly Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia citizenship by descent only: yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hakainde HICHILEMA (since 24 August 2021); Vice President Mutale NALUMANGO (since 24 August 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: 2021: Hakainde HICHILEMA elected president; percent of the vote -   Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 57.9%, Edgar LUNGU (PF) 37.3%, other 4.8% 2016: Edgar LUNGU re-elected president; percent of vote - Edgar LUNGU (PF) 50.4%, Hakainde HICHILEMA (UPND) 47.6%, other 2% Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (167 seats; 156 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote in 2 rounds if needed, and up to 8 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms); 3 ex-officio members elected by National Assembly membership elections: last held on 12 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026) election results: percent of vote by party - UPND 53.9%, PF 38.1%, PNUP 0.6%, independent 7.4%; seats by party - UPND 82, PF 62, PNUP 1, independent 11; composition - men 136, women 20, percent of women 13.5%; 156 seats filled;  Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, and at least 11 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 11 judges); note - the Constitutional Court began operation in June 2016 judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the advice of the 9-member Judicial Service Commission, which is headed by the chief justice, and ratified by the National Assembly; judges normally serve until age 65 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Industrial Relations Court; subordinate courts (3 levels, based on upper limit of money involved); Small Claims Court; local courts (2 grades, based on upper limit of money involved) Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI] Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI] Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Felix MUTATI] National Democratic Congress or NDC [Chishimba KAMBWILI] Patriotic Front or PF [Edgar LUNGU] United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA] Party of National Unity and Progress or PNUP [Highvie HAMUDUDU] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, COMESA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lazarous KAPAMBWE (since 8 April 2020) chancery: 2200 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4009 FAX: [1] (202) 332-0826 email address and website: info@zambiaembassy.org https://www.zambiaembassy.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Martin "Marty" DALE (since 2 November 2021) embassy: Eastern end of Kabulonga Road, Ibex Hill, Lusaka mailing address: 2310 Lusaka Place, Washington DC 20521-2310 telephone: [260] (0) 211-357-000 FAX: [260]  (0) 211-357-224 email address and website: ACSLusaka@state.gov https://zm.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: green field with a panel of three vertical bands of red (hoist side), black, and orange below a soaring orange eagle, on the outer edge of the flag; green stands for the country's natural resources and vegetation, red symbolizes the struggle for freedom, black the people of Zambia, and orange the country's mineral wealth; the eagle represents the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems National symbol(s): African fish eagle; national colors: green, red, black, orange National anthem: name: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free) lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls Topic: Economy Economic overview: Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose.   Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs.Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose. Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $60.12 billion (2020 est.) $61.99 billion (2019 est.) $61.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.4% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $3,300 (2020 est.) $3,500 (2019 est.) $3,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $25.71 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.1% (2019 est.) 7.4% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: RD (2020) Moody's rating: Ca (2020) Standard & Poors rating: SD (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.5% (2017 est.) industry: 35.3% (2017 est.) services: 57% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 52.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, vegetables, soybeans, beef, tobacco, wheat, groundnuts Industries: copper mining and processing, emerald mining, construction, foodstuffs, beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizer, horticulture Industrial production growth rate: 4.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6.898 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 54.8% industry: 9.9% services: 35.3% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2008 est.) 50% (2000 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 30.1% male: 32.1% female: 27.6% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 54.4% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 57.1 (2015 est.) 50.8 (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 47.4% (2010) Budget: revenues: 4.473 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.357 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 63.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 60.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 17.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.006 billion (2017 est.) -$934 million (2016 est.) Exports: $8.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $8.26 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $9.98 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Switzerland 29%, China 16%, Namibia 12%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 9%, Singapore 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper, gold, gemstones, sulfuric acid, raw sugar, tobacco (2019) Imports: $5.92 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $8.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: South Africa 29%, China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, delivery trucks, gold, fertilizers (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.082 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.353 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $11.66 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.562 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Zambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 21.065 (2020 est.) 15.3736 (2019 est.) 11.855 (2018 est.) 8.6 (2014 est.) 6.2 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 37% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 3.065 million kW (2020 est.) Consumption: 13,409,685,000 kWh (2019 est.) Exports: 976 million kWh (2019 est.) Imports: 198 million kWh (2019 est.) Transmission/distribution losses: 1,811,480,000 kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Hydroelectricity: 85.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: Production: 1.116 million metric tons (2020 est.) Consumption: 1.176 million metric tons (2020 est.) Exports: 39,000 metric tons (2020 est.) Imports: 99,000 metric tons (2020 est.) Proven reserves: 45 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Refined petroleum consumption: 25,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 12,400 barrels/day (2018 est.) Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 13,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 371 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,150 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.186 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 3.612 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 11.595 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 71,844 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 17,220,600 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 96.41 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: service is among the best in Sub-Saharan Africa; regulator promotes competition and is a partner to private sector service providers, offering mobile voice and Internet at some of the lowest prices in the region; investment made in data centers, education centers, and computer assembly training plants; operators invest in 3G and LTE-based services; Chinese company Huawei is helping to upgrade state-owned mobile infrastructure for 5G services; operators focused on improvements to towers (2020) domestic: fiber optic connections are available between most larger towns and cities with microwave radio relays serving more rural areas; 3G and LTE with FttX in limited urban areas and private Ku or Ka band VSAT terminals in remote locations; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 104 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 260; multiple providers operate overland fiber optic routes via Zimbabwe/South Africa, Botswana/Namibia and Tanzania provide access to the major undersea cables note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments Broadcast media: according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country (2019)according to the Independent Broadcast Authority, there are 137 radio stations and 47 television stations in Zambia; out of the 137 radio stations, 133 are private (categorized as either commercial or community radio stations), while 4 are public-owned; state-owned Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) operates 2 television channels and 3 radio stations; ZNBC owns 75% shares in GoTV, 40% in MultiChoice, and 40% in TopStar Communications Company, all of which operate in-country Internet country code: .zm Internet users: total: 3,676,791 (2020 est.) percent of population: 20% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 82,317 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.5 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,904 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 75.08 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9J Airports: total: 88 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 80 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 53 under 914 m: 21 (2021) Pipelines: 771 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 3,126 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,126 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge note: includes 1,860 km of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) Roadways: total: 67,671 km (2018) paved: 14,888 km (2018) unpaved: 52,783 km (2018) Waterways: 2,250 km (2010) (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula Rivers) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1 (2021) Ports and terminals: river port(s): Mpulungu (Zambezi) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Zambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service; Defense Force Medical Service; Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Zambia Police (includes a paramilitary battalion) (2022) note: the Zambia National Service is a support organization that also does public work projects Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $450 million) 1.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $470 million) 1.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $420 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: the Zambia Defense Force (ZDF) has approximately 17,000 active troops (15,000 Army; 2,000 Air) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ZDF's inventory is largely comprised of Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era armaments; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to Zambia (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (16 with parental consent); no conscription; 12-year enlistment period (7 years active, 5 in the Reserves) (2021) Military deployments: 925 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (Feb 2022) Military - note: the Zambian Defense Force (ZDF) traces its roots to the Northern Rhodesia Regiment, which was raised by the British colonial government to fight in World War II; the ZDF was established in 1964 from units of the dissolved Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland armed forces; it participated in a number of regional conflicts during the 1970s and 1980s; Zambia actively supported independence movements such as the Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Zambia-Angola: because the straight-line segments along the left bank (Zambian side) of the Cuando/Kwando River do not conform with the physical alignment of the unstable shoreline, Zambian residents in some areas have settled illegally on sections of shoreline that fall on the Angolan side of the boundary Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto Zambia-Tanzania: some drug smuggling may take place across the Zambia-Tanzania border; there are no known current territorial issues, as both states have continued to recognize the colonial boundaries last modified in 1937; the boundary in Lake Tanganyika remains undefined. Zambia-Zimbabwe: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; in May 2021, Botswana and Zambia agreed in principle to let Zimbabwe be a partner in the bridge project as it enters its lasts phaseZambia-Angola: because the straight-line segments along the left bank (Zambian side) of the Cuando/Kwando River do not conform with the physical alignment of the unstable shoreline, Zambian residents in some areas have settled illegally on sections of shoreline that fall on the Angolan side of the boundary Zambia-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of PwetoZambia-Tanzania: some drug smuggling may take place across the Zambia-Tanzania border; there are no known current territorial issues, as both states have continued to recognize the colonial boundaries last modified in 1937; the boundary in Lake Tanganyika remains undefined. Zambia-Zimbabwe: in 2004, Zimbabwe dropped objections to plans between Botswana and Zambia to build a bridge over the Zambezi River, thereby de facto recognizing a short, but not clearly delimited, Botswana-Zambia boundary in the river; in May 2021, Botswana and Zambia agreed in principle to let Zimbabwe be a partner in the bridge project as it enters its lasts phase Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 65,911 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 4,265 (Burundi) (2022) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Zambia and Zambians abroad; most trafficking occurs within Zambia’s borders, with traffickers exploiting women and children from rural areas in cities in domestic servitude or forced labor in agriculture, textile production, mining, construction, small businesses, such as bakeries, and forced begging; Jerabo gangs force Zambian children into illegal mining operations, such as loading stolen copper or crushing rocks; truck drivers exploit Zambian boys and girls in sex trafficking in towns along the Zimbabwean and Tanzanian borders, and miners exploit them in Solwezi; Zambian boys are exploited for sex trafficking in Zimbabwe and women and girls in South Africa; traffickers exploit victims from Tanzania and Malawi in the Zambian timber industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Zambia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making efforts to do so; efforts included increasing law enforcement training, establishing two fast-track human trafficking courts, conducting awareness campaigns about human trafficking, slightly increasing prosecutions and convictions, and strengthening prison sentences given to traffickers; however; investigations of trafficking crimes and funding to shelters and other victim assistance programs decreased; authorities did not proactively screen for trafficking among vulnerable populations, including foreign nationals and those involved in commercial sex; authorities detained and deported potential trafficking victims involved in smuggling; the national inter-ministerial committee is weak in overseeing national anti-trafficking efforts and trends (2020) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis

20220901

about-the-world-of-the-cia

A portfolio of photos showing the George Bush Center for Intelligence and its environs (aka CIA headquarters), the home of The World Factbook.To view more photos of the CIA compound, visit CIA Sites to See and Explore CIA Headquarters. Topic: Headquarters and JetsSpectacular aerial view of the Agency’s Original and New Headquarters Buildings being overflown by two F-16 jets. Topic: OHB in the SnowThe CIA’s Original Headquarters Building is depicted during a snow storm. The building was designed in the mid-1950s by the New York firm Harrison and Abramovitz. The designers followed the vision of former DCI Allen Dulles, who dreamed of a place where intelligence officers could work in a college campus-like atmosphere. He also wanted this secure and secluded environment to be close to US policymakers. (Langley is 13 km (8 mi) outside of downtown Washington.) OHB’s cornerstone was laid on 3 November 1959. Construction was completed in March 1961. OHB consists of 130,000 sq m (1,400,000 sq ft) of space. OHB and its companion, New Headquarters Building, sit on 104 hectares (258 acres) of land. Topic: Aerial View of HeadquartersHistoric aerial view of the Agency’s headquarters buildings and the “bubble” auditorium. Topic: OHB Main StepsThe CIA’s Original Headquarters Building was designed in the mid-1950s by the New York firm Harrison and Abramovitz. The designers followed the vision of former DCI Allen Dulles, who dreamed of a place where intelligence officers could work in a college campus-like atmosphere. He also wanted this secure and secluded environment to be close to US policymakers. (Langley is 13 km (8 mi) outside of downtown Washington.) Topic: OHB at NightThe CIA’s Original Headquarters Building at night. The building, designed in the mid-1950s by the New York firm Harrison and Abramovitz, followed the vision of former DCI Allen Dulles. Dulles dreamed of a place where intelligence officers could work in a college campus-like atmosphere in a secure and secluded environment close to US policymakers. Topic: OHB SpringThe CIA’s Original Headquarters Building (OHB) in the spring. A number of magnificent magnolia trees grace the CIA campus. Topic: The LobbyThe iconic Lobby of the CIA Headquarters Building. The massive seal has been featured in countless movies and publicity photos. On the left is the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Memorial and the William Donovan statue. The OSS, precursor to the CIA, was set up on 13 June 1942 in the midst of World War II and dissolved a month after the cessation of hostilities on 20 September 1945. William Donovan served as head of OSS and is regarded as the founding father of the CIA. On the right is the Memorial Wall to Agency officers who have died in the line of duty. Topic: Memorial WallThe Memorial Wall on the north side of the Original Headquarters Building lobby stands as a silent, simple memorial to those CIA officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Among the stars, an inscription reads: “In honor of those members of the Central Intelligence Agency who gave their lives in the service of their country.” The Memorial Wall was commissioned by the CIA Fine Arts Commission in May 1973 and sculpted by Harold Vogel in July 1974.There are 139 stars carved into the marble of the CIA Memorial Wall as of 2022. Inclusion on the Memorial Wall is awarded posthumously to employees who lose their lives while serving their country in the field of intelligence. Death may occur in a foreign field or in the United States.The Honor and Merit Awards Board (HMAB) recommends approval of the nomination to the CIA Director if it meets the following selection criteria: Death must be of an inspirational or heroic character while in the performance of duty; or as the result of an act of terrorism while in the performance of duty; or as an act of premeditated violence targeted against an employee, motivated solely by that employee’s Agency affiliation; or in the performance of duty while serving in areas of hostilities or other exceptionally hazardous conditions where the death is a direct result of such hostilities or hazards.The HMAB reviews the circumstances surrounding the death of an employee and makes its recommendation to the DCIA for final approval. Once approved by the DCIA, the Office of Protocol arranges placement of the star on the Memorial Wall.A stone carver creates a star by first tracing the new star on the wall using a template. Each star measures 2-1/4 inches tall by 2-1/4 inches wide and half an inch deep; all the stars are six inches apart from each other, as are all the rows. The stone carver uses both a pneumatic air hammer and a chisel to carve out the traced pattern. After carving the star, the stone carver cleans the dust and sprays the star black, which as the star ages, fades to gray. The current stone carver is part of a lineage who learned this craft from the Memorial Wall’s original sculptor, Harold Vogel.The new star is officially unveiled at the CIA’s annual Memorial Ceremony. Topic: The Lobby at ChristmasThe lobby of the Original Headquarters Building decorated for the holidays. Topic: Liberty MuralThe Statue of Liberty Mural in the Original Headquarters Building. The two-sentence quote can almost be regarded as the Agency’s mission statement: “We are the nation’s first line of defense. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go.” Topic: Nathan Hale StatueA statue of Nathan Hale is located between the Auditorium and the Original Headquarters Building. Hale was the first American executed for spying for his country. This statue is a copy of the original work created in 1914 for Yale University, Nathan Hale’s alma mater. The Agency’s statue was erected on the grounds in 1973, 200 years after his graduation from Yale.There is no known portrait of Nathan Hale; this life-size statue portrays what little written description there is of him. The statue captures the spirit of the moment before his execution – a 21-year-old man prepared to meet his death for honor and country, hands and feet bound, face resolute, and his eyes on the horizon. His last words, “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” circle the base around his feet.He stands vigilant guard on the Agency and is a continuing reminder to its employees of the duties and sacrifices of an intelligence officer. Topic: Memorial Pond at SunriseThe Memorial Garden is located on a hillside between the Original Headquarters Building and the Auditorium. It is one of several memorials on the CIA compound (including the Office of Strategic Services Memorial and the CIA Memorial Wall). The garden is a memorial to all deceased intelligence officers and contractors who served their country.Where some memorials are set in stone, this remembrance uses the quiet beauty of living nature to honor those who have died in service to their country: Agency officers, OSS members, and contractors. The garden is a blend of natural and landscaped plantings amid stone outcroppings from which a cascade of water continuously falls into a large fishpond, providing a tranquil and reflective place for Agency employees. The words, “In remembrance of those whose unheralded efforts served a grateful nation,” are cast in a brass plaque set in fieldstone to ensure the living will not forget the fallen. Topic: Memorial Pond KoiThese are some of the koi that live in the pond in the Memorial Garden located on a hillside between the Original Headquarters Building and the Auditorium. It is one of several memorials on the CIA compound (including the Office of Strategic Services Memorial and the CIA Memorial Wall). The garden is a memorial to all deceased intelligence officers and contractors who served their country.  Topic: Heron in the Memorial PondOften outside birds, such as this heron, are drawn to the beauty and solemnity of the Memorial Garden located on a hillside between the Original Headquarters Building and the Auditorium. The garden is a memorial to all deceased intelligence officers and contractors who served their country. Topic: Auditorium in the FallThe Headquarters Auditorium, called the “Bubble” by Agency employees, got its nickname for its bubble- or igloo-like shape. The auditorium was part of the CIA Headquarters design in the mid-1950s. The Bubble is the largest conference area at the CIA. It measures 650 sq m (7,000 sq ft) of floor space, can accommodate 470 people, and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.The auditorium is equipped with the latest in multi-media equipment, including side and rear lighting that accommodates color television cameras and motion picture filming. The Bubble is home to special events, prominent speakers, and large conferences. Topic: Inside the AuditoriumThe Headquarters Auditorium, called the “Bubble” by Agency employees, got its nickname for its bubble- or igloo-like shape. The auditorium was part of the CIA Headquarters design in the mid-1950s. The Bubble is the largest conference area at the CIA. It measures 650 sq m (7,000 sq ft) of floor space, can accommodate 470 people, and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.The auditorium is equipped with the latest in multi-media equipment, including side and rear lighting that accommodates color television cameras and motion picture filming. The large plaster disks on the inside surface of the dome enhance the acoustics of the auditorium. The Bubble is home to special events, prominent speakers, and large conferences. Topic: Berlin WallIn developing this monument, the CIA Fine Arts Commission decided on five precepts for its placement: prominence, pedestrian orientation, a sense of the wall as an obstacle, an “unromantic presentation,” and a measure of contemplation. The Wall is located near the southwest entrance to the Original Headquarters Building. It was dedicated on 18 December 1992. A bronze plaque near the Wall reads, “These three sections of reinforced concrete were removed from the Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie at Potsdamer Platz in November 1989.”The monument is oriented as it was in Berlin — the west side painted with graffiti and the east side whitewashed. The west side of the Wall is covered with graffiti that reflects the color, hope and optimism of the West itself. In stark contrast, the east side of the wall is plain and devoid of color and life. The Wall is located in the middle of a path so that it must be confronted directly — just as it was for nearly three decades by the citizens of Berlin. On both sides of the Wall is a bench- height wall where employees can sit and view the three segments and contemplate their history. Topic: New Headquarters Building LobbyThis is a view of the lobby of the New Headquarters Building. By the early 1980s, it was clear that the Agency needed to expand beyond the Original Headquarters Building. By this time, there was a need for an additional building and more parking. Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls Associates presented a design that was functional for the Agency’s needs and would blend in with the existing OHB structure.The final design is two, six-story office towers built into a hillside behind OHB. The New Headquarters Building is linked to the OHB building in a seamless blend of the two structures. The main entrance to NHB is on the fourth floor. Inside the entrance, one is greeted by a huge skylight ceiling and, at the end of the entry corridor, a spectacular view of the OHB.The groundbreaking ceremony for NHB took place on 24 May 1984; the building was completed by March 1991. Topic: Daffodils at NHBBy the early 1980s, it was clear that the Agency needed to expand beyond the Original Headquarters Building. By this time, there was a need for an additional building and more parking. Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls Associates presented a design that was functional for the Agency’s needs and would blend in with the existing OHB structure.The final design is two, six-story office towers built into a hillside behind OHB. The New Headquarters Building is linked to the OHB building in a seamless blend of the two structures. The main entrance to NHB is on the fourth floor. Inside the entrance, one is greeted by a huge skylight ceiling and, at the end of the entry corridor, a spectacular view of the OHB.The groundbreaking ceremony for NHB took place on 24 May 1984; the building was completed by March 1991. Topic: A-12 in the SnowCIA developed the highly secret A-12 OXCART as the U-2’s successor, intended to meet the nation’s need for a very fast, very high-flying reconnaissance aircraft that could avoid Soviet air defenses. CIA awarded the OXCART contract to Lockheed (builder of the U-2) in 1959. In meeting the A-12’s extreme speed and altitude requirements, Lockheed — led by legendary engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson — overcame numerous technical challenges with cutting-edge innovations in titanium fabrication, lubricants, jet engines, fuel, navigation, flight control, electronic countermeasures, radar stealthiness, and pilot life-support systems. In 1965, after hundreds of hours flown at high personal risk by the elite team of CIA and Lockheed pilots, the A-12 was declared fully operational, attaining the design specifications of a sustained speed of Mach 3.2 at 27,400 m (90,000 ft) altitude.CIA’s operational use of the A-12 was beset by not only many technical problems but also political sensitivity to aircraft flights over denied areas and competition from imaging satellites. After the U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union in May 1960, all Soviet overflights were halted, thus blocking the A-12’s original mission to monitor the Soviet Bloc. By the time of CIA’s first A-12 deployment in 1967, CORONA satellites were being launched regularly to collect thousands of images worldwide each year. Although its imagery was less timely and of poorer resolution than the A-12’s, CORONA was invulnerable to anti-aircraft missiles and much less provocative than A-12 overflights. At the same time, the US Air Force was developing the SR-71, a modified version of the A-12. Seeing little value in maintaining both overt SR-71 and covert A-12 fleets with similar capabilities, President Johnson ordered retirement of the A-12 in 1968.The only A-12 reconnaissance operation, codenamed BLACK SHIELD, took place from May 1967 to May 1968. A detachment of six pilots and three A-12’s based at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa flew 29 missions over East Asia. The panoramic stereo camera aboard each aircraft yielded considerable high-quality imagery that within hours of landing was processed. From the images, photo interpreters provided key intelligence information in support of US military operations during the Vietnam War.The A-12 on display at CIA Headquarters — number eight in production of the 15 A-12s built — was the first of the operational fleet to be certified for Mach 3. No piloted operational jet aircraft has ever flown faster or higher. This picture depicts it at wintertime. Topic: KryptosJames Sanborn’s sculpture “Kryptos” begins at the entrance to the New Headquarters Building and continues in the northwest corner of the New Headquarters Building courtyard.The theme of this sculpture is “intelligence gathering.” Dedicated on 3 November 1990, Kryptos incorporates materials native to the United States. A piece of petrified wood supports a large S-shaped copper screen that looks like a piece of paper coming out of a computer printer. On the “paper” are inscribed several enigmatic messages, each written in a different code. The sculpture continues to be a source of pleasure and mystery for Agency employees, with a few taking the challenge to “break the code.”“Kryptos” © Copyright 1988 James Sanborn. All rights reserved. Topic: Kryptos at NHBJames Sanborn’s sculpture “Kryptos” begins at the entrance to the New Headquarters Building and continues in the northwest corner of the New Headquarters Building courtyard.The theme of this sculpture is “intelligence gathering.” Dedicated on 3 November 1990, Kryptos incorporates materials native to the United States. A piece of petrified wood supports a large S-shaped copper screen that looks like a piece of paper coming out of a computer printer. On the “paper” are inscribed several enigmatic messages, each written in a different code. The sculpture continues to be a source of pleasure and mystery for Agency employees, with a few taking the challenge to “break the code.”“Kryptos” © Copyright 1988 James Sanborn. All rights reserved. Topic: Kryptos with FlowersJames Sanborn’s sculpture “Kryptos,” as pictured in the spring, begins at the entrance to the New Headquarters Building and continues in the northwest corner of the New Headquarters Building courtyard.“Kryptos” © Copyright 1988 James Sanborn. All rights reserved. To view more photos of the CIA compound, visit CIA Sites to See and Explore CIA Headquarters.

20220901

countries-singapore-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Singapore. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [65] 6476-9100; US Embassy Singapore, 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508; singaporeusembassy@state.gov; https://sg.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 65 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 995; Fire: 995; Police: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms Currency (Code): Singapore dollars (SGD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G Major Languages: English, Mandarin, other Chinese dialects, Malay, Tamil Major Religions: Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5% Time Difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Marina Bay Sands; Gardens by the Bay; Singapore Botanic Gardens; Singapore Zoo; Orchard Road; Singapore Flyer; Jurong Bird Park; Raffles Hotel; Tooth Relic Temple; National Orchid Gardens Major Sports: Soccer, badminton, rugby, cricket, swimming, basketball Cultural Practices: Do not be surprised if gifts are initially refused. It is common to turn down a gift out of modesty up to three times. Tipping Guidelines: Despite restaurants including a service charge, it is standard to tip 10%. Hand wait staff cash directly while thanking them for their service. Round up taxi fares. Tip bellhops 1-2 Singapore dollars per bag.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, May 10, 2022

20220901

field-total-renewable-water-resources

This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a country measured in cubic meters per year of precipitation, recharged ground water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries.  Total renewable water resources provides the water total available to a country but does not include water resource totals that have been reserved for upstream or downstream countries through international agreements.  Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect the total available in any given year.  Annual available resources can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and weather variations.This entry provides the long-term average water availability for a country measured in cubic meters per year of precipitation, recharged ground water, and surface inflows from surrounding countries.  Total renewable water resources provides the water total available to a country but does not include water resource totals that have been reserved for upstream or downstream countries through international agreements.  Note that these values are averages and do not accurately reflect the total available in any given year.  Annual available resources can vary greatly due to short-term and long-term climatic and weather variations. Topic: Afghanistan65.33 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Albania30.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria11.667 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Andorra315.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Angola148.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda52 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Argentina876.24 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Armenia7.769 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Australia492 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Austria77.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan34.675 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The700 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrain116 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladesh1,227,032,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Barbados80 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belarus57.9 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium18.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belize21.734 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Benin26.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia574 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina37.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Botswana12.24 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Brazil8.647 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Brunei8.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgaria21.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso13.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burma1,167,800,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi12.536 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodia476.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroon283.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Canada2.902 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic141 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Chad45.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Chile923.06 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: China2,840,220,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Colombia2.36 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros1.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.283 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the832 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cook Islands0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Costa Rica113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire84.14 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia105.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba38.12 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: Cyprus780 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia13.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Dominica200 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic23.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuador442.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt57.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador26.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrea7.315 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Estonia12.806 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini4.51 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopia122 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: European Union2,057.76 cubic meters (2011) Topic: Faroe Islands0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Fiji28.55 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Finland110 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: France211 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gabon166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip837 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: Georgia63.33 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Germany154 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana56.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Greece68.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Grenada200 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guatemala127.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea226 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau31.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guyana271 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Haiti14.022 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Honduras92.164 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary104 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland170 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: India1,910,900,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia2,018,700,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Iran137.045 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Iraq89.86 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ireland52 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Israel1.78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Italy191.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica10.823 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Japan430 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Jordan937 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan108.41 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya30.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, North77.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, South69.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwait20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan23.618 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Laos333.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Latvia34.94 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon4.503 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lesotho3.022 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia232 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Libya700 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lithuania24.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg3.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascar337 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malawi17.28 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysia580 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Maldives30 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mali120 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malta50.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritania11.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritius2.751 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico461.888 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Moldova12.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mongolia34.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Morocco29 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique217.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia39.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nauru10 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nepal210.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlands91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: New Zealand327 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua164.52 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Niger34.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeria286.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Niue0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedonia6.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Norway393 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Oman1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan246.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Palau0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Panama139.304 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea801 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguay387.77 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Peru1,879,800,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Philippines479 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Poland60.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal77.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico7.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Qatar58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Romania212.01 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Russia4,525,445,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda13.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis24 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines100 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Samoa0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe2.18 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia2.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Senegal38.97 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Serbia162.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) (note - includes Kosovo) Topic: Seychelles0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone160 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore600 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakia50.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia31.87 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands44.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Somalia14.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: South Africa51.35 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan49.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Spain111.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka52.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan37.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Suriname99 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sweden174 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland53.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Syria16.802 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Taiwan67 cubic meters (2011) Topic: Tajikistan21.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania96.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand438.61 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste8.215 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Togo14.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tokelau0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tonga0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago3.84 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisia4.615 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)211.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan24.765 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Uganda60.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ukraine175.28 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates150 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom147 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United States3.069 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay172.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan48.87 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuatu10 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuela1.325 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam884.12 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: West Bank837 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: World53,789.29 cubic meters (2011) Topic: Yemen2.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Zambia104.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe20 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

20220901

countries-marshall-islands-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens RECONSIDER TRAVEL to the Marshall Islands due to COVID-19-related travel restrictions. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in the Marshall Islands. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required for US citizens. US Embassy/Consulate: (692) 247-4011; EMER: (692)-455 8213; US Embassy Majuro, Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro, Marshall Islands; MAJConsular@state.gov; https://mh.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 692 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 625, 4111; Police: 625, 8666 Vaccinations: Cholera vaccination is required for those travelling from an infected area. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt Currency (Code): US dollar is used (USD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: Marshallese; note: English, widely spoken as a second language Major Religions: Protestant 80.5%, Roman Catholic 8.5%, Mormon 7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7% Time Difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site; Kwajalein Island; Alele Museum Major Sports: Soccer, baseball, softball Cultural Practices: The people of the Marshall Islands emphasize respect for their elders. Codes of respect and deference are important, and often Americans are considered haughty, brash, and irreverent. Tipping Guidelines: Meals are generally inexpensive so tipping by rounding up is appropriate. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

field-debt-external-country-comparison

20220901

field-internet-country-code

This entry includes the two-letter codes maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in the ISO 3166 Alpha-2 list and used by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) to establish country-coded top-level domains (ccTLDs). Topic: Afghanistan.af Topic: Albania.al Topic: Algeria.dz Topic: American Samoa.as Topic: Andorra.ad Topic: Angola.ao Topic: Anguilla.ai Topic: Antarctica.aq Topic: Antigua and Barbuda.ag Topic: Argentina.ar Topic: Armenia.am Topic: Aruba.aw Topic: Australia.au Topic: Austria.at Topic: Azerbaijan.az Topic: Bahamas, The.bs Topic: Bahrain.bh Topic: Bangladesh.bd Topic: Barbados.bb Topic: Belarus.by Topic: Belgium.be Topic: Belize.bz Topic: Benin.bj Topic: Bermuda.bm Topic: Bhutan.bt Topic: Bolivia.bo Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina.ba Topic: Botswana.bw Topic: Bouvet Island.bv Topic: Brazil.br Topic: British Indian Ocean Territory.io Topic: British Virgin Islands.vg Topic: Brunei.bn Topic: Bulgaria.bg Topic: Burkina Faso.bf Topic: Burma.mm Topic: Burundi.bi Topic: Cabo Verde.cv Topic: Cambodia.kh Topic: Cameroon.cm Topic: Canada.ca Topic: Cayman Islands.ky Topic: Central African Republic.cf Topic: Chad.td Topic: Chile.cl Topic: China.cn Topic: Christmas Island.cx Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands.cc Topic: Colombia.co Topic: Comoros.km Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the.cd Topic: Congo, Republic of the.cg Topic: Cook Islands.ck Topic: Costa Rica.cr Topic: Cote d'Ivoire.ci Topic: Croatia.hr Topic: Cuba.cu Topic: Curacao.cw.cw Topic: Cyprus.cy Topic: Czechia.cz Topic: Denmark.dk Topic: Djibouti.dj Topic: Dominica.dm Topic: Dominican Republic.do Topic: Ecuador.ec Topic: Egypt.eg Topic: El Salvador.sv Topic: Equatorial Guinea.gq Topic: Eritrea.er Topic: Estonia.ee Topic: Eswatini.sz Topic: Ethiopia.et Topic: European Union.eu; note - see country entries of member states for individual country codes Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).fk Topic: Faroe Islands.fo Topic: Fiji.fj Topic: Finland.fi   note - Aland Islands assigned .ax.fi  Topic: Francemetropolitan France - .fr; French Guiana - .gf; Guadeloupe - .gp; Martinique - .mq; Mayotte - .yt; Reunion - .re Topic: French Polynesia.pf Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Lands.tf Topic: Gabon.ga Topic: Gambia, The.gm Topic: Gaza Strip.psnote - same as the West Bank Topic: Georgia.ge Topic: Germany.de Topic: Ghana.gh Topic: Gibraltar.gi Topic: Greece.gr Topic: Greenland.gl Topic: Grenada.gd Topic: Guam.gu Topic: Guatemala.gt Topic: Guernsey.gg Topic: Guinea.gn Topic: Guinea-Bissau.gw Topic: Guyana.gy Topic: Haiti.ht Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islands.hm Topic: Holy See (Vatican City).va Topic: Honduras.hn Topic: Hong Kong.hk Topic: Hungary.hu Topic: Iceland.is Topic: India.in Topic: Indonesia.id Topic: Iran.ir Topic: Iraq.iq Topic: Ireland.ie Topic: Isle of Man.im Topic: Israel.il Topic: Italy.it Topic: Jamaica.jm Topic: Japan.jp Topic: Jersey.je Topic: Jordan.jo Topic: Kazakhstan.kz Topic: Kenya.ke Topic: Kiribati.ki Topic: Korea, North.kp Topic: Korea, South.kr Topic: Kosovo.xk note: assigned as a temporary code under UN Security Council resolution 1244/99 Topic: Kuwait.kw Topic: Kyrgyzstan.kg Topic: Laos.la Topic: Latvia.lv Topic: Lebanon.lb Topic: Lesotho.ls Topic: Liberia.lr Topic: Libya.ly Topic: Liechtenstein.li Topic: Lithuania.lt Topic: Luxembourg.lu Topic: Macau.mo Topic: Madagascar.mg Topic: Malawi.mw Topic: Malaysia.my Topic: Maldives.mv Topic: Mali.ml Topic: Malta.mt Topic: Marshall Islands.mh Topic: Mauritania.mr Topic: Mauritius.mu Topic: Mexico.mx Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of.fm Topic: Moldova.md Topic: Monaco.mc Topic: Mongolia.mn Topic: Montenegro.me Topic: Montserrat.ms Topic: Morocco.ma Topic: Mozambique.mz Topic: Namibia.na Topic: Nauru.nr Topic: Nepal.np Topic: Netherlands.nl Topic: New Caledonia.nc Topic: New Zealand.nz Topic: Nicaragua.ni Topic: Niger.ne Topic: Nigeria.ng Topic: Niue.nu Topic: Norfolk Island.nf Topic: North Macedonia.mk Topic: Northern Mariana Islands.mp Topic: Norway.no Topic: Oman.om Topic: Pakistan.pk Topic: Palau.pw Topic: Panama.pa Topic: Papua New Guinea.pg Topic: Paraguay.py Topic: Peru.pe Topic: Philippines.ph Topic: Pitcairn Islands.pn Topic: Poland.pl Topic: Portugal.pt Topic: Puerto Rico.pr Topic: Qatar.qa Topic: Romania.ro Topic: Russia.ru; note - Russia also has responsibility for a legacy domain ".su" that was allocated to the Soviet Union and is being phased out Topic: Rwanda.rw Topic: Saint Barthelemy.bl; note - .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, might also be encountered Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.sh; note - Ascension Island assigned .ac Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis.kn Topic: Saint Lucia.lc Topic: Saint Martin.mf; note - .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, might also be encountered Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon.pm Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.vc Topic: Samoa.ws Topic: San Marino.sm Topic: Sao Tome and Principe.st Topic: Saudi Arabia.sa Topic: Senegal.sn Topic: Serbia.rs Topic: Seychelles.sc Topic: Sierra Leone.sl Topic: Singapore.sg Topic: Sint Maarten.sx; note - IANA has designated .sx for Sint Maarten, but has not yet assigned it to a sponsoring organization.sx; note - IANA has designated .sx for Sint Maarten, but has not yet assigned it to a sponsoring organization Topic: Slovakia.sk Topic: Slovenia.si Topic: Solomon Islands.sb Topic: Somalia.so Topic: South Africa.za Topic: South Sudan.ss Topic: Spain.es Topic: Sri Lanka.lk Topic: Sudan.sd Topic: Suriname.sr Topic: Svalbard.sj Topic: Sweden.se Topic: Switzerland.ch Topic: Syria.sy Topic: Taiwan.tw Topic: Tajikistan.tj Topic: Tanzania.tz Topic: Thailand.th Topic: Timor-Leste.tl Topic: Togo.tg Topic: Tokelau.tk Topic: Tonga.to Topic: Trinidad and Tobago.tt Topic: Tunisia.tn Topic: Turkey (Turkiye).tr Topic: Turkmenistan.tm Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands.tc Topic: Tuvalu.tv Topic: Uganda.ug Topic: Ukraine.ua Topic: United Arab Emirates.ae Topic: United Kingdom.uk Topic: United States.us Topic: Uruguay.uy Topic: Uzbekistan.uz Topic: Vanuatu.vu Topic: Venezuela.ve Topic: Vietnam.vn Topic: Virgin Islands.vi Topic: Wallis and Futuna.wf Topic: West Bank.psnote - same as Gaza Strip Topic: Yemen.ye Topic: Zambia.zm Topic: Zimbabwe.zw

20220901

countries-west-bank

Topic: Photos of West Bank Topic: Introduction Background: The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo Accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip. In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area. The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements. Since 1994, the PA has administered parts of the West Bank under its control, mainly the major Palestinian population centers and areas immediately surrounding them. Roughly 60% of the West Bank remains under full Israeli civil and military control, impeding movement of people and goods through the territory.  The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo Accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area.The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, west of Jordan, east of Israel Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 5,860 sq km land: 5,640 sq km water: 220 sq km note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967 Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 478 km border countries (2): Israel 330 km; Jordan 148 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Terrain: mostly rugged, dissected upland in west, flat plains descending to Jordan River Valley to the east Elevation: highest point: Khallat al Batrakh 1,020 m lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m Natural resources: arable land Land use: agricultural land: 43.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 11% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 24.9% (2018 est.) forest: 1.5% (2018 est.) other: 55.2% (2018 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Irrigated land: (2012) 240 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and Israel) - 1,020 sq km note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level Population distribution: the most populous Palestinian communities in the West Bank are located in the central ridge and western half of its territory; Jewish settlements are located throughout the West Bank, the most populous in the Seam Zone--between the 1949 Armistice Line and the separation barrier--and around Jerusalem Natural hazards: droughts Geography - note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are about 380 Israeli civilian sites, including about 213 settlements and 132 small outpost communities in the West Bank and 35 sites in East Jerusalem (2017) Map description: West Bank map showing its major population centers as well as parts of the two countries that surround it – Israel to the west and Jordan to the east.West Bank map showing its major population centers as well as parts of the two countries that surround it – Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,000,021 (2022 est.) note: approximately 432,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2019); approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019) Nationality: noun: NA adjective: NA Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab, Jewish, other Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 80-85% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12-14%, Christian 1-2.5% (mainly Greek Orthodox), other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1% (2012 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.31% (male 525,645/female 498,458) 15-24 years: 20.75% (male 307,420/female 294,469) 25-54 years: 35.19% (male 516,758/female 503,626) 55-64 years: 5.12% (male 76,615/female 72,006) 65 years and over: 3.62% (2020 est.) (male 48,387/female 56,650) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.2 youth dependency ratio: 65.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Median age: total: 21.9 years male: 21.7 years female: 22.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.69% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 24.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the most populous Palestinian communities in the West Bank are located in the central ridge and western half of its territory; Jewish settlements are located throughout the West Bank, the most populous in the Seam Zone--between the 1949 Armistice Line and the separation barrier--and around Jerusalem Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Infant mortality rate: total: 15.29 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.38 years male: 74.29 years female: 78.6 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.96 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.3% (2019/20) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 99% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: 3.25 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.7% women married by age 18: 13.4% (2020 est.) note: includes both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2018 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.5% male: 98.8% female: 96.2% (2020) note: estimates are for Gaza and the West Bank School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 14 years (2020) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: adequacy of freshwater supply; sewage treatment Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 3.23 megatons (2016 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters Land use: agricultural land: 43.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 11% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 24.9% (2018 est.) forest: 1.5% (2018 est.) other: 55.2% (2018 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.387 million tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 6,935 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2013 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and Israel) - 1,020 sq km note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level Total water withdrawal: municipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Total renewable water resources: 837 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: West Bank etymology: name refers to the location of the region of the British Mandate of Palestine that was occupied and administered by Jordan in 1948, as it is located on the far side (west bank) of the Jordan River in relation to Jordan proper; the designation was retained following the 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent changes in administration Topic: Economy Economic overview: In 2017, the economic outlook in the West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Territories – remained fragile, as security concerns and political friction slowed economic growth. Unemployment in the West Bank remained high at 19.0% in the third quarter of 2017, only slightly better than 19.6% at the same point the previous year, while the labor force participation rate remained flat, year-on-year.Longstanding Israeli restrictions on imports, exports, and movement of goods and people continue to disrupt labor and trade flows and the territory’s industrial capacity, and constrain private sector development. The PA’s budget benefited from an effort to improve tax collection, coupled with lower spending in 2017, but the PA for the foreseeable future will continue to rely heavily on donor aid for its budgetary needs and infrastructure development.In 2017, the economic outlook in the West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Territories – remained fragile, as security concerns and political friction slowed economic growth. Unemployment in the West Bank remained high at 19.0% in the third quarter of 2017, only slightly better than 19.6% at the same point the previous year, while the labor force participation rate remained flat, year-on-year.Longstanding Israeli restrictions on imports, exports, and movement of goods and people continue to disrupt labor and trade flows and the territory’s industrial capacity, and constrain private sector development. The PA’s budget benefited from an effort to improve tax collection, coupled with lower spending in 2017, but the PA for the foreseeable future will continue to rely heavily on donor aid for its budgetary needs and infrastructure development. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $25.91 billion (2020 est.) $29.26 billion (2019 est.) $28.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip Real GDP growth rate: 5.3% (2014 est.) 1% (2013 est.) 6% (2012 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Real GDP per capita: $5,400 (2020 est.) $6,200 (2019 est.) $6,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip GDP (official exchange rate): $9.828 billion (2014 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.9% (2017 est.) industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) services: 77.6% (2017 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 91.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61% (2017 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Agricultural products: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds Industries: small-scale manufacturing, quarrying, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Labor force: 1.24 million (2017 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11.5% industry: 34.4% services: 54.1% (2013 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Unemployment rate: 27.9% (2017 est.) 27% (2016 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Population below poverty line: 18% (2011 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2016 est.) 38.7 (2007 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Budget: revenues: 1.314 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.278 billion (2017 est.) note: includes Palestinian Authority expenditures in the Gaza Strip Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 24.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 23.8% of GDP (2013 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 13.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.444 billion (2017 est.) -$1.348 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $2.65 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip $2.6 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip note: excludes Gaza Strip Exports - commodities: stone, olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone Imports: $9.15 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip $9.02 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip note: data include the Gaza Strip Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials, petroleum, chemicals Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $0 (31 December 2017 est.) $583 million (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $1.662 billion (31 March 2016 est.) $1.467 billion (31 March 2015 est.) note: data include the Gaza Strip Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.606 (2017 est.) 3.841 (2016 est.) 3.841 (2015 est.) 3.8869 (2014 est.) 3.5779 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) note: data for West Bank and Gaza Strip combined Electricity: installed generating capacity: 215,000 kW (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank consumption: 5,702,816,000 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank imports: 5.9 billion kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank transmission/distribution losses: 847 million kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 19 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 22,740 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Energy consumption per capita: 13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,274,119 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 84 (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Telecommunication systems: general assessment: continuing political and economic instability has impeded liberalization of the telecommunications industry (2018) domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; two Palestinian cellular providers, JAWWAL and WATANIYA MOBILE, launched 3G mobile networks in the West Bank in January 2018 after Israel lifted its ban; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscriptions 84 per 100 (includes Gaza Strip) (2020) international: country code 970 or 972; 1 international switch in Ramallah note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: the Palestinian Authority operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; about 20 private TV and 40 radio stations; both Jordanian TV and satellite TV are accessible Internet country code: .ps; note - IANA has designated .ps for the West Bank, same as Gaza Strip Internet users: total: 3,602,452 (2020 est.) percent of population: 75% (2020 est.) note: includes the Gaza Strip Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 373,050 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) note: includes the Gaza Strip Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 2 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 4,686 km (2010) paved: 4,686 km (2010) note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: per the Oslo Accords, the PA is not permitted a conventional military but maintains security and police forces; PA security personnel have operated almost exclusively in the West Bank since HAMAS seized power in the Gaza Strip in 2007; PA forces include National Security Forces, Presidential Guard, Civil Police, Civil Defense, Preventive Security Organization, the General Intelligence Organization, and the Military Intelligence Organization (2022) note: the National Security Forces conduct gendarmerie-style security operations in circumstances that exceed the capabilities of the civil police; it is the largest branch of the Palestinian Authority security service and acts as the Palestinian army; the Presidential Guard protects facilities and provides dignitary protection; the Preventive Security Organization is responsible for internal intelligence gathering and investigations related to internal security cases, including political dissent Military expenditures: not available Military and security service personnel strengths: the Palestinian Authority Security Forces have approximately 30,000 active personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the security services are armed mostly with small arms and light weapons, although since 2007, they have received limited amounts of heavier equipment from Jordan (armored personnel carriers) and Russia (armored personnel carriers and transport helicopters) (2022) Military service age and obligation: not available Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Kahane Chai; Palestine Islamic Jihad; Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: West Bank-Israel: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier constructionWest Bank-Israel: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 871,537 (Palestinian refugees) (2020) IDPs: 131,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2020) data represent Gaza Strip and West Bank

20220901

field-drinking-water-source

This entry provides information about access to improved or unimproved drinking water sources available to segments of the population of a country. Improved drinking water - use of any of the following sources: piped water into dwelling, yard, or plot; public tap or standpipe; tubewell or borehole; protected dug well; protected spring; or rainwater collection. Unimproved drinking water - use of any of the following sources: unprotected dug well; unprotected spring; cart with small tank or drum; tanker truck; surface water, which includes rivers, dams, lakes, ponds, streams, canals or irrigation channels; or bottled water. Topic: Afghanistanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 68.3% of population total: 76.5% of population 70.2% unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 31.7% of population total: 23.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Akrotiriimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Albaniaimproved: urban: 97.3% of population rural: 96.4% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population rural: 3.6% of population total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Algeriaimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: American Samoaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Andorraimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Angolaimproved: urban: 81.3% of population rural: 36.5% of population total: 66.5% of population unimproved: urban: 18.7% of population rural: 63.5% of population total: 33.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Anguillaimproved: urban: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 96.7% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Argentinaimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Armeniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Arubaimproved: urban: 98.1% of population rural: 98.1% of population total: 98.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1.9% of population rural: 1.9% of population total: 1.9% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Australiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Austriaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.3% of population total: 97.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.7% of population total: 2.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Theimproved: total: 98.9% of population unimproved: total: 1.1% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrainimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bangladeshimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98.7% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 1.3% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Barbadosimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belarusimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belizeimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Beninimproved: urban: 79% of population rural: 70.8% of population total: 74.7% of population unimproved: urban: 21% of population rural: 29.2% of population total: 25.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bermudaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020) Topic: Bhutanimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Boliviaimproved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 80.2% of population total: 93.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 19.8% of population total: 6.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Botswanaimproved: urban: 98.1% of population rural: 96.9% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bouvet Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Brazilimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 96.9% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: British Virgin Islandsimproved: total: 99.9% of population unimproved: total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bruneiimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020) Topic: Bulgariaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 97.4% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 2.6% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasoimproved: urban: 94.7% of population rural: 71.3% of population total: 78.5% of population unimproved: urban: 5.3% of population rural: 28.7% of population total: 21.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burmaimproved: urban: 95.4% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 85.3% of population unimproved: urban: 4.6% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 14.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burundiimproved: urban: 98.7% of population rural: 78.9% of population total: 81.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population rural: 21.1% of population total: 18.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdeimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 90% of population total: 96.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 10% of population total: 3.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodiaimproved: urban: 99.3% of population rural: 80.6% of population total: 85.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population rural: 19.4% of population total: 14.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cameroonimproved: urban: 95.1% of population rural: 56.2% of population total: 78.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population rural: 43.8% of population total: 21.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Canadaimproved: urban: 99.3% of population rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandsimproved: urban: 97.4% of population total: 97.4% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population total: 2.6% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Central African Republicimproved: urban: 83.9% of population rural: 47.5% of population total: 62.9% of population unimproved: urban: 16.1% of population rural: 52.5% of population total: 37.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chadimproved: urban: 90.2% of population rural: 51.9% of population total: 60.9% of population unimproved: urban: 9.8% of population rural: 48.1% of population total: 39.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chileimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chinaimproved: urban: 97.3% of population rural: 91.5% of population total: 95.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population rural: 8.5% of population total: 4.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Christmas Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Clipperton Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Colombiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 87.5% of population total: 97.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 12.5% of population total: 2.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Comorosimproved: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 88.5% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population rural: 11.5% of population total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theimproved: urban: 88.8% of population rural: 34.7% of population total: 59.4% of population unimproved: urban: 11.2% of population rural: 65.3% of population total: 40.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theimproved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 56.4% of population total: 84.2% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population rural: 43.6% of population total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cook Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Coral Sea Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Costa Ricaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoireimproved: urban: 89.9% of population rural: 69.1% of population total: 79.8% of population unimproved: urban: 10.1% of population rural: 30.9% of population total: 20.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Croatiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cubaimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98.5% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 3% of population total: 1.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Curacaoimproved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017) Topic: Cyprusimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Czechiaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarkimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Dhekeliaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Djiboutiimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 59.3% of population total: 90.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 40.7% of population total: 9.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Dominicaimproved: urban: 95.7% of population unimproved: urban: 4.3% of population Topic: Dominican Republicimproved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 91.7% of population total: 97.2% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 8.3% of population total: 2.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadorimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 87.1% of population total: 95.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 12.9% of population total: 4.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Egyptimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: El Salvadorimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 94.2% of population total: 98.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 5.8% of population total: 1.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineaimproved: urban: 81.7% of population rural: 32.1% of population total: 67.6% of population unimproved: urban: 18.3% of population rural: 67.9% of population total: 32.4% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Eritreaimproved: urban: 73.2% of population rural: 53.3% of population total: 57.8% of population unimproved: urban: 26.8% of population rural: 46.7% of population total: 42.2% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Estoniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatiniimproved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 74.8% of population total: 80.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population rural: 25.2% of population total: 19.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopiaimproved: urban: 98.5% of population rural: 70.2% of population total: 76.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.5% of population rural: 29.8% of population total: 23.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: European Unionimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 78.2% of population total: 95.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 21.8% of population total: 4.7% of population (2020) Topic: Faroe Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Fijiimproved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 89.1% of population total: 94.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 10.9% of population total: 5.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Finlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Franceimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Gabonimproved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 55.3% of population total: 93.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 44.7% of population total: 6.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, Theimproved: urban: 91.8% of population rural: 85.7% of population total: 89.5% of population unimproved: urban: 8.2% of population rural: 14.3% of population total: 10.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 99% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgiaimproved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 94.3% of population total: 97.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 5.7% of population total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Germanyimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanaimproved: urban: 98.7% of population rural: 83.8% of population total: 92.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population rural: 16.2% of population total: 7.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gibraltarimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Greeceimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Greenlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Grenadaimproved: total: 96.8% of population unimproved: total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Guamimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guatemalaimproved: urban: 97.9% of population rural: 92.2% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population rural: 8% of population total: 5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guernseyimproved: total: 94.2% of population unimproved: total: 5.9% of population (2017 est.) note: includes data for Jersey Topic: Guineaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 76.9% of population total: 85.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 23.1% of population total: 14.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissauimproved: urban: 90.6% of population rural: 59.1% of population total: 73.1% of population unimproved: urban: 9.4% of population rural: 40.9% of population total: 26.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guyanaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 95.6% of population total: 96.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 4.4% of population total: 3.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Haitiimproved: urban: 91.9% of population rural: 56.1% of population total: 76.5% of population unimproved: urban: 8.1% of population rural: 43.9% of population total: 23.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)improved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Hondurasimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 90.7% of population total: 96.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 9.3% of population total: 3.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Hungaryimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Indiaimproved: urban: 96.9% of population rural: 94.7% of population total: 95.5% of population unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population rural: 5.3% of population total: 4.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiaimproved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 86.8% of population total: 93.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 13.2% of population total: 6.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Iranimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.1% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.9% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.4% of population total: 99.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.6% of population total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Irelandimproved: urban: 97% of population rural: 98.1% of population total: 97.4% of population unimproved: urban: 3% of population rural: 1.9% of population total: 2.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Isle of Manimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.9% of population (2020) Topic: Israelimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Italyimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicaimproved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 93.9% of population total: 96.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 6.1% of population total: 3.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Jan Mayenimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Japanimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Jerseyimproved: total: 94.2% of population unimproved: total: 5.9% of population (2017 est.) note: includes data for Guernsey Topic: Jordanimproved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.8% of population total: 97.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.2% of population total: 2.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyaimproved: urban: 91.3% of population rural: 63.3% of population total: 71.2% of population unimproved: urban: 8.7% of population rural: 36.7% of population total: 28.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kiribatiimproved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 63.1% of population total: 82% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 36.9% of population total: 18% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Northimproved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 89.1% of population total: 94.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 10.9% of population total: 5.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Southimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kosovoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Kuwaitimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 89.9% of population total: 93.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 10.1% of population total: 6.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Laosimproved: urban: 97.1% of population rural: 84.1% of population total: 88.8% of population unimproved: urban: 2.9% of population rural: 15.9% of population total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Latviaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanonimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Lesothoimproved: urban: 95.7% of population rural: 77.2% of population total: 82.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.3% of population rural: 22.8% of population total: 17.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Liberiaimproved: urban: 96.2% of population rural: 70.6% of population total: 84% of population unimproved: urban: 3.8% of population rural: 29.4% of population total: 16% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Libyaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Lithuaniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.8% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.2% of population total: 2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Macauimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Madagascarimproved: urban: 85% of population rural: 38% of population total: 56.1% of population unimproved: urban: 15% of population rural: 62% of population total: 43.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Malawiimproved: urban: 96.7% of population rural: 91% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population rural: 9% of population total: 8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Malaysiaimproved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 90.7% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 9.3% of population total: 2.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Maldivesimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Maliimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 75.9% of population total: 86.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 24.1% of population total: 13.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Maltaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritaniaimproved: urban: 98.7% of population rural: 68.4% of population total: 85.2% of population unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population rural: 31.6% of population total: 14.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritiusimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mexicoimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofimproved: total: 78.6% of population unimproved: total: 21.4% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Moldovaimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 87% of population total: 92.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 13% of population total: 7.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Monacoimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mongoliaimproved: urban: 98.4% of population rural: 64.2% of population total: 87.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population rural: 35.8% of population total: 12.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegroimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Montserratimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Moroccoimproved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 79.1% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 20.9% of population total: 9% of population (2017 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiqueimproved: urban: 93.4% of population rural: 61.5% of population total: 73.3% of population unimproved: urban: 6.6% of population rural: 38.5% of population total: 26.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Namibiaimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 83.2% of population total: 91.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 16.8% of population total: 8.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nauruimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Navassa Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Nepalimproved: urban: 92.7% of population rural: 94.4% of population total: 94.1% of population unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population rural: 5.6% of population total: 5.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlandsimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.3% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nicaraguaimproved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 62.6% of population total: 83.2% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population rural: 37.4% of population total: 16.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nigerimproved: urban: 95.8% of population rural: 63.1% of population total: 68.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.2% of population rural: 36.9% of population total: 31.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nigeriaimproved: urban: 95.3% of population rural: 68.8% of population total: 82.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.7% of population rural: 31.2% of population total: 17.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Niueimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Norfolk Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: North Macedoniaimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Norwayimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Omanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Pakistanimproved: urban: 96.5% of population rural: 92.5% of population total: 94% of population unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population rural: 7.5% of population total: 6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Palauimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Panamaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 88.1% of population total: 96.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 11.9% of population total: 3.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineaimproved: urban: 86.2% of population rural: 41.5% of population total: 47.5% of population unimproved: urban: 13.8% of population rural: 58.5% of population total: 52.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Paracel Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Paraguayimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Peruimproved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 82.4% of population total: 94% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 17.6% of population total: 6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinesimproved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 95% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 5% of population total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Polandimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Portugalimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Qatarimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Romaniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Russiaimproved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 93.1% of population total: 97.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 6.9% of population total: 2.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandaimproved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 82.7% of population unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 17.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemyimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.9% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisimproved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 98.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 1.7% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Luciaimproved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 98.5% of population total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 1.5% of population total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Martinimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 91.4% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 8.6% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesimproved: total: 95.1% of population unimproved: total: 4.9% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Samoaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 1.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: San Marinoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Sao Tome and Principeimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 94% of population total: 98.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6% of population total: 1.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Senegalimproved: urban: 95.9% of population rural: 79.3% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 4.1% of population rural: 20.7% of population total: 12.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Serbiaimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Seychellesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 96.2% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 3.8% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leoneimproved: urban: 92.5% of population rural: 58% of population total: 72.8% of population unimproved: urban: 7.5% of population rural: 42% of population total: 27.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Singaporeimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sint Maartenimproved: total: 95.1% of population unimproved: total: 4.9% of population (2017) Topic: Slovakiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniaimproved: urban: NA total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandsimproved: urban: 95% of population rural: 65.9% of population total: 73.1% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 34.1% of population total: 26.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Somaliaimproved: urban: 96.4% of population rural: 73.7% of population total: 84.2% of population unimproved: urban: 3.6% of population rural: 26.3% of population total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: South Africaimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 90.3% of population total: 96.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 9.7% of population total: 3.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: South Sudanimproved: urban: 88.7% of population rural: 75.8% of population total: 78.4% of population unimproved: urban: 11.3% of population rural: 24.2% of population total: 21.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Spainimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Spratly Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Sri Lankaimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 91.2% of population total: 92.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 8.8% of population total: 7.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sudanimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 80.7% of population total: 87.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 19.3% of population total: 12.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Surinameimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Svalbardimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Swedenimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Syriaimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Taiwanimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Tajikistanimproved: urban: 96.5% of population rural: 79.9% of population total: 84.4% of population unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population rural: 20.1% of population total: 15.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tanzaniaimproved: urban: 95.1% of population rural: 59.4% of population total: 72% of population unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population rural: 40.6% of population total: 28% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Thailandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lesteimproved: urban: 98% of population rural: 82.5% of population total: 87.4% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 17.5% of population total: 12.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Togoimproved: urban: 93.8% of population rural: 60.3% of population total: 74.6% of population unimproved: urban: 6.2% of population rural: 39.7% of population total: 25.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tokelauimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tongaimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.3% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.7% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)improved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 98.7% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 1.3% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsimproved: total: 94.3% of population unimproved: total: 5.7% of population (2017) Topic: Tuvaluimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ugandaimproved: urban: 92.5% of population rural: 80% of population total: 83.1% of population unimproved: urban: 7.5% of population rural: 20% of population total: 16.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ukraineimproved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Kingdomimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Statesimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Uruguayimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 96.1% of population total: 97.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 3.9% of population total: 2.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatuimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 89.7% of population total: 92.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 10.3% of population total: 7.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Venezuelaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 94.2% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 5.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnamimproved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 95.5% of population total: 96.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 4.5% of population total: 3.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Wake Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Wallis and Futunaimproved: urban: NA rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020) Topic: West Bankimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 99% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 1% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Worldimproved: urban: 96.5% of population rural: 84.7% of population total: 91.1% of population unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population rural: 15.3% of population total: 8.9% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Yemenimproved: urban: 98.5% of population rural: 84.2% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.5% of population rural: 15.8% of population total: 10.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Zambiaimproved: urban: 90.2% of population rural: 56.6% of population total: 71.6% of population unimproved: urban: 9.8% of population rural: 43.4% of population total: 28.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Zimbabweimproved: urban: 97.9% of population rural: 66.9% of population total: 76.9% of population unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population rural: 33.1% of population total: 23.1% of population (2020 est.)

20220901

field-telephones-mobile-cellular-country-comparison

20220901

field-total-water-withdrawal

This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic meters withdrawn for municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes.  Municipal sector use refers to the annual quantity of water withdrawn primarily for direct use by the population through the public distribution network.  Industrial sector use refers to the annual quantity of self-supplied water withdrawn for industrial purposes.  Agricultural sector use refers to the annual quantity of self-supplied water withdrawn for irrigation, livestock, and aquaculture purposes.This entry provides the annual quantity of water in cubic meters withdrawn for municipal, industrial, and agricultural purposes.  Municipal sector use refers to the annual quantity of water withdrawn primarily for direct use by the population through the public distribution network.  Industrial sector use refers to the annual quantity of self-supplied water withdrawn for industrial purposes.  Agricultural sector use refers to the annual quantity of self-supplied water withdrawn for irrigation, livestock, and aquaculture purposes. Topic: Afghanistanmunicipal: 203.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 169.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 20 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Albaniamunicipal: 283 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 231.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 905 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Algeriamunicipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 191 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.671 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Angolamunicipal: 319.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 239.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 146.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudamunicipal: 7.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Argentinamunicipal: 5.85 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 27.93 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Armeniamunicipal: 616.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 122.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.127 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Australiamunicipal: 3.392 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.662 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 10.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Austriamunicipal: 720 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.695 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 77.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanmunicipal: 449.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.062 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Themunicipal: 31 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrainmunicipal: 275.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 144.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladeshmunicipal: 3.6 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 770 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 31.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Barbadosmunicipal: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 54.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belarusmunicipal: 523 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 443 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 431 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belgiummunicipal: 739 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.21 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 45 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Belizemunicipal: 11.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 68.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Beninmunicipal: 145 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 30 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 59 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutanmunicipal: 17 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 318 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Boliviamunicipal: 136 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.92 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinamunicipal: 360.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 71.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Botswanamunicipal: 100.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 23.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Brazilmunicipal: 16.74 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.511 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 39.43 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bruneimunicipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgariamunicipal: 882 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.942 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 834.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasomunicipal: 375.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 420.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burmamunicipal: 3.323 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 498.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 29.57 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Burundimunicipal: 43.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 15 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 222 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdemunicipal: 1.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodiamunicipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 33 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.053 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroonmunicipal: 246.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 104.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 737 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Canadamunicipal: 4.888 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 28.07 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.639 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republicmunicipal: 60.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Chadmunicipal: 103.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 103.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 672.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Chilemunicipal: 1.267 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.744 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 29.42 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Chinamunicipal: 79.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 133.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 385.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Colombiamunicipal: 3.49 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.73 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.391 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Comorosmunicipal: 4.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 500,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of themunicipal: 464.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 146.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 71.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of themunicipal: 63.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 24 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Costa Ricamunicipal: 652 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.302 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiremunicipal: 320 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 242 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 600 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Croatiamunicipal: 455 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 184 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 76 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cubamunicipal: 1.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 740 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.519 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Cyprusmunicipal: 110 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 17 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 184 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Czechiamunicipal: 616.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 967.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 46.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Denmarkmunicipal: 381.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 326.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Djiboutimunicipal: 16 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Dominicamunicipal: 19 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicmunicipal: 855 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 659.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 7.563 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuadormunicipal: 1.293 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 549 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 8.076 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Egyptmunicipal: 10.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 5.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.35 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvadormunicipal: 474 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 213 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.431 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineamunicipal: 15.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Eritreamunicipal: 31 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 550 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Estoniamunicipal: 59.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.721 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatinimunicipal: 41.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.006 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopiamunicipal: 810 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 51.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.687 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Fijimunicipal: 25.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Finlandmunicipal: 400 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.417 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Francemunicipal: 5.175 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 18.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gabonmunicipal: 84.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 40.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, Themunicipal: 41.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 39.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripmunicipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: Georgiamunicipal: 359,974,627.7 cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 402,206,287.9 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1,060,819,084.4 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Germanymunicipal: 4.388 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 19.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 299.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ghanamunicipal: 299.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 95 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Greecemunicipal: 1.991 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 208.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.041 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Grenadamunicipal: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guatemalamunicipal: 835 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 603.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.886 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guineamunicipal: 224.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 56.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 292.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissaumunicipal: 34.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 11.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 144 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Guyanamunicipal: 61.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.363 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Haitimunicipal: 190 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 51 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.209 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Hondurasmunicipal: 315 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 114 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.178 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Hungarymunicipal: 624.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.358 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 518.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Icelandmunicipal: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 198 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 300,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Indiamunicipal: 56 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 17 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 688 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesiamunicipal: 23.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.135 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 189.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Iranmunicipal: 6.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 86 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Iraqmunicipal: 1.23 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 35.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Irelandmunicipal: 631 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 51 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 179 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Israelmunicipal: 983 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 72 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.249 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Italymunicipal: 9.488 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 7.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 17 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaicamunicipal: 140 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 114 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Japanmunicipal: 15.41 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 11.61 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 54.43 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Jordanmunicipal: 456.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 554.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanmunicipal: 2.347 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.984 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 15.12 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kenyamunicipal: 495 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 303 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.234 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, Northmunicipal: 902.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.145 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.61 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, Southmunicipal: 6.672 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.45 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 15.96 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwaitmunicipal: 448.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 23.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 778.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanmunicipal: 224 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 336 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 7.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Laosmunicipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 7.02 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Latviamunicipal: 94.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanonmunicipal: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 900 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 700 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lesothomunicipal: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Liberiamunicipal: 80.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 53.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 12.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Libyamunicipal: 700 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 280 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.85 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinmunicipal: 7.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Lithuaniamunicipal: 130.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 69.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 58.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourgmunicipal: 43.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascarmunicipal: 395 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 161.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 13 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malawimunicipal: 143.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 47.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysiamunicipal: 1.342 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.641 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.505 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Maldivesmunicipal: 5.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 300,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Malimunicipal: 107 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.075 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Maltamunicipal: 37.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritaniamunicipal: 95.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 31.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.223 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritiusmunicipal: 260 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 344 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mexicomunicipal: 14.23 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.814 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 66.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Moldovamunicipal: 148 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 650 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 42 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Monacomunicipal: 5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Mongoliamunicipal: 45.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 166.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 250.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegromunicipal: 96.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 62.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Moroccomunicipal: 1.063 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 212 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.156 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquemunicipal: 372 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.076 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Namibiamunicipal: 73 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 201 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nepalmunicipal: 147.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 29.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.32 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlandsmunicipal: 1.26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 14.74 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 76.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: New Zealandmunicipal: 810 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.184 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.207 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaraguamunicipal: 286 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 73.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.185 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nigermunicipal: 178.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 36 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.536 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeriamunicipal: 5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.965 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.51 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedoniamunicipal: 277.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 225,809,581.6 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 329,217,707.7 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Norwaymunicipal: 775.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.071 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 844.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Omanmunicipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 135 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.607 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistanmunicipal: 9.65 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 172.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Panamamunicipal: 759.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 446.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineamunicipal: 223.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 167.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguaymunicipal: 362 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 154 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.897 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Perumunicipal: 2.797 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 206.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 13.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Philippinesmunicipal: 8.929 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 15.85 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 67.97 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Polandmunicipal: 2.028 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 7.035 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.018 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Portugalmunicipal: 914.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.497 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 8.767 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricomunicipal: 796 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.365 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 113.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Qatarmunicipal: 477.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 143.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 291.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Romaniamunicipal: 1.048 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.234 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.491 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Russiamunicipal: 17.71 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 28.04 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 18.66 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Rwandamunicipal: 61.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 102 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevismunicipal: 15.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 200,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Luciamunicipal: 12.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 30.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesmunicipal: 8.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principemunicipal: 14.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 600,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiamunicipal: 3.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 19.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Senegalmunicipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.065 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Serbiamunicipal: 659.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.057 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 660.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Seychellesmunicipal: 9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 900,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonemunicipal: 111 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 55.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 45.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Singaporemunicipal: 296.73 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 336.294 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 26.376 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakiamunicipal: 293.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 231.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 31.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sloveniamunicipal: 169.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 758 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Somaliamunicipal: 15 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.281 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: South Africamunicipal: 3.89 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 11.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudanmunicipal: 193 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 225 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Spainmunicipal: 4.89 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 5.966 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 20.36 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lankamunicipal: 805 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 831 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 11.31 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Sudanmunicipal: 950 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 75 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Surinamemunicipal: 49.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 135.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 431.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Swedenmunicipal: 955 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.345 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 75 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerlandmunicipal: 931 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 642.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 160.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Syriamunicipal: 1.475 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 615.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 14.67 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistanmunicipal: 647 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 407.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 10.44 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzaniamunicipal: 527 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.632 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Thailandmunicipal: 2.739 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.777 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 51.79 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestemunicipal: 99 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.071 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Togomunicipal: 140.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 6.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 76 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagomunicipal: 237.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 128.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 16.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisiamunicipal: 137 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 965 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.773 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Turkeymunicipal: 6.016 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.898 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 50.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanmunicipal: 755 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 839 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 26.36 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ugandamunicipal: 328 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 259 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Ukrainemunicipal: 2.397 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.577 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.206 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratesmunicipal: 617 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.312 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdommunicipal: 6.227 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.01 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.183 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: United Statesmunicipal: 58.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 209.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 176.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguaymunicipal: 410 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.17 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanmunicipal: 2.41 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.13 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 54.36 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuelamunicipal: 5.123 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 793.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 16.71 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnammunicipal: 1.206 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.074 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 77.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: West Bankmunicipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.) note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Topic: Yemenmunicipal: 265 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 65 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.235 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Zambiamunicipal: 290 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.152 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwemunicipal: 487.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 81.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.77 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

20220901

countries-sierra-leone

Topic: Photos of Sierra Leone Topic: Introduction Background: Continuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the dense jungle in the area of Sierra Leone allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invaders from empires in West Africa. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for Black British loyalists from the new United States. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland. In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. While Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, Siaka STEVENS - Sierra Leone’s second prime minister - quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS’ ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH - who was originally elected in 1996 - as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted uninterrupted democratic elections, dominated by the two main political parties. In 2018, Julius Maada BIO of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won the presidential election that saw a high voter turnout despite some allegations of voter intimidation. The next presidential election is scheduled for March 2023.Continuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the dense jungle in the area of Sierra Leone allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invaders from empires in West Africa. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for Black British loyalists from the new United States. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland.In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. While Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, Siaka STEVENS - Sierra Leone’s second prime minister - quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS’ ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH - who was originally elected in 1996 - as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted uninterrupted democratic elections, dominated by the two main political parties. In 2018, Julius Maada BIO of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won the presidential election that saw a high voter turnout despite some allegations of voter intimidation. The next presidential election is scheduled for March 2023.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia Geographic coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 71,740 sq km land: 71,620 sq km water: 120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 1,093 km border countries (2): Guinea 794 km; Liberia 299 km Coastline: 402 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Elevation: highest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 279 m Natural resources: diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite Land use: agricultural land: 56.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 23.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2018 est.) forest: 37.5% (2018 est.) other: 6.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 300 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Population distribution: population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated as shown on this population distribution map Natural hazards: dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms Geography - note: rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa Map description: Sierra Leone map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.Sierra Leone map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 8,692,606 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Sierra Leonean(s) adjective: Sierra Leonean Ethnic groups: Temne 35.4%, Mende 30.8%, Limba 8.8%, Kono 4.3%, Korankoh 4%, Fullah 3.8%, Mandingo 2.8%, Loko 2%, Sherbro 1.9%, Creole 1.2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), other 5% (2019 est.) Languages: English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Religions: Muslim 77.1%, Christian 22.9% (2019 est.) Demographic profile: Sierra Leone’s youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone’s population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world’s highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting.Sierra Leone’s large youth cohort – about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay.Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone’s civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country’s civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone.Sierra Leone’s youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone’s population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world’s highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting.Sierra Leone’s large youth cohort – about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay.Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone’s civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country’s civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone. Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.38% (male 1,369,942/female 1,371,537) 15-24 years: 18.83% (male 610,396/female 636,880) 25-54 years: 32.21% (male 1,020,741/female 1,112,946) 55-64 years: 3.89% (male 121,733/female 135,664) 65 years and over: 3.7% (2020 est.) (male 100,712/female 144,382) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 76.3 youth dependency ratio: 71.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.2 potential support ratio: 19.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 19.1 years male: 18.5 years female: 19.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.49% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 32.2 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated as shown on this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 43.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.272 million FREETOWN (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.6 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 1,120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 73.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 78.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 58.76 years male: 57.16 years female: 60.41 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 21.2% (2019) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 92.5% of population rural: 58% of population total: 72.8% of population unimproved: urban: 7.5% of population rural: 42% of population total: 27.2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 8.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 79.5% of population rural: 35.5% of population total: 54.4% of population unimproved: urban: 20.5% of population rural: 64.5% of population total: 45.6% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 80,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,200 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Sierra Leone is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.7% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 13.5% (2020 est.) male: 20.5% (2020 est.) female: 6.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 13.5% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.6% women married by age 18: 29.6% men married by age 18: 4.1% (2019 est.) Education expenditures: 9.3% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic total population: 43.2% male: 51.6% female: 39.8% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 9.4% male: 14.8% female: 6.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation, soil exhaustion, and flooding; loss of biodiversity; air pollution; water pollution; overfishing Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 20.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.09 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.16 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April) Land use: agricultural land: 56.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 23.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 30.5% (2018 est.) forest: 37.5% (2018 est.) other: 6.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 6.92% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Sierra Leone is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to high food prices - about 1.45 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity in the upcoming June to August 2022 period on account of high food prices and low purchasing power, resulting in acute constraints on households’ economic access to food (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 610,222 tons (2004 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 111 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 55.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 45.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 160 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone conventional short form: Sierra Leone local long form: Republic of Sierra Leone local short form: Sierra Leone etymology: the Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA named the country "Serra Leoa" (Lion Mountains) for the impressive mountains he saw while sailing the West African coast in 1462 Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Freetown geographic coordinates: 8 29 N, 13 14 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derived from the fact that the original settlement served as a haven for free-born and freed African Americans, as well as for liberated Africans rescued from slave ships Administrative divisions: 4 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, Western* Independence: 27 April 1961 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 April (1961) Constitution: history: several previous; latest effective 1 October 1991 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in two successive readings and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms and many other constitutional sections also requires approval in a referendum with participation of at least one half of qualified voters and at least two thirds of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2016 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Julius Maada BIO (since 4 April 2018); Vice President Mohamed Juldeh JALLOH (since 4 April 2018) ; note - the president is both chief of state, head of government, and minister of defense head of government: President Julius Maada BIO (since 4 April 2018); Vice President Mohamed Juldeh JALLOH (since 4 April 2018) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 April 2018 (next to be in 2023) (2018) election results: Julius Maada BIO elected president in second round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 51.8%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 48.2% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (146 seats; 132 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 14 seats filled in separate elections by non-partisan members of Parliament called "paramount chiefs;" members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 7 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - APC 68, SLPP 49, C4C 8, other 7; composition - men 128, women 18, percent of women 12.3% Judicial branch: highest courts: Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court - at the apex - with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges); note – the Judicature has jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, and constitutional matters judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman, and are subject to approval by Parliament; all Judicature judges serve until retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts Political parties and leaders: All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA] Coalition for Change or C4C [Tamba R. SANDY] National Grand Coalition or NGC [Dr. Dennis BRIGHT] Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Dr. Prince HARDING] numerous other parties International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr WAI (since 8 April 2019) chancery: 1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-1605 telephone: [1] (202) 939-9261 FAX: [1] (202) 483-1793 email address and website: info@embassyofsierraleone.net https://embassyofsierraleone.net/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David REIMER (since 24 March 2021) embassy: Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown mailing address: 2160 Freetown Place, Washington DC  20521-2160 telephone: [232] 99 105 000 email address and website: consularfreetown@state.gov https://sl.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown National symbol(s): lion; national colors: green, white, blue National anthem: name: "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free" lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA note: adopted 1961 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Sierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s.   In recent years, economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country’s principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, low commodity prices in 2015-2016 contributed to the country’s biggest fiscal shortfall since 2001. In 2017, increased iron ore exports, together with the end of the Ebola epidemic, supported a resumption of economic growth.   Continued economic growth will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Non-mining activities will remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure, such as power and roads, even though power sector projects may provide some additional electricity capacity in the near term. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints.Sierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s. In recent years, economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country’s principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, low commodity prices in 2015-2016 contributed to the country’s biggest fiscal shortfall since 2001. In 2017, increased iron ore exports, together with the end of the Ebola epidemic, supported a resumption of economic growth. Continued economic growth will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Non-mining activities will remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure, such as power and roads, even though power sector projects may provide some additional electricity capacity in the near term. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.15 billion (2020 est.) $13.44 billion (2019 est.) $12.72 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.7% (2017 est.) 6.3% (2016 est.) -20.5% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2020 est.) $1,700 (2019 est.) $1,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.132 billion (2020 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.8% (2019 est.) 16% (2018 est.) 18.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 60.7% (2017 est.) industry: 6.5% (2017 est.) services: 32.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 97.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.3% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, rice, vegetables, oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, milk, citrus fruit, groundnuts, fruit, pulses nes Industries: diamond mining; iron ore, rutile and bauxite mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, footwear) Industrial production growth rate: 15.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 132,000 (2013 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 61.1% industry: 5.5% services: 33.4% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% (2017 est.) 17.2% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 9.4% male: 14.8% female: 6.1% (2014 est.) Population below poverty line: 56.8% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35.7 (2018 est.) 62.9 (1989) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 33.6% (2003) Budget: revenues: 562 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 846.4 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 54.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$407 million (2017 est.) -$88 million (2016 est.) Exports: $740 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $720 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Belgium 26%, China 25%, Romania 9%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Germany 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: titanium, lumber, diamonds, aluminum, cocoa beans (2019) Imports: $1.82 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.072 billion (2018 est.) $1.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 27%, India 11%, United States 6%, Ghana 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: rice, plastics, packaged medicines, sauces/seasonings, cars (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $478 million (31 December 2017 est.) $497.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.615 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.503 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: leones (SLL) per US dollar - 7,396.3 (2017 est.) 6,289.9 (2016 est.) 6,289.9 (2015 est.) 5,080.8 (2014 est.) 4,524.2 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 26% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 52% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 180,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 130.708 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 77 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 87% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 5,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,439 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 899,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 899,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 1.803 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 189 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6,884,201 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 86 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has only gradually recovered from the destruction caused during the war years, and only since 2019 has there been an effective terrestrial fiber backbone infrastructure, while the cable link to neighboring Guinea was not completed until February 2020; there is considerable available capacity from the ACE submarine cable and the national fiber network, but this is used inefficiently and so the price of internet connectivity remains one of the highest in the region; the theft of equipment and cabling, compounded by neglect, mismanagement, and under investment, means that telcos continue to operate in difficult conditions; this has led to the demise of some telcos, including Comium and Smart Mobile; the telecom regulator has made efforts to improve the market, including the liberalization of the international gateway and regular checks on QoS; the regulator reduced the price floor for mobile voice calls in early 2020, though consumers objected to the MNOs withdrawing a number of cheap packages as a response; the mobile sector has been the main driver of overall telecom revenue; there continues to be movement in the market, with Orange Group in mid-2016 having completed its acquisition of Bharti Airtel’s local unit and the Gambian telco QCell being awarded a license to operate mobile services. (2022) domestic: fixed-line 0 per 100 and mobile-cellular just over 86 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 232; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking to South Africa, over 20 western African countries and Europe; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: 1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available  (2019)1 government-owned TV station; 3 private TV stations; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two-dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available  Internet country code: .sl Internet users: total: 1,435,857 (2020 est.) percent of population: 18% (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 50,193 (2015) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 (2015) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9L Airports: total: 8 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2021) Heliports: 2 (2021) Roadways: total: 11,701 km (2015) paved: 1,051 km (2015) unpaved: 10,650 km (2015) urban: 3,000 km (2015) non-urban: 8,700 km (2015) Waterways: 800 km (2011) (600 km navigable year-round) Merchant marine: total: 591 by type: bulk carrier 30, container ship 9, general cargo 319, oil tanker 108, other 125 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): operates under a Joint Force Command with Land Forces, Maritime Forces, and an Air Wing (2022) Military expenditures: 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $35 million) 0.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $45 million) 0.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $40 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,000 personnel, mostly ground forces (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RSLAF's small inventory includes a mix of Soviet-origin and other older foreign-supplied equipment; since 2010, it has received limited quantities of material (mostly donations of second-hand equipment) from China and South Africa (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-29 for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve; no conscription (2022) Military - note: after the end of the civil war in 2002, the military was reduced in size and restructured with British military assistance; the RSLAF’s origins lie in the Sierra Leone Battalion of the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), a multi-regiment force formed by the British colonial office in 1900 to garrison the West African colonies of Gold Coast (Ghana), Nigeria (Lagos and the protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria), Sierra Leone, and Gambia; the RWAFF fought in both World Wars (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Sierra Leone-Guinea: Sierra Leone opposed Guinean troops' continued occupation of Yenga, a small village on the Makona River that serves as a border with Guinea; Guinea's forces came to Yenga in the mid-1990s to help the Sierra Leonean military to suppress rebels and to secure their common border but remained there even after both countries signed a 2005 agreement acknowledging that Yenga belonged to Sierra Leone; in 2012, the two sides signed a declaration to demilitarize the area; in 2019, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the dispute over Yenga had been resolved; however, at a 2021 ECOWAS meeting, Sierra Leone’s President BIO called on the bloc to help resolve an incursion of Guinean troops in Yenga Sierra Leone-Liberia: none identifiedSierra Leone-Guinea: Sierra Leone opposed Guinean troops' continued occupation of Yenga, a small village on the Makona River that serves as a border with Guinea; Guinea's forces came to Yenga in the mid-1990s to help the Sierra Leonean military to suppress rebels and to secure their common border but remained there even after both countries signed a 2005 agreement acknowledging that Yenga belonged to Sierra Leone; in 2012, the two sides signed a declaration to demilitarize the area; in 2019, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the dispute over Yenga had been resolved; however, at a 2021 ECOWAS meeting, Sierra Leone’s President BIO called on the bloc to help resolve an incursion of Guinean troops in YengaSierra Leone-Liberia: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 5,500 (displacement caused by post-electoral violence in 2018 and clashes in the Pujehun region in 2019) (2021)

20220901

countries-morocco-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Morocco due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required, but US citizens may obtain the visa upon entering the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [212] 537 637 200; US Embassy Rabat, Km 5.7, Avenue Mohamed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170, Morocco; ACSCasablanca@state.gov; https://ma.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 212 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 15; Fire: 15; Police: 19 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior Currency (Code): Moroccan dirhams (MAD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E Major Languages: Arabic, Berber languages (Tamazight, Tachelhit, Tarifit), French Major Religions: Muslim 99% (virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i) Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1 hour, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Marrakesh (includes Medina, Majorelle & Secret Gardens, Museum); Hassan II Mosque (Casablanca); Rabat (includes Royal Palace, Udayas Kasbah, Hassan Tower); Fes el Bali; Tangier; Chefchaouen; Volubilis; Atlas Mountains; Ouzoud Waterfalls; Ait Benhaddou Major Sports: Soccer, kickboxing Cultural Practices: Using the index finger to ask someone to approach is considered impolite. Tipping Guidelines: In restaurants, if a service charge has not been added, leave 20-30 dirhams or 10% of the bill. Tipping the bellhop 10-20 dirhams is reasonable. Round up taxi fares. Leave 5-10 dirhams per day for housekeeping.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022

20220901

countries-malawi

Topic: Photos of Malawi Topic: Introduction Background: Malawi shares its name with the Chewa word for flames and is linked to the Maravi people from whom the Chewa language originated. The Maravi settled in what is now Malawi around 1400 during one of the later waves of Bantu migration across central and southern Africa. Several of Malawi’s ethnic groups trace their origins to different Maravi lineages. A powerful Maravi kingdom, established around 1500, reached its zenith around 1700, when it controlled what is now southern and central Malawi as well as portions of neighboring Mozambique and Zambia before beginning to decline because of destabilization from the escalating global trade in enslaved people. In the early 1800s, widespread conflict in southern Africa displaced various ethnic Ngoni groups, some of which moved into Malawi and further undermined the Maravi. Members of the Yao ethnic group - which had long traded with Malawi from Mozambique - introduced Islam and began to settle in Malawi in significant numbers in the mid-1800s; in the late 1800s, members of the Lomwe ethnic group also moved into southern Malawi from Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Nyasa in the mid-1800s, and Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891 and eliminated various political entities that sought to retain their autonomy over the subsequent decade. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe - from 1953 to 1963 before gaining independence as Malawi in 1964. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA served as prime minister at independence and, when the country became a republic in 1966, he became president. He later instituted one-party rule under his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was declared president for life. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI of the United Democratic Front party became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he defeated BANDA at the polls in 1994; he won reelection in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA was elected in 2004 and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 2009. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by Vice President Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the election in 2014. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed election in 2019 that resulted in countrywide protests. The courts ordered a new the election, and in 2020 Lazarus CHAKWERA of the MCP was elected president after defeating MUTHARIKA as head of a coalition of opposition parties. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.Malawi shares its name with the Chewa word for flames and is linked to the Maravi people from whom the Chewa language originated. The Maravi settled in what is now Malawi around 1400 during one of the later waves of Bantu migration across central and southern Africa. Several of Malawi’s ethnic groups trace their origins to different Maravi lineages. A powerful Maravi kingdom, established around 1500, reached its zenith around 1700, when it controlled what is now southern and central Malawi as well as portions of neighboring Mozambique and Zambia before beginning to decline because of destabilization from the escalating global trade in enslaved people. In the early 1800s, widespread conflict in southern Africa displaced various ethnic Ngoni groups, some of which moved into Malawi and further undermined the Maravi. Members of the Yao ethnic group - which had long traded with Malawi from Mozambique - introduced Islam and began to settle in Malawi in significant numbers in the mid-1800s; in the late 1800s, members of the Lomwe ethnic group also moved into southern Malawi from Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Nyasa in the mid-1800s, and Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891 and eliminated various political entities that sought to retain their autonomy over the subsequent decade. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe - from 1953 to 1963 before gaining independence as Malawi in 1964.Hastings Kamuzu BANDA served as prime minister at independence and, when the country became a republic in 1966, he became president. He later instituted one-party rule under his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was declared president for life. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI of the United Democratic Front party became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he defeated BANDA at the polls in 1994; he won reelection in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA was elected in 2004 and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 2009. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by Vice President Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the election in 2014. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed election in 2019 that resulted in countrywide protests. The courts ordered a new the election, and in 2020 Lazarus CHAKWERA of the MCP was elected president after defeating MUTHARIKA as head of a coalition of opposition parties. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 118,484 sq km land: 94,080 sq km water: 24,404 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 2,857 km border countries (3): Mozambique 1,498 km; Tanzania 512 km; Zambia 847 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Terrain: narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Elevation: highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international boundary with Mozambique 37 m mean elevation: 779 m Natural resources: limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of uranium, coal, and bauxite Land use: agricultural land: 59.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 38.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 19.6% (2018 est.) forest: 34% (2018 est.) other: 6.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 740 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Tanzania) - 22,490 Salt water lake(s): Lake Chilwa - 1,040 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Population distribution: population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: flooding; droughts; earthquakes Geography - note: landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth Map description: Malawi map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Malawi map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 20,794,353 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Malawian(s) adjective: Malawian Ethnic groups: Chewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.) Languages: English (official), Chewa (common), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao note: Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects; Nkhonde and Nyakyusa are mutually intelligible dialects Religions: Protestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons.Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons. Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.87% (male 4,843,107/female 4,878,983) 15-24 years: 20.51% (male 2,151,417/female 2,195,939) 25-54 years: 27.96% (male 2,944,936/female 2,982,195) 55-64 years: 2.98% (male 303,803/female 328,092) 65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 249,219/female 318,938) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 83.9 youth dependency ratio: 79.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 16.8 years male: 16.7 years female: 16.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.34% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 27.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.58 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 18% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.222 million LILONGWE (capital), 995,000 Blantyre-Limbe (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.1 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 349 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 33.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.44 years male: 69.33 years female: 75.59 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.4 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 59.2% (2015/16) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 96.7% of population rural: 91% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population rural: 9% of population total: 8% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.4% (2019) Physicians density: 0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2011) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 59.9% of population rural: 35.9% of population total: 40% of population unimproved: urban: 40.1% of population rural: 64.1% of population total: 60% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 8.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 990,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 12,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Malawi is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 10.8% (2020 est.) male: 17.5% (2020 est.) female: 4.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9% (2019) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 62.1% male: 69.8% female: 55.2% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2011) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.5% male: 6.7% female: 10.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations; negative effects of climate change (extreme high temperatures, changing precipatation pattens) Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 22.14 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.3 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 11.12 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November) Land use: agricultural land: 59.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 38.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 19.6% (2018 est.) forest: 34% (2018 est.) other: 6.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 18% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 6.19% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Malawi is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to reduced incomes and shortfalls in cereal production - an estimated 1.65 million people are facing "Crisis" levels of food insecurity between January and March 2022, underpinned by localized shortfalls in cereal production and the lingering impact of an economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic; the effects of poor rains at the start of the cropping season and tropical storm Ana in January 2022 are expected to cause an increase in humanitarian needs later in 2022, due to crop and livelihood losses (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,297,844 tons (2013 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Tanzania) - 22,490 Salt water lake(s): Lake Chilwa - 1,040 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 143.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 47.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 17.28 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malawi conventional short form: Malawi local long form: Dziko la Malawi local short form: Malawi former: British Central African Protectorate, Nyasaland Protectorate, Nyasaland etymology: named for the East African Maravi Kingdom of the 16th century; the word "maravi" means "fire flames" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Lilongwe geographic coordinates: 13 58 S, 33 47 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after the Lilongwe River that flows through the city Administrative divisions: 28 districts; Balaka, Blantyre, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Chitipa, Dedza, Dowa, Karonga, Kasungu, Likoma, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mchinji, Mulanje, Mwanza, Mzimba, Neno, Ntcheu, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Nsanje, Ntchisi, Phalombe, Rumphi, Salima, Thyolo, Zomba Independence: 6 July 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1964); note - also called Republic Day since 6 July 1966 Constitution: history: previous 1953 (preindependence), 1964, 1966; latest drafted January to May 1994, approved 16 May 1994, entered into force 18 May 1995 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty and territory of the state, fundamental constitutional principles, human rights, voting rights, and the judiciary, requires majority approval in a referendum and majority approval by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2017 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court of Appeal International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lazarus CHAKWERA (since 28 June 2020); Vice President Saulos CHILIMA (since 3 February 2020) cabinet: Cabinet named by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025) election results: Lazarus CHAKWERA elected president; Lazarus CHAKWERA (MCP) 59.3%, Peter Mutharika (DPP) 39.9%, other 0.8% (2020) Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (193 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 21 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - n/a; seats by party - DPP 62, MCP 55, UDF 10, PP 5, other 5, independent 55, vacant 1; composition - men 161, women 32, percent of women 16.6% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; other judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, which regulates judicial officers; judges serve until age 65 subordinate courts: High Court; magistrate courts; Industrial Relations Court; district and city traditional or local courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA] Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA] Peoples Party or PP [Joyce BANDA] United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI] United Transformation Movement or UTM [Saulos CHILIMA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Esme Jynet CHOMBO (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 2408 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 721-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 721-0288 email address and website: malawiembassy-dc.org http://www.malawiembassy-dc.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David YOUNG (since 5 May 2022) embassy: 16 Jomo Kenyatta Road, Lilongwe 3 mailing address: 2280 Lilongwe Place, Washington DC  20521-2280 telephone: [265] (0) 177-3166 FAX: [265] (0) 177-0471 email address and website: LilongweConsular@state.gov https://mw.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green with a radiant, rising, red sun centered on the black band; black represents the native peoples, red the blood shed in their struggle for freedom, and green the color of nature; the rising sun represents the hope of freedom for the continent of Africa National symbol(s): lion; national colors: black, red, green National anthem: name: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi) lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA note: adopted 1964 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Lake Malawi National Park (n); Chongoni Rock-Art Area (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.   The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief.   Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates.Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief. Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.44 billion (2020 est.) $28.22 billion (2019 est.) $26.69 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2017 est.) 2.3% (2016 est.) 3% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,500 (2020 est.) $1,500 (2019 est.) $1,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $7.766 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2019 est.) 12.4% (2018 est.) 11.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 28.6% (2017 est.) industry: 15.4% (2017 est.) services: 56% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 84.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains Industries: tobacco, tea, sugar, sawmill products, cement, consumer goods Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 7 million (2013 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 76.9% industry: 4.1% services: 19% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 20.4% (2013 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.5% male: 6.7% female: 10.6% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 51.5% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.7 (2016 est.) 39 (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.356 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.567 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 59.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 60.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 21.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$591 million (2017 est.) -$744 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.16 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.11 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $9.658 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: Belgium 16%, United States 8%, Egypt 7%, South Africa 6%, Germany 6%, Kenya 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: tobacco, tea, raw sugar, beans, soybean products, clothing and apparel (2019) Imports: $3.2 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.92 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $11.631 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: South Africa 17%, China 16%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 9%, United Kingdom 8% (2019) Imports - commodities: postage stamps, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, fertilizers, office machinery/parts (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $780.2 million (31 December 2017 est.) $585.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $2.102 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Malawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 762.4951 (2020 est.) 736.6548 (2019 est.) 732.335 (2018 est.) 499.6 (2014 est.) 424.9 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 13% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 55% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 5% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 618,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,117,378,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 460 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 11.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 48,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 47,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 9,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 4,769 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.542 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 203,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.339 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 1.809 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,465 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 10,004,680 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: with few resources, Malawi is one of the world’s least developed countries; there has been little investment in fixed-line telecom infrastructure, and as a result, the country’s two mobile networks Airtel Malawi and TMN provide the vast majority of connections for voice and data services; both operators have invested in LTE technologies to improve the quality of data services; the lack of market competition, together with limited international internet bandwidth, has also resulted in some of the highest prices for telecom services in the region; the government in late 2020 secured an average 80% reduction in the cost of data bundles offered by the MNOs; following continuing customer complaints, the regulator in mid-2021 ensured that costs were again reduced, this time by about a third; mobile penetration remains low in comparison to the regional average and so there are considerable opportunities for further growth, particularly in the mobile broadband sector; low penetration is partly attributed to the lack of competition, though there is the possibility that a new play come launch services by the end of 2022; the internet sector is reasonably competitive, with about 50 licensed ISPs, though the limited availability and high cost of international bandwidth has held back growth and kept broadband access prices among the highest in the region; these limitations are being addressed, with the second phase of the national fiber backbone having started in mid-2021. (2022) domestic: limited fixed-line subscribership less than 1 per 100 households; mobile-cellular services are expanding but network coverage is limited and is based around the main urban areas; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 52 per 100 households (2020) international: country code - 265; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: radio is the main broadcast medium; privately owned Zodiak radio has the widest national broadcasting reach, followed by state-run radio; numerous private and community radio stations broadcast in cities and towns around the country; the largest TV network is government-owned, but at least 4 private TV networks broadcast in urban areas; relays of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) Internet country code: .mw Internet users: total: 2,608,025 (2019 est.) percent of population: 14% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 12,255 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 9 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 10,545 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 10,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 7Q Airports: total: 32 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 25 (2013) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 13 (2021) Railways: total: 767 km (2014) narrow gauge: 767 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge Roadways: total: 15,452 km (2015) paved: 4,074 km (2015) unpaved: 11,378 km (2015) Waterways: 700 km (2010) (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River) Ports and terminals: lake port(s): Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba (Lake Nyasa) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Malawi Defense Force (MDF): Army (includes marine unit), Air Force (established as a separate service August 2019; previously was an air wing under the Army) (2022) note: the Malawi Police Service is under the Ministry of Homeland Security Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $90 million) 0.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $70 million) 0.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $60 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 8,000 personnel (including about 200 air and 200 marine forces) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Malawi Defense Force inventory is comprised of mostly obsolescent or second-hand equipment from Europe and South Africa; since 2010, it has taken deliveries of limited amounts of mostly second-hand equipment from China, South Africa, and the UK, as well as non-lethal equipment donated by the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); high school equivalent required for enlisted recruits and college equivalent for officer recruits; initial engagement is 7 years for enlisted personnel and 10 years for officers (2021) Military deployments: 750 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Military - note: the Malawi Defense Force’s primary responsibility is external security; it is also tasked as necessary with carrying out policing or other domestic activities, such as disaster relief; Malawi contributes regularly to African Union and UN peace support operations (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Malawi-Mozambique: the two countries have held exercises to reaffirm boundaries a number of times Malawi-Tanzania: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lake Malawi-Zambia: border demarcation was completed in 2011; in 2018, the redemarcation exercise determined that some parts of Malawi actually belonged to Zambia  Malawi-Mozambique: the two countries have held exercises to reaffirm boundaries a number of timesMalawi-Tanzania: dispute with Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) and the meandering Songwe River; Malawi contends that the entire lake up to the Tanzanian shoreline is its territory, while Tanzania claims the border is in the center of the lake; the conflict was reignited in 2012 when Malawi awarded a license to a British company for oil exploration in the lakeMalawi-Zambia: border demarcation was completed in 2011; in 2018, the redemarcation exercise determined that some parts of Malawi actually belonged to Zambia  Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 34,363 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 12,658 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers), 7,621 (Rwanda) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022)

20220901

countries-belarus-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Belarus due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required if you stay in the country more than 30 calendar days or if you enter or exit at border crossings other than the Minsk Airport, or if you travel from the Russian Federation. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [375] (17) 210-12-83/217-73-47/217-73-48; US Embassy Minsk, 46 Starovilenskaya St., Minsk 220002, Belarus; https://by.usembassy.gov/; ConsularMinsk@state.gov Telephone Code: 375 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 03; Fire: 01; Police: 02 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime Currency (Code): Rubles (BYB/BYR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F (all plugs are symmetrical 2 pins) Major Languages: Russian, Belarusian Major Religions: Orthodox 48.3%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1% Time Difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Nyasvizh Castle; Mir Castle; Minsk (includes Belarusian Great Patriotic War Museum and Vul Kastrychnitskaya); Homel Palace; Brest Fortress Major Sports: Ice hockey, athletics (track and field), wrestling, soccer, tennis, swimming Cultural Practices: Avoid using the "thumbs up" gesture in Belarus; it is considered rude. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is entirely discretionary and service charges are not automatically added to the bill. If you want to tip in a restaurant or café, give about 5% of the total amount. A few rubles are a common and appropriate tip for metered taxi drivers.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

20220901

countries-pitcairn-islands

Topic: Photos of Pitcairn Islands Topic: Introduction Background: Polynesians were the first inhabitants of the Pitcairn Islands, but the islands were uninhabited by the time they were discovered by Europeans in 1606. Pitcairn Island was rediscovered by British explorer Philip CARTERET in 1767, although he incorrectly plotted the coordinates. In 1789, Fletcher CHRISTIAN led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty and after several months of searching for Pitcairn Island, he landed on it with eight other mutineers and their Tahitian companions. They lived in isolation and evaded detection by English authorities until 1808, by which point only one man, 10 women, and 23 children remained. In 1831, with the population growing too big for the island - there were 87 people - the British attempted to move all the islanders to Tahiti, but they were soon returned to Pitcairn Island. The island became an official British colony in 1838 and in 1856, the British again determined that the population of 193 was too high and relocated all of the residents to Norfolk Island. Several families returned in 1858 and 1864, bringing the island’s population to 43, and almost all of the island’s current population are descendants of these returnees. In 1887, the entire population converted to the Seventh Day Adventist faith. The UK annexed the nearby islands of Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie in 1902 and incorporated them into the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1938, although all three are uninhabited. The population peaked at 233 in 1937 as outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population. Only two children were born between 1986 and 2012, and in 2005, a couple became the first new outsiders to obtain citizenship in more than a century. (The current population is below 50.) Since 2013, the Pitcairn Islands has tried to attract new migrants but has had no applicants because it requires prospective migrants to front significant sums of money and prohibits employment during a two-year trial period, at which point the local council can deny long-term resident status.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 47 sq km land: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about three-tenths the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 51 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Elevation: highest point: Palwala Valley Point on Big Ridge 347 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish; note - manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) forest: 74.5% (2018 est.) other: 25.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: less than 50 inhabitants on Pitcairn Island, most reside near the village of Adamstown Natural hazards: occasional tropical cyclones (especially November to March), but generally only heavy tropical storms; landslides Geography - note: Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore Map description: Pitcairn Islands map showing the scattered islands in the South Pacific Ocean and an inset of Pitcairn Island itself.Pitcairn Islands map showing the scattered islands in the South Pacific Ocean and an inset of Pitcairn Island itself. Topic: People and Society Population: 50 (2021 est.) Nationality: noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander Ethnic groups: descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Languages: English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Religions: Seventh Day Adventist 100% Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-24 years: NA 25-54 years: NA 55-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Population growth rate: 0% (2014 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Population distribution: less than 50 inhabitants on Pitcairn Island, most reside near the village of Adamstown Urbanization: rate of urbanization: NA Sex ratio: NA Infant mortality rate: total: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) Climate: tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.) forest: 74.5% (2018 est.) other: 25.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: rate of urbanization: NA Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands etymology: named after Midshipman Robert PITCAIRN who first sighted the island in 1767 Government type: parliamentary democracy Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK Capital: name: Adamstown geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after John Adams (1767–1829), the last survivor of the Bounty mutineers who settled on Pitcairn Island in January 1790 Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK) National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Discovery Day (Pitcairn Day), 2 July (1767) Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted 10 February 2010, presented 17 February 2010, effective 4 March 2010 amendments: Reviewed 10 Jun '21; NC Legal system: local island by-laws Citizenship: see United Kingdom Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal with three years residency Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Laura CLARK (since 25 January 2018) head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Charlene WARREN-PEU (since 1 January 2020) cabinet: none elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor directly elected by majority popular vote for a 3-year term; election last held on 6 November 2019 (next to be held not later than December 2022) election results: Charlene WARREN-PEU elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council; Island Council vote - NA Legislative branch: description: unicameral Island Council (10 seats; 4 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 1 nominated by the elected Council members, 2 appointed by the governor, and 3 ex-officio members - the governor, deputy governor, and commissioner; elected members serve 1-year terms) elections: last held in November 2017 (next to be held not later than December 2019) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - 5 independent; composition - men 5, women 5, percent of women 50% Judicial branch: highest courts: Pitcairn Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, 2 judges, and the Supreme Court chief justice, an ex-officio member); Pitcairn Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 judges); note - appeals beyond the Pitcairn Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: all judges of both courts appointed by the governor of the Pitcairn Islands on the instructions of the Queen of England through the Secretary of State; all judges can serve until retirement, normally at age 75 subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court Political parties and leaders: none International organization participation: SPC, UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean; the green field features a yellow anchor surmounted by a bible (both the anchor and the bible were items found on the HMS Bounty); sitting on the crest is a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow from which springs a flowering twig of miro (a local plant) National anthem: name: "We From Pitcairn Island" lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): NANA Agricultural products: honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens; fish Industries: postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey Labor force: 15 (2004) Labor force - by occupation: note: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishingnote: no business community in the usual sense; some public works; subsistence farming and fishing Budget: revenues: 746,000 (FY04/05) expenditures: 1.028 million (FY04/05) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Exports: NANA Exports - partners: South Africa 24%, Canada 20%, Germany 13%, Czechia 8%, El Salvador 5%, Spain 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: leather footwear, gas turbine parts, precious metal ores, clothing and apparel, beef (2019) Imports: NANA Imports - partners: Ecuador 43%, New Zealand 29% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, food preparation products, plastics, iron fasteners (2019) Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.416 (2017 est.) 1.4279 (2016 est.) 1.4279 (2015) 1.4279 (2014 est.) 1.2039 (2013 est.) Topic: Communications Telecommunication systems: general assessment: satellite-based phone services; rural connectivity a challenge; 2G services widespread; demand for mobile broadband due to mobile services providing Internet source; the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite in 2019 will improve telecommunications in the region (2020) domestic: local phone service with international connections via Internet (2018) international: country code - 872; satellite earth station - 1 Inmarsat note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments Broadcast media: satellite TV from Fiji-based Sky Pacific offering a wide range of international channels Internet country code: .pn Internet users: total: 50 (2022 est.) percent of population: 100% (2018 est.) Communications - note: satellite-based local phone service and broadband Internet connections available in all homes Topic: Transportation Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

countries-dominican-republic

Topic: Photos of Dominican Republic Topic: Introduction Background: The Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. Following the two-term presidency of Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (2012-2020), Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona was elected president in July 2020.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 48,670 sq km land: 48,320 sq km water: 350 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 376 km border countries (1): Haiti 376 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys Elevation: highest point: Pico Duarte 3,098 m lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m mean elevation: 424 m Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 51.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 24.8% (2018 est.) forest: 40.8% (2018 est.) other: 7.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,070 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km Population distribution: coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central) Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo Map description: Dominican Republic map shows the country’s border with Haiti and its position in the Caribbean Sea.Dominican Republic map shows the country’s border with Haiti and its position in the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 10,694,700 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Dominican(s) adjective: Dominican Ethnic groups: mixed 70.4% (Mestizo/Indio 58%, Mulatto 12.4%), Black 15.8%, White 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.) note: respondents self-identified their race; the term "indio" in the Dominican Republic is not associated with people of indigenous ancestry but people of mixed ancestry or skin color between light and dark Languages: Spanish (official) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.85% (male 1,433,166/female 1,385,987) 15-24 years: 18.15% (male 968,391/female 937,227) 25-54 years: 40.54% (male 2,168,122/female 2,088,926) 55-64 years: 8.17% (male 429,042/female 428,508) 65 years and over: 6.29% (2020 est.) (male 310,262/female 350,076) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.8 youth dependency ratio: 42.2 elderly dependency ratio: 11.6 potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 27.9 years male: 27.8 years female: 28.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.91% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central) Urbanization: urban population: 83.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.458 million SANTO DOMINGO (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.9 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 21.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.56 years male: 70.86 years female: 74.33 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 69.5% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 91.7% of population total: 97.2% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 8.3% of population total: 2.8% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.9% (2019) Physicians density: 1.45 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 91.3% of population total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population rural: 8.7% of population total: 3.7% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 72,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 10.6% (2020 est.) male: 14.6% (2020 est.) female: 6.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4% (2013) Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.8% male: 93.8% female: 93.8% (2016) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9% male: 11.6% female: 20.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 12.95 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 25.26 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 8.1 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Land use: agricultural land: 51.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 24.8% (2018 est.) forest: 40.8% (2018 est.) other: 7.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 83.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,063,910 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 333,241 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8.2% (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 855 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 659.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 7.563 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 23.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic conventional short form: The Dominican local long form: Republica Dominicana local short form: La Dominicana former: Santo Domingo (the capital city's name formerly applied to the entire country) etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic) Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Santo Domingo geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), founder of the Dominican Order Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844) Constitution: history: many previous (38 total); latest proclaimed 13 June 2015 amendments: proposed by a special session of the National Congress called the National Revisory Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval by at least one half of those present in both houses of the Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as fundamental rights and guarantees, territorial composition, nationality, or the procedures for constitutional reform, also requires approval in a referendum Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a maximum of two consecutive terms); election last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic election results: 2020: Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona elected president in first round; percent of vote - Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 52.5%, Gonzalo CASTILLO Terrero (PLD) 37.5%, Leonel Antonio FERNANDEZ Reyna (FP) 8.9% other 1.1% 2016: Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of: Senate or Senado (32 seats; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 6 members indirectly elected based upon province-wide party plurality votes for its candidates to the Chamber of Deputies; all members serve 4-year terms; note - in 2019, the Central Election Commission changed the electoral system for seats in26 constituencies to direct simple majority but retained indirect election for the remaining 6 constituencies; previously all 32 members were indirectly elected; the change had been challenged by the ruling and opposition parties) House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; 178 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method, 5 members in a nationwide constituency and 7 diaspora members directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 17, PLD 6, PRSC 6, BIS 1, DXC 1, FP 1; composition - men 28, women 4, percent of women 12.5% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 86, PLD 75,  PRSC 6, PRD 4, Broad Front 3, FP 3, AP 2, APD 2, BIS 2, DXC 2, other 5; composition - men 137, women 53, percent of women 27.9%; note - total National Congress percent of women 25.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms subordinate courts: courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or APD Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Fidel SANTANA] Country Alliance or AP [Guillermo Antonio MORENO Garcia] Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Danilo MEDINA Sánchez] Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Miguel VARGAS Maldonado] Dominicans For Change or DXC [Manuel OVIEDO Estrada] Institutional Social Democratic Bloc or BIS Liberal Reformist Party or PRL (formerly the Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD) Modern Revolutionary Party or PRM [Luis ABINADER] National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO] People's Force or FP [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna] Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico Augusto "Quique" ANTUN Batile] International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia GUZMAN (since 18 January 2021) chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280 FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057 email address and website: embassy@drembassyusa.org http://drembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Glendale (CA), Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert W. THOMAS (since 20 January 2021) embassy: Av. Republica de Colombia #57, Santo Domingo mailing address: 3470 Santo Domingo Place, Washington DC  20521-3470 telephone: (809) 567-7775 email address and website: SDOAmericans@state.gov https://do.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are ultramarine blue (hoist side) and vermilion red, and the bottom ones are vermilion red (hoist side) and ultramarine blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes National symbol(s): palmchat (bird); national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Colonial City of Santo Domingo Topic: Economy Economic overview: The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world.   For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP.   The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports.The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world. For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $184.45 billion (2020 est.) $197.74 billion (2019 est.) $188.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.6% (2017 est.) 6.6% (2016 est.) 7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $17,000 (2020 est.) $18,400 (2019 est.) $17,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $88.956 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2019 est.) 3.5% (2018 est.) 3.2% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2016) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2015) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.6% (2017 est.) industry: 33% (2017 est.) services: 61.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 69.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 24.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.1% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts Industries: tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 4.732 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.4% industry: 20.8% (2014) services: 64.7% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2017 est.) 5.5% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9% male: 11.6% female: 20.7% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 21% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.7 (2018 est.) 45.7 (2012 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.) Budget: revenues: 11.33 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.62 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 37.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 34.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$165 million (2017 est.) -$815 million (2016 est.) Exports: $14.44 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.51 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 54%, Switzerland 8%, Canada 5%, India 5%, China 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, medical instruments, cigars, low-voltage protection equipment, bananas (2019) Imports: $20.19 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $24.53 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $24.11 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 50%, China 13% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.873 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $6.134 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $23.094 billion (2019 est.) $21.198 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar - 47.42 (2017 est.) 46.078 (2016 est.) 46.078 (2015 est.) 45.052 (2014 est.) 43.556 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.674 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 16,330,980,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.576 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 1.791 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.359 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 148,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 24,900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 16,060 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 1,602,759,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 28.657 million cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 1,586,449,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 26.808 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 18.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 3.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 39.016 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,155,493 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 8,989,587 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 83 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the Dominican Republic’s telecom sector continued its solid form throughout 2020 and into 2021, shrugging off the economic turmoil unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain a decade-long run of low but positive growth across all areas of the market; the Dominican Republic remains behind most of its counterparts in the Latin American region, especially in terms of fixed-line network coverage; mobile subscriptions are on par with the regional average, but at subscription levels of around 88% there is still ample opportunity for growth; in terms of growth, the standout winner was once again the mobile broadband segment; the market is expected to see close to 8% growth in 2021, building further on the gains it already made in 2020 when lock downs and work-from-home rules encouraged many people to find ways to upgrade their internet access and performance; the limited coverage of fixed-line broadband networks makes mobile the first, if not only, choice for most people in the country. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 11 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of nearly 83 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the ARCOS-1, Antillas 1, AMX-1, SAm-1, East-West, Deep Blue Cable and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2019) Internet country code: .do Internet users: total: 8,352,886 (2020 est.) percent of population: 77% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,031,858 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HI Airports: total: 36 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 18 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 27 km gas, 103 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 496 km (2014) standard gauge: 354 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 142 km (2014) 0.762-m gauge Roadways: total: 19,705 km (2002) paved: 9,872 km (2002) unpaved: 9,833 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 38 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 1, other 34 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo oil terminal(s): Punta Nizao oil terminal LNG terminal(s) (import): Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG; includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2022) note: in addition to the military, the Ministry of Armed Forces directs the Airport Security Authority and Civil Aviation, Port Security Authority, the Tourist Security Corps, and Border Security Corps; the National Police (Policia Nacional) are under the Ministry of Interior Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.43 billion) 0.7% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.33 billion) 0.6% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.2 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 60,000 active personnel (30,000 Army; 13,000 Navy; 17,000 Air Force); approximately 30,000 National Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military is lightly armed with an inventory consisting mostly of older US equipment with limited quantities of material from other countries (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17-21 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); recruits must have completed primary school and be Dominican Republic citizens (2022) note: as of 2021, women made up approximately 20% of the active duty military Military - note: the military's primary focuses are countering illegal immigration and refugees along its 350-kilometer-long border with Haiti and interdicting air and maritime narcotics trafficking, as well as disaster relief (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better workHaitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 115,283 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) stateless persons: 133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released note: revised estimate includes only individuals born to parents who were both born abroad; it does not include individuals born in the country to one Dominican-born and one foreign-born parent or subsequent generations of individuals of foreign descent; the estimate, as such, does not include all stateless persons (2015) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in the Dominican Republic and Dominicans abroad; Dominican women and children are sex trafficked throughout the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States; victims from Haiti and elsewhere in the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America are trafficked in the Dominican Republic; Dominican women are lured to the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America to work in nightclubs but are then sex trafficked; domestically, children are forced into domestic servitude, street vending, begging, agricultural work, construction, and moving illicit narcotics, while adults are forced to work in construction, agriculture, and the services sector tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Dominican Republic does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government has drafted a revised trafficking law that would be consistent with international law by removing the requirement for force, fraud, or coercion of sex trafficking of victims younger than 18; authorities increased investigations and prosecutions but convicted fewer traffickers and issued inadequate sentences; the country lacks a dedicated victim assistance budget and a full-time victim shelter; authorities did not effectively screen for trafficking indicators or refer all vulnerable individuals to care; the government has not allocated specific funds to implement its national anti-trafficking plan beyond the standard operating budget for the 14 institutions that are part of its Inter-Institutional Commission against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (2020) Illicit drugs: a major transshipment point for cocaine transiting through the Caribbean

20220901

countries-djibouti

Topic: Photos of Djibouti Topic: Introduction Background: The region of present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, treaties signed by the Afar sultans with the French allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885. Tension between the ethnic Afar and Somali populations increased over time, as the ethnic Somalis perceived that the French unfairly favored the Afar and gave them disproportionate influence in local governance. In 1958, the French held a referendum that provided residents of French Somaliland the option to either continue their association with France or to join neighboring Somalia as it established its independence. The ethnic Somali protested the vote, because French colonial leaders did not recognize many Somali as residents, which gave the Afar outsized influence in the decision to uphold ties with France. After a second referendum in 1967, the French changed the territory’s name to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, in part to underscore their relationship with the ethnic Afar and downplay the significance of the ethnic Somalis. A final referendum in 1977 established Djibouti as an independent nation and granted ethnic Somalis Djiboutian nationality, formally resetting the balance of power between the majority ethnic Somalis and minority ethnic Afar residents. Upon independence, the country was named after its capital city of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, an ethnic Somali leader, installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest between the Afar minority and Somali majority culminated in a civil war during the 1990s that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential election resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to serve his third and fourth terms, and to begin a fifth term in 2021. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti’s ports also service transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government holds longstanding ties to France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as does the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China.The region of present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, treaties signed by the Afar sultans with the French allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia Geographic coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 23,200 sq km land: 23,180 sq km water: 20 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 528 km border countries (3): Eritrea 125 km; Ethiopia 342 km; Somalia 61 km Coastline: 314 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: desert; torrid, dry Terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Elevation: highest point: Moussa Ali 2,021 m lowest point: Lac Assal -155 m mean elevation: 430 m Natural resources: potential geothermal power, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum Land use: agricultural land: 73.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 73.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0.2% (2018 est.) other: 26.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Abhe Bad/Abhe Bid Hayk (shared with Ethiopia) - 780 sq km Population distribution: most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, with a population over 600,000; no other city in the country has a total population over 50,000 as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floodsvolcanism: experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically activeearthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floodsvolcanism: experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active Geography - note: strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world Map description: Djibouti map showing the capital and major towns, as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Aden.Djibouti map showing the capital and major towns, as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Aden. Topic: People and Society Population: 957,273 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Djiboutian(s) adjective: Djiboutian Ethnic groups: Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (mostly Yemeni Arab, also French, Ethiopian, and Italian) Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Religions: Sunni Muslim 94% (nearly all Djiboutians), other 6% (mainly foreign-born residents - Shia Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Baha'i, and atheist) Demographic profile: Djibouti is a poor, predominantly urban country, characterized by high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and childhood malnutrition. More than 75% of the population lives in cities and towns (predominantly in the capital, Djibouti). The rural population subsists primarily on nomadic herding. Prone to droughts and floods, the country has few natural resources and must import more than 80% of its food from neighboring countries or Europe. Health care, particularly outside the capital, is limited by poor infrastructure, shortages of equipment and supplies, and a lack of qualified personnel. More than a third of health care recipients are migrants because the services are still better than those available in their neighboring home countries. The nearly universal practice of female genital cutting reflects Djibouti’s lack of gender equality and is a major contributor to obstetrical complications and its high rates of maternal and infant mortality. A 1995 law prohibiting the practice has never been enforced.Because of its political stability and its strategic location at the confluence of East Africa and the Gulf States along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Djibouti is a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers heading for the Gulf States and beyond. Each year some hundred thousand people, mainly Ethiopians and some Somalis, journey through Djibouti, usually to the port of Obock, to attempt a dangerous sea crossing to Yemen. However, with the escalation of the ongoing Yemen conflict, Yemenis began fleeing to Djibouti in March 2015, with almost 20,000 arriving by August 2017. Most Yemenis remain unregistered and head for Djibouti City rather than seeking asylum at one of Djibouti’s three spartan refugee camps. Djibouti has been hosting refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly Somalis and lesser numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans, at camps for 20 years, despite lacking potable water, food shortages, and unemployment.Djibouti is a poor, predominantly urban country, characterized by high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and childhood malnutrition. More than 75% of the population lives in cities and towns (predominantly in the capital, Djibouti). The rural population subsists primarily on nomadic herding. Prone to droughts and floods, the country has few natural resources and must import more than 80% of its food from neighboring countries or Europe. Health care, particularly outside the capital, is limited by poor infrastructure, shortages of equipment and supplies, and a lack of qualified personnel. More than a third of health care recipients are migrants because the services are still better than those available in their neighboring home countries. The nearly universal practice of female genital cutting reflects Djibouti’s lack of gender equality and is a major contributor to obstetrical complications and its high rates of maternal and infant mortality. A 1995 law prohibiting the practice has never been enforced.Because of its political stability and its strategic location at the confluence of East Africa and the Gulf States along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Djibouti is a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers heading for the Gulf States and beyond. Each year some hundred thousand people, mainly Ethiopians and some Somalis, journey through Djibouti, usually to the port of Obock, to attempt a dangerous sea crossing to Yemen. However, with the escalation of the ongoing Yemen conflict, Yemenis began fleeing to Djibouti in March 2015, with almost 20,000 arriving by August 2017. Most Yemenis remain unregistered and head for Djibouti City rather than seeking asylum at one of Djibouti’s three spartan refugee camps. Djibouti has been hosting refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly Somalis and lesser numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans, at camps for 20 years, despite lacking potable water, food shortages, and unemployment. Age structure: 0-14 years: 29.97% (male 138,701/female 137,588) 15-24 years: 20.32% (male 88,399/female 98,955) 25-54 years: 40.73% (male 156,016/female 219,406) 55-64 years: 5.01% (male 19,868/female 26,307) 65 years and over: 3.97% (2020 est.) (male 16,245/female 20,319) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.6 youth dependency ratio: 43.6 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 24.9 years male: 23 years female: 26.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.97% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.25 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 4.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, with a population over 600,000; no other city in the country has a total population over 50,000 as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 78.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.56% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 591,000 DJIBOUTI (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.7 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.72 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.83 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 46.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 39.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.3 years male: 62.72 years female: 67.96 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.15 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 19% (2012) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 59.3% of population total: 90.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 40.7% of population total: 9.2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 1.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.22 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 87.7% of population rural: 24.2% of population total: 73.8% of population unimproved: urban: 12.3% of population rural: 75.8% of population total: 26.2% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 6,800 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Djibouti is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 13.5% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 29.9% (2012) Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 7 years female: 7 years (2011) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 73% male: 72% female: 74.6% (2017) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; limited arable land; deforestation (forests threatened by agriculture and the use of wood for fuel); desertification; endangered species Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.38 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.62 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.52 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: desert; torrid, dry Land use: agricultural land: 73.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 73.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0.2% (2018 est.) other: 26.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.56% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Djibouti is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine Food insecurity: widespread lack of access: due to floods - about 194,000 people were estimated to be severely food insecure in the January‑August 2021 period, mainly due to livelihood losses caused by floods and landslides, and as a result of the socio‑economic impact of the pandemic on the livelihoods of vulnerable households; Cyclone Sagar struck the country on 19 and 20 May 2021, bringing torrential rains; the precipitation received, about 110 mm, was the equivalent of the average rainfall for an entire year and triggered heavy flooding, especially in the capital, Djibouti City and surrounding areas (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 114,997 tons (2002 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Abhe Bad/Abhe Bid Hayk (shared with Ethiopia) - 780 sq km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 16 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Djibouti conventional short form: Djibouti local long form: Republique de Djibouti (French)/ Jumhuriyat Jibuti (Arabic) local short form: Djibouti (French)/ Jibuti (Arabic) former: French Somaliland, French Territory of the Afars and Issas etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Djibouti Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Djibouti geographic coordinates: 11 35 N, 43 09 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is disputed; multiple descriptions, possibilities, and theories have been proposed Administrative divisions: 6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah Independence: 27 June 1977 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 June (1977) Constitution: history: approved by referendum 4 September 1992 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; Assembly consideration of proposals requires assent of at least one third of the membership; passage requires a simple majority vote by the Assembly and approval by simple majority vote in a referendum; the president can opt to bypass a referendum if adopted by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on the sovereignty of Djibouti, its republican form of government, and its pluralist form of democracy cannot by amended; amended 2006, 2008, 2010 Legal system: mixed legal system based primarily on the French civil code (as it existed in 1997), Islamic religious law (in matters of family law and successions), and customary law International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the mother must be a citizen of Djibouti dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil MOHAMED (since 1 April 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term; election last held on 9 April 2021 (next to be held in April 2026); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2021: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president for a fifth term; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH (RPP) 97.4%, Zakaria Ismael FARAH (MDEND) 2.7% 2016: Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president for a fourth term; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH (RPP) 87%, Omar Elmi KHAIREH (CDU) 7.3%, other 5.6% Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale, formerly the Chamber of Deputies (65 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 23 February 2018 (next to be held in February 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UMP 57, UDJ-PDD 7, CDU 1; composition - men 48, women 17, percent of women 26.2% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA magistrates); Constitutional Council (consists of 6 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court magistrates appointed by the president with the advice of the Superior Council of the Magistracy CSM, a 10-member body consisting of 4 judges, 3 members (non parliamentarians and judges) appointed by the president, and 3 appointed by the National Assembly president or speaker; magistrates appointed for life with retirement at age 65; Constitutional Council magistrate appointments - 2 by the president of the republic, 2 by the president of the National Assembly, and 2 by the CSM; magistrates appointed for 8-year, non-renewable terms subordinate courts: High Court of Appeal; 5 Courts of First Instance; customary courts; State Court (replaced sharia courts in 2003) Political parties and leaders: Center for United Democrats or CDU [Ahmed Mohamed YOUSSOUF, chairman] Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH] Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM] Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy (Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique) or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD] Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development [Daher Ahmed FARAH] Movement for Development and Liberty or MoDel [Ismail Ahmed WABERI] Movement for the Development and Balance of the Djiboutian Nation (Mouvement pour le Dévelopment et l'Équilibre de la Nation Djiboutienne) or MDEND [Zakaria Ismael FARAH] National Democratic Party or PND [Aden Robleh AWALEH] People's Rally for Progress or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party) Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Hasna Moumin BAHDON] Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Aden Mohamed ABDOU, interim president] Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PND, PPSD) Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [Ilya Ismail GUEDI Hared] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed Siad DOUALEH (28 January 2016) chancery: 1156 15th Street NW, Suite 515, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0270 FAX: [1] (202) 331-0302 email address and website: info@djiboutiembassyus.org https://www.djiboutiembassyus.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jonathan Goodale PRATT (since 22 February 2021) embassy: Lot 350-B Haramouss, B.P. 185 mailing address: 2150 Djibouti Place, Washington DC  20521-2150 telephone: [253] 21-45-30-00 FAX: [253] 21-45-31-29 email address and website: DjiboutiACS@state.gov https://dj.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center; blue stands for sea and sky and the Issa Somali people; green symbolizes earth and the Afar people; white represents peace; the red star recalls the struggle for independence and stands for unity National symbol(s): red star; national colors: light blue, green, white, red National anthem: name: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti) lyrics/music: Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH note: adopted 1977 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Djibouti's economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location as a deepwater port on the Red Sea. Three-fourths of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scant rainfall and less than 4% arable land limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported.   Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports, exports, and reexports represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Reexports consist primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An official unemployment rate of nearly 40% - with youth unemployment near 80% - continues to be a major problem. Inflation was a modest 3% in 2014-2017, due to low international food prices and a decline in electricity tariffs.   Djibouti’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food and water leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks, though in mid-2015 Djibouti passed new legislation to liberalize the energy sector. The government has emphasized infrastructure development for transportation and energy and Djibouti – with the help of foreign partners, particularly China – has begun to increase and modernize its port capacity. In 2017, Djibouti opened two of the largest projects in its history, the Doraleh Port and Djibouti-Addis Ababa Railway, funded by China as part of the "Belt and Road Initiative," which will increase the country’s ability to capitalize on its strategic location.Djibouti's economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location as a deepwater port on the Red Sea. Three-fourths of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scant rainfall and less than 4% arable land limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports, exports, and reexports represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Reexports consist primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An official unemployment rate of nearly 40% - with youth unemployment near 80% - continues to be a major problem. Inflation was a modest 3% in 2014-2017, due to low international food prices and a decline in electricity tariffs. Djibouti’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food and water leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks, though in mid-2015 Djibouti passed new legislation to liberalize the energy sector. The government has emphasized infrastructure development for transportation and energy and Djibouti – with the help of foreign partners, particularly China – has begun to increase and modernize its port capacity. In 2017, Djibouti opened two of the largest projects in its history, the Doraleh Port and Djibouti-Addis Ababa Railway, funded by China as part of the "Belt and Road Initiative," which will increase the country’s ability to capitalize on its strategic location. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5.42 billion (2020 est.) $5.39 billion (2019 est.) $5 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.7% (2017 est.) 6.5% (2016 est.) 6.5% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $5,500 (2020 est.) $5,500 (2019 est.) $5,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.323 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.7% (2017 est.) 2.7% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.) industry: 17.3% (2017 est.) services: 80.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 56.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 29.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 41.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: vegetables, milk, beef, camel milk, lemons, limes, goat meat, mutton, beans, tomatoes Industries: construction, agricultural processing, shipping Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 294,600 (2012) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA Unemployment rate: 40% (2017 est.) 60% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 73% male: 72% female: 74.6% (2017) Population below poverty line: 21.1% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.6 (2017 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.9% (2002) Budget: revenues: 717 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 899.2 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 31.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 35.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$280 million (2017 est.) -$178 million (2016 est.) Exports: $5.15 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 42%, India 15%, China 14%, Egypt 5%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: various animals, chlorides, dried legumes, industrial fatty acids/oils, coffee, chickpeas (2019) Imports: $4.76 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 43%, United Arab Emirates 15%, India 7%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fertilizers, iron sheeting, cars, palm oil (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $547.7 million (31 December 2017 est.) $398.5 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.954 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.519 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.7 (2017 est.) 177.72 (2016 est.) 177.72 (2015 est.) 177.72 (2014 est.) 177.72 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 42% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 54% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 1% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 130,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: -62.6 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 120 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 98.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 4,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 403 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,692 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 610,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 610,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 8.869 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 38,866 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 434,035 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Djibouti remains one of the last bastions where the national telco has a monopoly on all telecom services, including fixed lines, mobile, internet, and broadband; the lack of competition to Djibouti Telecom for such services has meant that the market has not lived up to its potential; despite the country benefiting from its location as a hub for international submarine cables, and with Djibouti Telecom being a partner in at least eight of them, prices for telecom services remain relatively high, and out of reach for a number of customers, weighing on market advancement; the government has long harbored plans to privatize Djibouti Telecom, though thus far such plans have been delayed repeatedly; it has been encouraged by the experience of neighboring Ethiopia, which recently licensed the Global Partnership for Ethiopia consortium (controlled by Safaricom) and so broke the monopoly held by Ethio Telecom; the Djibouti government is aiming to sell a minority stake in the incumbent telco (retaining some control of decisions) while securing the financial backing and the management acumen of a foreign operator; this is part of a larger plan to modernize the country’s economy more generally; the state expects to conduct of a sale of up to 40% of the company to an international investor by end-2022. (2022) domestic: about 4 per 100 fixed-line teledensity and nearly 44 per 100 mobile-cellular; Djibouti Telecom (DT) is the sole provider of telecommunications services and utilizes mostly a microwave radio relay network; fiber-optic cable is installed in the capital; rural areas connected via wireless local loop radio systems; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city (2020) international: country code - 253; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 5, EASSy, Aden-Djibouti, Africa-1, DARE-1, EIG, MENA, Bridge International, PEACE Cable, and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems providing links to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-owned Radiodiffusion-Television de Djibouti operates the sole terrestrial TV station, as well as the only 2 domestic radio networks; no private TV or radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2019) Internet country code: .dj Internet users: total: 582,921 (2020 est.) percent of population: 59% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 25,053 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J2 Airports: total: 13 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Railways: total: 97 km (2017) (Djibouti segment of the 756 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway) standard gauge: 97 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 2,893 km (2013) Merchant marine: total: 33 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 8, other 21 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Djibouti Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Djibouti Armed Forces (FAD): Army, Navy, Air Force; Djibouti Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie, National Police (2022) note: the National Police is responsible for security within Djibouti City and has primary control over immigration and customs procedures for all land border-crossing points, while the National Gendarmerie is responsible for all security outside of Djibouti City, as well as for protecting critical infrastructure within the city, such as the international airport Military expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $180 million) 3.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $160 million) 3.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $150 million) 2.7% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $120 million) 2.5% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $110 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 10,000 active troops (8,000 Army; 250 Naval; 250 Air; 1,500 Gendarmerie) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAD is armed largely with older French and Soviet-era weapons systems; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of mostly second-hand equipment from a variety of countries, including China and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2021) Military deployments: 960 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022) Military - note: as of 2022, China, France, Italy, Japan, and the US maintained bases in Djibouti for regional military missions, including counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, crisis response, and security assistance (note – France has multiple bases and hosts troop contingents from Germany and Spain); the EU and NATO have also maintained a presence to support multinational naval counter-piracy operations and maritime training efforts; in 2017, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia announced plans for the Saudis to build a military base there, although no start date was announcedas of 2022, China, France, Italy, Japan, and the US maintained bases in Djibouti for regional military missions, including counter-terrorism, counter-piracy, crisis response, and security assistance (note – France has multiple bases and hosts troop contingents from Germany and Spain); the EU and NATO have also maintained a presence to support multinational naval counter-piracy operations and maritime training efforts; in 2017, Djibouti and Saudi Arabia announced plans for the Saudis to build a military base there, although no start date was announced Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) received one incident of piracy and armed robbery in 2021 for the Horn of Africa; while there were no recorded incidents, the IMB PRC warns that Somalia pirates continue to possess the capacity to carry out attacks in the Somali basin and wider Indian Ocean; in particular, the report warns that, "Masters and crew must remain vigilant and cautious when transiting these waters."; the presence of several naval task forces in the Gulf of Aden and additional anti-piracy measures on the part of ship operators, including the use of on-board armed security teams, contributed to the drop in incidents; the EU naval mission, Operation ATALANTA, continues its operations in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean through 2022; naval units from China, India, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, the US, and other countries also operate in conjunction with EU forces; China has established a logistical base in Djibouti to support its deployed naval units in the Horn of Africa Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): al-Shabaab note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link; in 2008, Eritrean troops moved across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupied Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red SeaDjibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link; in 2008, Eritrean troops moved across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupied Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red Sea Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 5,972 (Yemen) (mid-year 2021); 14,227 (Somalia) (2021)

20220901

field-population-growth-rate

The average annual percent change in the population, resulting from a surplus (or deficit) of births over deaths and the balance of migrants entering and leaving a country. The rate may be positive or negative. The growth rate is a factor in determining how great a burden would be imposed on a country by the changing needs of its people for infrastructure (e.g., schools, hospitals, housing, roads), resources (e.g., food, water, electricity), and jobs. Rapid population growth can be seen as threatening by neighboring countries. Topic: Afghanistan2.3% (2022 est.) Topic: Albania0.22% (2022 est.) Topic: Algeria1.34% (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoa-1.92% (2022 est.) Topic: Andorra-0.1% (2022 est.) Topic: Angola3.36% (2022 est.) Topic: Anguilla1.8% (2022 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda1.15% (2022 est.) Topic: Argentina0.82% (2022 est.) Topic: Armenia-0.38% (2022 est.) Topic: Aruba1.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islands0.32% (2021 est.) Topic: Australia1.25% (2022 est.) Topic: Austria0.32% (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The0.82% (2022 est.) Topic: Bahrain0.88% (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladesh0.93% (2022 est.) Topic: Barbados0.26% (2022 est.) Topic: Belarus-0.31% (2022 est.) Topic: Belgium0.57% (2022 est.) Topic: Belize1.64% (2022 est.) Topic: Benin3.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Bermuda0.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutan0.97% (2022 est.) Topic: Bolivia1.12% (2022 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina-0.22% (2022 est.) Topic: Botswana1.4% (2022 est.) Topic: Brazil0.7% (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands1.91% (2022 est.) Topic: Brunei1.45% (2022 est.) Topic: Bulgaria-0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso2.53% (2022 est.) Topic: Burma0.78% (2022 est.) Topic: Burundi3.63% (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde1.21% (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodia1.08% (2022 est.) Topic: Cameroon2.75% (2022 est.) Topic: Canada0.75% (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands1.83% (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republic1.78% (2022 est.) Topic: Chad3.09% (2022 est.) Topic: Chile0.66% (2022 est.) Topic: China0.19% (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas Island1.11% (2014 est.) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia0.59% (2022 est.) Topic: Comoros1.37% (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the3.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the2.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islands-2.39% (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Rica1.01% (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire2.19% (2022 est.) Topic: Croatia-0.47% (2022 est.) Topic: Cuba-0.21% (2022 est.) Topic: Curacao0.32% (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprus1.06% (2022 est.) Topic: Czechia0.02% (2022 est.) Topic: Denmark0.44% (2022 est.) Topic: Djibouti1.97% (2022 est.) Topic: Dominica0.05% (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic0.91% (2022 est.) Topic: Ecuador1.13% (2022 est.) Topic: Egypt1.68% (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvador0.57% (2022 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea3.5% (2022 est.) Topic: Eritrea1.03% (2022 est.) Topic: Estonia-0.71% (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatini0.75% (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopia2.46% (2022 est.) Topic: European Union-0.69% (2021 est.) 0.10% Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0.01% (2014 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands0.63% (2022 est.) Topic: Fiji0.44% (2022 est.) Topic: Finland0.24% (2022 est.) Topic: France0.32% (2022 est.) Topic: French Polynesia0.73% (2022 est.) Topic: Gabon2.4% (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, The2.29% (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip2.02% (2022 est.) Topic: Georgia0.03% (2022 est.) Topic: Germany-0.11% (2022 est.) Topic: Ghana2.23% (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltar0.19% (2022 est.) Topic: Greece-0.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Greenland-0.02% (2022 est.) Topic: Grenada0.32% (2022 est.) Topic: Guam0.16% (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemala1.58% (2022 est.) Topic: Guernsey0.23% (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea2.76% (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.53% (2022 est.) Topic: Guyana0.24% (2022 est.) Topic: Haiti1.2% (2022 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)0% (2014 est.) Topic: Honduras1.19% (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kong0.17% (2022 est.) Topic: Hungary-0.3% (2022 est.) Topic: Iceland0.93% (2022 est.) Topic: India0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesia0.79% (2022 est.) Topic: Iran0.98% (2022 est.) Topic: Iraq2% (2022 est.) Topic: Ireland0.94% (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Man0.52% (2022 est.) Topic: Israel1.44% (2022 est.) Topic: Italy-0.13% (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaica0.08% (2022 est.) Topic: Japan-0.39% (2022 est.) Topic: Jersey0.64% (2022 est.) Topic: Jordan0.81% (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan0.77% (2022 est.) Topic: Kenya2.12% (2022 est.) Topic: Kiribati1.04% (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, North0.46% (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, South0.24% (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovo0.57% (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwait1.17% (2022 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan0.86% (2022 est.) Topic: Laos1.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Latvia-1.11% (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanon0.66% (2022 est.) Topic: Lesotho0.76% (2022 est.) Topic: Liberia2.73% (2022 est.) Topic: Libya1.65% (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein0.72% (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuania-1.04% (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourg1.64% (2022 est.) Topic: Macau0.75% (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascar2.27% (2022 est.) Topic: Malawi2.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Malaysia1.03% (2022 est.) Topic: Maldives-0.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Mali2.95% (2022 est.) Topic: Malta0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands1.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritania1.99% (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritius0.1% (2022 est.) Topic: Mexico0.51% (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of-0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Moldova-1.12% (2022 est.) Topic: Monaco0.6% (2022 est.) Topic: Mongolia0.88% (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegro-0.41% (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrat0.5% (2022 est.) Topic: Morocco0.91% (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique2.56% (2022 est.) Topic: Namibia1.82% (2022 est.) Topic: Nauru0.42% (2022 est.) Topic: Nepal0.78% (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlands0.36% (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledonia1.19% (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealand1.17% (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaragua0.92% (2022 est.) Topic: Niger3.66% (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeria2.53% (2022 est.) Topic: Niue-0.03% (2021 est.) Topic: Norfolk Island0.01% (2014 est.) Topic: North Macedonia0.12% (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands-0.35% (2022 est.) Topic: Norway0.8% (2022 est.) Topic: Oman1.84% (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistan1.95% (2022 est.) Topic: Palau0.39% (2022 est.) Topic: Panama1.53% (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea2.35% (2022 est.) Topic: Paracel Islands0.75% (2021 est.) Topic: Paraguay1.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Peru0.51% (2022 est.) Topic: Philippines1.6% (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islands0% (2014 est.) Topic: Poland-0.26% (2022 est.) Topic: Portugal-0.2% (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico-1.38% (2022 est.) Topic: Qatar1.04% (2022 est.) Topic: Romania-1.09% (2022 est.) Topic: Russia-0.22% (2022 est.) Topic: Rwanda1.74% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemy-0.16% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0.13% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0.61% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia0.29% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martin0.33% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon-1.2% (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-0.17% (2022 est.) Topic: Samoa0.63% (2022 est.) Topic: San Marino0.61% (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe1.48% (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia1.63% (2022 est.) Topic: Senegal2.57% (2022 est.) Topic: Serbia-0.75% (2022 est.) Topic: Seychelles0.64% (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone2.49% (2022 est.) Topic: Singapore0.92% (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten1.23% (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakia-0.1% (2022 est.) Topic: Slovenia-0.06% (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands1.72% (2022 est.) Topic: Somalia2.42% (2022 est.) Topic: South Africa0.93% (2022 est.) Topic: South Sudan4.91% (2022 est.) Topic: Spain0.13% (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka0.61% (2022 est.) Topic: Sudan2.55% (2022 est.) Topic: Suriname1.13% (2022 est.) Topic: Svalbard-0.03% (2019 est.) Topic: Sweden0.5% (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerland0.65% (2022 est.) Topic: Syria5.91% (2022 est.) Topic: Taiwan0.04% (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistan1.4% (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzania2.78% (2022 est.) Topic: Thailand0.23% (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste2.15% (2022 est.) Topic: Togo2.48% (2022 est.) Topic: Tokelau-0.01% (2019 est.) Topic: Tonga-0.26% (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago0.14% (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisia0.69% (2022 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan0.99% (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands1.86% (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0.83% (2022 est.) Topic: Uganda3.27% (2022 est.) Topic: Ukraine-0.5% (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates0.58% (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdom0.53% (2022 est.) Topic: United States0.69% (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguay0.27% (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan0.83% (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatu1.63% (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuela2.43% (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnam0.97% (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands-0.45% (2022 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna0.25% (2022 est.) Topic: West Bank1.69% (2022 est.) Topic: World1.03% (2021 est.) note: this rate results in about 154 net additions to the worldwide population every minute or 2.6 every second Topic: Yemen1.88% (2022 est.) Topic: Zambia2.9% (2022 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe1.95% (2022 est.)

20220901

field-sanitation-facility-access

This entry provides information about access to improved or unimproved sanitation facilities available to segments of the population of a country. Improved sanitation - use of any of the following facilities: flush or pour-flush to a piped sewer system, septic tank or pit latrine; ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine; pit latrine with slab; or a composting toilet. Unimproved sanitation - use of any of the following facilities: flush or pour-flush not piped to a sewer system, septic tank or pit latrine; pit latrine without a slab or open pit; bucket; hanging toilet or hanging latrine; shared facilities of any type; no facilities; or bush or field. Topic: Afghanistanimproved: urban: 88.2% of population rural: 52% of population total: 61.4% of population unimproved: urban: 11.8% of population rural: 48% of population total: 38.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Albaniaimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Algeriaimproved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 91.3% of population total: 96.5% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 8.7% of population total: 3.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: American Samoaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Andorraimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Angolaimproved: urban: 93.7% of population rural: 30.3% of population total: 72.7% of population unimproved: urban: 6.3% of population rural: 69.7% of population total: 27.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Anguillaimproved: urban: 99.1% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population total: 0.9% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudaimproved: total: 91.7% of population unimproved: total: 8.1% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Argentinaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Armeniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 84.6% of population total: 94.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 15.4% of population total: 5.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Arubaimproved: urban: 97.7% of population rural: 97.7% of population total: 97.7% of population unimproved: urban: 2.3% of population rural: 2.3% of population total: 2.3% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Australiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Austriaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Bahamas, Theimproved: total: 98.2% of population unimproved: total: 1.8% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrainimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bangladeshimproved: urban: 85.3% of population rural: 73.5% of population total: 78% of population unimproved: urban: 14.7% of population rural: 26.5% of population total: 22% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Barbadosimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belarusimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Belizeimproved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 95.7% of population total: 97.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 4.3% of population total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Beninimproved: urban: 56.3% of population rural: 18.1% of population total: 36.6% of population unimproved: urban: 43.7% of population rural: 81.9% of population total: 63.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bermudaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020) Topic: Bhutanimproved: urban: 90.8% of population rural: 83.1% of population total: 86.4% of population unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population rural: 16.9% of population total: 13.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Boliviaimproved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 48.4% of population total: 83.1% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 51.6% of population total: 16.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Botswanaimproved: urban: 94.9% of population rural: 63% of population total: 85.6% of population unimproved: urban: 5.1% of population rural: 37% of population total: 14.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Brazilimproved: urban: 94.1% of population rural: 63.6% of population total: 90.2% of population unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population rural: 36.4% of population total: 9.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandsimproved: urban: 97.5% of population rural: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population rural: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Bruneiimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Bulgariaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasoimproved: urban: 90.8% of population rural: 37.7% of population total: 54% of population unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population rural: 62.3% of population total: 46% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burmaimproved: urban: 93.9% of population rural: 81.3% of population total: 85.2% of population unimproved: urban: 6.1% of population rural: 18.7% of population total: 14.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Burundiimproved: urban: 87.4% of population rural: 53.7% of population total: 58.4% of population unimproved: urban: 12.6% of population rural: 46.3% of population total: 41.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdeimproved: urban: 91.7% of population rural: 73.3% of population total: 85.6% of population unimproved: urban: 8.3% of population rural: 26.7% of population total: 14.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 69.3% of population total: 76.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 30.7% of population total: 23.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cameroonimproved: urban: 83.2% of population rural: 27.7% of population total: 59.7% of population unimproved: urban: 16.8% of population rural: 72.3% of population total: 40.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Canadaimproved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 1.1% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandsimproved: urban: 95.6% of population total: 95.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.4% of population total: 4.4% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Central African Republicimproved: urban: 53.8% of population rural: 12.4% of population total: 29.9% of population unimproved: urban: 46.2% of population rural: 87.6% of population total: 70.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chadimproved: urban: 57.5% of population rural: 4.9% of population total: 17.3% of population unimproved: urban: 42.5% of population rural: 95.1% of population total: 82.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chileimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Chinaimproved: urban: 97.6% of population rural: 90.6% of population total: 94.9% of population unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population rural: 9.4% of population total: 5.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Colombiaimproved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 87.7% of population total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 12.3% of population total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Comorosimproved: urban: 62.4% of population rural: 43.6% of population total: 49% of population unimproved: urban: 37.6% of population rural: 56.4% of population total: 51% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theimproved: urban: 53.4% of population rural: 20.5% of population total: 35.5% of population unimproved: urban: 46.6% of population rural: 79.5% of population total: 64.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theimproved: urban: 73.4% of population rural: 15.1% of population total: 54.7% of population unimproved: urban: 26.6% of population rural: 84.9% of population total: 45.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cook Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Costa Ricaimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 97.1% of population total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 2.9% of population total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoireimproved: urban: 77.8% of population rural: 35% of population total: 57.1% of population unimproved: urban: 22.2% of population rural: 65% of population total: 42.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Croatiaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 98.4% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 1.6% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Cubaimproved: urban: 94.8% of population rural: 87% of population total: 93% of population unimproved: urban: 5.2% of population rural: 13% of population total: 7% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Curacaoimproved: total: 100% of population unimproved: total: 0% of population (2017) Topic: Cyprusimproved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Czechiaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarkimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Djiboutiimproved: urban: 87.7% of population rural: 24.2% of population total: 73.8% of population unimproved: urban: 12.3% of population rural: 75.8% of population total: 26.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicimproved: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 91.3% of population total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population rural: 8.7% of population total: 3.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadorimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 96.9% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Egyptimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: El Salvadorimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.1% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.9% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineaimproved: urban: 81.2% of population rural: 63.4% of population total: 76.2% of population unimproved: urban: 18.8% of population rural: 36.6% of population total: 23.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Eritreaimproved: urban: 44.5% of population rural: 7.3% of population total: 15.7% of population unimproved: urban: 55.5% of population rural: 92.7% of population total: 84.3% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Estoniaimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatiniimproved: urban: 92.3% of population rural: 83.9% of population total: 85.9% of population unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population rural: 16.1% of population total: 14.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopiaimproved: urban: 52.5% of population rural: 8.1% of population total: 17.7% of population unimproved: urban: 47.5% of population rural: 91.9% of population total: 82.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: European Unionimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Faroe Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Fijiimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Finlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Franceimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 97% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gabonimproved: urban: 81.3% of population rural: 55.1% of population total: 78.7% of population unimproved: urban: 18.7% of population rural: 44.9% of population total: 21.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, Theimproved: urban: 75.8% of population rural: 33.6% of population total: 60% of population unimproved: urban: 24.2% of population rural: 66.4% of population total: 40% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgiaimproved: urban: 96.3% of population rural: 72.7% of population total: 86.7% of population unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population rural: 27.3% of population total: 13.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Germanyimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanaimproved: urban: 84.8% of population rural: 52.8% of population total: 71.1% of population unimproved: urban: 15.2% of population rural: 47.2% of population total: 28.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Gibraltarimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Greeceimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Greenlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Grenadaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 93.7% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 6.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guamimproved: urban: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) rural: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) total: 89.8% of population (2015 est.) unimproved: urban: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) rural: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) total: 10.2% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Guatemalaimproved: urban: 90.4% of population rural: 66.3% of population total: 78.8% of population unimproved: urban: 9.6% of population rural: 33.7% of population total: 21.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guernseyimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.2% of population (2017) note: data represent Guernsey and Jersey Topic: Guineaimproved: urban: 90.9% of population rural: 38.7% of population total: 58% of population unimproved: urban: 9.1% of population rural: 61.3% of population total: 42% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissauimproved: urban: 62.4% of population rural: 7.6% of population total: 31.8% of population unimproved: urban: 37.6% of population rural: 92.4% of population total: 68.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Guyanaimproved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 95.4% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 4.6% of population total: 4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Haitiimproved: urban: 82.9% of population rural: 42.6% of population total: 65.6% of population unimproved: urban: 17.1% of population rural: 57.4% of population total: 34.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Hondurasimproved: urban: 96.7% of population rural: 87.9% of population total: 93% of population unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population rural: 12.1% of population total: 7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongimproved: urban: 96.4% of population rural: NA total: 96.4% of population unimproved: urban: 3.6% of population rural: NA total: 3.6% of population (2017) Topic: Hungaryimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Indiaimproved: urban: 98.6% of population rural: 75.2% of population total: 83.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population rural: 24.8% of population total: 16.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiaimproved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 86.5% of population total: 92.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 13.5% of population total: 7.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Iranimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2015 est.) rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Irelandimproved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 99.1% of population total: 98.3% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 0.9% of population total: 1.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Isle of Manimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Israelimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.3% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.7% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Italyimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicaimproved: urban: 98.6% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1.4% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Japanimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Jerseyimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.5% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.5% of population (2017) Topic: Jordanimproved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 97.8% of population total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 2.2% of population total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.9% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.1% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyaimproved: urban: 84% of population rural: 48.1% of population total: 58.2% of population unimproved: urban: 16% of population rural: 51.9% of population total: 41.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kiribatiimproved: urban: 75.4% of population rural: 45.4% of population total: 62.1% of population unimproved: urban: 24.6% of population rural: 54.6% of population total: 37.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Northimproved: urban: 92.7% of population rural: 73.1% of population total: 85.3% of population unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population rural: 26.9% of population total: 14.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Southimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kosovoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Kuwaitimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Laosimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 72% of population total: 82.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 28% of population total: 17.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Latviaimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 85.3% of population total: 94.6% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 14.7% of population total: 5.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanonimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Lesothoimproved: urban: 93.6% of population rural: 62.4% of population total: 71.4% of population unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population rural: 37.6% of population total: 28.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Liberiaimproved: urban: 68% of population rural: 25.2% of population total: 47.5% of population unimproved: urban: 32% of population rural: 74.8% of population total: 52.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Libyaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.3% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Lithuaniaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 88.7% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 11.3% of population total: 4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.9% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.1% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascarimproved: urban: 49.2% of population rural: 22.1% of population total: 32.6% of population unimproved: urban: 50.8% of population rural: 77.9% of population total: 67.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Malawiimproved: urban: 59.9% of population rural: 35.9% of population total: 40% of population unimproved: urban: 40.1% of population rural: 64.1% of population total: 60% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Malaysiaimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Maldivesimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Maliimproved: urban: 85.7% of population rural: 44.7% of population total: 62.7% of population unimproved: urban: 14.3% of population rural: 55.3% of population total: 37.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Maltaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsimproved: urban: 96.6% of population rural: 65.4% of population total: 89.7% of population unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population rural: 34.6% of population total: 10.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritaniaimproved: urban: 83.5% of population rural: 25.2% of population total: 57.5% of population unimproved: urban: 16.5% of population rural: 74.8% of population total: 42.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritiusimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA Topic: Mexicoimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 96.4% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 3.6% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 88.3% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 11.7% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Moldovaimproved: urban: 99% of population rural: 83.1% of population total: 89.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 16.9% of population total: 10.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Monacoimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Mongoliaimproved: urban: 97.4% of population rural: 69.9% of population total: 88.8% of population unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population rural: 30.1% of population total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegroimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 93.9% of population total: 98% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 6.1% of population total: 2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Montserratimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Moroccoimproved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 72.4% of population total: 88.8% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiqueimproved: urban: 71.9% of population (2015 est.) rural: 24.7% of population total: 42.2% of population unimproved: urban: 28.1% of population rural: 75.3% of population total: 57.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Namibiaimproved: urban: 70.6% of population rural: 23.6% of population total: 48.1% of population unimproved: urban: 29.4% of population rural: 76.4% of population total: 51.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nauruimproved: urban: 96.3% of population rural: NA total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population rural: NA total: 3.7% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Nepalimproved: urban: 95.1% of population rural: 85.7% of population total: 87.7% of population unimproved: urban: 4.9% of population rural: 14.3% of population total: 12.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlandsimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Nicaraguaimproved: urban: 89.9% of population rural: 66.5% of population total: 80.3% of population unimproved: urban: 10.1% of population rural: 33.5% of population total: 19.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nigerimproved: urban: 81.9% of population rural: 13.5% of population total: 24.8% of population unimproved: urban: 18.1% of population rural: 86.5% of population total: 75.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Nigeriaimproved: urban: 81.6% of population rural: 41.4% of population total: 62.3% of population unimproved: urban: 18.4% of population rural: 58.6% of population total: 37.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Niueimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 95.5% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 4.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Norfolk Islandimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: North Macedoniaimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 98% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 97.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 2.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Norwayimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Omanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Pakistanimproved: urban: 88.6% of population rural: 73.2% of population total: 78.9% of population unimproved: urban: 11.4% of population rural: 26.8% of population total: 21.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Palauimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Panamaimproved: urban: 95.5% of population rural: 69.1% of population total: 87.2% of population unimproved: urban: 4.5% of population rural: 30.9% of population total: 12.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineaimproved: urban: 57.8% of population rural: 18.2% of population total: 23.5% of population unimproved: urban: 42.2% of population rural: 81.8% of population total: 76.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Paraguayimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 90.6% of population total: 96.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 9.4% of population total: 3.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Peruimproved: urban: 93.6% of population rural: 65.3% of population total: 87.4% of population unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population rural: 34.7% of population total: 12.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinesimproved: urban: 96% of population rural: 91% of population total: 93.4% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 9% of population total: 6.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Polandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Portugalimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Qatarimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Romaniaimproved: urban: 96.9% of population rural: 76% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population rural: 24% of population total: 12.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Russiaimproved: urban: 95.2% of population rural: 72.3% of population total: 89.4% of population unimproved: urban: 4.8% of population rural: 27.7% of population total: 10.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandaimproved: urban: 89.1% of population rural: 83.2% of population total: 84.2% of population unimproved: urban: 10.9% of population rural: 16.8% of population total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemyimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisimproved: urban: 87.3% of population rural: 87.3% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 12.7% of population rural: 12.7% of population total: 12.7% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Luciaimproved: urban: 97.6% of population rural: 92.9% of population total: 93.8% of population unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population rural: 7.1% of population total: 6.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Martinimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 90.2% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 9.8% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Samoaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.5% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: San Marinoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Topic: Sao Tome and Principeimproved: urban: 57.1% of population rural: 42.8% of population total: 53.4% of population unimproved: urban: 42.9% of population rural: 57.2% of population total: 46.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Senegalimproved: urban: 94.1% of population rural: 55.5% of population total: 74.1% of population unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population rural: 44.5% of population total: 25.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Serbiaimproved: urban: 99.6% of population rural: 95.7% of population total: 97.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 4.3% of population total: 2.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Seychellesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sierra Leoneimproved: urban: 79.5% of population rural: 35.5% of population total: 54.4% of population unimproved: urban: 20.5% of population rural: 64.5% of population total: 45.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Singaporeimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sint Maartenimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.2% of population (2017) Topic: Slovakiaimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandsimproved: urban: 95.6% of population rural: 22.6% of population total: 40.6% of population unimproved: urban: 4.4% of population rural: 77.4% of population total: 59.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Somaliaimproved: urban: 82.4% of population rural: 33.8% of population total: 56.2% of population unimproved: urban: 17.6% of population rural: 66.2% of population total: 43.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: South Africaimproved: urban: 96.6% of population rural: 86.4% of population total: 93.2% of population unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population rural: 13.6% of population total: 6.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: South Sudanimproved: urban: 60.6% of population rural: 15.5% of population total: 24.6% of population unimproved: urban: 39.4% of population rural: 84.5% of population total: 75.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Spainimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sri Lankaimproved: urban: 96.6% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 97.6% of population unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 2.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Sudanimproved: urban: 72.1% of population rural: 30.6% of population total: 45.3% of population unimproved: urban: 27.9% of population rural: 69.4% of population total: 54.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Surinameimproved: urban: 98.5% of population rural: 91.2% of population total: 96% of population unimproved: urban: 1.5% of population rural: 8.8% of population total: 4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Svalbardimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Swedenimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Syriaimproved: urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.5% of population total: 99.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.5% of population total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Taiwanimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Topic: Tajikistanimproved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tanzaniaimproved: urban: 89.4% of population rural: 29.2% of population total: 50.4% of population unimproved: urban: 10.6% of population rural: 70.8% of population total: 49.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Thailandimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lesteimproved: urban: 88.7% of population rural: 56.1% of population total: 66.3% of population unimproved: urban: 11.3% of population rural: 43.9% of population total: 33.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Togoimproved: urban: 81.9% of population rural: 18.3% of population total: 45.5% of population unimproved: urban: 18.1% of population rural: 81.7% of population total: 54.5% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tokelauimproved: urban: NA rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tongaimproved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisiaimproved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.7% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.3% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99.9% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.1% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 88% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 12% of population (2017) Topic: Tuvaluimproved: urban: 91.8% of population rural: 91% of population total: 91.5% of population unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population rural: 9% of population total: 8.5% of population (2017 est.) Topic: Ugandaimproved: urban: 67.3% of population rural: 27.5% of population total: 37.4% of population unimproved: urban: 32.7% of population rural: 72.5% of population total: 62.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Ukraineimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratesimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Kingdomimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: United Statesimproved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 11.1% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Uruguayimproved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanimproved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatuimproved: urban: 91.1% of population rural: 60.4% of population total: 68.2% of population unimproved: urban: 8.9% of population rural: 39.6% of population total: 31.8% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Venezuelaimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 95.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 4.2% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnamimproved: urban: 98.7% of population rural: 90% of population total: 93.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population rural: 10% of population total: 6.7% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunaimproved: urban: NA rural: 92.9% of population total: 92.9% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: 7.1% of population total: 7.1% of population (2020 est.) Topic: West Bankimproved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: 98.6% of population total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.4% of population total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Worldimproved: urban: 82.3% of population rural: 50.5% of population total: 67.7% of population unimproved: urban: 17.7% of population rural: 49.5% of population total: 32.3% of population (2015 est.) Topic: Yemenimproved: urban: 83.5% of population rural: 44.2% of population total: 59.1% of population unimproved: urban: 16.5% of population rural: 55.8% of population total: 40.9% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Zambiaimproved: urban: 76.3% of population rural: 31.9% of population total: 51.7% of population unimproved: urban: 23.7% of population rural: 68.1% of population total: 48.3% of population (2020 est.) Topic: Zimbabweimproved: urban: 96.1% of population rural: 49% of population total: 64.2% of population unimproved: urban: 3.9% of population rural: 51% of population total: 35.8% of population (2017 est.)

20220901

field-coastline

This entry gives the total length of the boundary between the land area (including islands) and the sea. Topic: Afghanistan0 km (landlocked) Topic: Akrotiri56.3 km Topic: Albania362 km Topic: Algeria998 km Topic: American Samoa116 km Topic: Andorra0 km (landlocked) Topic: Angola1,600 km Topic: Anguilla61 km Topic: Antarctica17,968 km Topic: Antigua and Barbuda153 km Topic: Arctic Ocean45,389 km Topic: Argentina4,989 km Topic: Armenia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Aruba68.5 km Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islands74.1 km Topic: Atlantic Ocean111,866 km Topic: Australia25,760 km Topic: Austria0 km (landlocked) Topic: Azerbaijan0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km) Topic: Bahamas, The3,542 km Topic: Bahrain161 km Topic: Bangladesh580 km Topic: Barbados97 km Topic: Belarus0 km (landlocked) Topic: Belgium66.5 km Topic: Belize386 km Topic: Benin121 km Topic: Bermuda103 km Topic: Bhutan0 km (landlocked) Topic: Bolivia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina20 km Topic: Botswana0 km (landlocked) Topic: Bouvet Island29.6 km Topic: Brazil7,491 km Topic: British Indian Ocean Territory698 km Topic: British Virgin Islands80 km Topic: Brunei161 km Topic: Bulgaria354 km Topic: Burkina Faso0 km (landlocked) Topic: Burma1,930 km Topic: Burundi0 km (landlocked) Topic: Cabo Verde965 km Topic: Cambodia443 km Topic: Cameroon402 km Topic: Canada202,080 km note: the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them some of the world's largest - contributes to Canada easily having the longest coastline in the world Topic: Cayman Islands160 km Topic: Central African Republic0 km (landlocked) Topic: Chad0 km (landlocked) Topic: Chile6,435 km Topic: China14,500 km Topic: Christmas Island138.9 km Topic: Clipperton Island11.1 km Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands26 km Topic: Colombia3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Topic: Comoros340 km Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the37 km Topic: Congo, Republic of the169 km Topic: Cook Islands120 km Topic: Coral Sea Islands3,095 km Topic: Costa Rica1,290 km Topic: Cote d'Ivoire515 km Topic: Croatia5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km) Topic: Cuba3,735 km Topic: Curacao364 km Topic: Cyprus648 km Topic: Czechia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Denmark7,314 km Topic: Dhekelia27.5 km Topic: Djibouti314 km Topic: Dominica148 km Topic: Dominican Republic1,288 km Topic: Ecuador2,237 km Topic: Egypt2,450 km Topic: El Salvador307 km Topic: Equatorial Guinea296 km Topic: Eritrea2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km) Topic: Estonia3,794 km Topic: Eswatini0 km (landlocked) Topic: Ethiopia0 km (landlocked) Topic: European Union53,563.9 km Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1,288 km Topic: Faroe Islands1,117 km Topic: Fiji1,129 km Topic: Finland1,250 km Topic: France4,853 km metropolitan France: 3,427 km Topic: French Polynesia2,525 km Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): 28 km Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): Iles Kerguelen: 2,800 km Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Europa Island (Iles Eparses): 22.2 km Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): 35.2 km Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): 24.1 km Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): 3.7 km Topic: Gabon885 km Topic: Gambia, The80 km Topic: Gaza Strip40 km Topic: Georgia310 km Topic: Germany2,389 km Topic: Ghana539 km Topic: Gibraltar12 km Topic: Greece13,676 km Topic: Greenland44,087 km Topic: Grenada121 km Topic: Guam125.5 km Topic: Guatemala400 km Topic: Guernsey50 km Topic: Guinea320 km Topic: Guinea-Bissau350 km Topic: Guyana459 km Topic: Haiti1,771 km Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islands101.9 km Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)0 km (landlocked) Topic: Honduras823 km (Caribbean Sea 669 km, Gulf of Fonseca 163 km) Topic: Hong Kong733 km Topic: Hungary0 km (landlocked) Topic: Iceland4,970 km Topic: India7,000 km Topic: Indian Ocean66,526 km Topic: Indonesia54,716 km Topic: Iran2,440 km - note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km) Topic: Iraq58 km Topic: Ireland1,448 km Topic: Isle of Man160 km Topic: Israel273 km Topic: Italy7,600 km Topic: Jamaica1,022 km Topic: Jan Mayen124.1 km Topic: Japan29,751 km Topic: Jersey70 km Topic: Jordan26 km Topic: Kazakhstan0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km) Topic: Kenya536 km Topic: Kiribati1,143 km Topic: Korea, North2,495 km Topic: Korea, South2,413 km Topic: Kosovo0 km (landlocked) Topic: Kuwait499 km Topic: Kyrgyzstan0 km (landlocked) Topic: Laos0 km (landlocked) Topic: Latvia498 km Topic: Lebanon225 km Topic: Lesotho0 km (landlocked) Topic: Liberia579 km Topic: Libya1,770 km Topic: Liechtenstein0 km (doubly landlocked) Topic: Lithuania90 km Topic: Luxembourg0 km (landlocked) Topic: Macau41 km Topic: Madagascar4,828 km Topic: Malawi0 km (landlocked) Topic: Malaysia4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Topic: Maldives644 km Topic: Mali0 km (landlocked) Topic: Malta196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo) Topic: Marshall Islands370.4 km Topic: Mauritania754 km Topic: Mauritius177 km Topic: Mexico9,330 km Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of6,112 km Topic: Moldova0 km (landlocked) Topic: Monaco4.1 km Topic: Mongolia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Montenegro293.5 km Topic: Montserrat40 km Topic: Morocco2,945 km Topic: Mozambique2,470 km Topic: Namibia1,572 km Topic: Nauru30 km Topic: Navassa Island8 km Topic: Nepal0 km (landlocked) Topic: Netherlands451 km Topic: New Caledonia2,254 km Topic: New Zealand15,134 km Topic: Nicaragua910 km Topic: Niger0 km (landlocked) Topic: Nigeria853 km Topic: Niue64 km Topic: Norfolk Island32 km Topic: North Macedonia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands1,482 km Topic: Norway25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords, numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length of island coastlines 58,133 km) Topic: Oman2,092 km Topic: Pacific Ocean135,663 km Topic: Pakistan1,046 km Topic: Palau1,519 km Topic: Panama2,490 km Topic: Papua New Guinea5,152 km Topic: Paracel Islands518 km Topic: Paraguay0 km (landlocked) Topic: Peru2,414 km Topic: Philippines36,289 km Topic: Pitcairn Islands51 km Topic: Poland440 km Topic: Portugal1,793 km Topic: Puerto Rico501 km Topic: Qatar563 km Topic: Romania225 km Topic: Russia37,653 km Topic: Rwanda0 km (landlocked) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena: 60 km Ascension Island: NA Tristan da Cunha (island only): 34 km Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis135 km Topic: Saint Lucia158 km Topic: Saint Martin58.9 km (for entire island) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon120 km Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines84 km Topic: Samoa403 km Topic: San Marino0 km (landlocked) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe209 km Topic: Saudi Arabia2,640 km Topic: Senegal531 km Topic: Serbia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Seychelles491 km Topic: Sierra Leone402 km Topic: Singapore193 km Topic: Sint Maarten58.9 km (for entire island) Topic: Slovakia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Slovenia46.6 km Topic: Solomon Islands5,313 km Topic: Somalia3,025 km Topic: South Africa2,798 km Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South Sudan0 km (landlocked) Topic: Southern Ocean17,968 km Topic: Spain4,964 km Topic: Spratly Islands926 km Topic: Sri Lanka1,340 km Topic: Sudan853 km Topic: Suriname386 km Topic: Svalbard3,587 km Topic: Sweden3,218 km Topic: Switzerland0 km (landlocked) Topic: Syria193 km Topic: Taiwan1,566.3 km Topic: Tajikistan0 km (landlocked) Topic: Tanzania1,424 km Topic: Thailand3,219 km Topic: Timor-Leste706 km Topic: Togo56 km Topic: Tokelau101 km Topic: Tonga419 km Topic: Trinidad and Tobago362 km Topic: Tunisia1,148 km Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)7,200 km Topic: Turkmenistan0 km (landlocked); note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands389 km Topic: Tuvalu24 km Topic: Uganda0 km (landlocked) Topic: Ukraine2,782 km Topic: United Arab Emirates1,318 km Topic: United Kingdom12,429 km Topic: United States19,924 km Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km Topic: Uruguay660 km Topic: Uzbekistan0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline Topic: Vanuatu2,528 km Topic: Venezuela2,800 km Topic: Vietnam3,444 km (excludes islands) Topic: Virgin Islands188 km Topic: Wake Island19.3 km Topic: Wallis and Futuna129 km Topic: West Bank0 km (landlocked) Topic: World356,000 km note: 95 nations and other entities are islands that border no other countries, they include: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, The Bahamas, Bahrain, Baker Island, Barbados, Bermuda, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cabo Verde, Cayman Islands, Christmas Island, Clipperton Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Comoros, Cook Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Cuba, Curacao, Cyprus, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guernsey, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Howland Island, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jan Mayen, Japan, Jarvis Island, Jersey, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Kiribati, Madagascar, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mayotte, Federated States of Micronesia, Midway Islands, Montserrat, Nauru, Navassa Island, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Palmyra Atoll, Paracel Islands, Philippines, Pitcairn Islands, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Solomon Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Spratly Islands, Sri Lanka, Svalbard, Taiwan, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Virgin Islands, Wake Island, Wallis and Futuna Topic: Yemen1,906 km Topic: Zambia0 km (landlocked) Topic: Zimbabwe0 km (landlocked)

20220901

countries-new-zealand-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in New Zealand. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in New Zealand. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 90 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [64] (4) 462-6000; United States Embassy Wellington, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand; AucklandACS@state.gov; https://nz.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 64 Local Emergency Phone: 111 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate with sharp regional contrasts Currency (Code): New Zealand dollars (NZD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I Major Languages: English, Maori, Samoan, Northern Chinese, Hindi, French, Yue Major Religions: Christian 37.3%, Hindu 2.7%, Maori 1.3%, Muslim, 1.3%, Buddhist 1.1%, other religion 1.6%, no religion 48.6% Time Difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April; note: New Zealand has two time zones: New Zealand standard time (UTC+12) and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time; UTC+12:45) Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Fiordland National Park & Milford Sound; Bay of Islands; Queenstown; Lake Taupo & Tongariro National Park; Lake Matheson; Lake Pukaki; Mount Cook National Park; Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers Major Sports: Rugby, cricket, netball, basketball, soccer, sailing Cultural Practices: An extended index and middle finger together expresses disdain and frustration. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is uncommon in restaurants unless the service was excellent. Some restaurants provide a tip jar on the counter. Tipping is uncommon in taxis, but you may round up the fare. It is not customary to tip at hotels. Souvenirs: Abalone, paua shell, and greenstone jewelry; stone and wood Maori tribal masks, statues, baskets, and weapons; sheepskin rugs, merino wool blankets, chamois cloths, other wool/lanolin items; Rimu timber clocks, Kiwi art, wine, honey Traditional Cuisine: Pavlova — a meringue-like dessert with a crisp Cornstarch-based outer crust and a soft and moist core; whipped cream and fruits, such as kiwi or passion fruit, are used as garnishesPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

20220901

field-ports-and-terminals

This entry lists major ports and terminals primarily on the basis of the amount of cargo tonnage shipped through the facilities on an annual basis. In some instances, the number of containers handled or ship visits were also considered. Most ports service multiple classes of vessels including bulk carriers (dry and liquid), break bulk cargoes (goods loaded individually in bags, boxes, crates, or drums; sometimes palletized), containers, roll-on/roll-off, and passenger ships. The listing leads off with major seaports handling all types of cargo. Inland river/lake ports are listed separately along with the river or lake name. Ports configured specifically to handle bulk cargoes are designated as oil terminals or dry bulk cargo ports. LNG terminals handle liquefied natural gas (LNG) and are differentiated as either export, where the gas is chilled to a liquid state to reduce its volume for transport on specialized gas carriers, or import, where the off-loaded LNG undergoes a regasification process before entering pipelines for distribution. As break bulk cargoes are largely transported by containers today, the entry also includes a listing of major container ports with the corresponding throughput measured in twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) referring to a standard container size. Some ports are significant for handling passenger traffic and are listed as cruise/ferry ports. In addition to commercial traffic, many seaports also provide important military infrastructure such as naval bases or dockyards. Topic: Afghanistanriver port(s): Hairatan, Qizil Qal`ah (Amu Darya) Topic: Albaniamajor seaport(s): Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore Topic: Algeriamajor seaport(s): Algiers, Annaba, Arzew, Bejaia, Djendjene, Jijel, Mostaganem, Oran, Skikda LNG terminal(s) (export): Arzew, Bethioua, Skikda Topic: American Samoamajor seaport(s): Pago Pago Topic: Angolamajor seaport(s): Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe LNG terminal(s) (export): Angola Soyo Topic: Anguillamajor seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay Topic: Antarcticamost coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities Topic: Antigua and Barbudamajor seaport(s): Saint John's Topic: Arctic Oceanmajor seaport(s): Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US) Topic: Argentinamajor seaport(s): Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Ushuaia container port(s) (TEUs): Buenos Aires (1,485,328) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Bahia Blanca river port(s): Arroyo Seco, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin (Parana) Topic: Arubamajor seaport(s): Barcadera, Oranjestad oil terminal(s): Sint Nicolaas cruise port(s): Oranjestad Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Atlantic Oceanmajor seaport(s): Alexandria (Egypt), Algiers (Algeria), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casablanca (Morocco), Colon (Panama), Copenhagen (Denmark), Dakar (Senegal), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), London (UK), Marseille (France), Montevideo (Uruguay), Montreal (Canada), Naples (Italy), New Orleans (US), New York (US), Oran (Algeria), Oslo (Norway), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Stockholm (Sweden) Topic: Australiamajor seaport(s): Indian Ocean: Adelaide, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Melbourne Pacific Ocean: Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Hobart, Newcastle, Port Port Kembla, Sydney container port(s) (TEUs): Melbourne (2,967,315), Sydney (2,572,714) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Australia Pacific, Barrow Island, Burrup (Pluto), Curtis Island, Darwin, Karratha, Bladin Point (Ichthys), Gladstone, Prelude (offshore FLNG), Wheatstone dry bulk cargo port(s): Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore) Topic: Austriariver port(s): Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna (Danube) Topic: Azerbaijanmajor seaport(s): Baku (Baki) located on the Caspian Sea Topic: Bahamas, Themajor seaport(s): Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point cruise port(s): Nassau container port(s) (TEUs): Freeport (1,396,568) (2019) Topic: Bahrainmajor seaport(s): Mina' Salman, Sitrah Topic: Bangladeshmajor seaport(s): Chattogram (Chittagong) container port(s) (TEUs): Chattogram (Chittagong) (3,088,187) (2019) river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River) Topic: Barbadosmajor seaport(s): Bridgetown Topic: Belarusriver port(s): Mazyr (Prypyats') Topic: Belgiummajor seaport(s): Oostende, Zeebrugge container port(s) (TEUs): Antwerp (11,860,204) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Zeebrugge river port(s): Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River) Brussels (Senne River) Liege (Meuse River) Topic: Belizemajor seaport(s): Belize City, Big Creek Topic: Beninmajor seaport(s): Cotonou LNG terminal(s) (import): Cotonou Topic: Bermudamajor seaport(s): Hamilton, Ireland Island, Saint George Topic: Boliviariver port(s): Puerto Aguirre (Paraguay/Parana) note: Bolivia has free port privileges in maritime ports in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinariver port(s): Bosanska Gradiska, Bosanski Brod, Bosanski Samac, Brcko, Orasje (Sava River) Topic: Bouvet Islandnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Brazilmajor seaport(s): Belem, Itajai, Paranagua, Rio Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Sebastiao, Tubarao oil terminal(s): DTSE/Gegua oil terminal, Ilha Grande (Gebig), Guaiba Island terminal, Guamare oil terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Itajai (1,223,262), Paranagua (865,110), Santos (4,165,248) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Pecem, Rio de Janiero river port(s): Manaus (Amazon) dry bulk cargo port(s): Sepetiba ore terminal, Tubarao Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorymajor seaport(s): Diego Garcia Topic: British Virgin Islandsmajor seaport(s): Road Harbor Topic: Bruneimajor seaport(s): Muara oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut Topic: Bulgariamajor seaport(s): Burgas, Varna (Black Sea) Topic: Burmamajor seaport(s): Mawlamyine (Moulmein), Sittwe river port(s): Rangoon (Yangon) (Rangoon River) Topic: Burundilake port(s): Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika) Topic: Cabo Verdemajor seaport(s): Porto Grande Topic: Cambodiamajor seaport(s): Sihanoukville (Kampong Saom) river port(s): Phnom Penh (Mekong) Topic: Cameroonoil terminal(s): Limboh Terminal river port(s): Douala (Wouri) Garoua (Benoue) Topic: Canadamajor seaport(s): Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Vancouver oil terminal(s): Lower Lakes terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Montreal (1,745,244), Vancouver (3,398,860) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Saint John river and lake port(s): Montreal, Quebec City, Sept-Isles (St. Lawrence) dry bulk cargo port(s): Port-Cartier (iron ore and grain), Fraser River Port (Fraser) Hamilton (Lake Ontario) Topic: Cayman Islandsmajor seaport(s): Cayman Brac, George Town Topic: Central African Republicriver port(s): Bangui (Oubangui) Nola (Sangha) Topic: Chilemajor seaport(s): Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso container port(s) (TEUs): San Antonio (1,709,635), Valparaiso (898,715) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Mejillones, Quintero Topic: Chinamajor seaport(s): Dalian, Ningbo, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin container port(s) (TEUs): Dalian (8,760,000), Guangzhou (23,236,200), Ningbo (27,530,000), Qingdao (21,010,000), Shanghai (43,303,000), Shenzhen (25,770,000), Tianjin (17,264,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong, Shanghai, Tangshan, Zhejiang river port(s): Guangzhou (Pearl) Topic: Christmas Islandmajor seaport(s): Flying Fish Cove Topic: Clipperton Islandnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsmajor seaport(s): Port Refuge Topic: Colombiamajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura oil terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Buenaventura (1,121,267), Cartagena (2,995,031) (2019) river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena) dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal) Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura Topic: Comorosmajor seaport(s): Moroni, Moutsamoudou Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of themajor seaport(s): Banana river or lake port(s): Boma, Bumba, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Matadi, Mbandaka (Congo); Kindu (Lualaba); Bukavu, Goma (Lake Kivu); Kalemie (Lake Tanganyika) Topic: Congo, Republic of themajor seaport(s): Pointe-Noire oil terminal(s): Djeno river port(s): Brazzaville (Congo) Impfondo (Oubangui) Ouesso (Sangha) Oyo (Alima) Topic: Cook Islandsmajor seaport(s): Avatiu Topic: Coral Sea Islandsnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Costa Ricamajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon Pacific Ocean - Caldera Topic: Cote d'Ivoiremajor seaport(s): Abidjan, San-Pedro oil terminal(s): Espoir Offshore Terminal Topic: Croatiamajor seaport(s): Ploce, Rijeka, Sibenik, Split oil terminal(s): Omisalj river port(s): Vukovar (Danube) Topic: Cubamajor seaport(s): Antilla, Cienfuegos, Guantanamo, Havana, Matanzas, Mariel, Nuevitas Bay, Santiago de Cuba Topic: Curacaomajor seaport(s): Willemstad oil terminal(s): Bullen Baai (Curacao Terminal) bulk cargo port(s): Fuik Bay (phosphate rock) Topic: Cyprusmajor seaport(s): area under government control: Larnaca, Limassol, Vasilikos area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Famagusta, Kyrenia Topic: Czechiariver port(s): Prague (Vltava) Decin, Usti nad Labem (Elbe) Topic: Denmarkmajor seaport(s): Baltic Sea - Aarhus, Copenhagen, Fredericia, Kalundborg cruise port(s): Copenhagen river port(s): Aalborg (Langerak) dry bulk cargo port(s): Ensted (coal) North Sea - Esbjerg, Topic: Djiboutimajor seaport(s): Djibouti Topic: Dominicamajor seaport(s): Portsmouth, Roseau Topic: Dominican Republicmajor seaport(s): Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo oil terminal(s): Punta Nizao oil terminal LNG terminal(s) (import): Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica) Topic: Ecuadormajor seaport(s): Esmeraldas, Manta, Puerto Bolivar container port(s) (TEUs): Guayaquil (1,680,751) (2019) river port(s): Guayaquil (Guayas) Topic: Egyptmajor seaport(s): Mediterranean Sea - Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said oil terminal(s): Ain Sukhna terminal, Sidi Kerir terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Port Said (East) (3,816,084) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Damietta, Idku (Abu Qir Bay) Gulf of Suez - Suez Topic: El Salvadormajor seaport(s): Puerto Cutuco oil terminal(s): Acajutla offshore terminal Topic: Equatorial Guineamajor seaport(s): Bata, Luba, Malabo LNG terminal(s) (export): Bioko Island Topic: Eritreamajor seaport(s): Assab, Massawa Topic: Estoniamajor seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn Topic: EthiopiaEthiopia is landlocked and uses the ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and Berbera in Somalia Topic: European Unionmajor port(s): Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), Braila (Romania), Bremen (Germany), Burgas (Bulgaria), Constanta (Romania), Copenhagen (Denmark), Galati (Romania), Gdansk (Poland), Hamburg (Germany), Helsinki (Finland), Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain), Le Havre (France), Lisbon (Portugal), Marseille (France), Naples (Italy), Peiraiefs or Piraeus (Greece), Riga (Latvia), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Split (Croatia), Stockholm (Sweden), Talinn (Estonia), Tulcea (Romania), Varna (Bulgaria) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)major seaport(s): Stanley Topic: Faroe Islandsmajor seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur Topic: Fijimajor seaport(s): Lautoka, Levuka, Suva Topic: Finlandmajor seaport(s): Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma Topic: Francemajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean: Brest, Calais, Dunkerque, Le Havre, Nantes Mediterranean Sea: Marseille container port(s) (TEUs): Le Havre (2,822,910) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Fos Cavaou, Fos Tonkin, Montoir de Bretagne river port(s): Bordeaux (Garronne); Nantes - Saint Nazaire (Loire); Paris, Rouen (Seine); Strasbourg (Rhine) cruise/ferry port(s): Calais, Cherbourg, Le Havre Topic: French Polynesiamajor seaport(s): Papeete Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Gabonmajor seaport(s): Libreville, Owendo, Port-Gentil oil terminal(s): Gamba, Lucina Topic: Gambia, Themajor seaport(s): Banjul Topic: Gaza Stripmajor seaport(s): Gaza Topic: Georgiamajor seaport(s): Black Sea - Batumi, Poti Topic: Germanymajor seaport(s): Baltic Sea: Kiel, Rostock North Sea: Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Emden, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven oil terminal(s): Brunsbuttel Canal terminals container port(s) (TEUs): Bremen/Bremerhaven (4,856,900), Hamburg (9,274,215) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Hamburg river port(s): Bremen (Weser); Bremerhaven (Geeste); Duisburg, Karlsruhe, Neuss-Dusseldorf (Rhine); Lubeck (Wakenitz); Brunsbuttel, Hamburg (Elbe) Topic: Ghanamajor seaport(s): Takoradi, Tema Topic: Gibraltarmajor seaport(s): Gibraltar Topic: Greecemajor seaport(s): Aspropyrgos, Pachi, Piraeus, Thessaloniki oil terminal(s): Agioi Theodoroi container port(s) (TEUs): Piraeus (5,648,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Revithoussa Topic: Greenlandmajor seaport(s): Sisimiut Topic: Grenadamajor seaport(s): Saint George's Topic: Guammajor seaport(s): Apra Harbor Topic: Guatemalamajor seaport(s): Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Topic: Guernseymajor seaport(s): Braye Bay, Saint Peter Port Topic: Guineamajor seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar Topic: Guinea-Bissaumajor seaport(s): Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim Topic: Guyanamajor seaport(s): Georgetown Topic: Haitimajor seaport(s): Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Hondurasmajor seaport(s): La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela Topic: Hong Kongmajor seaport(s): Hong Kong container port(s) (TEUs): Hong Kong (18,361,000) (2019) Topic: Hungaryriver port(s): Baja, Csepel (Budapest), Dunaujvaros, Gyor-Gonyu, Mohacs (Danube) Topic: Icelandmajor seaport(s): Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Reykjavik Topic: Indiamajor seaport(s): Chennai, Jawaharal Nehru Port, Kandla, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay), Sikka, Vishakhapatnam container port(s) (TEUs): Jawaharal Nehru Port (5,100,891), Mundra (4,732,699) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Dabhol, Dahej, Hazira Topic: Indian Oceanmajor seaport(s): Chennai (Madras, India); Colombo (Sri Lanka); Durban (South Africa); Jakarta (Indonesia); Kolkata (Calcutta, India); Melbourne (Australia); Mumbai (Bombay, India); Richards Bay (South Africa) Topic: Indonesiamajor seaport(s): Banjarmasin, Belawan, Kotabaru, Krueg Geukueh, Palembang, Panjang, Sungai Pakning, Tanjung Perak, Tanjung Priok container port(s) (TEUs): Tanjung Perak (3,900,000), Tanjung Priok (7,600,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Bontang, Tangguh LNG terminal(s) (import): Arun, Lampung, West Java Topic: Iranmajor seaport(s): Bandar-e Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni container port(s) (TEUs): Bandar Abbas Topic: Iraqriver port(s): Al Basrah (Shatt al Arab); Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr (Khawr az Zubayr waterway) Topic: Irelandmajor seaport(s): Dublin, Shannon Foynes cruise port(s): Cork (250,000), Dublin (359,966) (2020) container port(s) (TEUs): Dublin (529,563) (2016) river port(s): Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir) Topic: Isle of Manmajor seaport(s): Douglas, Ramsey Topic: Israelmajor seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,584,000) (2019) Topic: Italymajor seaport(s): Augusta, Cagliari, Genoa, Livorno, Taranto, Trieste, Venice oil terminal(s): Melilli (Santa Panagia) oil terminal, Sarroch oil terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Genoa (2,621,472), Gioia Tauro (2,523,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): La Spezia, Panigaglia, Porto Levante Topic: Jamaicamajor seaport(s): Discovery Bay (Port Rhoades), Kingston, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Port Esquivel, Port Kaiser, Rocky Point container port(s) (TEUs): Kingston (1,647,609) (2019) Topic: Jan Mayennone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Japanmajor seaport(s): Chiba, Kawasaki, Kobe, Mizushima, Moji, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Tomakomai, Yokohama container port(s) (TEUs): Kobe (2,871,642), Nagoya (2,844,004), Osaka (2,456,028), Tokyo (4,510,000), Yokohama (2,990,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Chita, Fukwoke, Futtsu, Hachinone, Hakodate, Hatsukaichi, Higashi Ohgishima, Higashi Niigata, Himeiji, Joetsu, Kagoshima, Kawagoe, Kita Kyushu, Mizushima, Nagasaki, Naoetsu, Negishi, Ohgishima, Oita, Sakai, Sakaide, Senboku, Shimizu, Shin Minato, Sodegaura, Tobata, Yanai, Yokkaichi Okinawa - Nakagusuku Topic: Jerseymajor seaport(s): Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier Topic: Jordanmajor seaport(s): Al 'Aqabah Topic: Kazakhstanmajor seaport(s): Caspian Sea - Aqtau (Shevchenko), Atyrau (Gur'yev) river port(s): Oskemen (Ust-Kamenogorsk), Pavlodar, Semey (Semipalatinsk) (Irtysh River) Topic: Kenyamajor seaport(s): Kisumu, Mombasa LNG terminal(s) (import): Mombasa Topic: Kiribatimajor seaport(s): Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor Topic: Korea, Northmajor seaport(s): Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam, Namp'o, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Wonsan Topic: Korea, Southmajor seaport(s): Busan, Incheon, Gunsan, Kwangyang, Mokpo, Pohang, Ulsan, Yeosu container port(s) (TEUs): Busan (21,992,001), Incheon (3,091,955), Kwangyang (2,378,337) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Incheon, Kwangyang, Pyeongtaek, Samcheok, Tongyeong, Yeosu Topic: Kuwaitmajor seaport(s): Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Az Zawr (Mina' Sa'ud), Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi Topic: Kyrgyzstanlake port(s): Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol) Topic: Latviamajor seaport(s): Riga, Ventspils Topic: Lebanonmajor seaport(s): Beirut, Tripoli container port(s) (TEUs): Beirut (1,229,100) (2019) Topic: Liberiamajor seaport(s): Buchanan, Monrovia Topic: Libyamajor seaport(s): Marsa al Burayqah (Marsa el Brega), Tripoli oil terminal(s): Az Zawiyah, Ra's Lanuf LNG terminal(s) (export): Marsa el Brega Topic: Lithuaniamajor seaport(s): Klaipeda oil terminal(s): Butinge oil terminal LNG terminal(s) (import): Klaipeda Topic: Luxembourgriver port(s): Mertert (Moselle) Topic: Macaumajor seaport(s): Macau Topic: Madagascarmajor seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear) Topic: Malawilake port(s): Chipoka, Monkey Bay, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Chilumba (Lake Nyasa) Topic: Malaysiamajor seaport(s): Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Pelabuhan Klang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas container port(s) (TEUs): Port Kelang (Port Klang) (13,580,717), Tanjung Pelepas (9,100,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Bintulu (Sarawak) LNG terminal(s) (import): Sungei Udang Topic: Maldivesmajor seaport(s): Male Topic: Maliriver port(s): Koulikoro (Niger) Topic: Maltamajor seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (2,722,889) (2019) Topic: Marshall Islandsmajor seaport(s): Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro Topic: Mauritaniamajor seaport(s): Nouadhibou, Nouakchott Topic: Mauritiusmajor seaport(s): Port Louis Topic: Mexicomajor seaport(s): Altamira, Coatzacoalcos, Lazaro Cardenas, Manzanillo, Veracruz oil terminal(s): Cayo Arcas terminal, Dos Bocas terminal cruise port(s): Cancun, Cozumel, Ensenada container port(s) (TEUs): Lazaro Cardenas (1,318,732), Manzanillo (3,069,189), Veracruz (1,144,156) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Altamira, Ensenada Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofmajor seaport(s): Colonia (Tamil Harbor), Molsron Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor Topic: Monacomajor seaport(s): Hercules Port Topic: Montenegromajor seaport(s): Bar Topic: Montserratmajor seaport(s): Little Bay, Plymouth Topic: Moroccomajor seaport(s): Ad Dakhla, Agadir, Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Laayoune (El Aaiun), Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier container port(s) (TEUs): Tangier (4,801,713) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Jorf Lasfar (planned) Topic: Mozambiquemajor seaport(s): Beira, Maputo, Nacala Topic: Namibiamajor seaport(s): Luderitz, Walvis Bay Topic: Naurumajor seaport(s): Nauru Topic: Navassa Islandnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Netherlandsmajor seaport(s): IJmuiden, Vlissingen container port(s) (TEUs): Rotterdam (14,810,804) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Rotterdam river port(s): Amsterdam (Nordsee Kanaal); Moerdijk (Hollands Diep River); Rotterdam (Rhine River); Terneuzen (Western Scheldt River) Topic: New Caledoniamajor seaport(s): Noumea Topic: New Zealandmajor seaport(s): Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington Topic: Nicaraguamajor seaport(s): Bluefields, Corinto Topic: Nigeriamajor seaport(s): Bonny Inshore Terminal, Calabar, Lagos oil terminal(s): Bonny Terminal, Brass Terminal, Escravos Terminal, Forcados Terminal, Pennington Terminal, Qua Iboe Terminal LNG terminal(s) (export): Bonny Island Topic: Niuemajor seaport(s): Alofi Topic: Norfolk Islandmajor seaport(s): Kingston Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsmajor seaport(s): Saipan, Tinian, Rota Topic: Norwaymajor seaport(s): Bergen, Haugesund, Maaloy, Mongstad, Narvik, Sture LNG terminal(s) (export): Kamoy, Kollsnes, Melkoya Island LNG terminal(s) (import): Fredrikstad, Mosjoen Topic: Omanmajor seaport(s): Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar container port(s) (TEUs): Salalah (4,109,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Qalhat Topic: Pacific Oceanmajor seaport(s): Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Topic: Pakistanmajor seaport(s): Karachi, Port Muhammad Bin Qasim container port(s) (TEUs): Karachi (2,097,855) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Port Qasim Topic: Palaumajor seaport(s): Koror Topic: Panamamajor seaport(s): Balboa, Colon, Cristobal container port(s) (TEUs): Balboa (2,894,654), Colon (4,379,477) (2019) Topic: Papua New Guineamajor seaport(s): Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, Wewak LNG terminal(s) (export): Port Moresby Topic: Paracel Islandssmall Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island Topic: Paraguayriver port(s): Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana) Topic: Perumajor seaport(s): Callao, Matarani, Paita oil terminal(s): Conchan oil terminal, La Pampilla oil terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Callao (2,313,907) (2019) river port(s): Iquitos, Pucallpa, Yurimaguas (Amazon) Topic: Philippinesmajor seaport(s): Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Liman, Manila container port(s) (TEUs): Manila (5,315,500) (2019) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsmajor seaport(s): Adamstown (on Bounty Bay) Topic: Polandmajor seaport(s): Gdansk, Gdynia, Swinoujscie container port(s) (TEUs): Gdansk (2,073,215) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Swinoujscie river port(s): Szczecin (River Oder) Topic: Portugalmajor seaport(s): Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines container port(s) (TEUs): Sines (1,420,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Sines Topic: Puerto Ricomajor seaport(s): Ensenada Honda, Mayaguez, Playa de Guayanilla, Playa de Ponce, San Juan container port(s) (TEUs): San Juan (2,142,662) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Guayanilla Bay Topic: Qatarmajor seaport(s): Doha, Musay'id, Ra's Laffan LNG terminal(s) (export): Ras Laffan Topic: Romaniamajor seaport(s): Constanta, Midia river port(s): Braila, Galati (Galatz), Mancanului (Giurgiu), Tulcea (Danube River) Topic: Russiamajor seaport(s): Arctic Ocean: Arkhangelsk, Murmansk Baltic Sea: Kaliningrad, Primorsk, Saint Petersburg Black Sea: Novorossiysk Pacific Ocean: Nakhodka, Vladivostok, Vostochnyy oil terminal(s): Kavkaz oil terminal, Primorsk container port(s) (TEUs): Saint Petersburg (2,221,724) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Sabetta, Sakhalin Island river port(s): Astrakhan, Kazan (Volga River); Rostov-on-Don (Don River); Saint Petersburg (Neva River) Topic: Rwandalake port(s): Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu) Topic: Saint Barthelemymajor seaport(s): Gustavia Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhamajor seaport(s): Saint Helena Saint Helena: Jamestown Ascension Island: Georgetown Tristan da Cunha: Calshot Harbor (Edinburgh) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevismajor seaport(s): Basseterre, Charlestown Topic: Saint Luciamajor seaport(s): Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonmajor seaport(s): Saint-Pierre Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesmajor seaport(s): Kingstown Topic: Samoamajor seaport(s): Apia Topic: Sao Tome and Principemajor seaport(s): Sao Tome Topic: Saudi Arabiamajor seaport(s): Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Jeddah, King Abdulla, Yanbu' container port(s) (TEUs): Ad Dammam (1,822,642), Jeddah (4,433,991), King Abdulla (2,020,683) (2019) Topic: Senegalmajor seaport(s): Dakar Topic: Serbiariver port(s): Belgrade (Danube) Topic: Seychellesmajor seaport(s): Victoria Topic: Sierra Leonemajor seaport(s): Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands Topic: Singaporemajor seaport(s): Singapore container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (37,195,636) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Singapore Topic: Sint Maartenmajor seaport(s): Philipsburg oil terminal(s): Coles Bay oil terminal Topic: Slovakiariver port(s): Bratislava, Komarno (Danube) Topic: Sloveniamajor seaport(s): Koper Topic: Solomon Islandsmajor seaport(s): Honiara, Malloco Bay, Viru Harbor, Tulagi Topic: Somaliamajor seaport(s): Berbera, Kismaayo Topic: South Africamajor seaport(s): Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Saldanha Bay container port(s) (TEUs): Durban (2,769,869) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Mossel Bay Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsmajor seaport(s): Grytviken Topic: Southern Oceanmajor seaport(s): McMurdo, Palmer, and offshore anchorages in Antarctica note: few ports or harbors exist on the southern side of the Southern Ocean; ice conditions limit use of most to short periods in midsummer; even then some cannot be entered without icebreaker escort; most Antarctic ports are operated by government research stations and, except in an emergency, are not open to commercial or private vessels Topic: Spainmajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean: Bilbao, Huelva; Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (in the Canary Islands) Mediterranean Sea: Algeciras, Barcelona, Cartagena, Tarragona, Valencia  container port(s) (TEUs): Algeciras (5,125,385), Barcelona (3,324,650), Valencia (5,439,827) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Barcelona, Bilbao, Cartagena, Huelva, Mugardos, Sagunto river port(s): Seville (Guadalquivir River) Topic: Spratly Islandsnone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Sri Lankamajor seaport(s): Colombo container port(s) (TEUs): Colombo (7,228,337) (2019) Topic: Sudanmajor seaport(s): Port Sudan Topic: Surinamemajor seaport(s): Paramaribo, Wageningen Topic: Svalbardmajor seaport(s): Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Topic: Swedenmajor seaport(s): Brofjorden, Goteborg, Helsingborg, Karlshamn, Lulea, Malmo, Stockholm, Trelleborg, Visby LNG terminal(s) (import): Brunnsviksholme, Lysekil Topic: Switzerlandriver port(s): Basel (Rhine) Topic: Syriamajor seaport(s): Baniyas, Latakia, Tartus Topic: Taiwanmajor seaport(s): Keelung (Chi-lung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung container port(s) (TEUs): Kaohsiung (10,428,634), Taichung (1,793,966), Taipei (1,620,392) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Yung An (Kaohsiung), Taichung Topic: Tanzaniamajor seaport(s): Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Topic: Thailandmajor seaport(s): Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut, Prachuap Port, Si Racha container port(s) (TEUs): Laem Chabang (8,106,928) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Map Ta Phut Topic: Timor-Lestemajor seaport(s): Dili Topic: Togomajor seaport(s): Kpeme, Lome Topic: Tokelaunone; offshore anchorage only Topic: Tongamajor seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai Topic: Trinidad and Tobagomajor seaport(s): Point Fortin, Point Lisas, Port of Spain, Scarborough oil terminal(s): Galeota Point terminal LNG terminal(s) (export): Port Fortin Topic: Tunisiamajor seaport(s): Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)major seaport(s): Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca container port(s) (TEUs): Ambarli (3,104,882), Mersin (Icel) (1,854,312), Izmet (1,715,193) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Izmir Aliaga, Marmara Ereglisi Topic: Turkmenistanmajor seaport(s): Caspian Sea - Turkmenbasy Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsmajor seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales Topic: Tuvalumajor seaport(s): Funafuti Topic: Ugandalake port(s): Entebbe, Jinja, Port Bell (Lake Victoria) Topic: Ukrainemajor seaport(s): Feodosiia, Chornomorsk, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Yuzhne river port(s): Kherson, Kyiv (Dnieper River), Mykolaiv (Pivdennyy Buh River) Topic: United Arab Emiratesmajor seaport(s): Al Fujayrah, Mina' Jabal 'Ali (Dubai), Khor Fakkan (Khawr Fakkan) (Sharjah), Mubarraz Island (Abu Dhabi), Mina' Rashid (Dubai), Mina' Saqr (Ra's al Khaymah) container port(s) (TEUs): Dubai Port (14,111,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Das Island Topic: United Kingdommajor seaport(s): Dover, Felixstowe, Immingham, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Teesport (England); Forth Ports (Scotland); Milford Haven (Wales) oil terminal(s): Fawley Marine terminal, Liverpool Bay terminal (England); Braefoot Bay terminal, Finnart oil terminal, Hound Point terminal (Scotland) container port(s) (TEUs): Felixstowe (3,584,000), London (2,790,000), Southampton (1,924,847) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Isle of Grain, Milford Haven, Teesside Topic: United Statesmajor seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean: Charleston, Hampton Roads, New York/New Jersey, Savannah Pacific Ocean: Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle/Tacoma Gulf of Mexico: Houston oil terminal(s): LOOP terminal, Haymark terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Charleston (2,436,185), Hampton Roads (2,937,962), Houston (2,987,291), Long Beach (7,632,032), Los Angeles (9,337,632), New York/New Jersey (7,471,131), Oakland (2,500,431), Savannah (4,599,177), Seattle/Tacoma (3,775,303) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Cameron (LA), Corpus Christi (TX), Cove Point (MD), Elba Island (GA), Freeport (TX), Sabine Pass (LA) note - two additional export facilities are under construction and expected to begin commercial operations in 2023-2024 LNG terminal(s) (import): Cove Point (MD), Elba Island (GA), Everett (MA), Freeport (TX), Golden Pass (TX), Hackberry (LA), Lake Charles (LA), Neptune (offshore), Northeast Gateway (offshore), Pascagoula (MS), Sabine Pass (TX) river port(s): Baton Rouge, Plaquemines, New Orleans (Mississippi River) cargo ports: Baton Rouge, Corpus Christi, Hampton Roads, Houston, Long Beach, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Plaquemines (LA), Tampa, Texas City cruise departure ports (passengers): Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral, Seattle, Long Beach Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesmajor seaport(s): Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands, and Kingman Reef: none; offshore anchorage only Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island Midway Islands: Sand Island Palmyra Atoll: West Lagoon Topic: Uruguaymajor seaport(s): Montevideo Topic: Uzbekistanriver port(s): Termiz (Amu Darya) Topic: Vanuatumajor seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila Topic: Venezuelamajor seaport(s): La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon oil terminal(s): Jose terminal Topic: Vietnammajor seaport(s): Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Haiphong, Phu My, Quy Nhon container port(s) (TEUs): Saigon (7,220,377), Cai Mep (3,742,384), Haiphong (5,133,150) (2019) river port(s): Ho Chi Minh (Mekong) Topic: Virgin Islandsmajor seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay Topic: Wake Islandnone; two offshore anchorages for large ships Topic: Wallis and Futunamajor seaport(s): Leava, Mata-Utu Topic: Worldtop twenty container ports as measured by Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) throughput: Shanghai (China) - 43,303,000; Singapore (Singapore) - 37,195,636; Ningbo (China) - 27,530,000; Shenzhen (China) - 25,770,000; Guangzhou (China) - 23,236,200; Busan (South Korea) - 21,992,001; Qingdao (China) - 21,010,000; Hong Kong (China) - 18,361,000; Tianjin (China) - 17,264,000; Rotterdam (Netherlands) - 14,810,804; Dubai (UAE) - 14,111,000; Port Kelang (Malaysia) - 13,580,717; Antwerp (Belgium) - 11,860,204; Xiamen (China) - 11,122,200; Kaohsiung (Taiwan) - 10,428,634; Los Angeles (US) - 9,337,632; Hamburg (Germany) - 9,274,215; Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia) - 9,100,000; Dalian (China) - 8,760,000; Laem Chabang (Thailand) - 8,106,928 (2019) Topic: Yemenmajor seaport(s): Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla Topic: Zambiariver port(s): Mpulungu (Zambezi) Topic: Zimbabweriver port(s): Binga, Kariba (Zambezi)

20220901

countries-kenya

Topic: Photos of Kenya Topic: Introduction Background: Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The British established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, which in 1920 was converted into a colony and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK subsequently led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963. Jomo KENYATTA, the founding president and an icon of the liberation struggle, led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel Arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make itself the sole legal political party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.  KIBAKI's reelection in 2007 resulted in two months of post-election ethnic violence that caused the death of more than 1,100 people and the dislocation of hundreds of thousands. Opposition candidate, Raila ODINGA, accused the government of widespread vote rigging. African Union-sponsored mediation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi ANNAN resulted in a power-sharing accord that brought ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform. In 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in March 2013. KENYATTA won a second and final term in office in November 2017 following a contentious, repeat election.Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The British established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, which in 1920 was converted into a colony and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK subsequently led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania Geographic coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 580,367 sq km land: 569,140 sq km water: 11,227 sq km Area - comparative: five times the size of Ohio; slightly more than twice the size of Nevada Land boundaries: total: 3,457 km border countries (5): Ethiopia 867 km; Somalia 684 km; South Sudan 317 km; Tanzania 775 km; Uganda 814 km Coastline: 536 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Elevation: highest point: Mount Kenya 5,199 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 762 m Natural resources: limestone, soda ash, salt, gemstones, fluorspar, zinc, diatomite, gypsum, wildlife, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 48.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 37.4% (2018 est.) forest: 6.1% (2018 est.) other: 45.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,030 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin Population distribution: population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasonsvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcanorecurring drought; flooding during rainy seasonsvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano Geography - note: the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda Map description: Kenya map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.Kenya map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 55,864,655 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Kenyan(s) adjective: Kenyan Ethnic groups: Kikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% (2019 est.) Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili) Religions: Christian 85.5% (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4%, African Instituted Churches 7%, other Christian 4.1%), Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2% (2019 est.) Demographic profile: Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at just over 3 children today.Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017.Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at just over 3 children today.Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017. Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.71% (male 10,412,321/female 10,310,908) 15-24 years: 20.45% (male 5,486,641/female 5,460,372) 25-54 years: 33.75% (male 9,046,946/female 9,021,207) 55-64 years: 4.01% (male 1,053,202/female 1,093,305) 65 years and over: 3.07% (2020 est.) (male 750,988/female 892,046) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 69.8 youth dependency ratio: 65.5 elderly dependency ratio: 4.3 potential support ratio: 23.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 20 years male: 19.9 years female: 20.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.12% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 26.39 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 29% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 5.119 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.389 million Mombassa (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.3 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 342 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 27.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.69 years male: 67.98 years female: 71.43 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.29 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 59.7% (2019) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 91.3% of population rural: 63.3% of population total: 71.2% of population unimproved: urban: 8.7% of population rural: 36.7% of population total: 28.8% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.6% (2019) Physicians density: 0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 84% of population rural: 48.1% of population total: 58.2% of population unimproved: urban: 16% of population rural: 51.9% of population total: 41.8% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.4 million (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 29,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 7.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 11.1% (2020 est.) male: 19.5% (2020 est.) female: 2.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.2% (2014) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.5% male: 85% female: 78.2% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.9% male: 12% female: 13.8% (2019) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution from urban and industrial wastes; water shortage and degraded water quality from increased use of pesticides and fertilizers; flooding; water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; poaching Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 25.85 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 17.91 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 37.65 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior Land use: agricultural land: 48.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 37.4% (2018 est.) forest: 6.1% (2018 est.) other: 45.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 29% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.3% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies Food insecurity: exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to drought conditions - about 3.1 million people were estimated to be severely food insecure in February 2022 reflecting consecutive poor rainy seasons since late 2020 that affected crop and livestock production, mainly in northern and eastern pastoral, agro-pastoral and marginal agricultural areas; the deterioration of the food security situation is mainly due to the negative impact of two consecutive poor rainy seasons since October 2020 on crop and livestock production and on on‑farm income‑earning opportunities; the impact of the measures implemented to curb the spread of the COVID‑19 pandemic on economic activities exacerbated food insecurity (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 5,595,099 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 447,608 tons (2009 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2009 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 495 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 303 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.234 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 30.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kenya conventional short form: Kenya local long form: Republic of Kenya (English)/ Jamhuri ya Kenya (Swahili) local short form: Kenya former: British East Africa etymology: named for Mount Kenya; the meaning of the name is unclear but may derive from the Kikuyu, Embu, and Kamba words "kirinyaga," "kirenyaa," and "kiinyaa" - all of which mean "God's resting place" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Nairobi geographic coordinates: 1 17 S, 36 49 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the Maasai expression meaning "cool waters" and refers to a cold water stream that flowed through the area in the late 19th century Administrative divisions: 47 counties; Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo/Marakwet, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kericho, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Makueni, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang'a, Nairobi City, Nakuru, Nandi, Narok, Nyamira, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Samburu, Siaya, Taita/Taveta, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, Wajir, West Pokot Independence: 12 December 1963 (from the UK) National holiday: Jamhuri Day (Independence Day), 12 December (1963); note - Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963) marks the day Kenya attained internal self-rule Constitution: history: current constitution passed by referendum on 4 August 2010 amendments: amendments can be proposed by either house of Parliament or by petition of at least one million eligible voters; passage of amendments by Parliament requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses in each of two readings, approval in a referendum by majority of votes cast by at least 20% of eligible voters in at least one half of Kenya’s counties, and approval by the president; passage of amendments introduced by petition requires approval by a majority of county assemblies, approval by majority vote of both houses, and approval by the president Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law; judicial review in the new Supreme Court established by the new constitution International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Uhuru KENYATTA (since 9 April 2013); Deputy President William RUTO (since 9 April 2013); note - position of the prime minister was abolished after the March 2013 elections cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly elections/appointments: president and deputy president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); in addition to receiving an absolute majority popular vote, the presidential candidate must also win at least 25% of the votes cast in at least 24 of the 47 counties to avoid a runoff; election last held on 26 October 2017 (next to be held on 9 August 2022) election results: 2017: Uhuru KENYATTA reelected president; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (Jubilee Party) 98.3%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 1%, other 0.7%; note - Kenya held a previous presidential election on 8 August 2017, but Kenya's Supreme Court on 1 September 2017 nullified the results, citing irregularities; the political opposition boycotted the October vote 2013:  Uhuru KENYATTA elected president in first round; percent of vote - Uhuru KENYATTA (TNA) 50.1%, Raila ODINGA (ODM) 43.7%, Musalia MUDAVADI (UDF) 4.0%, other 2.2%  Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (68 seats; 47 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 20 directly elected by proportional representation vote - 16 women, 2 representing youth, 2 representing the disabled, and the Senate speaker; members serve 5-year terms) National Assembly (350 seats; 290 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 47 women in single-seat constituencies elected by simple majority vote, and 12 members nominated by the National Assembly - 6 representing youth and 6 representing the disabled, and the Assembly speaker; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2022) National Assembly - last held on 8 August 2017 (next to be held on 9 August 2022) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 24; National Super Alliance 28, other 14, independent 1; composition - men 46, women 22, percent of women is 32.4% National Assembly - percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Jubilee Party 165, National Super Alliance 119, other 51, independent 13; composition - men 275, women 75, percent of women 21.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 23% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges) judge selection and term of office: chief and deputy chief justices nominated by Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and appointed by the president with approval of the National Assembly; other judges nominated by the JSC and appointed by president; chief justice serves a nonrenewable 10-year term or until age 70, whichever comes first; other judges serve until age 70 subordinate courts: High Court; Court of Appeal; military courts; magistrates' courts; religious courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance Party of Kenya or APK [Kiraitu MURUNGI] Amani National Congress or ANC [Musalia MUDAVADI] Federal Party of Kenya or FPK [Cyrus JIRONGA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-K [Moses WETANGULA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-P [Henry OBWOCHA] Jubilee Party [Uhuru KENYATTA] Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI] National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Charity NGILU] Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya or ODM [Raila ODINGA] Wiper Democratic Movement-K or WDM-K (formerly Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K) [Kalonzo MUSYOKA] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCT, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lazarus Ombai AMAYO (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 1616 P Street NW, Suite 340, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 387-6101 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3829 email address and website: information@kenyaembassydc.org https://kenyaembassydc.org/# consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Eric W. KNEEDLER (since 20 January 2021) embassy: P.O. Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi mailing address: 8900 Nairobi Place, Washington, DC  20521-8900 telephone: [254] (20) 363-6000 FAX: [254] (20) 363-6157 email address and website: kenya_acs@state.gov https://ke.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a large Maasai warrior's shield covering crossed spears is superimposed at the center; black symbolizes the majority population, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green stands for natural wealth, and white for peace; the shield and crossed spears symbolize the defense of freedom National symbol(s): lion; national colors: black, red, green, white National anthem: name: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation) lyrics/music: Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (4 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Lake Turkana National Parks (n); Mount Kenya National Park (n); Lamu Old Town (c); Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests (c); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (c); Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley (n); Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties.   Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing.   Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017.   In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018.   The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing.Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing. Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017. In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018. The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $226.94 billion (2020 est.) $227.64 billion (2019 est.) $216.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5.39% (2019 est.) 6.32% (2018 est.) 4.79% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $4,200 (2020 est.) $4,300 (2019 est.) $4,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $95.52 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 8% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2007) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2010) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 34.5% (2017 est.) industry: 17.8% (2017 est.) services: 47.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 79.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 13.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.5% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, milk, maize, potatoes, bananas, camel milk, cassava, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas, cabbages Industries: small-scale consumer goods (plastic, furniture, batteries, textiles, clothing, soap, cigarettes, flour), agricultural products, horticulture, oil refining; aluminum, steel, lead; cement, commercial ship repair, tourism, information technology Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 19.6 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 61.1% industry: 6.7% services: 32.2% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 40% (2013 est.) 40% (2001 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.9% male: 12% female: 13.8% (2019) Population below poverty line: 36.1% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.8 (2015 est.) 42.5 (2008 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 37.8% (2005) Budget: revenues: 13.95 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.24 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 54.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$57.594 billion (2019 est.) -$56.194 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $11.49 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $11.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $9.723 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: Uganda 10%, United States 9%, Netherlands 8%, Pakistan 7%, United Kingdom 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Tanzania 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: tea, cut flowers, refined petroleum, coffee, titanium (2019) Imports: $20.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.17 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $18.653 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 24%, United Arab Emirates 10%, India 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, wheat, iron products (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.354 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $7.256 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $29.289 billion (2019 est.) $25.706 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Kenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 111.45 (2020 est.) 101.4 (2019 est.) 102.4 (2018 est.) 98.179 (2014 est.) 87.921 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 85% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 79% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.304 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 8.243 billion kWh (2019 est.) exports: 16 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 277 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.724 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 8.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 10.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 32.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 46.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 821,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 822,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 116,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 13,960 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 173 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 90,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 17.709 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.25 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 16.459 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 6.31 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 66,646 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 61,408,904 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Kenya’s telecom market continues to undergo considerable changes in the wake of increased competition, improved international connectivity, and rapid developments in the mobile market; the country is directly connected to a number of submarine cables, and with Mombasa as a landing point for LIT’s newly completed East and West Africa terrestrial network, the country serves as a key junction for onward connectivity to the Arabian states and the Far East; the additional internet capacity has meant that the cost of internet access has fallen dramatically in recent years, allowing services to be affordable to a far greater proportion of the population; the incumbent fixed-line telco Telkom Kenya has struggled to make headway in this market, prompting reorganization in 2018 which included a sale and leaseback arrangement with its mobile tower portfolio; a further restructuring exercise in late 2020 was aimed at repositioning the company for the digital age, and to improve its ability to compete in the market; numerous competitors are rolling out national and metropolitan backbone networks and wireless access networks to deliver services to population centers across the country; several fiber infrastructure sharing agreements have been forged, and as a result the number of fiber broadband connections has increased sharply in recent years; much of the progress in the broadband segment is due to the government’s revised national broadband strategy, which has been updated with goals through to 2030, and which are largely dependent on mobile broadband platforms based on LTE and 5G. (2022) domestic: fixed-line subscriptions stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; multiple providers in the mobile-cellular segment of the market fostering a boom in mobile-cellular telephone usage with teledensity reaching 114 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 254; landing point for the EASSy, TEAMS, LION2, DARE1, PEACE Cable, and SEACOM fiber-optic submarine cable systems covering East, North and South Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat; launched first micro satellites in 2018 (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: about a half-dozen large-scale privately owned media companies with TV and radio stations, as well as a state-owned TV broadcaster, provide service nationwide; satellite and cable TV subscription services available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates 2 national radio channels and provides regional and local radio services in multiple languages; many private radio stations broadcast on a national level along with over 100 private and non-profit regional stations broadcasting in local languages; TV transmissions of all major international broadcasters available, mostly via paid subscriptions; direct radio frequency modulation transmissions available for several foreign government-owned broadcasters (2019) Internet country code: .ke Internet users: total: 16,131,390 (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 674,191 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 25 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 188 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,935,831 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 294.97 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5Y Airports: total: 197 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 181 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 107 under 914 m: 60 (2021) Pipelines: 4 km oil, 1,432 km refined products (2018) Railways: total: 3,819 km (2018) standard gauge: 485 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 3,334 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 161,452 km (2018) paved: 14,420 km (2017) (8,500 km highways, 1,872 urban roads, and 4,048 rural roads) unpaved: 147,032 km (2017) Waterways: (2011) none specifically; the only significant inland waterway is the part of Lake Victoria within the boundaries of Kenya; Kisumu is the main port and has ferry connections to Uganda and Tanzania Merchant marine: total: 26 by type: oil tanker 3, other 23 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kisumu, Mombasa LNG terminal(s) (import): Mombasa Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Kenya Defense Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force (2022) note 1: the National Police Service maintains internal security and reports to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; it includes a paramilitary General Service Unit note 2: the Kenya Coast Guard Service (established 2018) is under the Ministry of Interior, but led by a military officer and comprised of personnel from the military, as well as the National Police Service, intelligence services, and other government agencies Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $1.21 billion) 1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.24 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.19 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 24,000 personnel (20,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 2,500 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the KDF's inventory traditionally carried mostly older or second-hand Western weapons systems, particularly from France, the UK, and the US; however, since the 2000s it has sought to modernize and diversify its imports, and suppliers have included more than a dozen countries ranging from China to Italy, Jordan, and the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: no conscription; 18-26 years of age for male and female voluntary service (under 18 with parental consent; upper limit 30 years of age for specialists, tradesmen, or women with a diploma; 39 years of age for chaplains/imams), with a 9-year obligation (7 years for Kenyan Navy) and subsequent 3-year re-enlistments; applicants must be Kenyan citizens (2022) Military deployments: 260 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 3,650 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022) Military - note: Kenyan military forces intervened in Somalia in October 2011 to combat the al Qaida-affiliated al-Shabaab terrorist group, which had conducted numerous cross-border attacks into Kenya; in November 2011, the UN and the African Union invited Kenya to incorporate the force into the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM); Kenyan forces were formally integrated into AMISOM in February 2012; as of 2022, they consisted of approximately 3,600 troops and were responsible for AMISOM’s Sector 2 comprising Lower and Middle Jubba (see Appendix-T for additional details on al-Shabaab) (2022) Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports that shipping in territorial and offshore waters in the Indian Ocean remain at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): al-Shabaab; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: as of March 2022, Kenya provides shelter to nearly 548,000 refugees and asylum seekers, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army rebels Kenya-Ethiopia: their border was demarcated in the 1950s and approved in 1970; in 2012, Kenya and Ethiopia agreed to redemarcate their boundary following disputes over beacons and crossborder crime Kenya-Somalia: Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; in 2021, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave Somalia control over a disputed ocean area where the seabeds are believed to hold vasts oil and gas deposits; the ICJ ruling gives Somalia the rights to several offshore oil exploration blocks previously claimed by Kenya; Kenya did not recognize the court’s decision Kenya-South Sudan: two thirds of the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty known as the Ilemi Triangle has been unclear since British colonial times; Kenya has administered the area since colonial times; officials from Kenya and South Sudan signed a M.o.U. on boundary delimitation and demarcation and agreed to set up a joint committee; as of July 2019, the demarcation process was to begin in 90 days, but was delayed due to a lack of funding Kenya-Sudan: Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005 Kenya-Tanzania: Kenya and Tanzania were conducting a joint reaffirmation process in November 2021 to ensure the border was visibly marked with pillars Kenya-Uganda: Kenya and Uganda began a joint demarcation of the boundary in 2021   as of March 2022, Kenya provides shelter to nearly 548,000 refugees and asylum seekers, including Ugandans who flee across the border periodically to seek protection from Lord's Resistance Army rebelsKenya-Ethiopia: their border was demarcated in the 1950s and approved in 1970; in 2012, Kenya and Ethiopia agreed to redemarcate their boundary following disputes over beacons and crossborder crimeKenya-Somalia: Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; in 2021, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave Somalia control over a disputed ocean area where the seabeds are believed to hold vasts oil and gas deposits; the ICJ ruling gives Somalia the rights to several offshore oil exploration blocks previously claimed by Kenya; Kenya did not recognize the court’s decisionKenya-South Sudan: two thirds of the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty known as the Ilemi Triangle has been unclear since British colonial times; Kenya has administered the area since colonial times; officials from Kenya and South Sudan signed a M.o.U. on boundary delimitation and demarcation and agreed to set up a joint committee; as of July 2019, the demarcation process was to begin in 90 days, but was delayed due to a lack of fundingKenya-Sudan: Kenya served as an important mediator in brokering Sudan's north-south separation in February 2005Kenya-Tanzania: Kenya and Tanzania were conducting a joint reaffirmation process in November 2021 to ensure the border was visibly marked with pillarsKenya-Uganda: Kenya and Uganda began a joint demarcation of the boundary in 2021   Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 279,200 (Somalia), 144,441 (South Sudan), 31,342 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 21,066 (Ethiopia), 7,697 (Burundi), 5,022 (Sudan) (2022) IDPs: 190,000 (election-related violence, intercommunal violence, resource conflicts, al-Shabaab attacks in 2017 and 2018) (2021) stateless persons: 16,820 (mid-year 2021); note - the stateless population consists of Nubians, Kenyan Somalis, and coastal Arabs; the Nubians are descendants of Sudanese soldiers recruited by the British to fight for them in East Africa more than a century ago; Nubians did not receive Kenyan citizenship when the country became independent in 1963; only recently have Nubians become a formally recognized tribe and had less trouble obtaining national IDs; Galjeel and other Somalis who have lived in Kenya for decades are included with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards Illicit drugs: a transit country for a variety of illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine; transit location for precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine and other drugs; heroin from Southwest Asia enters Kenya destined for international markets, mainly Europe; cocaine transits through Kenya shipped through Ethiopia from South America;  cultivates cannabis and miraa (khat) for both local use and exporta transit country for a variety of illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine; transit location for precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine and other drugs; heroin from Southwest Asia enters Kenya destined for international markets, mainly Europe; cocaine transits through Kenya shipped through Ethiopia from South America;  cultivates cannabis and miraa (khat) for both local use and export

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-imports

This entry is the country's total imports of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day). Topic: Afghanistan34,210 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Albania26,660 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Algeria82,930 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: American Samoa2,346 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Angola111,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda5,065 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Argentina121,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Armenia7,145 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Aruba7,891 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Australia619,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Austria135,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan5,576 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The19,150 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bahrain14,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bangladesh81,570 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Barbados10,630 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belarus14,630 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Belgium601,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Belize4,161 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Benin38,040 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bermuda3,939 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bhutan3,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bolivia20,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina18,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Botswana21,090 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brazil490,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands1,227 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Brunei6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Bulgaria49,260 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso23,580 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burma102,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Burundi1,374 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde5,607 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cambodia43,030 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cameroon14,090 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Canada405,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands4,285 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Central African Republic2,799 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Chad2,285 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Chile166,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: China1.16 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Colombia57,170 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Comoros1,241 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the21,140 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the7,162 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cook Islands611 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Costa Rica51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire7,405 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Croatia35,530 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cuba52,750 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Curacao45,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Cyprus49,240 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Czechia83,860 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark109,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti6,692 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominica1,237 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ecuador153,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Egypt280,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: El Salvador49,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea5,094 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Eritrea3,897 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Estonia35,520 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini5,279 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ethiopia69,970 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: European Union8.613 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)286 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands4,555 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Fiji17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Finland122,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: France886,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia6,785 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gabon10,680 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gambia, The3,738 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Georgia28,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Germany883,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana85,110 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Gibraltar74,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Greece192,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland3,973 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Grenada1,886 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guam13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guatemala97,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau2,625 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Guyana13,720 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Haiti20,030 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Honduras56,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Hong Kong402,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Hungary82,110 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland20,220 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: India653,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Indonesia591,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iran64,160 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Iraq255,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ireland126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Israel98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Italy422,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica30,580 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Japan1.1 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Jordan68,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan39,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kenya90,620 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kiribati420 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, North8,260 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Korea, South908,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo14,040 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwait0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan34,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Laos17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Latvia54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon151,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lesotho5,118 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Liberia8,181 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Libya168,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Lithuania42,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Luxembourg59,020 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Macau14,180 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Madagascar18,880 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malawi4,769 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malaysia304,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Maldives10,840 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mali20,610 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Malta52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands2,060 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritania17,290 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mauritius26,960 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mexico867,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Moldova18,160 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mongolia24,190 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montenegro6,448 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Montserrat406 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Morocco229,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Mozambique25,130 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Namibia26,270 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nauru449 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nepal26,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Netherlands2.148 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia19,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand56,000 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua20,120 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Niger3,799 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Nigeria223,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Niue54 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: North Macedonia23,560 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Norway135,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Oman6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Pakistan264,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Panama129,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea17,110 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Paraguay40,760 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Peru65,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Philippines211,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Poland222,300 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal78,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico127,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Qatar12,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Romania49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Russia41,920 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Rwanda6,628 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha65 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia3,113 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon650 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1,621 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Samoa2,363 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe1,027 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia609,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Senegal32,050 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Serbia18,720 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Seychelles7,225 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone6,439 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Singapore2.335 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten10,440 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Slovakia38,340 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia93,060 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands1,577 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Somalia5,590 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Africa195,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: South Sudan7,160 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Spain464,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka66,280 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Sudan24,340 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Suriname10,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Svalbard18,600 bbl/day (2012 est.) Topic: Sweden229,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland165,100 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Syria38,080 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Taiwan418,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tajikistan22,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tanzania67,830 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Thailand134,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste3,481 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Togo13,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tonga910 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Tunisia85,340 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)560,000 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands1,369 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Uganda31,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Ukraine167,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates392,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: United Kingdom907,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: United States2.175 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay9,591 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vanuatu1,073 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Venezuela20,640 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Vietnam282,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: West Bank22,740 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: World28.62 million bbl/day (2014 est.) Topic: Yemen75,940 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zambia10,150 bbl/day (2015 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe26,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)

20220901

field-birth-rate-country-comparison

20220901

field-background

This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends. Topic: AfghanistanAhmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in increased democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 communist countercoup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-communist mujahidin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Usama BIN LADIN. A UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and was reelected in August 2009. In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the “US-Taliban Agreement,” which contained commitments by the United States related to the withdrawal from Afghanistan of military forces of the United States, its allies, and Coalition partners, as well as commitments by the Taliban related to counterterrorism, among other topics. Following a US drawdown of virtually all its troops, a summer 2021 Taliban offensive quickly overran the country and the Taliban took over Kabul in August of 2021. Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in increased democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 communist countercoup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-communist mujahidin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Usama BIN LADIN.A UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and was reelected in August 2009. In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed the “US-Taliban Agreement,” which contained commitments by the United States related to the withdrawal from Afghanistan of military forces of the United States, its allies, and Coalition partners, as well as commitments by the Taliban related to counterterrorism, among other topics. Following a US drawdown of virtually all its troops, a summer 2021 Taliban offensive quickly overran the country and the Taliban took over Kabul in August of 2021.  Topic: AkrotiriBy terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smallest of these is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area. Topic: AlbaniaAlbania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents.Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles. Topic: AlgeriaAlgeria has known many empires and dynasties starting with the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Berber dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks. It was under the latter that the Barbary pirates operated from North Africa and preyed on shipping beginning in roughly 1500, peaking in the early to mid-17th century, until finally subdued by the French capture of Algiers in 1830. The French southward conquest of the entirety of Algeria proceeded throughout the 19th century and was marked by many atrocities. The country was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has since largely dominated politics, though is falling out of favor with the youth. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 legislative elections led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. Fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence from 1992-98, resulting in over 100,000 deaths – many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS’s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. FIS membership is illegal. Former president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election that was boycotted by several candidates protesting alleged fraud, and won subsequent elections in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Protests broke out across the country in late February 2019 against President BOUTEFLIKA’s decision to seek a fifth term. BOUTEFLIKA resigned in April 2019, and in December 2019, Algerians elected former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE as the country's new president. A longtime FLN member, TEBBOUNE ran for president as an independent. In 2020, Algeria held a constitutional referendum, which President TEBBOUNE enacted in January 2021. Subsequent reforms to the national electoral law introduced open list voting to curb corruption. The new law also eliminated gender quotas in Parliament, and the June 2021 legislative elections saw female representation plummet. Local elections took place in November 2021. The referendum, parliamentary elections, and local elections saw record low voter turnout. Since 2014, Algeria’s reliance on hydrocarbon revenues to fund the government and finance the large subsidies for the population has fallen under stress because of declining oil prices.Algeria has known many empires and dynasties starting with the ancient Numidians (3rd century B.C.), Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, over a dozen different Arab and Berber dynasties, Spaniards, and Ottoman Turks. It was under the latter that the Barbary pirates operated from North Africa and preyed on shipping beginning in roughly 1500, peaking in the early to mid-17th century, until finally subdued by the French capture of Algiers in 1830. The French southward conquest of the entirety of Algeria proceeded throughout the 19th century and was marked by many atrocities. The country was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962. Algeria's primary political party, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was established in 1954 as part of the struggle for independence and has since largely dominated politics, though is falling out of favor with the youth. The Government of Algeria in 1988 instituted a multi-party system in response to public unrest, but the surprising first round success of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) in the December 1991 legislative elections led the Algerian army to intervene and postpone the second round of elections to prevent what the secular elite feared would be an extremist-led government from assuming power. The army began a crackdown on the FIS that spurred FIS supporters to begin attacking government targets. Fighting escalated into an insurgency, which saw intense violence from 1992-98, resulting in over 100,000 deaths – many attributed to indiscriminate massacres of villagers by extremists. The government gained the upper hand by the late-1990s, and FIS’s armed wing, the Islamic Salvation Army, disbanded in January 2000. FIS membership is illegal.Former president Abdelaziz BOUTEFLIKA, with the backing of the military, won the presidency in 1999 in an election that was boycotted by several candidates protesting alleged fraud, and won subsequent elections in 2004, 2009, and 2014. Protests broke out across the country in late February 2019 against President BOUTEFLIKA’s decision to seek a fifth term. BOUTEFLIKA resigned in April 2019, and in December 2019, Algerians elected former Prime Minister Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE as the country's new president. A longtime FLN member, TEBBOUNE ran for president as an independent. In 2020, Algeria held a constitutional referendum, which President TEBBOUNE enacted in January 2021. Subsequent reforms to the national electoral law introduced open list voting to curb corruption. The new law also eliminated gender quotas in Parliament, and the June 2021 legislative elections saw female representation plummet. Local elections took place in November 2021. The referendum, parliamentary elections, and local elections saw record low voter turnout. Since 2014, Algeria’s reliance on hydrocarbon revenues to fund the government and finance the large subsidies for the population has fallen under stress because of declining oil prices. Topic: American SamoaTutuila was settled by 1000 B.C. and the island served as a refuge for exiled chiefs and defeated warriors from the other Samoan islands. The Manu’a Islands developed its own traditional chiefdom that maintained its autonomy by controlling oceanic trade. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to sail through the Manu’a Islands, and he was followed by French explorer Louis Antoine DE BOUGAINVILLE in 1768. Whalers and missionaries arrived in American Samoa in the 1830s, but American and European traders tended to favor the port in Apia - now in independent Samoa - over the smaller and less-developed Pago Pago on Tutuila. In the mid-1800s, a dispute arose in Samoa over control of the Samoan archipelago, with different chiefs gaining support from Germany, the UK, and the US. In 1872, the high chief of Tutuila offered the US exclusive rights to Pago Pago in return for US protection, but the US rejected this offer. As fighting resumed, the US agreed to the chief’s request in 1878 and set up a coaling station at Pago Pago. In 1899, with continued disputes over succession, Germany and the US agreed to divide the Samoan islands, while the UK withdrew its claims in exchange for parts of the Solomon Islands. Local chiefs on Tutuila formally ceded their land to the US in 1900, followed by the chief of Manu’a in 1904. The territory was officially named “American Samoa” in 1911. The US administered the territory through the Department of the Navy, and in 1918, the naval governor instituted strict quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the Spanish flu, allowing American Samoa to avoid the deadly infection that ravaged the then-New Zealand administered territory of Samoa. In 1949, there was an attempt to organize the territory, granting it formal self-government, but local chiefs helped defeat the measure in the US Congress. Administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951, and in 1967, American Samoa adopted a constitution that provides significant protections for traditional Samoan land tenure rules, language, and culture. In 1977, after four attempts, voters approved a measure to directly elect their governor. Nevertheless, American Samoa officially remains an unorganized territory and people born in American Samoa are US nationals instead of US citizens, a status many American Samoans prefer.  Tutuila was settled by 1000 B.C. and the island served as a refuge for exiled chiefs and defeated warriors from the other Samoan islands. The Manu’a Islands developed its own traditional chiefdom that maintained its autonomy by controlling oceanic trade. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to sail through the Manu’a Islands, and he was followed by French explorer Louis Antoine DE BOUGAINVILLE in 1768. Whalers and missionaries arrived in American Samoa in the 1830s, but American and European traders tended to favor the port in Apia - now in independent Samoa - over the smaller and less-developed Pago Pago on Tutuila. In the mid-1800s, a dispute arose in Samoa over control of the Samoan archipelago, with different chiefs gaining support from Germany, the UK, and the US. In 1872, the high chief of Tutuila offered the US exclusive rights to Pago Pago in return for US protection, but the US rejected this offer. As fighting resumed, the US agreed to the chief’s request in 1878 and set up a coaling station at Pago Pago. In 1899, with continued disputes over succession, Germany and the US agreed to divide the Samoan islands, while the UK withdrew its claims in exchange for parts of the Solomon Islands. Local chiefs on Tutuila formally ceded their land to the US in 1900, followed by the chief of Manu’a in 1904. The territory was officially named “American Samoa” in 1911. The US administered the territory through the Department of the Navy, and in 1918, the naval governor instituted strict quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the Spanish flu, allowing American Samoa to avoid the deadly infection that ravaged the then-New Zealand administered territory of Samoa. In 1949, there was an attempt to organize the territory, granting it formal self-government, but local chiefs helped defeat the measure in the US Congress. Administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951, and in 1967, American Samoa adopted a constitution that provides significant protections for traditional Samoan land tenure rules, language, and culture. In 1977, after four attempts, voters approved a measure to directly elect their governor. Nevertheless, American Samoa officially remains an unorganized territory and people born in American Samoa are US nationals instead of US citizens, a status many American Samoans prefer.  Topic: AndorraThe Moorish invasion of Spain in the 8th century and subsequent incursions into France were finally stemmed at the Pyrenees by Frankish King Charlemagne, who in 795 created the Hispanic March, a series of buffer states to keep the Muslim Moors from advancing into Christian France. The landlocked Principality of Andorra, one of the smallest states in Europe and nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders, is the last independent survivor of these March states. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique coprincipality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Bishop of Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the introduction of a modern constitution; the co-princes remained as titular heads of state, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Andorra has become a popular tourist destination visited by approximately 8 million people each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its mature banking sector and low taxes. As part of its effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has opened to foreign investment, and engaged in other reforms, such as advancing tax initiatives aimed at supporting a broader infrastructure. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements and uses the euro as its national currency.The Moorish invasion of Spain in the 8th century and subsequent incursions into France were finally stemmed at the Pyrenees by Frankish King Charlemagne, who in 795 created the Hispanic March, a series of buffer states to keep the Muslim Moors from advancing into Christian France. The landlocked Principality of Andorra, one of the smallest states in Europe and nestled high in the Pyrenees between the French and Spanish borders, is the last independent survivor of these March states. For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique coprincipality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Bishop of Urgell). In 1993, this feudal system was modified with the introduction of a modern constitution; the co-princes remained as titular heads of state, but the government transformed into a parliamentary democracy.Andorra has become a popular tourist destination visited by approximately 8 million people each year drawn by the winter sports, summer climate, and duty-free shopping. Andorra has also become a wealthy international commercial center because of its mature banking sector and low taxes. As part of its effort to modernize its economy, Andorra has opened to foreign investment, and engaged in other reforms, such as advancing tax initiatives aimed at supporting a broader infrastructure. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements and uses the euro as its national currency. Topic: AngolaFrom the late 14th to the mid 19th century a Kingdom of Kongo stretched across central Africa from present-day northern Angola into the current Congo republics. It traded heavily with the Portuguese who, beginning in the 16th century, established coastal colonies and trading posts and introduced Christianity. By the 19th century, Portuguese settlement had spread to the interior; in 1914, Portugal abolished the last vestiges of the Kongo Kingdom and Angola became a Portuguese colony. Angola scores low on human development indexes despite using its large oil reserves to rebuild since the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again in 1993. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - during the more than a quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and cemented the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS stepped down from the presidency in 2017, having led the country since 1979. He pushed through a new constitution in 2010. Joao LOURENCO was elected president in August 2017 and became president of the MPLA in September 2018. Topic: AnguillaColonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. On 7 September 2017, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure. Topic: AntarcticaSpeculation over the existence of a "southern land" was not confirmed until the early 1820s when British and American commercial operators and British and Russian national expeditions began exploring the Antarctic Peninsula region and other areas south of the Antarctic Circle. Not until 1840 was it established that Antarctica was indeed a continent and not merely a group of islands or an area of ocean. Several exploration "firsts" were achieved in the early 20th century, but generally the area saw little human activity. Following World War II, however, the continent experienced an upsurge in scientific research. A number of countries have set up a range of year-round and seasonal stations, camps, and refuges to support scientific research in Antarctica. Seven have made territorial claims and two maintain the basis for a claim, but most countries do not recognize these claims. In order to form a legal framework for the activities of nations on the continent, an Antarctic Treaty was negotiated that neither denies nor gives recognition to existing territorial claims; signed in 1959, it entered into force in 1961.  Also relevant to Antarctic governance are the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Topic: Antigua and BarbudaThe Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early Spanish and French settlements were succeeded by an English colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Barbuda devastating the island and forcing the evacuation of the population to Antigua. Almost all the structures on Barbuda were destroyed and the vegetation stripped, but Antigua was spared the worst. Topic: Arctic OceanThe Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. In recent years the polar ice pack has receded in the summer allowing for increased navigation and raising the possibility of future sovereignty and shipping disputes among the six countries bordering the Arctic Ocean (Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, US). Topic: ArgentinaIn 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of populism under former President Juan Domingo PERON - the founder of the Peronist political movement - and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Nestor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with Macri’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNANDEZ and Vice President FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Presidential elections will take place next in 2023.In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions.After World War II, an era of populism under former President Juan Domingo PERON - the founder of the Peronist political movement - and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Nestor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with Macri’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNANDEZ and Vice President FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Presidential elections will take place next in 2023. Topic: ArmeniaArmenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 1 million Armenian deaths - actions widely recognized as constituting genocide. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920. Armenia remains involved in the protracted struggle with Azerbaijan over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed that sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a cease-fire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place in September-November 2020, Armenia lost control over much of the territory it had captured a quarter century earlier. Under the terms of a cease-fire agreement signed in November 2020, Armenia returned to Azerbaijan the remaining territories it occupied and some parts of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the key city that Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha. Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed Protocols normalizing relations between the two countries, but neither country ratified the Protocols, and Armenia officially withdrew from the Protocols in March 2018. In 2015, Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union alongside Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In November 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU. In spring 2018, former President of Armenia (2008-18) Serzh SARGSIAN of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) tried to extend his time in power by becoming prime minister, prompting popular protests that became known as the “Velvet Revolution” after SARGSIAN was forced to resign. The leader of the protests, Civil Contract party chief Nikol PASHINYAN, was elected by the National Assembly as the new prime minister on 8 May 2018. Pashinyan’s party prevailed in an early legislative election in December 2018, and he was reelected as prime minister. Armenia prides itself on being the first nation to formally adopt Christianity (early 4th century). Despite periods of autonomy, over the centuries Armenia came under the sway of various empires including the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Persian, and Ottoman. During World War I in the western portion of Armenia, the Ottoman Empire instituted a policy of forced resettlement coupled with other harsh practices that resulted in at least 1 million Armenian deaths - actions widely recognized as constituting genocide. The eastern area of Armenia was ceded by the Ottomans to Russia in 1828; this portion declared its independence in 1918, but was conquered by the Soviet Red Army in 1920.Armenia remains involved in the protracted struggle with Azerbaijan over control of Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed that sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a cease-fire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Following the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place in September-November 2020, Armenia lost control over much of the territory it had captured a quarter century earlier. Under the terms of a cease-fire agreement signed in November 2020, Armenia returned to Azerbaijan the remaining territories it occupied and some parts of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, including the key city that Armenians call Shushi and Azerbaijanis call Shusha.Turkey closed the common border with Armenia in 1993 in support of Azerbaijan in its conflict with Armenia over control of Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, further hampering Armenian economic growth. In 2009, Armenia and Turkey signed Protocols normalizing relations between the two countries, but neither country ratified the Protocols, and Armenia officially withdrew from the Protocols in March 2018. In 2015, Armenia joined the Eurasian Economic Union alongside Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In November 2017, Armenia signed a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU.In spring 2018, former President of Armenia (2008-18) Serzh SARGSIAN of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) tried to extend his time in power by becoming prime minister, prompting popular protests that became known as the “Velvet Revolution” after SARGSIAN was forced to resign. The leader of the protests, Civil Contract party chief Nikol PASHINYAN, was elected by the National Assembly as the new prime minister on 8 May 2018. Pashinyan’s party prevailed in an early legislative election in December 2018, and he was reelected as prime minister.  Topic: ArubaDiscovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990. Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsIndonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively. In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively. In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone. Topic: Atlantic OceanThe Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways.The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Topic: AustraliaAboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories. Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, English captain James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies respectively. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868. As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933. Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Gold rushes beginning in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia contributed more than 400,000 troops to allied efforts during World War I, and Australian troops played a large role in the defeat of Japanese troops in the Pacific in World War II. Australia severed most constitutional links with the UK in 1942, and in 1951 signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, cementing its military alliance with the United States.  In 2021, Australia, the UK, and the United States announced the AUKUS enhanced trilateral security partnership to maintain and expand the three countries’ edge in military capabilities and critical technologies. Australia’s post-war economy boomed and by the 1970s, racial policies that prevented most non-whites from immigrating to Australia were removed, greatly increasing Asian immigration to the country. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its proximity to East and Southeast Asia.  In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader.Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories. Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, English captain James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies respectively. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868. As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933. Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Gold rushes beginning in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia contributed more than 400,000 troops to allied efforts during World War I, and Australian troops played a large role in the defeat of Japanese troops in the Pacific in World War II. Australia severed most constitutional links with the UK in 1942, and in 1951 signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, cementing its military alliance with the United States.  In 2021, Australia, the UK, and the United States announced the AUKUS enhanced trilateral security partnership to maintain and expand the three countries’ edge in military capabilities and critical technologies. Australia’s post-war economy boomed and by the 1970s, racial policies that prevented most non-whites from immigrating to Australia were removed, greatly increasing Asian immigration to the country. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its proximity to East and Southeast Asia. In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader. Topic: AustriaOnce the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the EU in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Topic: AzerbaijanAzerbaijan - a secular nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population - was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades. Azerbaijan remains involved in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh was a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed which sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Under the terms of a cease-fire agreement following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place from September-November 2020, Armenia returned to Azerbaijan the remaining territories it had occupied and also the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the culturally and historically important city that Azerbaijanis call Shusha and Armenians call Shushi. Despite Azerbaijan’s territorial gains, peace in the region remains elusive because of unsettled issues concerning the delimitation of borders, the opening of regional transportation and communication links, the status of ethnic enclaves near border regions, and the final status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russian peacekeepers deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh to supervise the cease-fire for a minimum five-year term have not prevented the outbreak of sporadic, low-level military clashes along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in 2021. In the three decades following its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has succeeded in significantly reducing the poverty rate and has directed revenues from its oil and gas production to develop the country’s infrastructure. However, corruption remains a burden on the economy, and Western observers and members of the country’s political opposition have accused the government of authoritarianism, pointing to elections that are neither free nor fair, state control of the media, and the systematic abuse of human rights targeting individuals and groups who are perceived as threats to the administration. The country’s leadership has remained in the Aliyev family since Heydar ALIYEV, formerly the most highly ranked Azerbaijani member of the Communist Party during the Soviet period, became president in the midst of the first Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1993. Heydar ALIYEV groomed his son to succeed him, and Ilham ALIYEV subsequently became president in 2003. As a result of two national referendums that eliminated presidential term limits and extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years, President ALIYEV secured a fourth term in April 2018 in an election that international observers noted had serious shortcomings. Reforms are underway to diversify the country’s economy away from its dependence on oil and gas; additional reforms are needed to address weaknesses in government institutions, particularly in the education and health sectors, and the court system.Azerbaijan - a secular nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population - was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades. Azerbaijan remains involved in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh was a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed which sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno‑Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories.Under the terms of a cease-fire agreement following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place from September-November 2020, Armenia returned to Azerbaijan the remaining territories it had occupied and also the southern part of Nagorno-Karabakh, including the culturally and historically important city that Azerbaijanis call Shusha and Armenians call Shushi. Despite Azerbaijan’s territorial gains, peace in the region remains elusive because of unsettled issues concerning the delimitation of borders, the opening of regional transportation and communication links, the status of ethnic enclaves near border regions, and the final status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russian peacekeepers deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh to supervise the cease-fire for a minimum five-year term have not prevented the outbreak of sporadic, low-level military clashes along the Azerbaijan-Armenia border in 2021. In the three decades following its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan has succeeded in significantly reducing the poverty rate and has directed revenues from its oil and gas production to develop the country’s infrastructure. However, corruption remains a burden on the economy, and Western observers and members of the country’s political opposition have accused the government of authoritarianism, pointing to elections that are neither free nor fair, state control of the media, and the systematic abuse of human rights targeting individuals and groups who are perceived as threats to the administration. The country’s leadership has remained in the Aliyev family since Heydar ALIYEV, formerly the most highly ranked Azerbaijani member of the Communist Party during the Soviet period, became president in the midst of the first Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1993. Heydar ALIYEV groomed his son to succeed him, and Ilham ALIYEV subsequently became president in 2003. As a result of two national referendums that eliminated presidential term limits and extended the presidential term from 5 to 7 years, President ALIYEV secured a fourth term in April 2018 in an election that international observers noted had serious shortcomings. Reforms are underway to diversify the country’s economy away from its dependence on oil and gas; additional reforms are needed to address weaknesses in government institutions, particularly in the education and health sectors, and the court system. Topic: Bahamas, TheLucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas close proximity to shipping lanes. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US - the nearest Bahamian landmass being only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida - the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking, particularly to the US mainland, as well as Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas, and the US Coast Guard assists Bahamian authorities in maritime security and law enforcement through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT. Topic: BahrainIn 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. On 15 September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed peace agreements (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. Bahrain and the UAE thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.In 1783, the Sunni Al-Khalifa family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. On 15 September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed peace agreements (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. Bahrain and the UAE thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel. Topic: BangladeshThe huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971. The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades. In 2021 the UN approved a resolution to allow Bangladesh to officially graduate from least-developed-country (LDC) status in 2026, based on World Bank criteria.The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades. In 2021 the UN approved a resolution to allow Bangladesh to officially graduate from least-developed-country (LDC) status in 2026, based on World Bank criteria. Topic: BarbadosThe island was uninhabited when first settled by the British in 1627. African slaves worked the sugar plantations established on the island, which initially dominated the Caribbean sugar industry. By 1720 Barbados was no longer a dominant force within the sugar industry, having been surpassed by the Leeward Islands and Jamaica. Slavery was abolished in 1834. The Barbadian economy remained heavily dependent on sugar, rum, and molasses production through most of the 20th century. The gradual introduction of social and political reforms in the 1940s and 1950s led to complete independence from the UK in 1966. In the 1990s, tourism and manufacturing surpassed the sugar industry in economic importance. Barbados became a republic on 30 November 2021, with the former Governor-General Sandra MASON elected as the first president. Barbados plans to create a new constitution in 2022. Topic: BelarusAfter seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than have any of the other former Soviet republics. Belarus and Russia signed a treaty on a two-state union on 8 December 1999 envisioning greater political and economic integration. Although Belarus agreed to a framework to carry out the accord, serious implementation has yet to take place and current negotiations on further integration have been contentious. Since his election in July 1994 as the country's first and only directly elected president, Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA has steadily consolidated his power through authoritarian means and a centralized economic system. Government restrictions on political and civil freedoms, freedom of speech and the press, peaceful assembly, and religion have remained in place. Restrictions on political freedoms have grown increasingly strained following the disputed presidential election in August 2020. The election results sparked largescale protests as members of the opposition and civil society criticized the election’s validity. Alyaksandr LUKASHENKA has remained in power as the disputed winner of the presidential election after quelling protests in late 2020.             Topic: BelgiumBelgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO. Topic: BelizeBelize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Both nations have voted to send the dispute for final resolution to the International Court of Justice. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America. Topic: BeninPresent day Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century; the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from Mali in the 16th century; the Bariba and the Fula in the northeast; the Ottamari in the Atakora mountains; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the south-central area; and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja, who came from Togo, on the coast. The Kingdom of Dahomey emerged on the Abomey plateau in the 17th century and was a regional power for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. Dahomey had an organized domestic economy, international trade with Europeans, and a highly organized military. The growth of Dahomey coincided with the growth of the Atlantic slave trade, and it became known as a major source of enslaved people. France began to control the coastal areas of Dahomey in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent, who won a second five-year term in March 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016; the space for pluralism, dissent, and free expression has narrowed under his administration. Talon won a second term in April 2021. Topic: BermudaBermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Vacationing to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995. Topic: BhutanFollowing Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK - who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century - was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders. In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. Of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali - predominantly Lhotshampa - refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal.Following Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK - who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century - was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. Of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali - predominantly Lhotshampa - refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal. Topic: BoliviaBolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1978. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor and indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his "process of change." In February 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. However, a 2017 Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to be chosen by his party to run again in 2019. MORALES attempted to claim victory in the October 2019 election, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud, rising violence, and pressure from the military ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, prepared new elections that took place in October 2020; President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora took office the following month.Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1978. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor and indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his "process of change." In February 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. However, a 2017 Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to be chosen by his party to run again in 2019. MORALES attempted to claim victory in the October 2019 election, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud, rising violence, and pressure from the military ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, prepared new elections that took place in October 2020; President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora took office the following month. Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that ended three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995). The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments are responsible for overseeing most government functions. Additionally, the Dayton Accords established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council at its conference in Bonn in 1997 also gave the High Representative the authority to impose legislation and remove officials, the so-called "Bonn Powers." An original NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops assembled in 1995 was succeeded over time by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. Currently, EUFOR deploys around 600 troops in theater in a security assistance and training capacity.Bosnia and Herzegovina declared sovereignty in October 1991 and independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs. The Bosnian Serbs - supported by neighboring Serbia and Montenegro - responded with armed resistance aimed at partitioning the republic along ethnic lines and joining Serb-held areas to form a "Greater Serbia." In March 1994, Bosniaks and Croats reduced the number of warring factions from three to two by signing an agreement creating a joint Bosniak-Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 21 November 1995, in Dayton, Ohio, the warring parties initialed a peace agreement that ended three years of interethnic civil strife (the final agreement was signed in Paris on 14 December 1995).The Dayton Peace Accords retained Bosnia and Herzegovina's international boundaries and created a multiethnic and democratic government charged with conducting foreign, diplomatic, and fiscal policy. Also recognized was a second tier of government composed of two entities roughly equal in size: the predominantly Bosniak-Bosnian Croat Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the predominantly Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska (RS). The Federation and RS governments are responsible for overseeing most government functions. Additionally, the Dayton Accords established the Office of the High Representative to oversee the implementation of the civilian aspects of the agreement. The Peace Implementation Council at its conference in Bonn in 1997 also gave the High Representative the authority to impose legislation and remove officials, the so-called "Bonn Powers." An original NATO-led international peacekeeping force (IFOR) of 60,000 troops assembled in 1995 was succeeded over time by a smaller, NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). In 2004, European Union peacekeeping troops (EUFOR) replaced SFOR. Currently, EUFOR deploys around 600 troops in theater in a security assistance and training capacity. Topic: BotswanaSeeking to stop the incorporation of their land into Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) or the Union of South Africa, in 1885, three tribal chiefs traveled to Great Britain and successfully lobbied the British Government to put "Bechuanaland" under UK protection. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI assumed the presidency in April 2018 following the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in October 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease. Topic: Bouvet IslandThis uninhabited, volcanic, Antarctic island is almost entirely covered by glaciers making it difficult to approach; it is recognized as the most remote island on Earth. (It is furthest in distance from any other point of land, 1,639 km from Antarctica.) Bouvet Island was discovered in 1739 by a French naval officer after whom it is named. No claim was made until 1825, when the British flag was raised. A few expeditions visited the island in the late 19th century. In 1929, the UK waived its claim in favor of Norway, which had occupied the island two years previously. In 1971, Norway designated Bouvet Island and the adjacent territorial waters a nature reserve. Since 1977, Norway has run an automated meteorological station and studied foraging strategies and distribution of fur seals and penguins on the island. In February 2006, an earthquake weakened the station's foundation causing it to be blown out to sea in a winter storm. Norway erected a new research station in 2014 that can hold six people for periods of two to four months. Topic: BrazilFollowing more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed over various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned (including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951-55) and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President Joao GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1989.  By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, under President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (2003-2010) Brazil was seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth. The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) was removed from office in 2016 by Congress for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former-President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time from 2018-19, although his conviction was overturned in early 2021. In October 2018, Jair BOLSONARO won the presidency with 55% of the second-round vote and assumed office on 1 January 2019. The next national elections are scheduled for October 2022.Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed over various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned (including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951-55) and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President Joao GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1989.  By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, under President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (2003-2010) Brazil was seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth. The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) was removed from office in 2016 by Congress for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former-President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time from 2018-19, although his conviction was overturned in early 2021. In October 2018, Jair BOLSONARO won the presidency with 55% of the second-round vote and assumed office on 1 January 2019. The next national elections are scheduled for October 2022. Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryFormerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. Only Diego Garcia, the largest and most southerly of the islands, is inhabited. It contains a joint UK-US naval support facility and hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), and on Ascension Island (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha)). The US Air Force also operates a telescope array on Diego Garcia as part of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts. Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians. In March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) that the UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain’s decolonization of Mauritius was not completed lawfully because of continued Chagossian claims. A non-binding May 2019 UN General Assembly vote demanded that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and that it be returned to Mauritius. UK officials defend Britain's sovereignty over the islands and argue that the issue is a bilateral dispute between Mauritius and the UK that does not warrant international intervention.  Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. Only Diego Garcia, the largest and most southerly of the islands, is inhabited. It contains a joint UK-US naval support facility and hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), and on Ascension Island (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha)). The US Air Force also operates a telescope array on Diego Garcia as part of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians. In March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) that the UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. In February 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain’s decolonization of Mauritius was not completed lawfully because of continued Chagossian claims. A non-binding May 2019 UN General Assembly vote demanded that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and that it be returned to Mauritius. UK officials defend Britain's sovereignty over the islands and argue that the issue is a bilateral dispute between Mauritius and the UK that does not warrant international intervention.  Topic: British Virgin IslandsFirst inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable. Topic: BruneiThe Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne. Topic: BulgariaThe Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Topic: Burkina FasoMany of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate. The area achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. The last successful coup occurred in 1987 when Blaise COMPAORE deposed the former president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In October 2014, COMPAORE resigned following protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition period organizing presidential and legislative elections. In November 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president; he was reelected in November 2020. Terrorist groups - including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State - began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By late 2021, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced 1.4 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries.  Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate.  Topic: BurmaBurma, colonized by Britain in the 19th century and granted independence post-World War II, contains ethnic Burman and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have all resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history, extending to the several minority groups today that possess independent fighting forces and control pockets of territory. Burman and armed ethnic minorities fought off-and-on until military Gen. NE WIN seized power in 1962. He ruled Burma until 1988 when a military junta took control. In 1990, the junta permitted an election but then rejected the results when the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The junta placed ASSK under house arrest for much of the next 20 years, until November 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a "Saffron Revolution" consisting of large protests against the ruling junta, which violently suppressed the movement by killing an unknown number of participants and arresting thousands. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve its control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum, days after Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000. The junta conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed. With former or current military officers installed in its most senior positions, Burma began a halting process of political and economic reforms. Officials freed prisoners, brokered ceasefires with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), amended courts, expanded civil liberties, brought ASSK into government in 2012, and permitted the NLD in 2015 to take power after a sweeping electoral win.  However, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government, with ASSK as the de facto head of state, faced strong headwinds after five decades of military dictatorship. The NLD government drew international criticism for blocking investigations of Burma’s military for operations, which the U.S. Department of State determined constituted genocide, on its Rohingya population that killed thousands and forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. The military did not support an NLD pledge in 2019 to examine reforming the military’s 2008 constitution. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced them as fraudulent. This challenge led Commander-in-Chief Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING (MAH) to launch a coup in February 2021 that has left Burma reeling with the return to authoritarian rule, the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors, and renewed brutal repression against protestors, widespread violence, and economic decline.Burma, colonized by Britain in the 19th century and granted independence post-World War II, contains ethnic Burman and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have all resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history, extending to the several minority groups today that possess independent fighting forces and control pockets of territory. Burman and armed ethnic minorities fought off-and-on until military Gen. NE WIN seized power in 1962. He ruled Burma until 1988 when a military junta took control. In 1990, the junta permitted an election but then rejected the results when the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The junta placed ASSK under house arrest for much of the next 20 years, until November 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a "Saffron Revolution" consisting of large protests against the ruling junta, which violently suppressed the movement by killing an unknown number of participants and arresting thousands. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve its control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum, days after Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000. The junta conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed. With former or current military officers installed in its most senior positions, Burma began a halting process of political and economic reforms. Officials freed prisoners, brokered ceasefires with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), amended courts, expanded civil liberties, brought ASSK into government in 2012, and permitted the NLD in 2015 to take power after a sweeping electoral win.  However, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government, with ASSK as the de facto head of state, faced strong headwinds after five decades of military dictatorship. The NLD government drew international criticism for blocking investigations of Burma’s military for operations, which the U.S. Department of State determined constituted genocide, on its Rohingya population that killed thousands and forced more than 740,000 Rohingya to flee into neighboring Bangladesh. The military did not support an NLD pledge in 2019 to examine reforming the military’s 2008 constitution. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced them as fraudulent. This challenge led Commander-in-Chief Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING (MAH) to launch a coup in February 2021 that has left Burma reeling with the return to authoritarian rule, the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors, and renewed brutal repression against protestors, widespread violence, and economic decline. Topic: BurundiEstablished in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure. German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Belgian rule after World War I preserved Burundi’s monarchy. Seeking to simplify administration, Belgian colonial officials reduced the number of chiefdoms and eliminated most Hutu chiefs from positions of power. In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis Rwagasore was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi. Revolution in neighboring Rwanda stoked ethnic polarization as the Tutsi increasingly feared violence and loss of political power. A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic. A Hutu rebellion in 1972 that resulted in the death of several thousand Tutsi civilians sparked a brutal crackdown on Hutu civilians by the Tutsi-led military, which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people. International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in June 1993. Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office by Tutsi military officers fearing Hutu domination, sparking a civil war. His successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down in April 1994, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent ceasefire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president. He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit. President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE - from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party - was elected in 2020.Established in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure. German colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and Belgian rule after World War I preserved Burundi’s monarchy. Seeking to simplify administration, Belgian colonial officials reduced the number of chiefdoms and eliminated most Hutu chiefs from positions of power. In 1961, the Burundian Tutsi king’s oldest son, Louis Rwagasore was murdered by a competing political faction shortly before he was set to become prime minister, triggering increased political competition that contributed to later instability. Burundi gained its independence from Belgium in 1962 as the Kingdom of Burundi.Revolution in neighboring Rwanda stoked ethnic polarization as the Tutsi increasingly feared violence and loss of political power. A failed Hutu-led coup in 1965 triggered a purge of Hutu officials and set the stage for Tutsi officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1966 and establish a Tutsi-dominated republic. A Hutu rebellion in 1972 that resulted in the death of several thousand Tutsi civilians sparked a brutal crackdown on Hutu civilians by the Tutsi-led military, which ultimately killed 100,000-200,000 people. International pressure led to a new constitution in 1992 and democratic elections in June 1993. Burundi's first democratically elected president, Hutu Melchior NDADAYE, was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office by Tutsi military officers fearing Hutu domination, sparking a civil war. His successor, Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, died when the Rwandan president’s plane he was traveling on was shot down in April 1994, which triggered the Rwandan genocide and further entrenched ethnic conflict in Burundi. The internationally brokered Arusha Agreement, signed in 2000, and subsequent ceasefire agreements with armed movements ended the 1993-2005 civil war. Burundi’s second democratic elections were held in 2005, resulting in the election of Pierre NKURUNZIZA as president. He was reelected in 2010 and again in 2015 after a controversial court decision allowed him to circumvent a term limit. President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE - from NKURUNZIZA’s ruling party - was elected in 2020. Topic: Cabo VerdeThe uninhabited islands were discovered and colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century; Cabo Verde subsequently became a trading center for African slaves and later an important coaling and resupply stop for whaling and transatlantic shipping. The fusing of European and various African cultural traditions is reflected in Cabo Verde’s Krioulo language, music, and pano textiles. Following independence in 1975, and a tentative interest in unification with Guinea-Bissau, a one-party system was established and maintained until multi-party elections were held in 1990. Cabo Verde continues to sustain one of Africa's most stable democratic governments and one of its most stable economies, maintaining a currency formerly pegged to the Portuguese escudo and then the euro since 1998. Repeated droughts during the second half of the 20th century caused significant hardship and prompted heavy emigration. As a result, Cabo Verde's expatriate population - concentrated in Boston and Western Europe - is greater than its domestic one. Most Cabo Verdeans have both African and Portuguese antecedents. Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians and Spaniards. Among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable. Islands in the east are very dry and are home to the country's growing tourism industry. The more western islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged their soil fertility and vegetation. For centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration. In November 2021, Jose Maria NEVES was sworn in as Cabo Verde's latest president. Topic: CambodiaMost Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 20 years of civil war. The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a cease-fire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders were tried for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. In 2018, the tribunal heard its final cases, but it remains in operation to hear appeals. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local (Commune Council) elections were held in Cambodia in 2012, with little of the violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2013 were disputed, with the opposition - the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) - boycotting the National Assembly. The political impasse was ended nearly a year later, with the CNRP agreeing to enter parliament in exchange for commitments by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to undertake electoral and legislative reforms. The CNRP made further gains in local commune elections in June 2017, accelerating sitting Prime Minister HUN SEN’s efforts to marginalize the CNRP before national elections in 2018. HUN SEN arrested CNRP President KEM SOKHA in September 2017. The Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 and banned its leaders from participating in politics for at least five years. The CNRP’s seats in the National Assembly were redistributed to smaller, less influential opposition parties, while all of the CNRP’s 5,007 seats in the commune councils throughout the country were reallocated to the CPP. With the CNRP banned, the CPP swept the 2018 national elections, winning all 125 National Assembly seats and effectively turning the country into a one-party state. Cambodia has strong and growing economic and political ties with its large neighbor to the north, China. More than 53% of foreign investment in the country in 2021 came from China, and Beijing has provided over $15 billion in financial assistance since the 1990s. China accounted for 443 percent of Cambodia’s foreign debt in 2021. The CPP also partly sees Chinese support as a counterbalance to Thailand and Vietnam and to international criticism of the CPP’s human rights and antidemocratic record.Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 20 years of civil war. Topic: CameroonMuch of the area of present-day Cameroon was ruled by powerful chiefdoms before becoming a German colony in 1884 known as Kamerun. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the UK as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. The country has generally enjoyed stability, which has enabled the development of agriculture, roads, and railways, as well as a petroleum industry. Despite slow movement toward democratic reform, political power remains firmly in the hands of President Paul BIYA. Topic: CanadaA land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment. Topic: Cayman IslandsThe Cayman Islands were colonized from Jamaica by the British during the 18th and 19th centuries and were administered by Jamaica after 1863. In 1959, the islands became a territory within the Federation of the West Indies. When the Federation dissolved in 1962, the Cayman Islands chose to remain a British dependency. The territory has transformed itself into a significant offshore financial center. Topic: Central African RepublicThe Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by representatives from the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in August 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power. CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. BOKASSA’s regime was characterized by widespread corruption and an intolerance of opposition, which manifested in the disappearances of many who challenged BOKASSA’s rule. In an effort to prolong his mandate, he named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in early 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA, rumored to have participated in the killing of some young students after the protests, fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic. CAR’s fifth coup in March 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after a mainly Muslim rebel coalition named the Seleka seized the capital and forced BOZIZE, who himself had taken power in a coup in 2003, to flee the country. Widespread abuses by the Seleka spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of the self-defense groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious-based, although focused on identity as opposed to religious ideology. Elections organized by a transitional government in early 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in December 2020. A peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory.The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by representatives from the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in August 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power.CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. BOKASSA’s regime was characterized by widespread corruption and an intolerance of opposition, which manifested in the disappearances of many who challenged BOKASSA’s rule. In an effort to prolong his mandate, he named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in early 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA, rumored to have participated in the killing of some young students after the protests, fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic.CAR’s fifth coup in March 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after a mainly Muslim rebel coalition named the Seleka seized the capital and forced BOZIZE, who himself had taken power in a coup in 2003, to flee the country. Widespread abuses by the Seleka spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of the self-defense groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious-based, although focused on identity as opposed to religious ideology. Elections organized by a transitional government in early 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in December 2020. A peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory. Topic: ChadChad emerged from a collection of powerful states that controlled the Sahelian belt starting around the 9th century. These states focused on controlling trans-Saharan trade routes and profited mostly from the slave trade. The Kanem-Bornu Empire, centered around the Lake Chad Basin, existed between the 9th and 19th centuries, and during its peak, the empire controlled territory stretching from southern Chad to southern Libya and included portions of modern-day Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and Sudan. The Sudanese warlord Rabih AZ-ZUBAYR used an army comprised largely of slaves to conquer the Kanem-Bornu Empire in the late 19th century. In southeastern Chad, the Bagirmi and Ouaddai (Wadai) kingdoms emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries and lasted until the arrival of the French in the 19th and 20th centuries. France began moving into the region in the late 1880s and defeated the Bagirmi kingdom in 1897, Rabih AZ-ZUBAYR in 1900, and the Ouddai kingdom in 1909. In the arid regions of northern Chad and southern Libya, an Islamic order called the Sanusiyya (Sanusi) relied heavily on the trans-Saharan slave trade and had upwards of 3 million followers by the 1880s. The French arrived in the region in the early 1900s and defeated the Sanusiyya in 1910 after years of intermittent war. By 1910, France had incorporated the northern arid region, the Lake Chad Basin, and southeastern Chad into French Equatorial Africa.   Chad achieved its independence in 1960 and saw three decades of instability, oppressive rule, civil war, and a Libyan invasion. With the help of the French military and several African countries, Chadian leaders expelled Libyan forces during the 1987 "Toyota War," so named for the use of Toyota pickup trucks as fighting vehicles. In 1990, Chadian general Idriss DEBY led a rebellion against President Hissene HABRE. Under DEBY, Chad drafted and approved a constitution and held elections in 1996. DEBY led the country until April 2021 when he was killed during a rebel incursion. Shortly after his death, a group of military officials - led by former President DEBY’s son, Mahamat Idriss DEBY - took control of the government. The military officials dismissed the National Assembly, suspended the Constitution, and formed a Transitional Military Council while pledging to hold democratic elections in October 2022. Chad faces widespread poverty, an economy severely weakened by low international oil prices, and rebel and terrorist-led insurgencies in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, northern Chad has seen several waves of rebellions since 1998. In late 2015, the government imposed a state of emergency in the Lake Chad Basin following multiple attacks by the terrorist group Boko Haram, now known as ISIS-West Africa. In mid-2015, Boko Haram conducted bombings in N'Djamena. In late 2019, the Chadian government also declared a state of emergency in the Sila and Ouaddai regions bordering Sudan and in the Tibesti region bordering Niger where rival ethnic groups are still fighting. The army has suffered heavy losses to Islamic terror groups in the Lake Chad Basin. In March 2020, Islamic militants attacked a Chadian military camp in the Lake Chad Basin and killed nearly 100 soldiers; it was the deadliest attack in the history of the Chadian military.Chad emerged from a collection of powerful states that controlled the Sahelian belt starting around the 9th century. These states focused on controlling trans-Saharan trade routes and profited mostly from the slave trade. The Kanem-Bornu Empire, centered around the Lake Chad Basin, existed between the 9th and 19th centuries, and during its peak, the empire controlled territory stretching from southern Chad to southern Libya and included portions of modern-day Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and Sudan. The Sudanese warlord Rabih AZ-ZUBAYR used an army comprised largely of slaves to conquer the Kanem-Bornu Empire in the late 19th century. In southeastern Chad, the Bagirmi and Ouaddai (Wadai) kingdoms emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries and lasted until the arrival of the French in the 19th and 20th centuries. France began moving into the region in the late 1880s and defeated the Bagirmi kingdom in 1897, Rabih AZ-ZUBAYR in 1900, and the Ouddai kingdom in 1909. In the arid regions of northern Chad and southern Libya, an Islamic order called the Sanusiyya (Sanusi) relied heavily on the trans-Saharan slave trade and had upwards of 3 million followers by the 1880s. The French arrived in the region in the early 1900s and defeated the Sanusiyya in 1910 after years of intermittent war. By 1910, France had incorporated the northern arid region, the Lake Chad Basin, and southeastern Chad into French Equatorial Africa.  Chad achieved its independence in 1960 and saw three decades of instability, oppressive rule, civil war, and a Libyan invasion. With the help of the French military and several African countries, Chadian leaders expelled Libyan forces during the 1987 "Toyota War," so named for the use of Toyota pickup trucks as fighting vehicles. In 1990, Chadian general Idriss DEBY led a rebellion against President Hissene HABRE. Under DEBY, Chad drafted and approved a constitution and held elections in 1996. DEBY led the country until April 2021 when he was killed during a rebel incursion. Shortly after his death, a group of military officials - led by former President DEBY’s son, Mahamat Idriss DEBY - took control of the government. The military officials dismissed the National Assembly, suspended the Constitution, and formed a Transitional Military Council while pledging to hold democratic elections in October 2022.Chad faces widespread poverty, an economy severely weakened by low international oil prices, and rebel and terrorist-led insurgencies in the Lake Chad Basin. Additionally, northern Chad has seen several waves of rebellions since 1998. In late 2015, the government imposed a state of emergency in the Lake Chad Basin following multiple attacks by the terrorist group Boko Haram, now known as ISIS-West Africa. In mid-2015, Boko Haram conducted bombings in N'Djamena. In late 2019, the Chadian government also declared a state of emergency in the Sila and Ouaddai regions bordering Sudan and in the Tibesti region bordering Niger where rival ethnic groups are still fighting. The army has suffered heavy losses to Islamic terror groups in the Lake Chad Basin. In March 2020, Islamic militants attacked a Chadian military camp in the Lake Chad Basin and killed nearly 100 soldiers; it was the deadliest attack in the history of the Chadian military. Topic: ChileIndigenous groups inhabited central and southern Chile for several thousands of years, living in mixed pastoralist and settled communities, ending with the Inka ruling the north of the country for nearly a century prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Captaincy General of Chile was founded by the Spanish in 1541, lasting until Chile declared its independence in 1810. The subsequent struggle became tied to other South American independence conflicts, with a decisive victory over the Spanish not being achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia to win its current northernmost regions. By the 1880s, the Chilean central government cemented its control over the central and southern regions inhabited by Mapuche Indigenous peoples. Between 1891 and 1973, a series of elected governments succeeded each other until the three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by General Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Economic reforms, maintained consistently since the 1980s, contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation. Topic: ChinaChina's historical civilization dates to at least 13th century B.C., first under the Shang (to 1046 B.C.) and then the Zhou (1046-221 B.C) dynasties. The imperial era of China began in 221 B.C. under the Qin Dynasty and lasted until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. During this period, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty suffered heavily from overextension by territorial conquest, insolvency, civil war, imperialism, military defeats, and foreign expropriation of ports and infrastructure. It collapsed following the Revolution of 1911, and China became a republic under SUN Yat-sen of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist) Party. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, and continued foreign intervention. In the late 1920s, a civil war erupted between the ruling KMT-controlled government led by CHIANG Kai-shek, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Japan occupied much of northeastern China in the early 1930s, and then launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 1937. The resulting eight years of warfare devastated the country and cost up to 20 million Chinese lives by the time of Japan’s defeat in 1945. The Nationalist-Communist civil war continued with renewed intensity following the end of World War II and culminated with a CCP victory in 1949, under the leadership of MAO Zedong. MAO and the CCP established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring the PRC's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and launched agricultural, economic, political, and social policies - such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) - that cost the lives of millions of people. MAO died in 1976. Beginning in 1978, subsequent leaders DENG Xiaoping, JIANG Zemin, and HU Jintao focused on market-oriented economic development and opening up the country to foreign trade, while maintaining the rule of the CCP. Since the change, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, with real gross domestic product averaging over 9% growth annually through 2021, lifting an estimated 800 million people out of poverty, and dramatically improving overall living standards. By 2011, the PRC’s economy was the second largest in the world. The growth, however, has created considerable social displacement, adversely affected the country’s environment, and reduced the country’s natural resources. Current leader XI Jinping has continued these policies, but also has maintained tight political controls. Over the past decade, China has also increased its global outreach, including military deployments, participation in international organizations, and initiating a global connectivity initiative in 2013 called the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI). While many nations have signed on to BRI agreements to attract PRC investment, others have balked the opaque lending behavior; weak environment, social, and governance (ESG) standards; and other practices that undermine local governance and foster corruption associated with some BRI-linked projects. XI Jinping assumed the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012 and President in 2013. In March 2018, the PRC’s National People’s Congress passed an amendment abolishing presidential term limits, opening the door for XI to seek a third five-year term in 2023.  China's historical civilization dates to at least 13th century B.C., first under the Shang (to 1046 B.C.) and then the Zhou (1046-221 B.C) dynasties. The imperial era of China began in 221 B.C. under the Qin Dynasty and lasted until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. During this period, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty suffered heavily from overextension by territorial conquest, insolvency, civil war, imperialism, military defeats, and foreign expropriation of ports and infrastructure. It collapsed following the Revolution of 1911, and China became a republic under SUN Yat-sen of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist) Party. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, and continued foreign intervention. In the late 1920s, a civil war erupted between the ruling KMT-controlled government led by CHIANG Kai-shek, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Japan occupied much of northeastern China in the early 1930s, and then launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 1937. The resulting eight years of warfare devastated the country and cost up to 20 million Chinese lives by the time of Japan’s defeat in 1945. The Nationalist-Communist civil war continued with renewed intensity following the end of World War II and culminated with a CCP victory in 1949, under the leadership of MAO Zedong. MAO and the CCP established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring the PRC's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and launched agricultural, economic, political, and social policies - such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) - that cost the lives of millions of people. MAO died in 1976. Beginning in 1978, subsequent leaders DENG Xiaoping, JIANG Zemin, and HU Jintao focused on market-oriented economic development and opening up the country to foreign trade, while maintaining the rule of the CCP. Since the change, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, with real gross domestic product averaging over 9% growth annually through 2021, lifting an estimated 800 million people out of poverty, and dramatically improving overall living standards. By 2011, the PRC’s economy was the second largest in the world. The growth, however, has created considerable social displacement, adversely affected the country’s environment, and reduced the country’s natural resources. Current leader XI Jinping has continued these policies, but also has maintained tight political controls. Over the past decade, China has also increased its global outreach, including military deployments, participation in international organizations, and initiating a global connectivity initiative in 2013 called the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI). While many nations have signed on to BRI agreements to attract PRC investment, others have balked the opaque lending behavior; weak environment, social, and governance (ESG) standards; and other practices that undermine local governance and foster corruption associated with some BRI-linked projects. XI Jinping assumed the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012 and President in 2013. In March 2018, the PRC’s National People’s Congress passed an amendment abolishing presidential term limits, opening the door for XI to seek a third five-year term in 2023.  Topic: Christmas IslandAlthough Europeans sighted the island as early as 1615, it was only named in 1643 by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery. Another English ship sailed by the island in 1688 and found it uninhabited. Attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries were hampered by steep cliffs and dense jungle. Phosphate discovery on the island in 1887, lead to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company brought in 200 Chinese indentured servants to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore. Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it. In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island and the migrants claimed refugee status since they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was officially closed in 2018, although plans to reopen it were announced in early 2019.Although Europeans sighted the island as early as 1615, it was only named in 1643 by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery. Another English ship sailed by the island in 1688 and found it uninhabited. Attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries were hampered by steep cliffs and dense jungle. Phosphate discovery on the island in 1887, lead to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, the Christmas Island Phosphate Company brought in 200 Chinese indentured servants to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore. Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the Christmas Island Phosphate Company, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it. In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island and the migrants claimed refugee status since they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was officially closed in 2018, although plans to reopen it were announced in early 2019. Topic: Clipperton IslandThis isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, an English pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the US, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935. Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsBritish captain William KEELING discovered Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609 and they were named the Cocos Islands in 1622 for their coconut trees. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off-course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired John’s brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978. The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, which officially named the islands the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands’ governance. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992.  British captain William KEELING discovered Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609 and they were named the Cocos Islands in 1622 for their coconut trees. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off-course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired John’s brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978. The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, which officially named the islands the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands’ governance. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992.  Topic: ColombiaColombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006, and the AUC as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, illegal armed groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006, and the AUC as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, illegal armed groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties. Topic: ComorosThe archipelago of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, composed of the islands of Mayotte, Anjouan, Moheli, and Grande Comore declared independence from France on 6 July 1975. Residents of Mayotte voted to remain in France, and France now has classified it as a department of France. Since independence, Comoros has endured political instability through realized and attempted coups. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI Assoumani seized power of the entire government in a bloodless coup; he initiated the 2000 Fomboni Accords, a power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its local government. AZALI won the 2002 federal presidential election as president of the Union of the Comoros from Grande Comore Island, which held the first four-year term. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed SAMBI was elected to office as president from Anjouan. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union of the Comoros, refusing to step down when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade to Anjouan, but in March 2008 the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In 2009, the Comorian population approved a constitutional referendum extending the term of the president from four years to five years. In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. In closely contested elections in 2016, former President AZALI Assoumani won a second term, when the rotating presidency returned to Grande Comore. A new July 2018 constitution removed the presidential term limits and the requirement for the presidency to rotate between the three main islands. In August 2018, President AZALI formed a new government and subsequently ran and was elected president in March 2019. Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theThe Kingdom of Kongo ruled the area around the mouth of the Congo River from the 14th to 19th centuries. To the center and east, the Kingdoms of Luba and Lunda ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century. in the 1870s, European exploration of the Congo Basin, sponsored by King Leopold II of Belgium, eventually allowed the ruler to acquire rights to the Congo territory and to make it his private property under the name of the Congo Free State. During the Free State, the king's colonial military forced the local population to produce rubber. From 1885 to 1908, millions of Congolese people died as a result of disease and exploitation. International condemnation finally forced Leopold to cede the land to Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo. The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from conflict in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. KABILA renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. In January 2001, KABILA was assassinated and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. Presidential, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures took place in 2006, with Joseph KABILA elected to office. National elections were held in November 2011 and disputed results allowed Joseph KABILA to be reelected to the presidency. While the DRC constitution barred President KABILA from running for a third term, the DRC Government delayed national elections originally slated for November 2016, to 30 December 2018. This failure to hold elections as scheduled fueled significant civil and political unrest, with sporadic street protests by KABILA’s opponents and exacerbation of tensions in the tumultuous eastern DRC regions. Presidential, legislative, and provincial elections were held in late December 2018 and early 2019 across most of the country. The DRC Government canceled presidential elections in the cities of Beni and Butembo (citing concerns over an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region) as well as Yumbi (which had recently experienced heavy violence). Opposition candidate Felix TSHISEKEDI was announced the election winner on 10 January 2019 and inaugurated two weeks later. This was the first transfer of power to an opposition candidate without significant violence or a coup since the DRC's independence.  The DRC, particularly in the East, continues to experience violence perpetrated by more than 100 armed groups active in the region, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and assorted Mai Mai militias. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has operated in the region since 1999 and is the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission in the world.  The Kingdom of Kongo ruled the area around the mouth of the Congo River from the 14th to 19th centuries. To the center and east, the Kingdoms of Luba and Lunda ruled from the 16th and 17th centuries to the 19th century. in the 1870s, European exploration of the Congo Basin, sponsored by King Leopold II of Belgium, eventually allowed the ruler to acquire rights to the Congo territory and to make it his private property under the name of the Congo Free State. During the Free State, the king's colonial military forced the local population to produce rubber. From 1885 to 1908, millions of Congolese people died as a result of disease and exploitation. International condemnation finally forced Leopold to cede the land to Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo. The Republic of the Congo gained its independence from Belgium in 1960, but its early years were marred by political and social instability. Col. Joseph MOBUTU seized power and declared himself president in a November 1965 coup. He subsequently changed his name - to MOBUTU Sese Seko - as well as that of the country - to Zaire. MOBUTU retained his position for 32 years through several sham elections, as well as through brutal force. Ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow of refugees in 1994 from conflict in Rwanda and Burundi, led in May 1997 to the toppling of the MOBUTU regime by a rebellion backed by Rwanda and Uganda and fronted by Laurent KABILA. KABILA renamed the country the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but in August 1998 his regime was itself challenged by a second insurrection again backed by Rwanda and Uganda. Troops from Angola, Chad, Namibia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe intervened to support KABILA's regime. In January 2001, KABILA was assassinated and his son, Joseph KABILA, was named head of state. In October 2002, the new president was successful in negotiating the withdrawal of Rwandan forces occupying the eastern DRC; two months later, the Pretoria Accord was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and establish a government of national unity. Presidential, National Assembly, and provincial legislatures took place in 2006, with Joseph KABILA elected to office.National elections were held in November 2011 and disputed results allowed Joseph KABILA to be reelected to the presidency. While the DRC constitution barred President KABILA from running for a third term, the DRC Government delayed national elections originally slated for November 2016, to 30 December 2018. This failure to hold elections as scheduled fueled significant civil and political unrest, with sporadic street protests by KABILA’s opponents and exacerbation of tensions in the tumultuous eastern DRC regions. Presidential, legislative, and provincial elections were held in late December 2018 and early 2019 across most of the country. The DRC Government canceled presidential elections in the cities of Beni and Butembo (citing concerns over an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region) as well as Yumbi (which had recently experienced heavy violence).Opposition candidate Felix TSHISEKEDI was announced the election winner on 10 January 2019 and inaugurated two weeks later. This was the first transfer of power to an opposition candidate without significant violence or a coup since the DRC's independence. The DRC, particularly in the East, continues to experience violence perpetrated by more than 100 armed groups active in the region, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and assorted Mai Mai militias. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) has operated in the region since 1999 and is the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping mission in the world.  Topic: Congo, Republic of theUpon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992, and sparked a short period of ethnic and political unrest that was resolved by a peace agreement in late 1999. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and elections arranged shortly thereafter installed SASSOU-Nguesso. Following a year of renewed fighting, President SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reeelected in 2009 and, after passing a referendum allowing him to run for a third term, was reelected again in 2016. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term. Topic: Cook IslandsPolynesians from Tahiti were probably the first people to settle Rarotonga around A.D. 900. Over time, Samoans and Tongans also settled in Rarotonga, and Rarotongans voyaged to the northern Cook Islands, settling Manihiki and Rakahanga. Pukapuka and Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands were settled directly from Samoa. Prior to European contact, there was considerable travel and trade between inhabitants of the different islands and atolls but they were not united in a single entity. Spanish navigators were the first Europeans to spot the northern Cook Islands in 1595 followed by the first landing in 1606. The Cook Islands remained free of further European contact until the 1760s, and in 1773, British explorer James COOK saw Manuae in the southern Cook Islands. The islands were named after COOK in the 1820s by Russian mapmakers. English missionary activity during the 1820s and 1830s banned singing and dancing and converted most of the population. Fearing France would militarily occupy the islands like it did in Tahiti, Rarotongans asked the UK for protectorate status in the 1840s and 1860s, which the UK ignored. In 1888, Queen MAKEA TAKAU of Rarotonga formally petitioned for protectorate status, which the UK reluctantly agreed to. In 1901, the UK placed Rarotonga and the rest of the islands in the New Zealand Colony and in 1915, the Cook Islands Act organized the Cook Islands into one political entity. It remained a protectorate until 1965, when New Zealand granted the Cook Islands self-government status. The Cook Islands has a great deal of local autonomy and is an independent member of international organizations, but it is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs. Economic opportunities in the Cook Islands are sparse, and more Cook Islanders live in New Zealand than in the Cook Islands. In a referendum in 1994, voters chose to keep the name Cook Islands rather than changing to a Maori name for the islands. The issue was revived in 2019, but after being poorly received by the diaspora in New Zealand, the government decided to retain the name Cook Islands but to provide a Maori name alongside it. The Maori name has not yet been determined. Topic: Coral Sea IslandsThe widely scattered islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host any permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s, saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969 and its boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within marine national nature reserves.  The widely scattered islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host any permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s, saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969 and its boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within marine national nature reserves.  Topic: Costa RicaAlthough explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. On 1 December 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread. Topic: Cote d'IvoireVarious small kingdoms ruled the area of Cote d'Ivoire between the 15th and 19th centuries, when European explorers arrived and then began to expand their presence. In 1844, France established a protectorate. During this period, many of these kingdoms and tribes fought to maintain their cultural identities - some well into the 20th century. For example, the Sanwi kingdom - originally founded in the 17th century - tried to break away from Cote d’Ivoire and establish an independent state in 1969.  Cote d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960 but has maintained close ties with France. The export and production of cocoa and foreign investment drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. In December 1999, a military coup overthrew the government. In late 2000, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. In September 2002, Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup that developed into a civil war. In 2003, a cease-fire resulted in rebels holding the north, the government holding the south, and peacekeeping forces occupying a buffer zone in the middle. In March 2007, President GBAGBO and former rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister. The two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections. In November 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, GBAGBO was formally forced from office by armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French forces. In 2015, OUATTARA won a second term. In October 2020, OUATTARA won a controversial third presidential term, despite a two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution, in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition did participate peacefully in March 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in March 2021, the International Criminal Court in The Hague ruled on a final acquittal for GBAGBO, who was on trial for crimes against humanity, paving the way for GBAGBO’s June 2021 return to Abidjan. GBAGBO has publicly met with President OUATTARA since his return in June 2021 as a demonstration of political reconciliation. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2025.  Various small kingdoms ruled the area of Cote d'Ivoire between the 15th and 19th centuries, when European explorers arrived and then began to expand their presence. In 1844, France established a protectorate. During this period, many of these kingdoms and tribes fought to maintain their cultural identities - some well into the 20th century. For example, the Sanwi kingdom - originally founded in the 17th century - tried to break away from Cote d’Ivoire and establish an independent state in 1969.  Cote d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960 but has maintained close ties with France. The export and production of cocoa and foreign investment drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. In December 1999, a military coup overthrew the government. In late 2000, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. In September 2002, Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup that developed into a civil war. In 2003, a cease-fire resulted in rebels holding the north, the government holding the south, and peacekeeping forces occupying a buffer zone in the middle. In March 2007, President GBAGBO and former rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister. The two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections. In November 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, GBAGBO was formally forced from office by armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French forces. In 2015, OUATTARA won a second term. In October 2020, OUATTARA won a controversial third presidential term, despite a two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution, in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition did participate peacefully in March 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in March 2021, the International Criminal Court in The Hague ruled on a final acquittal for GBAGBO, who was on trial for crimes against humanity, paving the way for GBAGBO’s June 2021 return to Abidjan. GBAGBO has publicly met with President OUATTARA since his return in June 2021 as a demonstration of political reconciliation. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2025.  Topic: CroatiaThe lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics under the strong hand of Marshal Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Yugoslav forces, dominated by Serb officers, were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in April 2009 and the EU in July 2013.The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia. Following World War II, Yugoslavia became a federal independent communist state consisting of six socialist republics under the strong hand of Marshal Josip Broz, aka TITO. Although Croatia declared its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, it took four years of sporadic, but often bitter, fighting before occupying Yugoslav forces, dominated by Serb officers, were mostly cleared from Croatian lands, along with a majority of Croatia's ethnic Serb population. Under UN supervision, the last Serb-held enclave in eastern Slavonia was returned to Croatia in 1998. The country joined NATO in April 2009 and the EU in July 2013. Topic: CubaThe native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European encounter of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898 and, following three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He handed off the pesidency in February 2008 to his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez, hand-picked by Raul CASTRO to succeed him, was approved as president by the National Assembly and took office on 19 April 2018. DIAZ-CANEL was appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party on 19 April 2021 following the retirement of Raul CASTRO, and continues to serve as both president and first secretary. Cuba traditionally and consistently portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its difficulties. As a result of efforts begun in December 2014 to reestablish diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government, which were severed in January 1961, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries in July 2015. The embargo remains in place, and the relationship between the US and Cuba remains tense.  Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. On 12 January 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy – by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay. Irregular Cuban maritime migration has dropped significantly since FY 2016, when migrant interdictions at sea topped 5,000, but land border crossings continue. In FY 2021, the US Coast Guard interdicted 838 Cuban nationals at sea. Also in FY 2021, 39,303 Cuban nationals presented themselves at various land border ports of entry throughout the US.The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European encounter of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from Spain in 1898 and, following three-and-a-half years of subsequent US military rule, Cuba became an independent republic in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his authoritarian rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He handed off the pesidency in February 2008 to his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez, hand-picked by Raul CASTRO to succeed him, was approved as president by the National Assembly and took office on 19 April 2018. DIAZ-CANEL was appointed First Secretary of the Communist Party on 19 April 2021 following the retirement of Raul CASTRO, and continues to serve as both president and first secretary.Cuba traditionally and consistently portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source of its difficulties. As a result of efforts begun in December 2014 to reestablish diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government, which were severed in January 1961, the US and Cuba reopened embassies in their respective countries in July 2015. The embargo remains in place, and the relationship between the US and Cuba remains tense. Illicit migration of Cuban nationals to the US via maritime and overland routes has been a longstanding challenge. On 12 January 2017, the US and Cuba signed a Joint Statement ending the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy – by which Cuban nationals who reached US soil were permitted to stay. Irregular Cuban maritime migration has dropped significantly since FY 2016, when migrant interdictions at sea topped 5,000, but land border crossings continue. In FY 2021, the US Coast Guard interdicted 838 Cuban nationals at sea. Also in FY 2021, 39,303 Cuban nationals presented themselves at various land border ports of entry throughout the US. Topic: CuracaoThe original Arawak Indian settlers who arrived on the island from South America in about 1000, were largely enslaved by the Spanish early in the 16th century and forcibly relocated to other colonies where labor was needed. Curacao was seized by the Dutch from the Spanish in 1634. Once the center of the Caribbean slave trade, Curacao was hard hit economically by the abolition of slavery in 1863. Its prosperity (and that of neighboring Aruba) was restored in the early 20th century with the construction of the Isla Refineria to service the newly discovered Venezuelan oil fields. In 1954, Curacao and several other Dutch Caribbean colonies were reorganized as the Netherlands Antilles, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In referenda in 2005 and 2009, the citizens of Curacao voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The change in status became effective in October 2010 with the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. Topic: CyprusA former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority communities came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued, forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek Government-sponsored attempt to overthrow the elected president of Cyprus was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot administered area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" ("TRNC"), but it is recognized only by Turkey. An UN-mediated agreement, the Annan Plan, failed to win approval by both communities in 2004. In February 2014, after a hiatus of nearly two years, the leaders of the two communities resumed formal discussions under UN auspices aimed at reuniting the divided island. The most recent round of negotiations to reunify the island were suspended in July 2017 after failure to achieve a breakthrough. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under the internationally recognized government, and is suspended in the "TRNC." However, individual Turkish Cypriots able to document their eligibility for Republic of Cyprus citizenship legally enjoy the same rights accorded to other citizens of EU states. Topic: CzechiaAt the close of World War I, the Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia, a parliamentarian democracy. During the interwar years, having rejected a federal system, the new country's predominantly Czech leaders were frequently preoccupied with meeting the increasingly strident demands of other ethnic minorities within the republic, most notably the Slovaks, the Sudeten Germans, and the Ruthenians (Ukrainians). On the eve of World War II, Nazi Germany occupied the territory that today comprises Czechia, and Slovakia became an independent state allied with Germany. After the war, a reunited but truncated Czechoslovakia (less Ruthenia) fell within the Soviet sphere of influence when the pro-Soviet Communist party staged a coup in February 1948. In 1968, an invasion by fellow Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of the country's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, the country underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004. The country formally added the short-form name Czechia in 2016, while also continuing to use the full form name, the Czech Republic. Topic: DenmarkOnce the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union, European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union, European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs. Topic: DhekeliaBy terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The larger of these is the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Eastern Sovereign Base Area. Topic: DjiboutiThe region of present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, treaties signed by the Afar sultans with the French allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885. Tension between the ethnic Afar and Somali populations increased over time, as the ethnic Somali perceived that the French unfairly favored the Afar and gave them disproportionate influence in local governance. In 1958, the French held a referendum that provided residents of French Somaliland the option to either continue their association with France or to join neighboring Somalia as it established its independence. The ethnic Somali protested the vote, because French colonial leaders did not recognize many Somali as residents, which gave the Afar outsized influence in the decision to uphold ties with France. After a second referendum in 1967, the French changed the territory’s name to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas, in part to underscore their relationship with the ethnic Afar and downplay the significance of the ethnic Somali. A final referendum in 1977 established Djibouti as an independent nation and granted ethnic Somalis Djiboutian nationality, formally resetting the balance of power between the majority ethnic Somali and minority ethnic Afar residents. Upon independence, the country was named after its capital city of Djibouti. Hassan Gouled APTIDON, an ethnic Somali leader, installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest between the Afar minority and Somali majority culminated in a civil war during the 1990s that ended in 2001 with a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Somali Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multiparty presidential election resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH as president; he was reelected to a second term in 2005 and extended his tenure in office via a constitutional amendment, which allowed him to serve his third and fourth terms, and begin a fifth term in 2021. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Its ports handle 95% of Ethiopia’s trade. Djibouti’s ports also service transshipments between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The government holds longstanding ties to France, which maintains a military presence in the country, as does the US, Japan, Italy, Germany, Spain, and China.The region of present-day Djibouti was the site of the medieval Ifat and Adal Sultanates. In the late 19th century, treaties signed by the Afar sultans with the French allowed the latter to establish the colony of French Somaliland in 1862. The French signed additional treaties with the ethnic Somali in 1885. Topic: DominicaDominica was the last of the Caribbean islands to be colonized by Europeans due chiefly to the fierce resistance of the native Caribs. France ceded possession to Great Britain in 1763, which colonized the island in 1805. Slavery ended in 1833 and in 1835 the first three men of African descent were elected to the legislative assembly of Dominica. In 1871, Dominica became part first of the British Leeward Islands and then the British Windward Islands until 1958. In 1967 Dominica became an associated state of the UK, and formally took responsibility for its internal affairs. In 1980, two years after independence, Dominica's fortunes improved when a corrupt and tyrannical administration was replaced by that of Mary Eugenia CHARLES, the first female prime minister in the Caribbean, who remained in office for 15 years. On 18 September 2017, Hurricane Maria passed over the island, causing extensive damage to structures, roads, communications, and the power supply, and largely destroying critical agricultural areas. Topic: Dominican RepublicThe Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of the Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. Following the two-term presidency of Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (2012-2020), Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona was elected president in July 2020. Topic: EcuadorWhat is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected presidents. In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence. Guillermo LASSO was elected president in April 2021 becoming the country's first center-right president in nearly two decades when he took office the following month. Topic: EgyptThe regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals. Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muhammad MURSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MURSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MURSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In January 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and in May 2014 elected former defense minister Abdelfattah ELSISI president. Egypt elected a new legislature in December 2015, its first House of Representatives since 2012. ELSISI was reelected to a second four-year term in March 2018. In April 2019, Egypt approved via national referendum a set of constitutional amendments extending ELSISI’s term in office through 2024 and possibly through 2030 if reelected for a third term. The amendments would also allow future presidents up to two consecutive six-year terms in office, reestablish an upper legislative house, allow for one or more vice presidents, establish a 25% quota for female legislators, reaffirm the military’s role as guardian of Egypt, and expand presidential authority to appoint the heads of judicial councils. Successful legislative elections were held in October-November 2020, having been delayed for six months.    The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals.Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muhammad MURSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MURSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MURSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In January 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and in May 2014 elected former defense minister Abdelfattah ELSISI president. Egypt elected a new legislature in December 2015, its first House of Representatives since 2012. ELSISI was reelected to a second four-year term in March 2018. In April 2019, Egypt approved via national referendum a set of constitutional amendments extending ELSISI’s term in office through 2024 and possibly through 2030 if reelected for a third term. The amendments would also allow future presidents up to two consecutive six-year terms in office, reestablish an upper legislative house, allow for one or more vice presidents, establish a 25% quota for female legislators, reaffirm the military’s role as guardian of Egypt, and expand presidential authority to appoint the heads of judicial councils. Successful legislative elections were held in October-November 2020, having been delayed for six months.   Topic: El SalvadorEl Salvador achieved independence from Spain in 1821 and from the Central American Federation in 1839. A 12-year civil war, which cost about 75,000 lives, was brought to a close in 1992 when the government and leftist rebels signed a treaty that provided for military and political reforms. El Salvador is beset by one of the world's highest homicide rates and pervasive criminal gangs. Topic: Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a violent coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979. He has been elected several times since 1989, and was most recently reelected in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have been considered flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oil fields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, generally lower global oil prices since 2014 and depreciating oil fields have placed significant strain on the state budget. While oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure, corruption has hindered socio-economic development and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region.  Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule; it is one of the smallest countries in Africa consisting of a mainland territory and five inhabited islands. The capital of Malabo is located on the island of Bioko, approximately 25 km from the Cameroonian coastline in the Gulf of Guinea. Between 1968 and 1979, autocratic President Francisco MACIAS NGUEMA virtually destroyed all of the country's political, economic, and social institutions before being deposed by his nephew Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO in a violent coup. President OBIANG has ruled since October 1979. He has been elected several times since 1989, and was most recently reelected in 2016. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, presidential and legislative elections since 1996 have been considered flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has placed legal and bureaucratic barriers that hinder political opposition. Equatorial Guinea experienced rapid economic growth in the early years of the 21st century due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves in 1996. Production peaked in late 2004 and has slowly declined since, although aggressive searches for new oil fields continue. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in massive increases in government revenue in past years, generally lower global oil prices since 2014 and depreciating oil fields have placed significant strain on the state budget. While oil revenues have mainly been used for the development of infrastructure, corruption has hindered socio-economic development and there have been limited improvements in the population's living standards. Equatorial Guinea continues to seek to diversify its economy and to increase foreign investment. The country hosts major regional and international conferences and continues to seek a greater role in international affairs, and leadership in the sub-region.  Topic: EritreaAfter independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service – divided between military and civilian service – of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. A subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation was rejected by Ethiopia. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 after the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Following the July 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia, Eritrean leaders engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In November 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for Al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia has led to a steady resumption of economic ties, with increased air transport, trade, tourism, and port activities, but the economy remains agriculture-dependent, and Eritrea is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression and conscription and militarization continue.After independence from Italian colonial control in 1941 and 10 years of British administrative control, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopia's full annexation of Eritrea as a province 10 years later sparked a violent 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991 with Eritrean rebels defeating government forces. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum. ISAIAS Afwerki has been Eritrea's only president since independence; his rule, particularly since 2001, has been highly autocratic and repressive. His government has created a highly militarized society by pursuing an unpopular program of mandatory conscription into national service – divided between military and civilian service – of indefinite length. A two-and-a-half-year border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 ended under UN auspices in December 2000. A subsequent 2007 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) demarcation was rejected by Ethiopia. More than a decade of a tense “no peace, no war” stalemate ended in 2018 after the newly elected Ethiopian prime minister accepted the EEBC’s 2007 ruling, and the two countries signed declarations of peace and friendship. Following the July 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopia, Eritrean leaders engaged in intensive diplomacy around the Horn of Africa, bolstering regional peace, security, and cooperation, as well as brokering rapprochements between governments and opposition groups. In November 2018, the UN Security Council lifted an arms embargo that had been imposed on Eritrea since 2009, after the UN Somalia-Eritrea Monitoring Group reported they had not found evidence of Eritrean support in recent years for Al-Shabaab. The country’s rapprochement with Ethiopia has led to a steady resumption of economic ties, with increased air transport, trade, tourism, and port activities, but the economy remains agriculture-dependent, and Eritrea is still one of Africa’s poorest nations. Despite the country's improved relations with its neighbors, ISAIAS has not let up on repression and conscription and militarization continue. Topic: EstoniaAfter centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011. Topic: EswatiniAutonomy for Eswatini was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. A new constitution came into effect in 2006, which included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in April 2018. Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections.             Topic: EthiopiaUnique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. A border war with Eritrea in the late 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December 2000. In November 2007, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission (EEBC) issued specific coordinates as virtually demarcating the border and pronounced its work finished. Alleging that the EEBC acted beyond its mandate in issuing the coordinates, Ethiopia did not accept them and maintained troops in previously contested areas pronounced by the EEBC as belonging to Eritrea. This intransigence resulted in years of heightened tension between the two countries. In August 2012, longtime leader Prime Minister MELES Zenawi died in office and was replaced by his Deputy Prime Minister HAILEMARIAM Desalegn, marking the first peaceful transition of power in decades. Following a wave of popular dissent and anti-government protest that began in 2015, HAILEMARIAM resigned in February 2018 and ABIY Ahmed Ali took office in April 2018 as Ethiopia's first ethnic Oromo prime minister. In June 2018, ABIY announced Ethiopia would accept the border ruling of 2000, prompting rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea that was marked with a peace agreement in July 2018 and a reopening of the border in September 2018. In November 2019, Ethiopia's nearly 30-year ethnic-based ruling coalition - the EPRDF - merged into a single unity party called the Prosperity Party, however, one of the four constituent parties (the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front or TPLF) refused to join. In November 2020, a military conflict erupted between forces aligned with the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopia’s national military, the Ethiopian National Defense Force. The conflict, which has continued throughout 2021, has exacerbated ethnic violence and has largely centered in Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regional states.Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of a short-lived Italian occupation from 1936-41. In 1974, a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile SELASSIE (who had ruled since 1930) and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in 1995. Topic: European UnionFollowing the two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century, a number of far-sighted European leaders in the late 1940s sought a response to the overwhelming desire for peace and reconciliation on the continent. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed pooling the production of coal and steel in Western Europe and setting up an organization for that purpose that would bring France and the Federal Republic of Germany together and would be open to other countries as well. The following year, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members - Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands - signed the Treaty of Paris. The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other elements of the member states' economies. In 1957, envisioning an "ever closer union," the Treaties of Rome were signed creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states strove to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the body known today as the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and have been held every five years since. In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU), at the time standing alongside the EC. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU/EC, raising the total number of member states to 15. A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all EU member states except Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. In 2002, citizens of those 12 countries began using euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia in 2013, but the UK withdrew in 2020. Current membership stands at 27. (Seven of the new countries - Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia - have now adopted the euro, bringing total euro-zone membership to 19.) In an effort to ensure that the EU could function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice (concluded in 2000; entered into force in 2003) set forth rules to streamline the size and procedures of EU institutions. An effort to establish a "Constitution for Europe," growing out of a Convention held in 2002-2003, foundered when it was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. A subsequent effort in 2007 incorporated many of the features of the rejected draft Constitutional Treaty while also making a number of substantive and symbolic changes. The new treaty, referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon, sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. The treaty was approved at the EU intergovernmental conference of member states held in Lisbon in December 2007, after which the process of national ratifications began. In October 2009, an Irish referendum approved the Lisbon Treaty (overturning a previous rejection) and cleared the way for an ultimate unanimous endorsement. Poland and the Czech Republic ratified soon after. The Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009 and the EU officially replaced and succeeded the EC. The Lisbon Treaty's provisions are part of the basic consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) now governing what remains a very specific integration project. UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU; the formal exit took place on 31 January 2020. The EU and UK negotiated and ratified a Withdrawal Agreement that included a status quo transition period through December 2020, when the follow-on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded.Following the two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century, a number of far-sighted European leaders in the late 1940s sought a response to the overwhelming desire for peace and reconciliation on the continent. In 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert SCHUMAN proposed pooling the production of coal and steel in Western Europe and setting up an organization for that purpose that would bring France and the Federal Republic of Germany together and would be open to other countries as well. The following year, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was set up when six members - Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands - signed the Treaty of Paris.The ECSC was so successful that within a few years the decision was made to integrate other elements of the member states' economies. In 1957, envisioning an "ever closer union," the Treaties of Rome were signed creating the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), and the six member states strove to eliminate trade barriers among themselves by forming a common market. In 1967, the institutions of all three communities were formally merged into the European Community (EC), creating a single Commission, a single Council of Ministers, and the body known today as the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament were initially selected by national parliaments, but in 1979 the first direct elections were undertaken and have been held every five years since.In 1973, the first enlargement of the EC took place with the addition of Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. The 1980s saw further membership expansion with Greece joining in 1981 and Spain and Portugal in 1986. The 1992 Treaty of Maastricht laid the basis for further forms of cooperation in foreign and defense policy, in judicial and internal affairs, and in the creation of an economic and monetary union - including a common currency. This further integration created the European Union (EU), at the time standing alongside the EC. In 1995, Austria, Finland, and Sweden joined the EU/EC, raising the total number of member states to 15.A new currency, the euro, was launched in world money markets on 1 January 1999; it became the unit of exchange for all EU member states except Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. In 2002, citizens of those 12 countries began using euro banknotes and coins. Ten new countries joined the EU in 2004 - Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined in 2007 and Croatia in 2013, but the UK withdrew in 2020. Current membership stands at 27. (Seven of the new countries - Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia - have now adopted the euro, bringing total euro-zone membership to 19.)In an effort to ensure that the EU could function efficiently with an expanded membership, the Treaty of Nice (concluded in 2000; entered into force in 2003) set forth rules to streamline the size and procedures of EU institutions. An effort to establish a "Constitution for Europe," growing out of a Convention held in 2002-2003, foundered when it was rejected in referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. A subsequent effort in 2007 incorporated many of the features of the rejected draft Constitutional Treaty while also making a number of substantive and symbolic changes. The new treaty, referred to as the Treaty of Lisbon, sought to amend existing treaties rather than replace them. The treaty was approved at the EU intergovernmental conference of member states held in Lisbon in December 2007, after which the process of national ratifications began. In October 2009, an Irish referendum approved the Lisbon Treaty (overturning a previous rejection) and cleared the way for an ultimate unanimous endorsement. Poland and the Czech Republic ratified soon after. The Lisbon Treaty came into force on 1 December 2009 and the EU officially replaced and succeeded the EC. The Lisbon Treaty's provisions are part of the basic consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) now governing what remains a very specific integration project.UK citizens on 23 June 2016 narrowly voted to leave the EU; the formal exit took place on 31 January 2020. The EU and UK negotiated and ratified a Withdrawal Agreement that included a status quo transition period through December 2020, when the follow-on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was concluded. Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed. In response to renewed calls from Argentina for Britain to relinquish control of the islands, a referendum was held in March 2013, which resulted in 99.8% of the population voting to remain a part of the UK. Topic: Faroe IslandsThe population of the Faroe Islands, a self-governing dependency of Denmark, is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. The Home Rule Act of 1948 granted a high degree of self-Government to the Faroese, who have autonomy over most internal affairs and external trade, while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and some foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union. Topic: FijiAustronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200 while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to spot Fiji in 1643, followed by British explorer James COOK in 1774. Captain William BLIGH plotted the islands in 1789. In the 1800s, merchants, traders, and whalers frequented the islands and the first missionaries arrived in 1835. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans and their weapons, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874. The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements in place to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. Long-serving Prime Minister Kamisese MARA largely balanced these ethnic divisions but concerns about growing Indo-Fijian political influence led to two coups in 1987. A new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Commodore Josaia BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA  appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and continues to hold the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. With well-developed infrastructure, Fiji has become a hub for the Pacific, hosting the secretariat for the Pacific Islands Forum and the main campus of the University of the South Pacific. In addition, Fiji is a center for Pacific tourism, and Nadi International Airport is by far the busiest airport in a Pacific island country.Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200 while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to spot Fiji in 1643, followed by British explorer James COOK in 1774. Captain William BLIGH plotted the islands in 1789. In the 1800s, merchants, traders, and whalers frequented the islands and the first missionaries arrived in 1835. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans and their weapons, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874. The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements in place to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. Long-serving Prime Minister Kamisese MARA largely balanced these ethnic divisions but concerns about growing Indo-Fijian political influence led to two coups in 1987. A new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Commodore Josaia BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA  appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and continues to hold the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. With well-developed infrastructure, Fiji has become a hub for the Pacific, hosting the secretariat for the Pacific Islands Forum and the main campus of the University of the South Pacific. In addition, Fiji is a center for Pacific tourism, and Nadi International Airport is by far the busiest airport in a Pacific island country. Topic: FinlandFinland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It gained complete independence in 1917. During World War II, Finland successfully defended its independence through cooperation with Germany and resisted subsequent invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, Finland transformed from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the EU since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro single currency at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland's modern welfare state are high quality education, promotion of equality, and a national social welfare system - currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy. Topic: FranceFrance today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper.France today is one of the most modern countries in the world and is a leader among European nations. It plays an influential global role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, NATO, the G-7, the G-20, the EU, and other multilateral organizations. France rejoined NATO's integrated military command structure in 2009, reversing DE GAULLE's 1966 decision to withdraw French forces from NATO. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier, more purely parliamentary administrations. In recent decades, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the introduction of a common currency, the euro, in January 1999. In the early 21st century, five French overseas entities - French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion - became French regions and were made part of France proper. Topic: French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia consists of five archipelagos - the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago. The Marquesas were first settled around 200 B.C. and the Society Islands around A.D. 300. Raiatea in the Society Islands became a center for religion and culture. Exploration of the other islands emanated from Raiatea and by 1000, there were small permanent settlements in all the island groups. Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see the islands of French Polynesia in 1520, and successive European voyagers traveled through them over the next two centuries. In 1767, British explorer Samuel WALLIS was the first European to visit Tahiti, followed by French navigator Louis Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1768, and British explorer James COOK in 1769. King POMARE I united Tahiti and surrounding islands into the Kingdom of Tahiti in 1788. Protestant missionaries arrived in 1797 and Pomare I’s successor converted in the 1810s, along with most Tahitians. In the 1830s, Queen POMARE IV refused to allow French Catholic missionaries to operate, leading France to declare a protectorate over Tahiti and fight the French-Tahitian War of the 1840s in an attempt to annex the islands. POMARE IV requested British assistance to fight France, and while the UK did not provide material support, it did diplomatically pressure France to simply maintain its protectorate status. In 1880, King POMARE V ceded Tahiti and its possessions to France, changing its status into a colony. France then claimed the Gambier Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago and by 1901 had incorporated all five island groups into its establishments in Oceania. A Tahitian nationalist movement formed in 1940, leading France to grant French citizenship to the islanders in 1946 and change it to an overseas territory. In 1957, the islands’ name was changed to French Polynesia and the following year, 64% of voters chose to stay part of France when they approved a new constitution. Uninhabited Mururoa Atoll was established as a French nuclear test site in 1962 and tests were conducted between 1966 and 1992 (underground beginning in 1975). France also conducted tests at Fangataufa Atoll, including its last nuclear test in 1996. France granted French Polynesia partial internal autonomy in 1977 and expanded autonomy in 1984. French Polynesia was converted into an overseas collectivity in 2003 and renamed an overseas country inside the Republic in 2004. Proindependence politicians won a surprise majority in local elections that same year but in subsequent elections have been relegated to a vocal minority. In 2013, French Polynesia was relisted on the UN List of Non-Self Governing Territories. Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIn February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840. Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.; Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.; Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the East), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.; Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.; Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.; Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.; Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.; Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.; Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.; Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station.In February 2007, the Iles Eparses became an integral part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF). The Southern Lands are now divided into five administrative districts, two of which are archipelagos, Iles Crozet and Iles Kerguelen; the third is a district composed of two volcanic islands, Ile Saint-Paul and Ile Amsterdam; the fourth, Iles Eparses, consists of five scattered tropical islands around Madagascar. They contain no permanent inhabitants and are visited only by researchers studying the native fauna, scientists at the various scientific stations, fishermen, and military personnel. The fifth district is the Antarctic portion, which consists of "Adelie Land," a thin slice of the Antarctic continent discovered and claimed by the French in 1840.Ile Amsterdam: Discovered but not named in 1522 by the Spanish, the island subsequently received the appellation of Nieuw Amsterdam from a Dutchman; it was claimed by France in 1843. A short-lived attempt at cattle farming began in 1871. A French meteorological station established on the island in 1949 is still in use.;Ile Saint Paul: Claimed by France since 1893, the island was a fishing industry center from 1843 to 1914. In 1928, a spiny lobster cannery was established, but when the company went bankrupt in 1931, seven workers were abandoned. Only two survived until 1934 when rescue finally arrived.;Iles Crozet: A large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau, Iles Crozet is divided into two main groups: L'Occidental (the West), which includes Ile aux Cochons, Ilots des Apotres, Ile des Pingouins, and the reefs Brisants de l'Heroine; and L'Oriental (the East), which includes Ile d'Est and Ile de la Possession (the largest island of the Crozets). Discovered and claimed by France in 1772, the islands were used for seal hunting and as a base for whaling. Originally administered as a dependency of Madagascar, they became part of the TAAF in 1955.;Iles Kerguelen: This island group, discovered in 1772, consists of one large island (Ile Kerguelen) and about 300 smaller islands. A permanent group of 50 to 100 scientists resides at the main base at Port-aux-Francais.;Adelie Land: The only non-insular district of the TAAF is the Antarctic claim known as "Adelie Land." The US Government does not recognize it as a French dependency.;Bassas da India: A French possession since 1897, this atoll is a volcanic rock surrounded by reefs and is awash at high tide.;Europa Island: This heavily wooded island has been a French possession since 1897; it is the site of a small military garrison that staffs a weather station.;Glorioso Islands: A French possession since 1892, the Glorioso Islands are composed of two lushly vegetated coral islands (Ile Glorieuse and Ile du Lys) and three rock islets. A military garrison operates a weather and radio station on Ile Glorieuse.;Juan de Nova Island: Named after a famous 15th-century Spanish navigator and explorer, the island has been a French possession since 1897. It has been exploited for its guano and phosphate. Presently a small military garrison oversees a meteorological station.;Tromelin Island: First explored by the French in 1776, the island came under the jurisdiction of Reunion in 1814. At present, it serves as a sea turtle sanctuary and is the site of an important meteorological station. Topic: GabonGabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in and surrounding present-day Gabon, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, historical traditions were passed on orally, resulting in much of Gabon's early history being lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization following World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960. Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest ruling heads of state in history - was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG), which remains the predominant party in Gabonese politics today. In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution after he was confronted with growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. President Ali BONGO Ondimba was reelected in 2016 in a close election against a united opposition. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the contested election results and ruled in his favor.Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in and surrounding present-day Gabon, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, historical traditions were passed on orally, resulting in much of Gabon's early history being lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization following World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960.Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest ruling heads of state in history - was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG), which remains the predominant party in Gabonese politics today. In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution after he was confronted with growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. President Ali BONGO Ondimba was reelected in 2016 in a close election against a united opposition. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the contested election results and ruled in his favor. Topic: Gambia, TheIn the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won re-election in December 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported military education and training programs, capacity building, and democracy-strengthening activities.    In the 10th century, Muslim merchants established some of The Gambia’s earliest large settlements as trans-Saharan trade hubs. These settlements eventually grew into major export centers sending slaves, gold, and ivory across the Sahara. Between the 16th and 17th centuries, European colonial powers began establishing trade with The Gambia. In 1664, the United Kingdom established a colony in The Gambia focused on exporting enslaved people across the Atlantic. During the roughly 300 years of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, the UK and other European powers may have exported as many as 3 million people from The Gambia.The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed the short-lived confederation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1994, Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup overthrowing the president and banning political activity. He subsequently won every presidential election until 2016, when he lost to Adama BARROW, who headed an opposition coalition during free and fair elections. BARROW won re-election in December 2021. The Gambia is the only member of the Economic Community of West African States that does not have presidential term limits. Since the 2016 election, The Gambia and the US have enjoyed improved relations. US assistance to the country has supported military education and training programs, capacity building, and democracy-strengthening activities.   Topic: Gaza StripThe Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank.In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them.Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019.  Topic: GeorgiaThe region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that led to periodic flare-ups in tension and violence and that  culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI became president in November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI then left the country. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turn over. Most recently, Irakli GARIBASHVILI became prime minister in February 2021, replacing Giorgi GAKHARIA, who later in the year formed his own opposition party. In October 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse of office convictions. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that led to periodic flare-ups in tension and violence and that  culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI became president in November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI then left the country. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turn over. Most recently, Irakli GARIBASHVILI became prime minister in February 2021, replacing Giorgi GAKHARIA, who later in the year formed his own opposition party. In October 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse of office convictions. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals. Topic: GermanyAs Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating world wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC (now the EU) and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating world wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC (now the EU) and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro. Topic: GhanaGhana is a multiethnic country rich in natural resources and is one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa. Ghana has been inhabited for at least several thousand years, however, little is known about its early inhabitants. By the 12th century, the gold trade started to boom in Bono (Bonoman) state in what is today southern Ghana, and it became the genesis of Akan power and wealth in the region. Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese, followed by other European powers, arrived and contested for trading rights. Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged in the area, among the most powerful were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Asante (Ashanti) Empire in the south. By the mid-18th century, Asante was a highly organized state with immense wealth; it provided enslaved people for the Atlantic slave trade, and in return received firearms that facilitated its territorial expansion. The Asante resisted increasing British influence in the coastal areas, engaging in a series of wars during the 19th century before ultimately falling under British control. Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence, with Kwame NKRUMAH as its first leader. Ghana endured a series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS of the National Democratic Congress won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state. MILLS died in July 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election. In 2016, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO of the NPP defeated MAHAMA, marking the third time that Ghana’s presidency had changed parties since the return to democracy. AKUFO-ADDO was reelected in 2020. In recent years, Ghana has taken an active role in promoting regional stability and is highly integrated in international affairs.Ghana is a multiethnic country rich in natural resources and is one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa. Ghana has been inhabited for at least several thousand years, however, little is known about its early inhabitants. By the 12th century, the gold trade started to boom in Bono (Bonoman) state in what is today southern Ghana, and it became the genesis of Akan power and wealth in the region. Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese, followed by other European powers, arrived and contested for trading rights. Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged in the area, among the most powerful were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Asante (Ashanti) Empire in the south. By the mid-18th century, Asante was a highly organized state with immense wealth; it provided enslaved people for the Atlantic slave trade, and in return received firearms that facilitated its territorial expansion. The Asante resisted increasing British influence in the coastal areas, engaging in a series of wars during the 19th century before ultimately falling under British control. Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence, with Kwame NKRUMAH as its first leader. Ghana endured a series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS of the National Democratic Congress won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state. MILLS died in July 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election. In 2016, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO of the NPP defeated MAHAMA, marking the third time that Ghana’s presidency had changed parties since the return to democracy. AKUFO-ADDO was reelected in 2020. In recent years, Ghana has taken an active role in promoting regional stability and is highly integrated in international affairs. Topic: GibraltarStrategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led Spain to close the border and sever all communication links. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. A new noncolonial constitution came into force in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability. Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory. Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols and in 2013, the British reported a record number of entries by Spanish vessels into waters claimed by Gibraltar following a dispute over Gibraltar's creation of an artificial reef in those waters. Spain renewed its demands for an eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish control after the UK’s June 2016 vote to leave the EU, but London has dismissed any connection between the vote and its continued sovereignty over Gibraltar. Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. The subsequent granting of autonomy in 1969 by the UK led Spain to close the border and sever all communication links. Between 1997 and 2002, the UK and Spain held a series of talks on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltar Government called a referendum in late 2002 in which the majority of citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since late 2004, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar have held tripartite talks with the aim of cooperatively resolving problems that affect the local population, and work continues on cooperation agreements in areas such as taxation and financial services; communications and maritime security; policy, legal and customs services; environmental protection; and education and visa services. A new noncolonial constitution came into force in 2007, and the European Court of First Instance recognized Gibraltar's right to regulate its own tax regime in December 2008. The UK retains responsibility for defense, foreign relations, internal security, and financial stability.Spain and the UK continue to spar over the territory. Throughout 2009, a dispute over Gibraltar's claim to territorial waters extending out three miles gave rise to periodic non-violent maritime confrontations between Spanish and UK naval patrols and in 2013, the British reported a record number of entries by Spanish vessels into waters claimed by Gibraltar following a dispute over Gibraltar's creation of an artificial reef in those waters. Spain renewed its demands for an eventual return of Gibraltar to Spanish control after the UK’s June 2016 vote to leave the EU, but London has dismissed any connection between the vote and its continued sovereignty over Gibraltar.  Topic: GreeceGreece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1830. During the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, it gradually added neighboring islands and territories, most with Greek-speaking populations. In World War II, Greece was first invaded by Italy (1940) and subsequently occupied by Germany (1941-44); fighting endured in a protracted civil war between supporters of the king and other anti-communist and communist rebels. Following the latter's defeat in 1949, Greece joined NATO in 1952. In 1967, a group of military officers seized power, establishing a military dictatorship that suspended many political liberties and forced the king to flee the country. In 1974 following the collapse of the dictatorship, democratic elections and a referendum created a parliamentary republic and abolished the monarchy. In 1981, Greece joined the EC (now the EU); it became the 12th member of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 2001. Greece has suffered a severe economic crisis since late 2009, due to nearly a decade of chronic overspending and structural rigidities. Beginning in 2010, Greece entered three bailout agreements - with the European Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB), the IMF, and the third in 2015 with the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) - worth in total about $300 billion. The Greek Government formally exited the third bailout in August 2018. Topic: GreenlandGreenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government. Topic: GrenadaCarib Indians inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP, ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later, the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. The rule of law was restored, and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since then. Topic: GuamGuam was settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including the Micronesians in the first millennium A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Society was stratified with higher classes living along the coast and lower classes living inland. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see Guam in 1521 and Spain claimed the island in 1565 as it served as a refueling stop for ships between Mexico and the Philippines. Spain formally colonized Guam in 1668. Spain’s brutal repression of Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population from more than 100,000 to less than 5,000 by the 1700s. Spain tried to repopulate the island by forcing people from nearby islands to settle on Guam and preventing them from escaping. Guam became a hub for whalers and traders in the western Pacific in the early 1800s. During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the US Navy occupied Guam and set up a military administration. The US Navy opposed local control of government despite repeated petitions by Chamorro. Japan invaded Guam in 1941 and instituted a repressive regime. During the US recapture of Guam in 1944, the island’s two largest villages were destroyed. After World War II, political pressure from local Chamorro leaders led to Guam being established as an unincorporated organized territory in 1950 with US citizenship granted to all Chamorro. In a referendum in 1982, more than 75% of voters chose closer relations with the US over independence, although no change in status was made because of disagreements on the future right of Chamorro self-determination. The US military holds about 29% of Guam’s land and stations several thousand troops on the island. The installations are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability.Guam was settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including the Micronesians in the first millennium A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Society was stratified with higher classes living along the coast and lower classes living inland. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see Guam in 1521 and Spain claimed the island in 1565 as it served as a refueling stop for ships between Mexico and the Philippines. Spain formally colonized Guam in 1668. Spain’s brutal repression of Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population from more than 100,000 to less than 5,000 by the 1700s. Spain tried to repopulate the island by forcing people from nearby islands to settle on Guam and preventing them from escaping. Guam became a hub for whalers and traders in the western Pacific in the early 1800s. During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the US Navy occupied Guam and set up a military administration. The US Navy opposed local control of government despite repeated petitions by Chamorro. Japan invaded Guam in 1941 and instituted a repressive regime. During the US recapture of Guam in 1944, the island’s two largest villages were destroyed. After World War II, political pressure from local Chamorro leaders led to Guam being established as an unincorporated organized territory in 1950 with US citizenship granted to all Chamorro. In a referendum in 1982, more than 75% of voters chose closer relations with the US over independence, although no change in status was made because of disagreements on the future right of Chamorro self-determination. The US military holds about 29% of Guam’s land and stations several thousand troops on the island. The installations are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability. Topic: GuatemalaThe Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict. Topic: GuernseyGuernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown dependency that is not part of the United Kingdom. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. The Bailiwick of Guernsey consists of the main island of Guernsey and a number of smaller islands including Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, Brecqhou, and Lihou. Topic: GuineaGuinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms, all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea, encouraging its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that represents one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership. While European traders first arrived in the 16th century, it was the French who secured colonial rule in the 19th century. In 1958, Guinea achieved independence from France. Sekou TOURE became Guinea’s first post-independence president; he established a dictatorial regime and ruled until his death in 1984, after which General Lansana CONTE staged a coup and seized the government. He too established an authoritarian regime and manipulated presidential elections until his death in December 2008, when Captain Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seized power, and suspended the constitution. In September 2009, presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally, killing more than 150 people in Conakry, the capital. In early December 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. In 2010 and 2013 respectively, the country held its first free and fair presidential and legislative elections. Alpha CONDE won the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections. CONDE's first cabinet was the first all-civilian government in Guinean history. In March 2020, Guinea passed a new constitution in a national referendum that changed presidential term limit rules. CONDE argued that, given this change, he was allowed to run for a third term, which he then won in October 2020. On 5 September 2021, Col Mamady DOUMBOUYA led special forces troops in a successful military coup, ousting and detaining CONDE and establishing the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD). DOUMBOUYA and the CNRD suspended the constitution and dissolved the government and the legislature. DOUMBOUYA was sworn in as transition president on 1 October 2021, and appointed Mohamed BEAVOGUI as transition prime minister a week later. BEAVOGUI subsequently formed a largely technocratic cabinet. The National Transition Council (CNT), which acts as the legislative body for the transition, was formed on January 22, 2022. The 81-member CNT is led by Dr. Dansa KOUROUMA and consists of appointed members representing a broad swath of Guinean society.   Guinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms, all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea, encouraging its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that represents one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership. While European traders first arrived in the 16th century, it was the French who secured colonial rule in the 19th century.In 1958, Guinea achieved independence from France. Sekou TOURE became Guinea’s first post-independence president; he established a dictatorial regime and ruled until his death in 1984, after which General Lansana CONTE staged a coup and seized the government. He too established an authoritarian regime and manipulated presidential elections until his death in December 2008, when Captain Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seized power, and suspended the constitution. In September 2009, presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally, killing more than 150 people in Conakry, the capital. In early December 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. In 2010 and 2013 respectively, the country held its first free and fair presidential and legislative elections. Alpha CONDE won the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections. CONDE's first cabinet was the first all-civilian government in Guinean history. In March 2020, Guinea passed a new constitution in a national referendum that changed presidential term limit rules. CONDE argued that, given this change, he was allowed to run for a third term, which he then won in October 2020. On 5 September 2021, Col Mamady DOUMBOUYA led special forces troops in a successful military coup, ousting and detaining CONDE and establishing the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD). DOUMBOUYA and the CNRD suspended the constitution and dissolved the government and the legislature. DOUMBOUYA was sworn in as transition president on 1 October 2021, and appointed Mohamed BEAVOGUI as transition prime minister a week later. BEAVOGUI subsequently formed a largely technocratic cabinet. The National Transition Council (CNT), which acts as the legislative body for the transition, was formed on January 22, 2022. The 81-member CNT is led by Dr. Dansa KOUROUMA and consists of appointed members representing a broad swath of Guinean society.  Topic: Guinea-BissauFor much of its history, Guinea-Bissau was under the control of the Mali Empire and the Kaabu Kingdom. In the 16th century, Portugal began establishing trading posts along Guinea-Bissau’s shoreline. Initially, the Portuguese were restricted to the coastline and islands. However, the slave and gold trade was lucrative to local African leaders, and the Portuguese were slowly able to expand their power and influence inland. Starting in the 18th century, the Mali Empire and Kingdom of Kaabu slowly disintegrated into smaller local entities. By the 19th century, Portugal had fully incorporated Guinea-Bissau into its empire. Since gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established General Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. VIEIRA's regime suppressed political opposition and purged political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In May 1999, a military mutiny and civil war led to VIEIRA's ouster. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA. In September 2003, a bloodless military coup overthrew YALA and installed businessman Henrique ROSA as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was reelected, pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation; he was assassinated in March 2009. In June 2009, Malam Bacai SANHA was elected president, but he passed away in January 2012 from a long-term illness. In April 2012, a military coup prevented the second-round of the presidential election from taking place. Following mediation from the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS), a civilian transitional government assumed power. In 2014, Jose Mario VAZ was elected president after a free and fair election. In June 2019, VAZ became the first president in Guinea-Bissau’s history to complete a full presidential term. Umaro Sissoco EMBALO was elected president in December 2019, but he did not take office until February 2020 because of a prolonged challenge to the election results.For much of its history, Guinea-Bissau was under the control of the Mali Empire and the Kaabu Kingdom. In the 16th century, Portugal began establishing trading posts along Guinea-Bissau’s shoreline. Initially, the Portuguese were restricted to the coastline and islands. However, the slave and gold trade was lucrative to local African leaders, and the Portuguese were slowly able to expand their power and influence inland. Starting in the 18th century, the Mali Empire and Kingdom of Kaabu slowly disintegrated into smaller local entities. By the 19th century, Portugal had fully incorporated Guinea-Bissau into its empire. Since gaining independence in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established General Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. VIEIRA's regime suppressed political opposition and purged political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In May 1999, a military mutiny and civil war led to VIEIRA's ouster. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA. In September 2003, a bloodless military coup overthrew YALA and installed businessman Henrique ROSA as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was reelected, pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation; he was assassinated in March 2009. In June 2009, Malam Bacai SANHA was elected president, but he passed away in January 2012 from a long-term illness. In April 2012, a military coup prevented the second-round of the presidential election from taking place. Following mediation from the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS), a civilian transitional government assumed power. In 2014, Jose Mario VAZ was elected president after a free and fair election. In June 2019, VAZ became the first president in Guinea-Bissau’s history to complete a full presidential term. Umaro Sissoco EMBALO was elected president in December 2019, but he did not take office until February 2020 because of a prolonged challenge to the election results. Topic: GuyanaOriginally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections were constitutionally required to take place within three months. After over a year of extra-constitutional rule by the GRANGER administration, elections were held, though voting irregularities led to a nationwide recount. The current Irfaan ALI administration was sworn in to office in August 2020. The discovery of oil in 2015 has been the primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the significant reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region. Topic: HaitiThe native Taino - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when Christopher COLUMBUS first landed on it in 1492 - were virtually wiped out by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but relied heavily on the forced labor of enslaved Africans and environmentally degrading practices. In the late 18th century, Toussaint L'OUVERTURE led a revolution of Haiti's nearly half a million slaves that ended France's rule on the island. After a prolonged struggle, and under the leadership of Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, Haiti became the first country in the world led by former slaves after declaring its independence in 1804, but it was forced to pay an indemnity of 100 million francs (equivalent to $21 billion USD in March 2022) to France for more than a century and was shunned by other countries for nearly 40 years. On 12 July 1862, the US officially recognized Haiti, but foreign economic influence and internal political instability induced the US to occupy Haiti from 1915-1934. Subsequently, Francois "Papa Doc" DUVALIER and then his son Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" DUVALIER led repressive and corrupt regimes that ruled Haiti in 1957-1971 and 1971-1986, respectively. President Jovenel MOISE was assassinated on 7 July 2021, leading the country further into an extra-constitutional governance structure and contributing to the country’s growing fragility. President MOISE's five-year term would have ended on 7 February 2022; his assassination plunged Haiti deeper into a political crisis that was not anticipated in its constitution. Thus, on 20 July 2021, the Government of Haiti installed Ariel HENRY - whom President MOISE had nominated - as prime minister. As of March 2022, Haiti had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Haiti has long been plagued by natural disasters. In January 2010, a massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti with an epicenter about 25 km (15 mi) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimates are that over 300,000 people were killed and some 1.5 million left homeless. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti’s southern peninsula in August 2021, causing well over 2,000 deaths; an estimated 500,000 required emergency humanitarian aid. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, as well as one of the most unequal in wealth distribution.The native Taino - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when Christopher COLUMBUS first landed on it in 1492 - were virtually wiped out by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but relied heavily on the forced labor of enslaved Africans and environmentally degrading practices. In the late 18th century, Toussaint L'OUVERTURE led a revolution of Haiti's nearly half a million slaves that ended France's rule on the island. After a prolonged struggle, and under the leadership of Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, Haiti became the first country in the world led by former slaves after declaring its independence in 1804, but it was forced to pay an indemnity of 100 million francs (equivalent to $21 billion USD in March 2022) to France for more than a century and was shunned by other countries for nearly 40 years. On 12 July 1862, the US officially recognized Haiti, but foreign economic influence and internal political instability induced the US to occupy Haiti from 1915-1934. Subsequently, Francois "Papa Doc" DUVALIER and then his son Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" DUVALIER led repressive and corrupt regimes that ruled Haiti in 1957-1971 and 1971-1986, respectively. President Jovenel MOISE was assassinated on 7 July 2021, leading the country further into an extra-constitutional governance structure and contributing to the country’s growing fragility. President MOISE's five-year term would have ended on 7 February 2022; his assassination plunged Haiti deeper into a political crisis that was not anticipated in its constitution. Thus, on 20 July 2021, the Government of Haiti installed Ariel HENRY - whom President MOISE had nominated - as prime minister. As of March 2022, Haiti had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Haiti has long been plagued by natural disasters. In January 2010, a massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti with an epicenter about 25 km (15 mi) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimates are that over 300,000 people were killed and some 1.5 million left homeless. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti’s southern peninsula in August 2021, causing well over 2,000 deaths; an estimated 500,000 required emergency humanitarian aid. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, as well as one of the most unequal in wealth distribution. Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsAmerican sailor John HEARD discovered Heard Island in 1853 and thought it was a glacier that had broken away from Antarctica. Fellow American William MCDONALD discovered the McDonald Islands the following year. Starting in 1855, sealers lived on the islands harvesting elephant seal oil; by the time the practice was ended in 1877, most of the islands’ seals were killed. The UK formally claimed the islands in 1910 and Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON visited Heard Island in 1929. In 1947, the UK transferred the islands to Australia for its Antarctica research, but Australia closed the research station on Heard Island in 1954 when it opened a new research station on the Antarctic continent. McDonald Island has been an active volcano since it emerged from dormancy in 1992, and the island doubled in size after an eruption in 1996. In 1997, the islands were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Populated by a large number of bird species, seals, and penguins, the islands are primarily used for research with limited fishing being permitted in the surrounding waters.  American sailor John HEARD discovered Heard Island in 1853 and thought it was a glacier that had broken away from Antarctica. Fellow American William MCDONALD discovered the McDonald Islands the following year. Starting in 1855, sealers lived on the islands harvesting elephant seal oil; by the time the practice was ended in 1877, most of the islands’ seals were killed. The UK formally claimed the islands in 1910 and Australian explorer Douglas MAWSON visited Heard Island in 1929. In 1947, the UK transferred the islands to Australia for its Antarctica research, but Australia closed the research station on Heard Island in 1954 when it opened a new research station on the Antarctic continent. McDonald Island has been an active volcano since it emerged from dormancy in 1992, and the island doubled in size after an eruption in 1996. In 1997, the islands were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Populated by a large number of bird species, seals, and penguins, the islands are primarily used for research with limited fishing being permitted in the surrounding waters.  Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid-19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, threats against minority Christian communities in Africa and the Middle East, the plight of refugees and migrants, sexual misconduct by clergy, international development, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1.3 billion people worldwide profess Catholicism - the world's largest Christian faith. Topic: HondurasOnce part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Since then, the economy has slowly rebounded, despite COVID and severe storm-related setbacks in 2020 and 2021. Topic: Hong KongSeized by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year at the end of the First Opium War; the Kowloon Peninsula was added in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War, and was further extended when Britain obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic and strict political system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the subsequent 50 years. Since the turnover, Hong Kong has continued to enjoy success as an international financial center. However, dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Government and growing Chinese political influence has been a central issue and led to considerable civil unrest, including large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 after the HKSAR attempted to revise a local ordinance to allow extraditions to mainland China. In response, the governments of the HKSAR and China took several actions that reduced the city's autonomy and placed new restrictions on the rights of Hong Kong residents, moves that were widely criticized to be in direct contravention of obligations under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Chief among these actions was a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong imposed by the Chinese Government in June 2020 that criminalized acts such as those interpreted as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign or external forces. The law ushered in a widespread crackdown on public protests, criticism of authorities, and freedom of speech, and was used by authorities to target pro-democracy activists, organizations, and media companies. Democratic lawmakers and political figures were arrested, while others fled abroad. At the same time, dozens of civil society groups and several independent media outlets were closed or have disbanded. In March 2021, Beijing imposed a more restrictive electoral system, including restructuring the Legislative Council (LegCo) and allowing only government-approved candidates to run for office, claiming it was to ensure a system of "patriots" governed Hong Kong. The changes ensured that virtually all seats in the December 2021 LegCo election were won by pro-establishment candidates and effectively ended political opposition to Beijing in the territory. Topic: HungaryHungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The kingdom eventually became part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and an announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. Under the leadership of Janos KADAR in 1968, Hungary began liberalizing its economy, introducing so-called "Goulash Communism." Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later. Topic: IcelandSettled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althingi, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008. The economy is now on an upward trajectory, fueled primarily by a tourism and construction boom. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world standards. Topic: IndiaThe Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Islam spread across the subcontinent over a period of 700 years. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established the Delhi Sultanate. In the early 16th century, the Emperor BABUR established the Mughal Dynasty, which ruled India for more than three centuries. European explorers began establishing footholds in India during the 16th century. By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent and India was seen as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. The British Indian Army played a vital role in both World Wars. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU, eventually resulted in Indian independence in 1947. Large-scale communal violence took place before and after the subcontinent partition into two separate states - India and Pakistan. The neighboring countries have fought three wars since independence, the last of which was in 1971 and resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 emboldened Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. In November 2008, terrorists originating from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. India's economic growth following the launch of economic reforms in 1991, a massive youthful population, and a strategic geographic location have contributed to India's emergence as a regional and global power. However, India still faces pressing problems such as environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption, and its restrictive business climate challenges economic growth expectations.The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Islam spread across the subcontinent over a period of 700 years. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established the Delhi Sultanate. In the early 16th century, the Emperor BABUR established the Mughal Dynasty, which ruled India for more than three centuries. European explorers began establishing footholds in India during the 16th century.By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent and India was seen as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. The British Indian Army played a vital role in both World Wars. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU, eventually resulted in Indian independence in 1947. Large-scale communal violence took place before and after the subcontinent partition into two separate states - India and Pakistan. The neighboring countries have fought three wars since independence, the last of which was in 1971 and resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 emboldened Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. In November 2008, terrorists originating from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. India's economic growth following the launch of economic reforms in 1991, a massive youthful population, and a strategic geographic location have contributed to India's emergence as a regional and global power. However, India still faces pressing problems such as environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption, and its restrictive business climate challenges economic growth expectations. Topic: Indian OceanThe Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia).The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude. Topic: IndonesiaThe archipelago was once largely under the control of Buddhist and Hindu rulers. By around the 7th century, a Buddhist kingdom arose on Sumatra and expanded into Java and the Malay Peninsula until it was conquered in the late 13th century by the Hindu Majapahit Empire from Java. Majapahit (1290-1527) united most of modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia. Traders introduced Islam in the trade ports around the 11th century, and Indonesians gradually adopted Islam over the next 500 years. The Portuguese conquered parts of Indonesia in the 16th century, but they were ousted by the Dutch (except in East Timor), who began colonizing the islands in the early 17th century. It would be the early 20th century before Dutch colonial rule was established across the entirety of what would become the boundaries of the modern Indonesian state. Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence shortly before Japan's surrender, but it required four years of sometimes brutal fighting, intermittent negotiations, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. A period of sometimes unruly parliamentary democracy ended in 1957 when President SOEKARNO declared martial law and instituted "Guided Democracy." After an abortive coup in 1965 by alleged communist sympathizers, SOEKARNO was gradually eased from power. From 1967 until 1998, President SUHARTO ruled Indonesia with his "New Order" government. After street protests toppled SUHARTO in 1998, free and fair legislative elections took place in 1999. Indonesia is now the world's third most populous democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. Current issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic and financial reforms, stemming corruption, reforming the criminal justice system, addressing climate change, and controlling infectious diseases, particularly those of global and regional importance. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh. Indonesia continues to face low intensity armed resistance in Papua by the separatist Free Papua Movement. Topic: IranKnown as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts (AOE) - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013 Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. A longtime senior member in the regime, he made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. In July 2015, Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief; however, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 dealing a blow to RUHANI's legacy and the Iranian economy. Negotiations to restore the deal started in 2021 and are ongoing. Iran held elections in February 2020 for the Majles and the president in June 2021, resulting in a hardline and conservative monopoly across the regime's elected and unelected institutions. President Ebrahim RAISI is a hardline cleric with a decades-long career in Iran's judiciary and has had limited foreign policy and economic experience.Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts (AOE) - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018.Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013 Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. A longtime senior member in the regime, he made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. In July 2015, Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief; however, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 dealing a blow to RUHANI's legacy and the Iranian economy. Negotiations to restore the deal started in 2021 and are ongoing. Iran held elections in February 2020 for the Majles and the president in June 2021, resulting in a hardline and conservative monopoly across the regime's elected and unelected institutions. President Ebrahim RAISI is a hardline cleric with a decades-long career in Iran's judiciary and has had limited foreign policy and economic experience. Topic: IraqFormerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates - except for Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk - in January 2009 and in April and June 2013, and has repeatedly postponed the next provincial elections, originally planned for April 2017. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in October 2021 when 329 legislators were elected to the COR. The acting Iraqi National Intelligence Service Director General Mustafa al-KADHIMI became prime minister in May 2020 after the previous prime minister resigned in late 2019 because of widespread protests demanding more employment opportunities and an end to corruption. His mandate as prime minister was to guide Iraq toward an early national legislative election, which was held in October 2021. Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq was engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory lost in the western and northern portion of the country. Iraqi and allied forces recaptured Mosul, the country's second-largest city, in 2017 and drove ISIS out of its other urban strongholds. In December 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS while continuing operations against the group's residual presence in rural areas. Also in late 2017, ABADI responded to an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Regional Government by ordering Iraqi forces to take control of disputed territories across central and northern Iraq that were previously occupied and governed by Kurdish forces.Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led forces.In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates - except for Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk - in January 2009 and in April and June 2013, and has repeatedly postponed the next provincial elections, originally planned for April 2017. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in October 2021 when 329 legislators were elected to the COR. The acting Iraqi National Intelligence Service Director General Mustafa al-KADHIMI became prime minister in May 2020 after the previous prime minister resigned in late 2019 because of widespread protests demanding more employment opportunities and an end to corruption. His mandate as prime minister was to guide Iraq toward an early national legislative election, which was held in October 2021.Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq was engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory lost in the western and northern portion of the country. Iraqi and allied forces recaptured Mosul, the country's second-largest city, in 2017 and drove ISIS out of its other urban strongholds. In December 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS while continuing operations against the group's residual presence in rural areas. Also in late 2017, ABADI responded to an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Regional Government by ordering Iraqi forces to take control of disputed territories across central and northern Iraq that were previously occupied and governed by Kurdish forces. Topic: IrelandCeltic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century was responsible for a drop in the island's population by more than one quarter through starvation, disease, and emigration. For more than a century afterward, the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU. The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Monday Uprising that galvanized nationalist sentiment and fostered a guerrilla war resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State. The treaty was deeply controversial in Ireland in part because it helped solidify the partition of Ireland, with six of the island's 32 counties remaining in the UK as Northern Ireland. The split between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty partisans led to the Irish Civil War (1922-23). The traditionally dominant political parties in Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are de facto descendants of the opposing sides of the treaty debate. Ireland formally left the British Dominion in 1949 when Ireland declared itself a republic. Deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the "Troubles" that began in the 1960s. In 1998, the governments of Ireland and the UK, along with most political parties in Northern Ireland, reached the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with the support of the US. This agreement helped end the Troubles and initiated a new phase of cooperation between the Irish and British Governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the euro-zone currency union in 1999. The economic boom years of the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007) saw rapid economic growth, which came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system. As a small, open economy, Ireland has excelled at courting foreign direct investment, especially from US multi-nationals, which helped the economy recover from the financial crisis and insolated it from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.Celtic tribes arrived on the island between 600 and 150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. Norman invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. The Irish famine of the mid-19th century was responsible for a drop in the island's population by more than one quarter through starvation, disease, and emigration. For more than a century afterward, the population of the island continued to fall only to begin growing again in the 1960s. Over the last 50 years, Ireland's high birthrate has made it demographically one of the youngest populations in the EU.The modern Irish state traces its origins to the failed 1916 Easter Monday Uprising that galvanized nationalist sentiment and fostered a guerrilla war resulting in independence from the UK in 1921 with the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and the creation of the Irish Free State. The treaty was deeply controversial in Ireland in part because it helped solidify the partition of Ireland, with six of the island's 32 counties remaining in the UK as Northern Ireland. The split between pro-Treaty and anti-Treaty partisans led to the Irish Civil War (1922-23). The traditionally dominant political parties in Ireland, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, are de facto descendants of the opposing sides of the treaty debate. Ireland formally left the British Dominion in 1949 when Ireland declared itself a republic. Deep sectarian divides between the Catholic and Protestant populations and systemic discrimination in Northern Ireland erupted into years of violence known as the "Troubles" that began in the 1960s. In 1998, the governments of Ireland and the UK, along with most political parties in Northern Ireland, reached the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with the support of the US. This agreement helped end the Troubles and initiated a new phase of cooperation between the Irish and British Governments. Ireland was neutral in World War II and continues its policy of military neutrality. Ireland joined the European Community in 1973 and the euro-zone currency union in 1999. The economic boom years of the Celtic Tiger (1995-2007) saw rapid economic growth, which came to an abrupt end in 2008 with the meltdown of the Irish banking system. As a small, open economy, Ireland has excelled at courting foreign direct investment, especially from US multi-nationals, which helped the economy recover from the financial crisis and insolated it from the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Topic: Isle of ManPart of the Norwegian Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland, the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include reviving the almost extinct Manx Gaelic language. The Isle of Man is a British Crown dependency, which makes it a self-governing possession of the British Crown that is not part of the UK. The UK Government, however, remains constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Topic: IsraelIsrael has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world. The State of Israel was established in 1948. The UN General Assembly had proposed to partition the British Mandate for Palestine into an Arab and Jewish state. Arab states rejected the UN plan and were subsequently defeated militarily in the 1948 war that followed the withdrawal of the British on 14 May 1948. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel and its Arab neighbors fought wars in 1967 and 1973 and Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the course of the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than 20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020. The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements – brokered by the US – with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and reached an agreement with Sudan in early 2021. Topic: ItalyItaly became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC) and its subsequent successors the EC and the EU. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC) and its subsequent successors the EC and the EU. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north. Topic: JamaicaThe island - discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1494 - was settled by the Spanish early in the 16th century. The native Taino, who had inhabited Jamaica for centuries, were gradually exterminated and replaced by African slaves. England seized the island in 1655 and established a plantation economy based on sugar, cocoa, and coffee. The abolition of slavery in 1834 freed a quarter million slaves, many of whom became small farmers. Jamaica gradually increased its independence from Britain. In 1958 it joined other British Caribbean colonies in forming the Federation of the West Indies. Jamaica withdrew from the Federation in 1961 and gained full independence in 1962. Deteriorating economic conditions during the 1970s led to recurrent violence as rival gangs affiliated with the major political parties evolved into powerful organized crime networks involved in international drug smuggling and money laundering. Violent crime, drug trafficking, corruption, the COVID-19 pandemic, and poverty pose significant challenges to the government today. Nonetheless, many rural and resort areas remain relatively safe and contribute substantially to the economy. Topic: Jan MayenThis desolate, arctic, mountainous island was named after a Dutch whaling captain who indisputably discovered it in 1614 (earlier claims are inconclusive). Visited only occasionally by seal hunters and trappers over the following centuries, the island came under Norwegian sovereignty in 1929. The long dormant Beerenberg volcano, the northernmost active volcano on earth, resumed activity in 1970 and the most recent eruption occurred in 1985. Topic: JapanIn 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing. In November 2019, ABE became Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister.In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32 Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937 it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces in 1941 - triggering America's entry into World War II - and soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, Japan recovered to become an economic power and an ally of the US. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Following three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In March 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake, and an accompanying tsunami, devastated the northeast part of Honshu island, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. Prime Minister Shinzo ABE was reelected to office in December 2012, and has since embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing. In November 2019, ABE became Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister. Topic: JerseyJersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. The Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown dependency, which means that it is not part of the UK but is rather a self-governing possession of the British Crown. However, the UK Government is constitutionally responsible for its defense and international representation. Topic: JordanFollowing World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in 1921 and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern day Saudi Arabia until 1925, when they were pushed out by Ibn Saud and Wahhabi tribes. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country has had four kings. Jordan's long-time ruler, King HUSSEIN (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and Palestinian militants, which led to a brief civil war in 1970 referred to as "Black September" and ended in King HUSSEIN's ouster of the militants from Jordan. Jordan's borders also have changed. In 1948, Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, eventually annexing those territories in 1950 and granting its new Palestinian residents Jordanian citizenship. In 1967, Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six-Day War but retained administrative claims until 1988 when King HUSSEIN permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank in favor of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). King HUSSEIN signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 after Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Accords in 1993. Jordanian kings continue to claim custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem by virtue of their Hashemite heritage as descendants of Prophet Mohammad and agreements with Israel and Jerusalem-based religious and Palestinian leaders. After Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 War, it authorized the Jordanian-controlled Islamic Trust, or Waqf, to continue administering affairs in the Al Haram ash Sharif/Temple Mount holy compound, and the Jordan-Israel peace treaty reaffirmed Jordan's "special role" in administering the Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem. King HUSSEIN died in 1999 and was succeeded by his eldest son, ABDALLAH II, who remains the current king. In 2009, King ABDALLAH II designated his son HUSSEIN as the Crown Prince. During his reign, ABDALLAH II has contended with a series of challenges, including the Arab Spring influx of refugees from neighboring states and a perennially weak economy.  Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in 1921 and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern day Saudi Arabia until 1925, when they were pushed out by Ibn Saud and Wahhabi tribes. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.  Topic: KazakhstanEthnic Kazakhs derive from a mix of Turkic nomadic tribes that migrated to the region in the 15th century. The Kazakh steppe was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. Repression and starvation caused by forced agricultural collectivization led to more than a million deaths in the early 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, the agricultural "Virgin Lands" program led to an influx of settlers (mostly ethnic Russians, but also other nationalities) and at the time of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, ethnic Kazakhs were a minority. Non-Muslim ethnic minorities departed Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs (from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and the Xinjiang region of China) back to Kazakhstan. As a result of this shift, the ethnic Kazakh share of the population now exceeds two-thirds. Kazakhstan's economy is the largest in Central Asia, mainly due to the country's vast natural resources. Current issues include: diversifying the economy, attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening economic relations with neighboring states and foreign powers.  Ethnic Kazakhs derive from a mix of Turkic nomadic tribes that migrated to the region in the 15th century. The Kazakh steppe was conquered by the Russian Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. Repression and starvation caused by forced agricultural collectivization led to more than a million deaths in the early 1930s. During the 1950s and 1960s, the agricultural "Virgin Lands" program led to an influx of settlers (mostly ethnic Russians, but also other nationalities) and at the time of Kazakhstan’s independence in 1991, ethnic Kazakhs were a minority. Non-Muslim ethnic minorities departed Kazakhstan in large numbers from the mid-1990s through the mid-2000s and a national program has repatriated about a million ethnic Kazakhs (from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, and the Xinjiang region of China) back to Kazakhstan. As a result of this shift, the ethnic Kazakh share of the population now exceeds two-thirds. Kazakhstan's economy is the largest in Central Asia, mainly due to the country's vast natural resources. Current issues include: diversifying the economy, attracting foreign direct investment, enhancing Kazakhstan's economic competitiveness, and strengthening economic relations with neighboring states and foreign powers.  Topic: KenyaTrade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The British established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, which in 1920 was converted into a colony and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK subsequently led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963. Jomo KENYATTA, the founding president and an icon of the liberation struggle, led Kenya from independence in 1963 until his death in 1978, when Vice President Daniel Arap MOI took power in a constitutional succession. The country was a de facto one-party state from 1969 until 1982, after which time the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) changed the constitution to make itself the sole legal political party in Kenya. MOI acceded to internal and external pressure for political liberalization in late 1991. The ethnically fractured opposition failed to dislodge KANU from power in elections in 1992 and 1997, which were marred by violence and fraud. President MOI stepped down in December 2002 following fair and peaceful elections. Mwai KIBAKI, running as the candidate of the multiethnic, united opposition group, the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC), defeated KANU candidate Uhuru KENYATTA, the son of founding president Jomo KENYATTA, and assumed the presidency following a campaign centered on an anticorruption platform.  KIBAKI's reelection in 2007 resulted in two months of post-election ethnic violence that caused the death of more than 1,100 people and the dislocation of hundreds of thousands. Opposition candidate, Raila ODINGA, accused the government of widespread vote rigging. African Union-sponsored mediation led by former UN Secretary General Kofi ANNAN resulted in a power-sharing accord that brought ODINGA into the government in the restored position of prime minister. The power sharing accord included a broad reform agenda, the centerpiece of which was constitutional reform. In 2010, Kenyans overwhelmingly adopted a new constitution in a national referendum. The new constitution introduced additional checks and balances to executive power and devolved power and resources to 47 newly created counties. It also eliminated the position of prime minister. Uhuru KENYATTA won the first presidential election under the new constitution in March 2013. KENYATTA won a second and final term in office in November 2017 following a contentious, repeat election.Trade centers such as Mombasa have existed along the Kenyan and Tanzanian coastlines, known as the Land of Zanj, since at least the 2nd century. These centers traded with the outside world, including China, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Persia. By around the 9th century, the mix of Africans, Arabs, and Persians who lived and traded there became known as Swahili ("people of the coast") with a distinct language (KiSwahili) and culture. The Portuguese arrived in the 1490s and, using Mombasa as a base, sought to monopolize trade in the Indian Ocean. The Portuguese were pushed out in the late 1600s by the combined forces of Oman and Pate, an island off the coast. In 1890, Germany and the UK divided up the region, with the UK taking the north and the Germans the south, including present-day Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. The British established the East Africa Protectorate in 1895, which in 1920 was converted into a colony and named Kenya after its highest mountain. Numerous political disputes between the colony and the UK subsequently led to the violent Mau Mau Uprising, which began in 1952, and the eventual declaration of independence in 1963. Topic: KiribatiKiribati is made up of three distinct island groups - the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The first Austronesian voyagers arrived in the Gilbert Islands as early as 3000 B.C., but these islands were not widely settled until about A.D. 200 by Micronesians. Around 1300, Samoans and Tongans invaded the southern Gilbert Islands, bringing Polynesian cultural elements with them. Later arrivals by Fijians brought Melanesian elements to the Gilbert Islands, and extensive intermarriage between the Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian people led to the creation of what would become Gilbertese cultural traditions by the time Europeans spotted the islands in the 1600s. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands were both visited by various Melanesian and Polynesian peoples, but their isolation and lack of natural resources meant that long-term settlements were not possible and both island groups were uninhabited by the time of European contact.   Kiribati experienced sustained European contact by the 1760s; all three island groups were named and charted by 1826. American whaling ships frequently passed through the islands, and the UK declared a protectorate over the Gilbert and nearby Ellice Islands in 1892 to block growing US influence. Phosphate-rich Banaba Island was annexed to the protectorate in 1900. In 1916, the protectorate became a colony, and some Line Islands were added in 1916 and 1919, with the final ones added in 1972. The Phoenix Islands were added to the colony in 1937, and the UK agreed to share jurisdiction of some of them with the US because of their strategic location for aviation. Japan occupied the northern Gilbert Islands in 1941; the islands of Makin and Tarawa were the sites of major US amphibious victories over entrenched Japanese garrisons in 1943. The UK continued to rule the colony after World War II. The Ellice Islands became its own colony in 1974. The Gilbert Islands became fully self-governing in 1977 and independent in 1979 as Kiribati, the Gilbertese spelling of Gilberts. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Islands in a 1979 treaty of friendship. In 1994, Kiribati adjusted the international date line to the east of the Line Islands, bringing all islands in the country to the same day and giving Kiribati the earliest time zone in the world. Kiribati is a leading climate change and marine protection advocate. The Phoenix Islands Protected Area was established in 2008; in 2010, it became the world's largest (and deepest) UNESCO World Heritage site. In 2012, Kiribati purchased a 22 sq km (8.5 sq mi) plot of land in Fiji for potential eventual resettlement of its population because of climate change. Topic: Korea, NorthThe first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C.  Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D, Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688). Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.  Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. After the Korean War (1950-53), during which North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of juche ("self-reliance") as a check against outside influence. North Korea demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts.  After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has increased, but still falls far short of producing sufficient food to provide for its entire population. North Korea began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, starting in 2002, but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. In response, the North Korean leader in early 2021 admitted these failures, but vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies. North Korea has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community and have limited North Korea’s international engagement, particularly economically. These include proliferation of military-related items; long-range missile development; WMD programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces. In 2013, North Korea declared a policy of simultaneous development of its nuclear weapons program and economy. In late 2017, KIM Jong Un declared the North's nuclear weapons development complete. In 2018, KIM announced a pivot towards diplomacy, including a re-prioritization of economic development, a pause in missile testing beginning in late 2017, and a refrain from anti-US rhetoric starting in June 2018. Since 2018, KIM has participated in four meetings with Chinese President XI Jinping, three with South Korean President MOON Jae-in, and three with US President TRUMP. Since 2019, North Korea has continued developing its ballistic missile program and issued statements condemning the US, and vowing to further strengthen its military capabilities, including long range missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated and one of Asia’s poorest countries. The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C.  Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D, Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688). Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties.Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries.  Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. After the Korean War (1950-53), during which North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of juche ("self-reliance") as a check against outside influence. North Korea demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has increased, but still falls far short of producing sufficient food to provide for its entire population. North Korea began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, starting in 2002, but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. In response, the North Korean leader in early 2021 admitted these failures, but vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies. North Korea has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community and have limited North Korea’s international engagement, particularly economically. These include proliferation of military-related items; long-range missile development; WMD programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces. In 2013, North Korea declared a policy of simultaneous development of its nuclear weapons program and economy. In late 2017, KIM Jong Un declared the North's nuclear weapons development complete. In 2018, KIM announced a pivot towards diplomacy, including a re-prioritization of economic development, a pause in missile testing beginning in late 2017, and a refrain from anti-US rhetoric starting in June 2018. Since 2018, KIM has participated in four meetings with Chinese President XI Jinping, three with South Korean President MOON Jae-in, and three with US President TRUMP. Since 2019, North Korea has continued developing its ballistic missile program and issued statements condemning the US, and vowing to further strengthen its military capabilities, including long range missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated and one of Asia’s poorest countries.  Topic: Korea, SouthThe first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula.  By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China).  However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688).  Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. After World War II, a democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korea invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979. Park was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued authoritarian rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. South Korea hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February 2018, in which North Korea also participated. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by North Korea's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics, dispatch of a senior delegation to Seoul, and three inter-Korean summits in 2018 appear to have ushered in a temporary period of respite, buoyed by the historic US-North Korea summits in 2018 and 2019. Nevertheless, relations were stagnant into early 2022  The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula.  By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China).  However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688).  Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties.Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. After World War II, a democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korea invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979.Park was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued authoritarian rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. South Korea hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February 2018, in which North Korea also participated. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by North Korea's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics, dispatch of a senior delegation to Seoul, and three inter-Korean summits in 2018 appear to have ushered in a temporary period of respite, buoyed by the historic US-North Korea summits in 2018 and 2019. Nevertheless, relations were stagnant into early 2022 Topic: KosovoThe central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over the region from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo's present-day boundaries were established when Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. The Serbs - many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland - instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo's autonomous status. Kosovo's Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking a Kosovar Albanian insurgency. Beginning in 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The 2006-07 negotiations ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, though the UN issued a comprehensive report on Kosovo's final status that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, close to 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances. Demonstrating Kosovo’s development into a sovereign, multi-ethnic, democratic country the international community ended the period of Supervised Independence in 2012. Kosovo held its most recent national and municipal elections in 2021, ushering in a government led by the Self-Determination Movement's (VV) Albin KURTI, a former political prisoner who did not fight in the 1998-99 war. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries agreed in April 2013 to normalize their relations through EU-facilitated talks, which produced several subsequent agreements the parties are implementing to varying degrees, though they have not yet reached a comprehensive normalization of relations. Kosovo has pursued bilateral recognitions and memberships in international organizations, moves that Serbia strongly opposes. Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in 2015, and the EU named Kosovo as among the six Western Balkan countries that will be able to join the organization once it meets the criteria to accede. Kosovo also seeks memberships in the UN and in NATO.The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over the region from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo's present-day boundaries were established when Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. The Serbs - many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland - instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo's autonomous status. Kosovo's Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking a Kosovar Albanian insurgency.Beginning in 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The 2006-07 negotiations ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, though the UN issued a comprehensive report on Kosovo's final status that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, close to 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances.Demonstrating Kosovo’s development into a sovereign, multi-ethnic, democratic country the international community ended the period of Supervised Independence in 2012. Kosovo held its most recent national and municipal elections in 2021, ushering in a government led by the Self-Determination Movement's (VV) Albin KURTI, a former political prisoner who did not fight in the 1998-99 war. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries agreed in April 2013 to normalize their relations through EU-facilitated talks, which produced several subsequent agreements the parties are implementing to varying degrees, though they have not yet reached a comprehensive normalization of relations. Kosovo has pursued bilateral recognitions and memberships in international organizations, moves that Serbia strongly opposes. Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in 2015, and the EU named Kosovo as among the six Western Balkan countries that will be able to join the organization once it meets the criteria to accede. Kosovo also seeks memberships in the UN and in NATO. Topic: KuwaitKuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as Bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated in late 2011 with the resignation of the prime minister amidst allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an amiri decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs. An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the November 2016 election, winning nearly half of the seats but a cohesive opposition alliance largely ceased to exist with the 2016 election and the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly elections in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government. The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in September 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of the "National Dialogue," the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet was reshuffled in March 2022.Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as Bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated in late 2011 with the resignation of the prime minister amidst allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an amiri decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs. An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the November 2016 election, winning nearly half of the seats but a cohesive opposition alliance largely ceased to exist with the 2016 election and the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly elections in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government. The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in September 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of the "National Dialogue," the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet was reshuffled in March 2022. Topic: KyrgyzstanA Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed by the Russian Empire in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1926 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in 2005 and 2010 resulted in the ouster of the country’s first two presidents, Askar AKAEV and Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Interim President Roza OTUNBAEVA led a transitional government and following a nation-wide election, President Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to step down after serving one full six-year term as required in the country’s constitution. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning the 2017 presidential election that was the most competitive in the country’s history, although international and local election observers noted cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources. In October 2020, protests against legislative election results spread across Kyrgyzstan, leading to JEENBEKOV’s resignation from the presidency, and catapulting previously imprisoned Sadyr JAPAROV to acting president. In January 2021, Kyrgyzstanis formerly elected JAPAROV as president and approved a referendum to move Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In April 2021, Kyrgyzstanis voted in favor of draft constitutional changes that consolidated power in the presidency. Pro-government parties won a majority in the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan’s legislature) in November 2021 elections. Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, a history of tense, and at times violent, interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed by the Russian Empire in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1926 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in 2005 and 2010 resulted in the ouster of the country’s first two presidents, Askar AKAEV and Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Interim President Roza OTUNBAEVA led a transitional government and following a nation-wide election, President Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to step down after serving one full six-year term as required in the country’s constitution. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning the 2017 presidential election that was the most competitive in the country’s history, although international and local election observers noted cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources. In October 2020, protests against legislative election results spread across Kyrgyzstan, leading to JEENBEKOV’s resignation from the presidency, and catapulting previously imprisoned Sadyr JAPAROV to acting president. In January 2021, Kyrgyzstanis formerly elected JAPAROV as president and approved a referendum to move Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In April 2021, Kyrgyzstanis voted in favor of draft constitutional changes that consolidated power in the presidency. Pro-government parties won a majority in the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyzstan’s legislature) in November 2021 elections. Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, a history of tense, and at times violent, interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats. Topic: LaosModern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013. In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Topic: LatviaSeveral eastern Baltic tribes merged in medieval times to form the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The region subsequently came under the control of Germans, Poles, Swedes, and finally, Russians. A Latvian republic emerged following World War I, but it was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. Latvia reestablished its independence in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Although the last Russian troops left in 1994, the status of the Russian minority (some 26% of the population) remains of concern to Moscow. Latvia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016. A dual citizenship law was adopted in 2013, easing naturalization for non-citizen children. Topic: LebanonAs a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquests for much of its history, including by the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920 and it gained independence in 1943. Since then, Lebanon has experienced periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its historical position as a regional center for finance and trade, although that status has significantly diminished since the beginning of Lebanon’s economic crisis in 2019, which includes simultaneous currency, debt, and banking crises. The country's 1975-90 civil war, which resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has historically influenced Lebanon's foreign and domestic policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. Hizballah - a major Lebanese political party, militia, and US-designated foreign terrorist organization - and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved. Topic: LesothoParamount chief MOSHOESHOE I consolidated what would become Basutoland in the early 19th century and made himself king in 1822. Continuing encroachments by Dutch settlers from the neighboring Orange Free State caused the king to enter into an 1868 agreement with the UK by which Basutoland became a British protectorate, and after 1884, a crown colony. Upon independence in 1966, the country was renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho. The Basotho National Party ruled the country during its first two decades. King MOSHOESHOE II was exiled in 1990, but returned to Lesotho in 1992 and was reinstated in 1995 and subsequently succeeded by his son, King LETSIE III, in 1996. Constitutional government was restored in 1993 after seven years of military rule. In 1998, violent protests and a military mutiny following a contentious election prompted a brief but bloody intervention by South African and Botswana military forces under the aegis of the Southern African Development Community. Subsequent constitutional reforms restored relative political stability. Peaceful parliamentary elections were held in 2002, but the National Assembly elections in 2007 were hotly contested and aggrieved parties disputed how the electoral law was applied to award proportional seats in the Assembly. In 2012, competitive elections involving 18 parties saw Prime Minister Motsoahae Thomas THABANE form a coalition government - the first in the country's history - that ousted the 14-year incumbent, Pakalitha MOSISILI, who peacefully transferred power the following month. MOSISILI returned to power in snap elections in February 2015 after the collapse of THABANE’s coalition government and an alleged attempted military coup. In June 2017, THABANE returned to become prime minister. Topic: LiberiaWith 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the United States began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements. In 1847, these settlers declared independence from the United States, writing their own constitution and establishing Africa’s first republic. Early in Liberia’s history, tensions arose between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous population. In 1980, Samuel DOE, who was from the indigenous population, led a military coup and ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 permitted an election that brought TAYLOR to power. In 2000, fighting resumed. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted President TAYLOR’s resignation. TAYLOR was later convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. In late 2005, President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF became president after two years of transitional governments; she was the first female head of state in Africa. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF won reelection but struggled to rebuild Liberia's economy, particularly following the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic, and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. In 2017, former soccer star George WEAH won the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another since the end of Liberia’s civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH has struggled to improve the country’s economy. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2023.  With 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the United States began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements. In 1847, these settlers declared independence from the United States, writing their own constitution and establishing Africa’s first republic.Early in Liberia’s history, tensions arose between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous population. In 1980, Samuel DOE, who was from the indigenous population, led a military coup and ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 permitted an election that brought TAYLOR to power. In 2000, fighting resumed. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted President TAYLOR’s resignation. TAYLOR was later convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. In late 2005, President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF became president after two years of transitional governments; she was the first female head of state in Africa. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF won reelection but struggled to rebuild Liberia's economy, particularly following the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic, and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. In 2017, former soccer star George WEAH won the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another since the end of Liberia’s civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH has struggled to improve the country’s economy. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2023.  Topic: LibyaBerbers have inhabited central north Africa since ancient times, but the region has been settled and ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Vandals. In the the 7th century, Islam spread through the region; in the mid-16th century, Ottoman rule began. The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when they were defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar al-QADHAFI assumed leadership and began to espouse his political system at home, which was a combination of socialism and Islam. During the 1970s, QADHAFI used oil revenues to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversive and terrorist activities that included the downing of two airliners - one over Scotland, another in Northern Africa - and a discotheque bombing in Berlin. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically and economically following the attacks; sanctions were lifted in 2003 following Libyan acceptance of responsibility for the bombings and agreement to claimant compensation. QADHAFI also agreed to end Libya's program to develop weapons of mass destruction, and he made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations. Unrest that began in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in late 2010 erupted in Libyan cities in early 2011. QADHAFI's brutal crackdown on protesters spawned an eight-month civil war that saw the emergence of a National Transitional Council (NTC), UN authorization of air and naval intervention by the international community, and the toppling of the QADHAFI regime. In 2012, the NTC handed power to an elected parliament, the General National Congress (GNC). Voters chose a new parliament to replace the GNC in June 2014 - the House of Representatives (HoR) - which relocated to the eastern city of Tobruk after fighting broke out in Tripoli and Benghazi in July 2014. In December 2015, the UN brokered an agreement among a broad array of Libyan political parties and social groups - known as the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) - establishing an interim executive body, the Government of National Accord (GNA). However, the HoR and defunct-GNC-affiliated political hardliners continued to oppose the GNA and hamper the LPA’s implementation, leaving Libya with eastern and western-based rival governments. In September 2017, UN Special Representative Ghassan SALAME announced a new roadmap for national political reconciliation. In November 2018, the international community supported SALAME’s recalibrated Action Plan for Libya that aimed to break the political deadlock by holding a National Conference in early 2019. These plans, however, were derailed when the eastern-based self-described Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive to seize Tripoli in April 2019. Several countries sent armed personnel and advanced military equipment into Libya. The LNA's offensive collapsed in June 2020, and a subsequent UN-sponsored ceasefire in October 2020 helped formalize the pause in fighting between rival factions, although foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries that aided eastern and western factions during the fighting remain in Libya. In early 2021, the UN-facilitated Libyan Political Dialogue Forum selected a new prime minister for an interim government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), and a new presidential council charged with preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2021 and uniting the country’s state institutions. The HoR approved the GNU and its cabinet in March 2021, providing Libya with its first unified government since 2014. On 22 December 2021, Libya's parliament postponed the first round of the presidential election to an undetermined date in the future.Berbers have inhabited central north Africa since ancient times, but the region has been settled and ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Persians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Vandals. In the the 7th century, Islam spread through the region; in the mid-16th century, Ottoman rule began. The Italians supplanted the Ottoman Turks in the area around Tripoli in 1911 and did not relinquish their hold until 1943 when they were defeated in World War II. Libya then passed to UN administration and achieved independence in 1951. Following a 1969 military coup, Col. Muammar al-QADHAFI assumed leadership and began to espouse his political system at home, which was a combination of socialism and Islam. During the 1970s, QADHAFI used oil revenues to promote his ideology outside Libya, supporting subversive and terrorist activities that included the downing of two airliners - one over Scotland, another in Northern Africa - and a discotheque bombing in Berlin. UN sanctions in 1992 isolated QADHAFI politically and economically following the attacks; sanctions were lifted in 2003 following Libyan acceptance of responsibility for the bombings and agreement to claimant compensation. QADHAFI also agreed to end Libya's program to develop weapons of mass destruction, and he made significant strides in normalizing relations with Western nations.Unrest that began in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in late 2010 erupted in Libyan cities in early 2011. QADHAFI's brutal crackdown on protesters spawned an eight-month civil war that saw the emergence of a National Transitional Council (NTC), UN authorization of air and naval intervention by the international community, and the toppling of the QADHAFI regime. In 2012, the NTC handed power to an elected parliament, the General National Congress (GNC). Voters chose a new parliament to replace the GNC in June 2014 - the House of Representatives (HoR) - which relocated to the eastern city of Tobruk after fighting broke out in Tripoli and Benghazi in July 2014.In December 2015, the UN brokered an agreement among a broad array of Libyan political parties and social groups - known as the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) - establishing an interim executive body, the Government of National Accord (GNA). However, the HoR and defunct-GNC-affiliated political hardliners continued to oppose the GNA and hamper the LPA’s implementation, leaving Libya with eastern and western-based rival governments. In September 2017, UN Special Representative Ghassan SALAME announced a new roadmap for national political reconciliation. In November 2018, the international community supported SALAME’s recalibrated Action Plan for Libya that aimed to break the political deadlock by holding a National Conference in early 2019. These plans, however, were derailed when the eastern-based self-described Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an offensive to seize Tripoli in April 2019. Several countries sent armed personnel and advanced military equipment into Libya. The LNA's offensive collapsed in June 2020, and a subsequent UN-sponsored ceasefire in October 2020 helped formalize the pause in fighting between rival factions, although foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries that aided eastern and western factions during the fighting remain in Libya. In early 2021, the UN-facilitated Libyan Political Dialogue Forum selected a new prime minister for an interim government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), and a new presidential council charged with preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections in December 2021 and uniting the country’s state institutions. The HoR approved the GNU and its cabinet in March 2021, providing Libya with its first unified government since 2014. On 22 December 2021, Libya's parliament postponed the first round of the presidential election to an undetermined date in the future. Topic: LiechtensteinThe Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the German Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003. Topic: LithuaniaLithuanian lands were united under MINDAUGAS in 1236; over the next century, through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine. By the end of the 14th century Lithuania was the largest state in Europe. An alliance with Poland in 1386 led the two countries into a union through the person of a common ruler. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland formally united into a single dual state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This entity survived until 1795 when its remnants were partitioned by surrounding countries. Lithuania regained its independence following World War I but was annexed by the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries. On 11 March 1990, Lithuania became the first of the Soviet republics to declare its independence, but Moscow did not recognize this proclamation until September of 1991 (following the abortive coup in Moscow). The last Russian troops withdrew in 1993. Lithuania subsequently restructured its economy for integration into Western European institutions; it joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004. In 2015, Lithuania joined the euro zone, and it joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2018. Topic: LuxembourgFounded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839 but gained a larger measure of autonomy. In 1867, Luxembourg attained full independence under the condition that it promise perpetual neutrality. Overrun by Germany in both world wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the EEC (later the EU), and in 1999 it joined the euro currency zone. Topic: MacauColonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Macau was the first European settlement in the Far East. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and Portugal on 13 April 1987, Macau became the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China on 20 December 1999. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the subsequent 50 years. Topic: MadagascarMadagascar was one of the last major habitable landmasses on earth settled by humans. While there is some evidence of human presence on the island in the millennia B.C., large-scale settlement began between A.D. 350 and 550 with settlers from present-day Indonesia. The island attracted Arab and Persian traders as early as the 7th century, and migrants from Africa arrived around A.D. 1000. Madagascar was a pirate stronghold during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and served as a slave trading center into the 19th century. From the 16th to the late 19th century, a native Merina Kingdom dominated much of Madagascar. The island was conquered by the French in 1896 who made it a colony; independence was regained in 1960. During 1992-93, free presidential and National Assembly elections were held ending 17 years of single-party rule. In 1997, in the second presidential race, Didier RATSIRAKA, the leader during the 1970s and 1980s, returned to the presidency. The 2001 presidential election was contested between the followers of Didier RATSIRAKA and Marc RAVALOMANANA, nearly causing secession of half of the country. In 2002, the High Constitutional Court announced RAVALOMANANA the winner. RAVALOMANANA won a second term in 2006 but, following protests in 2009, handed over power to the military, which then conferred the presidency on the mayor of Antananarivo, Andry RAJOELINA, in what amounted to a coup d'etat. Following a lengthy mediation process led by the Southern African Development Community, Madagascar held UN-supported presidential and parliamentary elections in 2013. Former de facto finance minister Hery RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA won a runoff election in December 2013 and was inaugurated in January 2014. In January 2019, RAJOELINA was declared the winner of a runoff election against RAVALOMANANA; both RATSIRAKA and RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA also ran in the first round of the election, which took place in November 2018. Topic: MalawiMalawi shares its name with the Chewa word for flames and is linked to the Maravi people from whom the Chewa language originated. The Maravi settled in what is now Malawi around 1400 during one of the later waves of Bantu migration across central and southern Africa. Several of Malawi’s ethnic groups trace their origins to different Maravi lineages. A powerful Maravi kingdom, established around 1500, reached its zenith around 1700, when it controlled what is now southern and central Malawi as well as portions of neighboring Mozambique and Zambia before beginning to decline because of destabilization from the escalating global trade in enslaved people. In the early 1800s, widespread conflict in southern Africa displaced various ethnic Ngoni groups, some of which moved into Malawi and further undermined the Maravi. Members of the Yao ethnic group - which had long traded with Malawi from Mozambique - introduced Islam and began to settle in Malawi in significant numbers the mid-1800s; in the late 1800s, members of the Lomwe ethnic group also moved into southern Malawi from Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Nyasa in the mid-1800s, and Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891 and eliminated various political entities that sought to retain their autonomy over the subsequent decade. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe - from 1953 to 1963 before gaining independence as Malawi in 1964. Hastings Kamuzu BANDA served as prime minister at independence and, when the country became a republic in 1966, he became president. He later instituted one-party rule under his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was declared president for life. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI of the United Democratic Front party became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he defeated BANDA at the polls in 1994; he won reelection in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA was elected in 2004 and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 2009. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by Vice President Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the election in 2014. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed election in 2019 that resulted in countrywide protests. The courts ordered a new the election, and in 2020 Lazarus CHAKWERA of the MCP was elected president after defeating MUTHARIKA as head of a coalition of opposition parties. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi.Malawi shares its name with the Chewa word for flames and is linked to the Maravi people from whom the Chewa language originated. The Maravi settled in what is now Malawi around 1400 during one of the later waves of Bantu migration across central and southern Africa. Several of Malawi’s ethnic groups trace their origins to different Maravi lineages. A powerful Maravi kingdom, established around 1500, reached its zenith around 1700, when it controlled what is now southern and central Malawi as well as portions of neighboring Mozambique and Zambia before beginning to decline because of destabilization from the escalating global trade in enslaved people. In the early 1800s, widespread conflict in southern Africa displaced various ethnic Ngoni groups, some of which moved into Malawi and further undermined the Maravi. Members of the Yao ethnic group - which had long traded with Malawi from Mozambique - introduced Islam and began to settle in Malawi in significant numbers the mid-1800s; in the late 1800s, members of the Lomwe ethnic group also moved into southern Malawi from Mozambique. British missionary and trading activity increased in the area around Lake Nyasa in the mid-1800s, and Britain declared a protectorate, called British Central Africa, over what is now Malawi in 1891 and eliminated various political entities that sought to retain their autonomy over the subsequent decade. The British renamed the territory Nyasaland in 1907 and it was part of the colonial Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland - including present-day Zambia and Zimbabwe - from 1953 to 1963 before gaining independence as Malawi in 1964.Hastings Kamuzu BANDA served as prime minister at independence and, when the country became a republic in 1966, he became president. He later instituted one-party rule under his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and was declared president for life. After three decades of one-party rule, the country held multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections in 1994 under a provisional constitution that came into full effect the following year. Bakili MULUZI of the United Democratic Front party became the first freely elected president of Malawi when he defeated BANDA at the polls in 1994; he won reelection in 1999. President Bingu wa MUTHARIKA was elected in 2004 and subsequently started his own party, the Democratic Progressive Party, in 2005. MUTHARIKA was reelected to a second term in 2009. He died abruptly in 2012 and was succeeded by Vice President Joyce BANDA, who had earlier started her own party, the People's Party. MUTHARIKA's brother, Peter MUTHARIKA, defeated BANDA in the election in 2014. Peter MUTHARIKA was reelected in a disputed election in 2019 that resulted in countrywide protests. The courts ordered a new the election, and in 2020 Lazarus CHAKWERA of the MCP was elected president after defeating MUTHARIKA as head of a coalition of opposition parties. Population growth, increasing pressure on agricultural lands, corruption, and the scourge of HIV/AIDS pose major problems for Malawi. Topic: MalaysiaMalaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. These holdings were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO. MAHATHIR resigned in February 2020 amid a political dispute. King ABDULLAH then selected Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin as the new prime minister. MUHYIDDIN resigned in August 2021 after losing a majority of support in parliament. King ABDULLAH next selected ISMAIL SABRI Yakoob as the successor prime minister.Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. These holdings were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO. MAHATHIR resigned in February 2020 amid a political dispute. King ABDULLAH then selected Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin as the new prime minister. MUHYIDDIN resigned in August 2021 after losing a majority of support in parliament. King ABDULLAH next selected ISMAIL SABRI Yakoob as the successor prime minister. Topic: MaldivesA sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the GAYOOM regime. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament.A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005.In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the GAYOOM regime. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament. Topic: MaliPresent-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. The empire also influenced West African culture through the spread of its language, laws, and customs, but by the 16th century it fragmented into mostly small chiefdoms.  The Songhai Empire, previously a Mali dependency centered in Timbuktu, gained prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries. Under Songhai rule, Timbuktu became a large commercial center and well-known for its scholarship and religious teaching. Timbuktu remains a center of culture in West Africa today. In the late 16th century, the Songhai Empire fell to Moroccan invaders and disintegrated into independent sultanates and kingdoms. France, expanding from Senegal, seized control of the area in the 1890s and incorporated it into French West Africa as French Sudan. In 1960, French Sudan gained independence from France and became the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the remaining area was renamed the Republic of Mali. Mali saw 31 years of dictatorship until 1991, when a military coup led by Amadou Toumani TOURE ousted the government, established a new constitution, and instituted a multi-party democracy. President Alpha Oumar KONARE won Mali's first two democratic presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou Toumani TOURE, who won a second term in 2007. In 2012, rising ethnic tensions and an influx of fighters - some linked to Al-Qa’ida - from Libya led to a rebellion and military coup. Following the coup, rebels expelled the military from the country’s three northern regions, allowing terrorist organizations to develop strongholds in the area. With French military intervention, the Malian Government managed to retake most of the north. However, the government’s grasp in the region remains weak with local militias, terrorists, and insurgent groups continuously trying to expand control. In 2015, the Malian Government and northern rebels signed an internationally mediated peace accord. Despite a June 2017 target for implementation of the agreement, the signatories have made little progress. Extremist groups were left out of the peace process, and terrorist attacks remain common.   Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA won the Malian presidential elections in 2013 and 2018. Aside from security and logistic shortfalls, international observers deemed these elections credible. Terrorism, banditry, ethnic-based violence, and extra-judicial military killings plagued the country during KEITA’s second term. In August 2020, the military arrested KEITA, his prime minister, and other senior members of the government and established a military junta called the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP). In September 2020, the junta established a transition government and appointed Bah N’DAW, a retired army officer and former defense minister, as interim president and Colonel Assimi GOITA, the coup leader and chairman of the CNSP, as interim vice president. The transition government’s charter allowed it to rule for up to 18 months before calling a general election.   In May 2021, Colonel Assimi GOITA led a military takeover, arresting the interim president after a Cabinet shake up removed Goita’s key allies. Goita was sworn in as transition president in June 2021 and Choguel Kokalla MAIGA was sworn in as prime minister. In January 2022, ECOWAS imposed sanctions against the transition government and member states closed their borders after the transition government presented a five-year extension to the electoral calendar. ECOWAS and the transition government continue to work to negotiate an acceptable electoral calendar.Present-day Mali is named after the Mali Empire that ruled the region between the 13th and 16th centuries. At its peak in the 14th century, it was the largest and wealthiest empire in West Africa and controlled an area about twice the size of modern-day France. Primarily a trading empire, Mali derived its wealth from gold and maintained several goldfields and trade routes in the Sahel. The empire also influenced West African culture through the spread of its language, laws, and customs, but by the 16th century it fragmented into mostly small chiefdoms.  The Songhai Empire, previously a Mali dependency centered in Timbuktu, gained prominence in the 15th and 16th centuries. Under Songhai rule, Timbuktu became a large commercial center and well-known for its scholarship and religious teaching. Timbuktu remains a center of culture in West Africa today. In the late 16th century, the Songhai Empire fell to Moroccan invaders and disintegrated into independent sultanates and kingdoms.France, expanding from Senegal, seized control of the area in the 1890s and incorporated it into French West Africa as French Sudan. In 1960, French Sudan gained independence from France and became the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, the remaining area was renamed the Republic of Mali. Mali saw 31 years of dictatorship until 1991, when a military coup led by Amadou Toumani TOURE ousted the government, established a new constitution, and instituted a multi-party democracy. President Alpha Oumar KONARE won Mali's first two democratic presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou Toumani TOURE, who won a second term in 2007.In 2012, rising ethnic tensions and an influx of fighters - some linked to Al-Qa’ida - from Libya led to a rebellion and military coup. Following the coup, rebels expelled the military from the country’s three northern regions, allowing terrorist organizations to develop strongholds in the area. With French military intervention, the Malian Government managed to retake most of the north. However, the government’s grasp in the region remains weak with local militias, terrorists, and insurgent groups continuously trying to expand control. In 2015, the Malian Government and northern rebels signed an internationally mediated peace accord. Despite a June 2017 target for implementation of the agreement, the signatories have made little progress. Extremist groups were left out of the peace process, and terrorist attacks remain common.  Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA won the Malian presidential elections in 2013 and 2018. Aside from security and logistic shortfalls, international observers deemed these elections credible. Terrorism, banditry, ethnic-based violence, and extra-judicial military killings plagued the country during KEITA’s second term. In August 2020, the military arrested KEITA, his prime minister, and other senior members of the government and established a military junta called the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP). In September 2020, the junta established a transition government and appointed Bah N’DAW, a retired army officer and former defense minister, as interim president and Colonel Assimi GOITA, the coup leader and chairman of the CNSP, as interim vice president. The transition government’s charter allowed it to rule for up to 18 months before calling a general election.   In May 2021, Colonel Assimi GOITA led a military takeover, arresting the interim president after a Cabinet shake up removed Goita’s key allies. Goita was sworn in as transition president in June 2021 and Choguel Kokalla MAIGA was sworn in as prime minister. In January 2022, ECOWAS imposed sanctions against the transition government and member states closed their borders after the transition government presented a five-year extension to the electoral calendar. ECOWAS and the transition government continue to work to negotiate an acceptable electoral calendar. Topic: MaltaWith a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic ten years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008. Topic: Marshall IslandsHumans arrived in the Marshall Islands in the first millennium B.C. and gradually created permanent settlements on the various atolls. The early inhabitants were skilled navigators who frequently traveled between atolls using stick charts to map the islands. Society became organized under two paramount chiefs, one each for the Ratak (Sunrise) Chain and the Ralik (Sunset) Chain. The traditional hierarchy continued even after contact with Europeans in the early 1500s. Spain formally claimed the islands in 1592, but few other Europeans passed by the islands in the next two centuries. In 1788, British sea captain John MARSHALL undertook an exploratory voyage, and the islands were mapped in the early 1800s by Russian explorers. In the 1850s, US Protestant missionaries began arriving on the islands. Germany established a supply station on Jaluit Atoll and bought the islands from Spain in 1884, although paramount chiefs continued to rule. Japan seized the Marshall Islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations Mandate to administer the islands in 1920. Japan built large military bases throughout the Marshall Islands, and during World War II, the US captured the bases on Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Majuro Atolls in Operations Flintlock and Catchpole. The Marshall Islands came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947. Between 1946 and 1958, the US resettled populations from Bikini and Enewetak Atolls and conducted 67 nuclear tests; people from Ailinginae and Rongelap Atolls were also evacuated because of nuclear fallout, and all four atolls remain largely uninhabited. In 1979, the Marshall Islands drafted a constitution separate from the rest of the TTPI and declared independence under President Amata KABUA, a paramount chief. In 2000, Kessai NOTE became the first commoner elected president. In 2016, Hilda HEINE was the first woman elected president. In 1982, the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the Marshall Islands financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986 and its funding was renewed in 2003. The Marshall Islands hosts the US Army Kwajalein Atoll Reagan Missile Test Site, a key installation in the US missile defense network. Kwajalein also hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha), and at Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory)). Topic: MauritaniaThe Berber and Bafour people were among the first to settle in what is now Mauritania. Originally a nomadic people, they were among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from former enslaved peoples and sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that still exist today. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960. Mauritania initially began as a single-party, authoritarian regime and saw 49 years of dictatorships, flawed elections, failed attempts at democracy, and military coups. Ould Abdel AZIZ led the last coup in 2008, and was elected president in 2009 and reelected in 2014. Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI was elected president in 2019, and his inauguration marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another, solidifying Mauritania’s status as an emerging democracy. International observers recognized the elections as relatively free and fair. The country is working to address a continuing practice of slavery and its vestiges. Mauritania officially abolished slavery in 1981, but the practice was not criminalized until 2007. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing American and foreign tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. Although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011, AQIM and similar groups remain active in the Sahel region.  The Berber and Bafour people were among the first to settle in what is now Mauritania. Originally a nomadic people, they were among the first in recorded history to convert from a nomadic to agricultural lifestyle. These groups account for roughly one third of Mauritania’s ethnic makeup. The remainder of Mauritania’s ethnic groups derive from former enslaved peoples and sub-Saharan ethnic groups originating mainly from the Senegal River Valley. These three groups are organized according to a strict caste system with deep ethnic divides that still exist today. A former French colony, Mauritania achieved independence from France in 1960. Mauritania initially began as a single-party, authoritarian regime and saw 49 years of dictatorships, flawed elections, failed attempts at democracy, and military coups. Ould Abdel AZIZ led the last coup in 2008, and was elected president in 2009 and reelected in 2014. Mohamed Ould Cheikh GHAZOUANI was elected president in 2019, and his inauguration marked the first peaceful transition of power from one democratically elected president to another, solidifying Mauritania’s status as an emerging democracy. International observers recognized the elections as relatively free and fair.The country is working to address a continuing practice of slavery and its vestiges. Mauritania officially abolished slavery in 1981, but the practice was not criminalized until 2007. Between 2005 and 2011, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) launched a series of attacks killing American and foreign tourists and aid workers, attacking diplomatic and government facilities, and ambushing Mauritanian soldiers and gendarmes. Although Mauritania has not seen an attack since 2011, AQIM and similar groups remain active in the Sahel region.  Topic: MauritiusAlthough known to Arab and European sailors since at least the early 1500s, the island of Mauritius was uninhabited until 1638 when the Dutch established a settlement named in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU. Their presence led to the rapid disappearance of the flightless dodo bird that has since become one of the most well-known examples of extinction in modern times. The Dutch abandoned their financially distressed settlement in 1710, although a number of formerly enslaved people remained. In 1722, the French established what would become a highly profitable settlement focused on sugar cane plantations that were reliant on the labor of enslaved people brought to Mauritius from other parts of Africa. In the 1790s, the island had a brief period of autonomous rule when plantation owners rejected French control because of laws ending slavery that were temporarily in effect during the French Revolution. Britain captured the Island in 1810 as part of the Napoleonic Wars, but kept most of the French administrative structure which remains to this day in the form of the country’s legal codes and widespread use of French Creole language. The abolition of slavery in 1835 - later than most other British colonies - led to increased reliance on contracted laborers from the Indian subcontinent to work on plantations. Today their descendants form the majority of the population. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing a role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as for the collection of signals intelligence. Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 as a Parliamentary Republic and has remained a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record. The country also attracted considerable foreign investment and now has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Mauritius’ often fractious coalition politics has been dominated by two prominent families each of which has had father-son pairs who have been prime minister over multiple, often nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1968-76) was Mauritius’ first prime minister and he was succeeded by Anerood Jugnauth (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin Ramgoolam (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond Berenger (2003-05), the only non-Hindu prime minister of post-independence Mauritius. In 2017, Pravind Jugnauth became prime minister after his father stepped down short of completing his term, and he was elected in his own right in 2019. Mauritius claims the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has secured favorable UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions and an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK.Although known to Arab and European sailors since at least the early 1500s, the island of Mauritius was uninhabited until 1638 when the Dutch established a settlement named in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU. Their presence led to the rapid disappearance of the flightless dodo bird that has since become one of the most well-known examples of extinction in modern times. The Dutch abandoned their financially distressed settlement in 1710, although a number of formerly enslaved people remained. In 1722, the French established what would become a highly profitable settlement focused on sugar cane plantations that were reliant on the labor of enslaved people brought to Mauritius from other parts of Africa. In the 1790s, the island had a brief period of autonomous rule when plantation owners rejected French control because of laws ending slavery that were temporarily in effect during the French Revolution. Britain captured the Island in 1810 as part of the Napoleonic Wars, but kept most of the French administrative structure which remains to this day in the form of the country’s legal codes and widespread use of French Creole language. The abolition of slavery in 1835 - later than most other British colonies - led to increased reliance on contracted laborers from the Indian subcontinent to work on plantations. Today their descendants form the majority of the population. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later an air station, playing a role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as for the collection of signals intelligence.Mauritius gained independence from the UK in 1968 as a Parliamentary Republic and has remained a stable democracy with regular free elections and a positive human rights record. The country also attracted considerable foreign investment and now has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Mauritius’ often fractious coalition politics has been dominated by two prominent families each of which has had father-son pairs who have been prime minister over multiple, often nonconsecutive, terms. Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1968-76) was Mauritius’ first prime minister and he was succeeded by Anerood Jugnauth (1982-95, 2000-03, 2014-17); his son Navin Ramgoolam (1995-2000, 2005-14); and Paul Raymond Berenger (2003-05), the only non-Hindu prime minister of post-independence Mauritius. In 2017, Pravind Jugnauth became prime minister after his father stepped down short of completing his term, and he was elected in his own right in 2019. Mauritius claims the French island of Tromelin and the British Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory). Since 2017, Mauritius has secured favorable UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions and an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK. Topic: MexicoThe site of several advanced Amerindian civilizations - including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec - Mexico was conquered and colonized by Spain in the early 16th century. Administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain for three centuries, it achieved independence early in the 19th century. Elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe CALDERON, but Enrique PENA NIETO regained the presidency for the PRI in 2012. Left-leaning anti-establishment politician and former mayor of Mexico City (2000-05) Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR, from the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), became president in December 2018. The global financial crisis in late 2008 caused a massive economic downturn in Mexico the following year. Growth rebounded to about 5% in 2010, but then averaged roughly half that for the rest of the decade. Notwithstanding this challenge, Mexico is currently the largest goods trading partner of the US – with $614.5 billion in two-way goods trade during 2019. US exports of goods and services to Mexico supported 1.2 million jobs in the US in 2015 (the latest data available) according to estimates from the Department of Commerce. Mexico's GDP contracted by 8.2% in 2020 due to pandemic-induced closures, its lowest level since the Great Depression, but Mexico’s economy rebounded in 2021 when it grew by 4.8%, driven largely by increased remittances, despite supply chain and pandemic-related challenges. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, or T-MEC by its Spanish acronym) entered into force on 1 July 2020 and replaced its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexico amended its constitution on 1 May 2019 to facilitate the implementation of the labor components of USMCA. Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, high underemployment, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely indigenous population in the impoverished southern states. Since 2007, Mexico's powerful transnational criminal organizations have engaged in a struggle to control criminal markets, resulting in tens of thousands of drug-related homicides and forced disappearances.The site of several advanced Amerindian civilizations - including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec - Mexico was conquered and colonized by Spain in the early 16th century. Administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain for three centuries, it achieved independence early in the 19th century. Elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe CALDERON, but Enrique PENA NIETO regained the presidency for the PRI in 2012. Left-leaning anti-establishment politician and former mayor of Mexico City (2000-05) Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR, from the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), became president in December 2018. The global financial crisis in late 2008 caused a massive economic downturn in Mexico the following year. Growth rebounded to about 5% in 2010, but then averaged roughly half that for the rest of the decade. Notwithstanding this challenge, Mexico is currently the largest goods trading partner of the US – with $614.5 billion in two-way goods trade during 2019. US exports of goods and services to Mexico supported 1.2 million jobs in the US in 2015 (the latest data available) according to estimates from the Department of Commerce. Mexico's GDP contracted by 8.2% in 2020 due to pandemic-induced closures, its lowest level since the Great Depression, but Mexico’s economy rebounded in 2021 when it grew by 4.8%, driven largely by increased remittances, despite supply chain and pandemic-related challenges.The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, or T-MEC by its Spanish acronym) entered into force on 1 July 2020 and replaced its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexico amended its constitution on 1 May 2019 to facilitate the implementation of the labor components of USMCA.Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, high underemployment, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely indigenous population in the impoverished southern states. Since 2007, Mexico's powerful transnational criminal organizations have engaged in a struggle to control criminal markets, resulting in tens of thousands of drug-related homicides and forced disappearances. Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofEach of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap - has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. Around the same time, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh by 1250. Yap’s society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another. Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands - which they named the Caroline Islands - in the 1600s. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1800s, in particular to Chuuk and Kosrae. By the 1870s, nearly every Kosraean had converted to Christianity and religion continues to play an important role in daily life on the island. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. The Japanese navy built bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944 during Operation Hailstone in World War II, destroying 250 Japanese planes and 40 ships. The US military largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific. The FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political statuses. In 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986 and its funding was renewed in 2003. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, is planning an independence referendum for 2022. Eligible Micronesians can live, work, and study in any part of the US and its territories without a visa - this privilege reduces stresses on the island economy and the environment. Micronesians serve in the US armed forces and military recruiting from the FSM, per capita, is higher than many US states.Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap - has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. Around the same time, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh by 1250. Yap’s society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another.Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands - which they named the Caroline Islands - in the 1600s. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1800s, in particular to Chuuk and Kosrae. By the 1870s, nearly every Kosraean had converted to Christianity and religion continues to play an important role in daily life on the island. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. The Japanese navy built bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944 during Operation Hailstone in World War II, destroying 250 Japanese planes and 40 ships. The US military largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific.The FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in 1947, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political statuses. In 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986 and its funding was renewed in 2003. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, is planning an independence referendum for 2022. Eligible Micronesians can live, work, and study in any part of the US and its territories without a visa - this privilege reduces stresses on the island economy and the environment. Micronesians serve in the US armed forces and military recruiting from the FSM, per capita, is higher than many US states. Topic: MoldovaA large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021.  A large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria.Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021.  Topic: MonacoThe Genoese built a fortress on the site of present day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling GRIMALDI family first seized control in 1297 but was not able to permanently secure its holding until 1419. Economic development was spurred in the late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. Since then, the principality's mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center. Topic: MongoliaThe peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the period of the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C. The name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan) emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia. His descendants, including ÖGÖDEI and KHUBILAI (aka Kublai Khan), continued military campaigns of conquest, taking control of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of China where KHUBILAI established the Yuan Dynasty in the 1270s. The Mongols attempted to invade Japan and Java before their empire broke apart in the 14th century. In the 17th century, Mongolia fell under the rule of the Manchus of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Following the collapse of the Manchus in 1911, Mongolia declared its independence, achieving it with help from the Soviet Union in 1921. Mongolia became a socialist state (the Mongolian People’s Republic) in 1924. Following independence and until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the country was a Soviet satellite state, and heavily reliant on economic, military, and political assistance from Moscow. The period also was marked by purges, political repression, economic stagnation, and tensions with China. Mongolia peacefully transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990. In 1992, it adopted a new constitution and established a free market economy. Since the country's transition, it has conducted eight presidential and nine legislative elections as of 2021. Throughout the period, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) - which took the name Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) in 2010 - has competed for political power with the Democratic Party (DP) and several other smaller parties, including a new party formed by former President ENKHBAYAR, which confusingly adopted for itself the MPRP name until it merged with MPP in 2021. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, the MPP won overwhelming control of the Parliament over the DP, which had overseen a sharp decline in Mongolia’s economy during its control of the Parliament in the preceding years. Mongolians elected a DP member, Khaltmaa BATTULGA, as president in 2017. The June 2020 parliamentary elections left the MPP with continued dominant control of the parliament. Mongolians elected former prime minister and MPP member Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH as president in 2021. Mongolia maintains close cultural, political, and military ties with Russia while China is its largest economic partner. Mongolia’s foreign relations are focused on preserving its autonomy by balancing relations with China and Russia, as well as its other major partners, Japan, South Korea, and the US.The peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the period of the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C. The name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan) emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia. His descendants, including ÖGÖDEI and KHUBILAI (aka Kublai Khan), continued military campaigns of conquest, taking control of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of China where KHUBILAI established the Yuan Dynasty in the 1270s. The Mongols attempted to invade Japan and Java before their empire broke apart in the 14th century. In the 17th century, Mongolia fell under the rule of the Manchus of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Following the collapse of the Manchus in 1911, Mongolia declared its independence, achieving it with help from the Soviet Union in 1921. Mongolia became a socialist state (the Mongolian People’s Republic) in 1924. Following independence and until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the country was a Soviet satellite state, and heavily reliant on economic, military, and political assistance from Moscow. The period also was marked by purges, political repression, economic stagnation, and tensions with China. Mongolia peacefully transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990. In 1992, it adopted a new constitution and established a free market economy. Since the country's transition, it has conducted eight presidential and nine legislative elections as of 2021. Throughout the period, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) - which took the name Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) in 2010 - has competed for political power with the Democratic Party (DP) and several other smaller parties, including a new party formed by former President ENKHBAYAR, which confusingly adopted for itself the MPRP name until it merged with MPP in 2021. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, the MPP won overwhelming control of the Parliament over the DP, which had overseen a sharp decline in Mongolia’s economy during its control of the Parliament in the preceding years. Mongolians elected a DP member, Khaltmaa BATTULGA, as president in 2017. The June 2020 parliamentary elections left the MPP with continued dominant control of the parliament. Mongolians elected former prime minister and MPP member Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH as president in 2021. Mongolia maintains close cultural, political, and military ties with Russia while China is its largest economic partner. Mongolia’s foreign relations are focused on preserving its autonomy by balancing relations with China and Russia, as well as its other major partners, Japan, South Korea, and the US. Topic: MontenegroThe use of the name Crna Gora or Black Mountain (Montenegro) began in the 13th century in reference to a highland region in the Serbian province of Zeta. The later medieval state of Zeta maintained its existence until 1496 when Montenegro finally fell under Ottoman rule. Over subsequent centuries, Montenegro managed to maintain a level of autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro was a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it transformed into a secular principality. Montenegro was recognized as an independent sovereign principality at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. After World War I, during which Montenegro fought on the side of the Allies, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. At the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro joined with Serbia, creating the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, shifting to a looser State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the two-state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia barely exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally restore its independence on 3 June 2006. In 2017, Montenegro joined NATO and is currently completing its EU accession process, having officially applied to join the EU in December 2008. Topic: MontserratEnglish and Irish colonists from St. Kitts first settled on Montserrat in 1632; the first African slaves arrived three decades later. The British and French fought for possession of the island for most of the 18th century, but it finally was confirmed as a British possession in 1783. The island's sugar plantation economy was converted to small farm landholdings in the mid-19th century. Much of this island was devastated and two-thirds of the population fled abroad because of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano that began on 18 July 1995. Montserrat has endured volcanic activity since, with the last eruption occurring in 2013. Topic: MoroccoIn 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half-century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from what is today called Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 75% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - an organization advocating the territory’s independence - and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in December 2018. On 10 December 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara. King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the North Africa region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in October 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in September 2021. In December 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier in 2020.In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half-century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from what is today called Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 75% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - an organization advocating the territory’s independence - and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in December 2018. On 10 December 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara.King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the North Africa region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in October 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in September 2021. In December 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier in 2020. Topic: MozambiqueIn the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500 and to set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando GUEBUZA, served two terms and then passed executive power to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. RENAMO’s residual armed forces intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a late December 2016 ceasefire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in August 2019. Elections in October 2019, challenged by Western observers and civil society as being problematic, resulted in resounding wins for NYUSI and FRELIMO across the country. Since October 2017, violent extremists - who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in June 2019 - have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group.In the first half of the second millennium A.D., northern Mozambican port towns were frequented by traders from Somalia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and India. The Portuguese were able to wrest much of the coastal trade from Arab Muslims in the centuries after 1500 and to set up their own colonies. Portugal did not relinquish Mozambique until 1975. Large-scale emigration, economic dependence on South Africa, a severe drought, and a prolonged civil war hindered the country's development until the mid-1990s. The ruling Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party formally abandoned Marxism in 1989, and a new constitution the following year provided for multiparty elections and a free market economy. A UN-negotiated peace agreement between FRELIMO and rebel Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) forces ended the fighting in 1992. In 2004, Mozambique underwent a delicate transition as Joaquim CHISSANO stepped down after 18 years in office. His elected successor, Armando GUEBUZA, served two terms and then passed executive power to Filipe NYUSI in 2015. RENAMO’s residual armed forces intermittently engaged in a low-level insurgency after 2012, but a late December 2016 ceasefire eventually led to the two sides signing a comprehensive peace deal in August 2019. Elections in October 2019, challenged by Western observers and civil society as being problematic, resulted in resounding wins for NYUSI and FRELIMO across the country. Since October 2017, violent extremists - who an official ISIS media outlet recognized as ISIS's network in Mozambique for the first time in June 2019 - have been conducting attacks against civilians and security services in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. In 2021, Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community deployed forces to support Mozambique’s efforts to counter the extremist group. Topic: NamibiaVarious ethnic groups occupied south western Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory.  In 1966, the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia gained independence in 1990 and has been governed by SWAPO since, though the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected in 2014 in a landslide victory, replacing Hifikepunye POHAMBA who stepped down after serving two terms. SWAPO retained its parliamentary super majority in the 2014 elections. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament. Namibia gained independence in 1990. Topic: NauruNauru was inhabited by Micronesian and Polynesian settlers by around 1000 B.C. and the island was divided in 12 clans. Nauru developed in relative isolation because ocean currents made landfall on the island difficult. As a result, the Nauruan language does not clearly resemble any other in the Pacific region. In 1798, British sea captain John FEARN became the first European to spot the island. By 1830, European whalers used Nauru as a supply stop, trading firearms for food. In 1878, a civil war erupted on the island, reducing the population by more than a third. Germany forcibly annexed Nauru in 1888 by holding the 12 chiefs under house arrest until they consented to the annexation. Germany banned alcohol, confiscated weapons, instituted strict dress codes, and brought in Christian missionaries to convert the population. Phosphate was discovered in 1900 and heavily mined, although Nauru and Nauruans earned about one tenth of one percent of the profits from the phosphate deposits. Australian forces captured Nauru from Germany during World War I, and in 1919, it was placed under a joint Australian-British-New Zealand mandate with Australian administration. Japan occupied Nauru during World War II and used its residents as forced labor elsewhere in the Pacific while destroying much of the infrastructure on the island. After the war, Nauru became a UN trust territory under Australian administration. Recognizing the phosphate stocks would eventually be depleted, in 1962, Australian Prime Minister Robert MENZIES offered to resettle all Nauruans on Curtis Island in Queensland, but Nauruans rejected that plan and opted for independence, which was achieved in 1968. In 1970, Nauru purchased the phosphate mining assets, and income from the mines made Nauruans among the richest people in the world. However, Nauru subsequently began a series of unwise investments in buildings, musical theater, and an airline. Nauru sued Australia in 1989 for the damage caused by mining when Australia administered the island. Widespread phosphate mining officially ceased in 2006. Nauru went nearly bankrupt by 2000 and tried to rebrand itself as an offshore banking haven, although it ended that practice in 2005. In 2001, Australia set up the Nauru Regional Processing Center (NRPC), an offshore refugee detention facility, paying Nauru per person at the center. The NRPC was closed in 2008 but reopened in 2012. The number of refugees has steadily declined since 2014, and the remaining people were moved to a hotel in Brisbane, Australia, in 2020, effectively shuttering the NRPC. In a bid for Russian humanitarian aid, in 2008, Nauru recognized the breakaway Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Topic: Navassa IslandThis uninhabited island was claimed by the US in 1857 for its guano. Mining took place between 1865 and 1898. The lighthouse, built in 1917, was shut down in 1996 and administration of Navassa Island transferred from the US Coast Guard to the Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs. A 1998 scientific expedition to the island described it as a "unique preserve of Caribbean biodiversity." The following year it became a National Wildlife Refuge and annual scientific expeditions have continued. Topic: NepalDuring the late 18th-early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16 and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy. An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported, NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister.  During the late 18th-early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16 and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported, NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister.  Topic: NetherlandsThe Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830, Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered German invasion and occupation in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU) and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In February 2018, the Sint Eustatius island council (governing body) was dissolved and replaced by a government commissioner to restore the integrity of public administration. According to the Dutch Government, the intervention will be as "short as possible and as long as needed."The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830, Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered German invasion and occupation in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU) and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. In October 2010, the former Netherlands Antilles was dissolved and the three smallest islands - Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - became special municipalities in the Netherlands administrative structure. The larger islands of Sint Maarten and Curacao joined the Netherlands and Aruba as constituent countries forming the Kingdom of the Netherlands.In February 2018, the Sint Eustatius island council (governing body) was dissolved and replaced by a government commissioner to restore the integrity of public administration. According to the Dutch Government, the intervention will be as "short as possible and as long as needed." Topic: New CaledoniaThe first humans settled in New Caledonia around 1600 B.C. The Lapita were skilled navigators and evidence of their pottery around the Pacific has served as a guide for understanding human expansion in the region. Successive waves of migrants from other islands in Melanesia intermarried with the Lapita, giving rise to the Kanak ethnic group considered indigenous to New Caledonia. British explorer James COOK was the first European to visit New Caledonia in 1774, giving it the Latin name for Scotland. Missionaries first landed in New Caledonia in 1840. In 1853, France annexed New Caledonia to preclude any British attempt to claim the island. France declared it a penal colony in 1864 and sent more than 20,000 prisoners to New Caledonia in the ensuing three decades. Nickel was discovered in 1864 and French prisoners were directed to mine it. France brought in indentured servants and enslaved labor from elsewhere in Southeast Asia to work the mines, blocking Kanaks from accessing the most profitable part of the local economy. In 1878, High Chief ATAI led a rebellion against French rule. The Kanaks were relegated to reservations, leading to periodic smaller uprisings and culminating in a large revolt in 1917 that was brutally suppressed by colonial authorities. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops, and the US moved its South Pacific headquarters to the island in 1942. Following the war, New Caledonia was made an overseas territory and French citizenship was granted to all inhabitants in 1953, thereby permitting the Kanaks to move off the reservations. The Kanak nationalist movement began in the 1950s but most voters chose to remain a territory in an independence referendum in 1958. The European population of New Caledonia boomed in the 1970s with a renewed focus on nickel mining, reigniting Kanak nationalism. Key Kanak leaders were assassinated in the early 1980s, leading to escalating violence and dozens of fatalities. The Matignon Accords of 1988 provided for a 10-year transition period. The Noumea Accord of 1998 transferred an increasing amount of governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia over a 20-year period and provided for three independence referenda. In the first held in 2018, voters rejected independence by 57 to 43 percent; in the second held in 2020, voters rejected independence 53 to 47 percent. In the third referendum held in December 2021, voters rejected independence 96 to 4 percent; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. In February 2021, pro-independence parties gained a majority in the New Caledonian Government for the first time. Topic: New ZealandPolynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand in the late 1200s, with widespread settlement in the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. Competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori iwi (tribes) by the 1500s as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but after an encounter with local Maori, he sailed away. British captain James COOK was the next European to arrive in New Zealand in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although he had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, they asked the British for protection. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand. The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars from the 1840s to the 1870s fought between Europeans and various Maori iwi. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, and militarily supported the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986. In recent years, New Zealand has explored reducing some of its ties to the UK. There in an active, minority movement about changing New Zealand to a republic, and in 2015-16, a referendum on changing the New Zealand flag to remove the Union Jack failed 57% to 43%.Polynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand in the late 1200s, with widespread settlement in the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. Competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori iwi (tribes) by the 1500s as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but after an encounter with local Maori, he sailed away. British captain James COOK was the next European to arrive in New Zealand in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although he had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, they asked the British for protection. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand. The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars from the 1840s to the 1870s fought between Europeans and various Maori iwi. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, and militarily supported the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986. In recent years, New Zealand has explored reducing some of its ties to the UK. There in an active, minority movement about changing New Zealand to a republic, and in 2015-16, a referendum on changing the New Zealand flag to remove the Union Jack failed 57% to 43%. Topic: NicaraguaThe Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought a civic-military coalition, spearheaded by the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas led by Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador prompted the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. After losing free and fair elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA was elected president in 2006, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2021. Municipal, regional, and national-level elections since 2008 have been marred by widespread irregularities. Democratic institutions have weakened under the ORTEGA administration as the president has garnered full control over all branches of government, especially after cracking down on a nationwide pro-democracy protest movement in 2018. In the lead-up to the 2021 presidential election, authorities arrested over 40 individuals linked to the political opposition, including presidential candidates, private sector leaders, NGO workers, human rights defenders, and journalists. Only five lesser-known presidential candidates of mostly small parties allied to ORTEGA's Sandinistas were allowed to run against ORTEGA in the November 2021 election. Topic: NigerPresent-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms. In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger.  France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration in 1922. After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991 when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In February 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 and reelected in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked last in the world on the UN Development Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms.In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger.  France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration in 1922.After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991 when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In February 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 and reelected in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked last in the world on the UN Development Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria. Topic: NigeriaIn ancient and pre-colonial times, the area of present-day Nigeria was occupied by a great diversity of ethnic groups with different languages and traditions. These included Islamic empires in northern Nigeria and smaller organized political groupings in southern Nigeria. British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa's most populous country grew through the 19th century. In 1914, the British amalgamated their separately administered northern and southern territories into modern-day Nigeria. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy. After independence in 1960, politics were marked by coups and mostly military rule, until the death of a military head of state in 1998 allowed for a political transition. In 1999, a new constitution was adopted and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of institutionalizing democracy and reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through decades of corruption and mismanagement. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general elections of 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian transfer of power in the country's history. National and state elections in 2011 and 2015 were generally regarded as credible. The 2015 election was also heralded for the fact that the then-umbrella opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, defeated the long-ruling People's Democratic Party that had governed since 1999, and assumed the presidency, marking the first peaceful transfer of power from one party to another. Presidential and legislative elections were held in early 2019 and deemed broadly free and fair despite voting irregularities, intimidation, and violence. Topic: NiueVoyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900 and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. There was continued contact with both Samoa and Tonga, and customs from those islands heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide kingship system in the early 1700s. These kings, or patu-iki, were elected by Niueans. In 1774, British explorer James COOK abandoned attempts to land on the island after several unsuccessful tries, and he named it Savage Island because of the warlike appearance of the Niueans. Missionaries arrived in 1830 but were also largely unsuccessful at staying on the island until 1846, when a Niuean trained as a Samoan missionary returned to the island and provided a space from which the missionaries could work. In addition to converting the population, the missionaries worked to stop the violent conflicts between Niueans and helped establish the first parliament in 1849. In 1889, King FATAAIKI and other chiefs asked the UK for protectorate status, a request that was repeated in 1895. The UK finally agreed in 1900 and King TOGIA-PULU-TOAKI formally ceded Niue that year. In 1901, Niue was annexed to New Zealand and included as part of the Cook Islands. Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences with the Cook Islands led New Zealand to separate Niue into its own administration in 1904. The island became internally self-governing in 1974; it is an independent member of international organizations, but is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs. Economic opportunities in Niue are sparse. The population has trended downwards over recent decades, with substantial emigration to New Zealand. In 2004, a cyclone destroyed much of the southern part of the capital, Alofi, and left about 15% of the population homeless. Many chose not to rebuild and instead moved to New Zealand (2,400 km to the southwest), where approximately 90% of all ethnic Niueans live.Voyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900 and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. There was continued contact with both Samoa and Tonga, and customs from those islands heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide kingship system in the early 1700s. These kings, or patu-iki, were elected by Niueans. In 1774, British explorer James COOK abandoned attempts to land on the island after several unsuccessful tries, and he named it Savage Island because of the warlike appearance of the Niueans. Missionaries arrived in 1830 but were also largely unsuccessful at staying on the island until 1846, when a Niuean trained as a Samoan missionary returned to the island and provided a space from which the missionaries could work. In addition to converting the population, the missionaries worked to stop the violent conflicts between Niueans and helped establish the first parliament in 1849.In 1889, King FATAAIKI and other chiefs asked the UK for protectorate status, a request that was repeated in 1895. The UK finally agreed in 1900 and King TOGIA-PULU-TOAKI formally ceded Niue that year. In 1901, Niue was annexed to New Zealand and included as part of the Cook Islands. Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences with the Cook Islands led New Zealand to separate Niue into its own administration in 1904. The island became internally self-governing in 1974; it is an independent member of international organizations, but is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs.Economic opportunities in Niue are sparse. The population has trended downwards over recent decades, with substantial emigration to New Zealand. In 2004, a cyclone destroyed much of the southern part of the capital, Alofi, and left about 15% of the population homeless. Many chose not to rebuild and instead moved to New Zealand (2,400 km to the southwest), where approximately 90% of all ethnic Niueans live. Topic: Norfolk IslandPolynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500 but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders - descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions - were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated the land tenure and governance structures they previously had. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales. During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. Following an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979. With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored. Topic: North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of "Macedonia." Greek objection to the new country’s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled the country’s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block Macedonian efforts to gain UN membership if the name "Macedonia" was used. The country was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution continued. Over time, the US and over 130 other nations recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into a conflict in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. In January 2018, the government adopted a new law on languages, which elevated the Albanian language to an official language at the national level, with the Macedonian language remaining the sole official language in international relations. Relations between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain complicated, however. North Macedonia's pro-Western government has used its time in office since 2017 to sign a historic deal with Greece in June 2018 to end the name dispute and revive Skopje's NATO and EU membership prospects. This followed a nearly three-year political crisis that engulfed the country but ended in June 2017 following a six-month-long government formation period after a closely contested election in December 2016. The crisis began after the 2014 legislative and presidential election, and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretapped material that revealed alleged widespread government corruption and abuse. Although an EU candidate since 2005, North Macedonia has yet to open EU accession negotiations. The country still faces challenges, including fully implementing reforms to overcome years of democratic backsliding and stimulating economic growth and development. In June 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Accord whereby the Republic of Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Following ratification by both countries, the agreement went in to force on 12 February 2019. North Macedonia signed an accession protocol to become a NATO member state in February 2019.North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of "Macedonia." Greek objection to the new country’s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled the country’s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block Macedonian efforts to gain UN membership if the name "Macedonia" was used. The country was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution continued. Over time, the US and over 130 other nations recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into a conflict in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. In January 2018, the government adopted a new law on languages, which elevated the Albanian language to an official language at the national level, with the Macedonian language remaining the sole official language in international relations. Relations between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain complicated, however.North Macedonia's pro-Western government has used its time in office since 2017 to sign a historic deal with Greece in June 2018 to end the name dispute and revive Skopje's NATO and EU membership prospects. This followed a nearly three-year political crisis that engulfed the country but ended in June 2017 following a six-month-long government formation period after a closely contested election in December 2016. The crisis began after the 2014 legislative and presidential election, and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretapped material that revealed alleged widespread government corruption and abuse. Although an EU candidate since 2005, North Macedonia has yet to open EU accession negotiations. The country still faces challenges, including fully implementing reforms to overcome years of democratic backsliding and stimulating economic growth and development. In June 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Accord whereby the Republic of Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Following ratification by both countries, the agreement went in to force on 12 February 2019. North Macedonia signed an accession protocol to become a NATO member state in February 2019. Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsThe Northern Mariana Islands were settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including of Micronesians in the first century A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521 and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle on Guam and prevented them from returning to their home islands. By the time the Northern Mariana Islands’ Chamorro returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands. In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US following the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and administered them post-World War II as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, although Guam rejected it in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-government separate from the rest of the TTPI and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship and the territory came under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress.The Northern Mariana Islands were settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including of Micronesians in the first century A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521 and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle on Guam and prevented them from returning to their home islands. By the time the Northern Mariana Islands’ Chamorro returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands. In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US following the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and administered them post-World War II as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, although Guam rejected it in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-government separate from the rest of the TTPI and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship and the territory came under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress. Topic: NorwayTwo centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following the adoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994; conversion of the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In 1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted more than four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession of their country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden then invaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution in return for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Rising nationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendum granting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral in World War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norway proclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but was nonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In 1949, Norway abandoned neutrality and became a member of NATO. Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic fortunes. In referenda held in 1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU. Key domestic issues include immigration and integration of ethnic minorities, maintaining the country's extensive social safety net with an aging population, and preserving economic competitiveness. Topic: OmanThe inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan. Sultan QABOOS has no children and has not designated a successor publicly; the Basic Law of 1996 outlines Oman’s succession procedure. Sultan QABOOS’ extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world, and the sultan has prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the Sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and has since ruled as sultan. Sultan QABOOS has no children and has not designated a successor publicly; the Basic Law of 1996 outlines Oman’s succession procedure. Sultan QABOOS’ extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world, and the sultan has prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US. Oman's moderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements. Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the Sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day. Topic: Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits.The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south. Topic: PakistanThe Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by Indian reports of cross-border militancy. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by Indian reports of cross-border militancy. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks. Topic: PalauHumans arrived in the Palauan archipelago around 1000 B.C. from Southeast Asia and developed a complex, highly organized matrilineal society where high-ranking women picked the chiefs. The islands were the westernmost part of the widely scattered Pacific islands north of New Guinea that Spanish explorers named the Caroline Islands in the 17th century. There were several failed attempts by Spanish Jesuit missionaries to visit the islands in the early 1700s. Spain gained some influence in the islands and administered it from the Philippines but sold Palau to Germany in 1899 after it lost the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. Japan seized Palau in 1914, was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer the islands in 1920, and made Koror the capital of its South Seas Mandate in 1922. By the outbreak of World War II, there were four times as many Japanese living in Koror as Palauans. In 1944, the Battle of Peleliu between US and Japanese forces resulted in more than 15,000 deaths. Following the war, Palau became part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Palau voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978 and adopted its own constitution in 1981, which stated that Palau was a nuclear-free country. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted Palau financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities. However, many Palauans saw the COFA as incompatible with the Palauan Constitution because of the US military’s nuclear arsenal, and seven referenda failed to achieve ratification. Following a constitutional amendment and eighth referendum in 1993, the COFA was ratified and entered into force in 1994 when the islands gained their independence. Its funding was renewed in 2010. Palau has been on the frontlines of combatting climate change and protecting marine resources. In 2011, Palau banned commercial shark fishing and created the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2017, Palau began stamping the Palau Pledge into passports, reminding visitors to act in ecologically and culturally responsible ways. In 2020, Palau banned coral reef-toxic sunscreens and expanded its fishing prohibition to include 80% of its exclusive economic zone. Topic: PanamaExplored and settled by the Spanish in the 16th century, Panama broke with Spain in 1821 and joined a union of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela - named the Republic of Gran Colombia. When the latter dissolved in 1830, Panama remained part of Colombia. With US backing, Panama seceded from Colombia in 1903 and promptly signed a treaty with the US allowing for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land on either side of the structure (the Panama Canal Zone). The Panama Canal was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers between 1904 and 1914. In 1977, an agreement was signed for the complete transfer of the Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the century. Certain portions of the Zone and increasing responsibility over the Canal were turned over in the subsequent decades. With US help, dictator Manuel NORIEGA was deposed in 1989. The entire Panama Canal, the area supporting the Canal, and remaining US military bases were transferred to Panama by the end of 1999. An ambitious expansion project to more than double the Canal's capacity - by allowing for more Canal transits and larger ships - was carried out between 2007 and 2016. Topic: Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea (PNG) was first settled between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. PNG’s harsh geography consisting of mountains, jungles, and numerous river valleys, kept many of the arriving groups isolated, giving rise to PNG’s incredible ethnic and linguistic diversity. Agriculture was independently developed by some of these groups. Around 500 B.C., Austronesian voyagers settled along the coast. Spanish and Portuguese explorers periodically visited the island starting in the 1500s but none made it into the country’s interior. American and British whaling ships frequented the islands off the coast of New Guinea in the mid-1800s. In 1884, Germany declared a protectorate - and eventually a colony - over the northern part of what would become PNG and named it German New Guinea; days later the UK followed suit on the southern part and nearby islands and called it Papua. Most of their focus was on the coastal regions, leaving the highlands largely unexplored. The UK put its colony under Australian administration in 1902 and formalized the act in 1906. At the outbreak of World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea and continued to rule it after the war as a League of Nations Mandate. The discovery of gold along the Bulolo River in the 1920s, led prospectors to venture into the highlands, where they found about 1 million people living in isolated communities. Japan invaded New Guinea in 1941 and reached Papua the following year. Allied victories during the New Guinea campaign pushed out the Japanese, and after the end of the war, Australia combined the two territories into one administration. Sir Michael SOMARE won elections in 1972 on the promise of achieving independence, which was realized in 1975. A secessionist movement in Bougainville, an island well endowed in copper and gold resources, reignited in 1988 with debates about land use, profits, and an influx of outsiders at the Panguna Copper Mine. Following elections in 1992, the PNG government took a hardline stance against Bougainville rebels and the resulting civil war led to about 20,000 deaths. In 1997, the PNG government hired mercenaries to support its troops in Bougainville, sparking an army mutiny and forcing the prime minister to resign. PNG and Bougainville signed a truce in 1997 and a peace agreement in 2001, which granted Bougainville autonomy. An internationally-monitored nonbinding referendum asking Bougainvilleans to chose independence or greater self rule occurred in November 2019, with 98% of voters opting for independence.Papua New Guinea (PNG) was first settled between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. PNG’s harsh geography consisting of mountains, jungles, and numerous river valleys, kept many of the arriving groups isolated, giving rise to PNG’s incredible ethnic and linguistic diversity. Agriculture was independently developed by some of these groups. Around 500 B.C., Austronesian voyagers settled along the coast. Spanish and Portuguese explorers periodically visited the island starting in the 1500s but none made it into the country’s interior. American and British whaling ships frequented the islands off the coast of New Guinea in the mid-1800s. In 1884, Germany declared a protectorate - and eventually a colony - over the northern part of what would become PNG and named it German New Guinea; days later the UK followed suit on the southern part and nearby islands and called it Papua. Most of their focus was on the coastal regions, leaving the highlands largely unexplored. The UK put its colony under Australian administration in 1902 and formalized the act in 1906. At the outbreak of World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea and continued to rule it after the war as a League of Nations Mandate. The discovery of gold along the Bulolo River in the 1920s, led prospectors to venture into the highlands, where they found about 1 million people living in isolated communities. Japan invaded New Guinea in 1941 and reached Papua the following year. Allied victories during the New Guinea campaign pushed out the Japanese, and after the end of the war, Australia combined the two territories into one administration. Sir Michael SOMARE won elections in 1972 on the promise of achieving independence, which was realized in 1975. A secessionist movement in Bougainville, an island well endowed in copper and gold resources, reignited in 1988 with debates about land use, profits, and an influx of outsiders at the Panguna Copper Mine. Following elections in 1992, the PNG government took a hardline stance against Bougainville rebels and the resulting civil war led to about 20,000 deaths. In 1997, the PNG government hired mercenaries to support its troops in Bougainville, sparking an army mutiny and forcing the prime minister to resign. PNG and Bougainville signed a truce in 1997 and a peace agreement in 2001, which granted Bougainville autonomy. An internationally-monitored nonbinding referendum asking Bougainvilleans to chose independence or greater self rule occurred in November 2019, with 98% of voters opting for independence. Topic: Paracel IslandsThe Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and by potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island; maintenance was continued by its successor, Vietnam. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. The Paracel islands also are claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. Topic: ParaguaySeveral Indigenous groups, principally belonging to the Guarani language family, inhabited the area of modern Paraguay before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, when the territory was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811 with the help of neighboring states. In the aftermath of independence, a series of military dictators ruled the country until 1870. During the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1864-70) – fought against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two-thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century and experienced a tumultuous series of political regimes. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy. Topic: PeruAncient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peru declared its independence in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980, but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his resignation in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw a new election in the spring of 2001, which installed Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of indigenous ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, oversaw a robust economic rebound. Former army officer Ollanta HUMALA Tasso was elected president in June 2011, and carried on the sound, market-oriented economic policies of the three preceding administrations. Poverty and unemployment levels have fallen dramatically in the last decade, and today Peru boasts one of the best performing economies in Latin America. Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard won a very narrow presidential runoff election in June 2016. Facing impeachment after evidence surfaced of his involvement in a vote-buying scandal, President KUCZYNSKI offered his resignation on 21 March 2018. Two days later, First Vice President Martin Alberto VIZCARRA Cornejo was sworn in as president. On 30 September 2019, President VIZCARRA invoked his constitutional authority to dissolve Peru's Congress after months of battling with the body over anticorruption reforms. New congressional elections took place on 26 January 2020 resulting in the return of an opposition-led legislature. President VIZCARRA was impeached by Congress on 9 November 2020 for a second time and removed from office after being accused of corruption and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of vacancies in the vice-presidential positions, constitutional succession led to the President of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel MERINO, becoming the next president of Peru. His ascension to office was not well received by the population, and large protests forced his resignation on 15 November 2020. On 17 November, Francisco SAGASTI assumed the position of President of Peru after being appointed President of the Congress the previous day. Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones won the second round of presidential elections on 6 June 2021 and was inaugurated on 28 July. Topic: PhilippinesThe Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 21-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010 and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016. The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and a separate agreement with a break away faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. In 2017, Philippine armed forces battled an ISIS-East Asia siege in Marawi City, driving DUTERTE to declare martial law in the region. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea.The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. A 21-year rule by Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that prevented a return to full political stability and economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. His administration was marked by increased stability and by progress on economic reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred by several corruption allegations but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010 and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016.The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and a separate agreement with a break away faction, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. In 2017, Philippine armed forces battled an ISIS-East Asia siege in Marawi City, driving DUTERTE to declare martial law in the region. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea. Topic: Pitcairn IslandsPolynesians were the first inhabitants of the Pitcairn Islands, but the islands were uninhabited by the time they were discovered by Europeans in 1606. Pitcairn Island was rediscovered by British explorer Philip CARTERET in 1767, although he incorrectly plotted the coordinates. In 1789, Fletcher CHRISTIAN led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty and after several months of searching for Pitcairn Island, he landed on it with eight other mutineers and their Tahitian companions. They lived in isolation and evaded detection by English authorities until 1808, by which point only one man, 10 women, and 23 children remained. In 1831, with the population growing too big for the island - there were 87 people - the British attempted to move all the islanders to Tahiti, but they were soon returned to Pitcairn Island. The island became an official British colony in 1838 and in 1856, the British again determined that the population of 193 was too high and relocated all of the residents to Norfolk Island. Several families returned in 1858 and 1864, bringing the island’s population to 43, and almost all of the island’s current population are descendants of these returnees. In 1887, the entire population converted to the Seventh-Day Adventist faith. The UK annexed the nearby islands of Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie in 1902 and incorporated them into the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1938, although all three are uninhabited. The population peaked at 233 in 1937 as outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has thinned the population. Only two children were born between 1986 and 2012, and in 2005, a couple became the first new outsiders to obtain citizenship in more than a century. (The current population is below 50.) Since 2013, the Pitcairn Islands has tried to attract new migrants but has had no applicants because it requires prospective migrants to front significant sums of money and prohibits employment during a two-year trial period, at which point the local council can deny long-term resident status. Topic: PolandPoland's history as a state began near the middle of the 10th century. By the mid-16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ruled a vast tract of land in Central and Eastern Europe. During the 18th century, internal disorders weakened the nation, and in a series of agreements between 1772 and 1795, Russia, Prussia, and Austria partitioned Poland among themselves. Poland regained its independence in 1918 only to be overrun by Germany and the Soviet Union in World War II. It became a Soviet satellite state following the war. Labor turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" that over time became a political force with over 10 million members. Free elections in 1989 and 1990 won Solidarity control of the parliament and the presidency, bringing the communist era to a close. A "shock therapy" program during the early 1990s enabled the country to transform its economy into one of the most robust in Central Europe. Poland joined NATO in 1999 and the EU in 2004. Topic: PortugalFollowing its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986. Topic: Puerto RicoPopulated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the Spanish Crown in 1493 following Christopher COLUMBUS' second voyage to the Americas. In 1898, after 400 years of colonial rule that saw the indigenous population nearly exterminated and African slave labor introduced, Puerto Rico was ceded to the US as a result of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Popularly elected governors have served since 1948. In 1952, a constitution was enacted providing for internal self-government. In plebiscites held in 1967, 1993, and 1998, voters chose not to alter the existing political status with the US, but the results of a 2012 vote left open the possibility of American statehood. Economic recession on the island has led to a net population loss since about 2005, as large numbers of residents moved to the US mainland. The trend has accelerated since 2010; in 2014, Puerto Rico experienced a net population loss to the mainland of 64,000, more than double the net loss of 26,000 in 2010. Hurricane Maria struck the island on 20 September 2017 causing catastrophic damage, including destruction of the electrical grid that had been cripled by Hurricane Irma just two weeks before. It was the worst storm to hit the island in eight decades, and damage is estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. A referendum held in late 2020 showed a narrow preference for American statehood. Topic: QatarRuled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public, for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo by some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Following the outbreak of regional unrest in 2011, Doha prided itself on its support for many popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. This stance was to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Doha in March 2014. TAMIM later oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in November 2014 following Kuwaiti mediation and signing of the Riyadh Agreement. This reconciliation, however, was short-lived. In June 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE (the "Quartet") cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in response to alleged violations of the agreement, among other complaints. They restored ties in January 2021 after signing a declaration at the GCC Summit in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia.  Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public, for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo by some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.  Topic: RomaniaThe principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia - for centuries under the suzerainty of the Turkish Ottoman Empire - secured their autonomy in 1856; they were de facto linked in 1859 and formally united in 1862 under the new name of Romania. The country gained recognition of its independence in 1878. It joined the Allied Powers in World War I and acquired new territories - most notably Transylvania - following the conflict. In 1940, Romania allied with the Axis powers and participated in the 1941 German invasion of the USSR. Three years later, overrun by the Soviets, Romania signed an armistice. The post-war Soviet occupation led to the formation of a communist "people's republic" in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of dictator Nicolae CEAUSESCU, who took power in 1965, and his Securitate police state became increasingly oppressive and draconian through the 1980s. CEAUSESCU was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007. Topic: RussiaFounded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new ROMANOV Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Devastating defeats and food shortages in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the ROMANOV Dynasty. The communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. After defeating Germany in World War II as part of an alliance with the US (1939-1945), the USSR expanded its territory and influence in Eastern Europe and emerged as a global power. The USSR was the principal adversary of the US during the Cold War (1947-1991). The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the decades following Stalin's rule, until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 led to the dissolution of the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent states. Following economic and political turmoil during President Boris YELTSIN's term (1991-99), Russia shifted toward a centralized authoritarian state under President Vladimir PUTIN (2000-2008, 2012-present) in which the regime seeks to legitimize its rule through managed elections, populist appeals, a foreign policy focused on enhancing the country's geopolitical influence, and commodity-based economic growth. Russia faces a largely subdued rebel movement in Chechnya and some other surrounding regions, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus.Founded in the 12th century, the Principality of Muscovy was able to emerge from over 200 years of Mongol domination (13th-15th centuries) and to gradually conquer and absorb surrounding principalities. In the early 17th century, a new ROMANOV Dynasty continued this policy of expansion across Siberia to the Pacific. Under PETER I (ruled 1682-1725), hegemony was extended to the Baltic Sea and the country was renamed the Russian Empire. During the 19th century, more territorial acquisitions were made in Europe and Asia. Defeat in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-05 contributed to the Revolution of 1905, which resulted in the formation of a parliament and other reforms. Devastating defeats and food shortages in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the ROMANOV Dynasty. The communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Iosif STALIN (1928-53) strengthened communist rule and Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives. After defeating Germany in World War II as part of an alliance with the US (1939-1945), the USSR expanded its territory and influence in Eastern Europe and emerged as a global power. The USSR was the principal adversary of the US during the Cold War (1947-1991). The Soviet economy and society stagnated in the decades following Stalin's rule, until General Secretary Mikhail GORBACHEV (1985-91) introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to modernize communism, but his initiatives inadvertently released forces that by December 1991 led to the dissolution of the USSR into Russia and 14 other independent states.Following economic and political turmoil during President Boris YELTSIN's term (1991-99), Russia shifted toward a centralized authoritarian state under President Vladimir PUTIN (2000-2008, 2012-present) in which the regime seeks to legitimize its rule through managed elections, populist appeals, a foreign policy focused on enhancing the country's geopolitical influence, and commodity-based economic growth. Russia faces a largely subdued rebel movement in Chechnya and some other surrounding regions, although violence still occurs throughout the North Caucasus. Topic: RwandaRwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence. Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.Rwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence.Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term. Topic: Saint BarthelemyDiscovered in 1493 by Christopher COLUMBUS who named it for his brother Bartolomeo, Saint Barthelemy was first settled by the French in 1648. In 1784, the French sold the island to Sweden, which renamed the largest town Gustavia, after the Swedish King GUSTAV III, and made it a free port; the island prospered as a trade and supply center during the colonial wars of the 18th century. France repurchased the island in 1877 and took control the following year. It was placed under the administration of Guadeloupe. Saint Barthelemy retained its free port status along with various Swedish appellations such as Swedish street and town names, and the three-crown symbol on the coat of arms. In 2003, the islanders voted to secede from Guadeloupe, and in 2007, the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2012, it became an overseas territory of the EU, allowing it to exert local control over the permanent and temporary immigration of foreign workers including non-French European citizens. Hurricane Irma hit the island in September 2017 causing extensive damage, but Saint Barthelemy recovered by early 2018. Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha. Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903.; Saint Helena is one of the most remote populated places in the world. The British Government committed to building an airport on Saint Helena in 2005. After more than a decade of delays and construction, a commercial air service to South Africa via Namibia was inaugurated in October of 2017. The weekly service to Saint Helena from Johannesburg via Windhoek in Namibia takes just over six hours (including the refueling stop in Windhoek) and replaces the mail ship that had made a five-day journey to the island every three weeks.; Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena. It served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of transatlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War. It remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic.; The island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US)). NASA and the US Air Force also operate a Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension as part of the deep space surveillance system for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts. Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough Islands. Tristan da Cunha, named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506), was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island.Saint Helena is a British Overseas Territory consisting of Saint Helena and Ascension Islands, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha.Saint Helena: Uninhabited when first discovered by the Portuguese in 1502, Saint Helena was garrisoned by the British during the 17th century. It acquired fame as the place of Napoleon BONAPARTE's exile from 1815 until his death in 1821, but its importance as a port of call declined after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. During the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa, several thousand Boer prisoners were confined on the island between 1900 and 1903.;Saint Helena is one of the most remote populated places in the world. The British Government committed to building an airport on Saint Helena in 2005. After more than a decade of delays and construction, a commercial air service to South Africa via Namibia was inaugurated in October of 2017. The weekly service to Saint Helena from Johannesburg via Windhoek in Namibia takes just over six hours (including the refueling stop in Windhoek) and replaces the mail ship that had made a five-day journey to the island every three weeks.;Ascension Island: This barren and uninhabited island was discovered and named by the Portuguese in 1503. The British garrisoned the island in 1815 to prevent a rescue of Napoleon from Saint Helena. It served as a provisioning station for the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron on anti-slavery patrol. The island remained under Admiralty control until 1922, when it became a dependency of Saint Helena. During World War II, the UK permitted the US to construct an airfield on Ascension in support of transatlantic flights to Africa and anti-submarine operations in the South Atlantic. In the 1960s the island became an important space tracking station for the US. In 1982, Ascension was an essential staging area for British forces during the Falklands War. It remains a critical refueling point in the air-bridge from the UK to the South Atlantic.;The island hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US)). NASA and the US Air Force also operate a Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension as part of the deep space surveillance system for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.Tristan da Cunha: The island group consists of Tristan da Cunha, Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough Islands. Tristan da Cunha, named after its Portuguese discoverer (1506), was garrisoned by the British in 1816 to prevent any attempt to rescue Napoleon from Saint Helena. Gough and Inaccessible Islands have been designated World Heritage Sites. South Africa leases a site for a meteorological station on Gough Island. Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisCarib Indians occupied the islands of the West Indies for hundreds of years before the British and French began settlement in 1623. During the course of 17th century, Saint Kitts became the premier base for English and French expansion into the Caribbean. The French ceded the territory to the UK in 1713. At the turn of the 18th century, Saint Kitts was the richest British Crown Colony per capita in the Caribbean, a result of the sugar trade. Although small in size and separated by only 3 km (2 mi) of water, Saint Kitts and Nevis were viewed and governed as different states until the late-19th century, when the British forcibly unified them along with the island of Anguilla. In 1967, the island territory of Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla became an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. The island of Anguilla rebelled and was allowed to secede in 1971. The remaining islands achieved independence in 1983 as Saint Kitts and Nevis. In 1998, a referendum on Nevis to separate from Saint Kitts fell short of the two-thirds majority vote needed. Topic: Saint LuciaThe island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry, was contested between England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence. Topic: Saint MartinAlthough sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 to exploit its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. Friction between the two sides caused the border to frequently fluctuate over the next two centuries, with the French eventually holding the greater portion of the island (about 61%). The cultivation of sugar cane introduced African slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of Saint Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2010, the southern Dutch portion of the island became the independent nation of Sint Maarten within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Saint Martin causing extensive damage to roads, communications, electrical power, and housing; the UN estimated that 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed. Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonFirst settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. They attained the status of an overseas collectivity in 2003. Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesResistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on Saint Vincent until 1719. Disputed between France and the UK for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. The British prized Saint Vincent due to its fertile soil, which allowed for thriving slave-run plantations of sugar, coffee, indigo, tobacco, cotton, and cocoa. In 1834, the British abolished slavery. Immigration of indentured servants eased the ensuing labor shortage, as did subsequent Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and East Indian laborers. Conditions remained harsh for both former slaves and immigrant agricultural workers, however, as depressed world sugar prices kept the economy stagnant until the early 1900s. The economy then went into a period of decline with many landowners abandoning their estates and leaving the land to be cultivated by liberated slaves. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. In April 2021, the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in the north of Saint Vincent destroyed much of Saint Vincent’s most productive agricultural lands. Unlike most of its tourism-dependent neighbors, the Vincentian economy is primarily agricultural. The US provided $4.7 million in humanitarian support after the eruption. Topic: SamoaThe first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s, converting most of the population. In the 1850s, Apia became a center for Pacific trading and hosted an American commercial agent and British and German consuls. In 1892, American traders convinced the Samoan king to align his country’s date with the US, moving to the east of the International Date Line. Following the death of the Samoan king in 1841, rival families competed for his titles, devolving into civil war in 1886 with factions getting support from either Germany, the UK, or the US. All three countries sent warships to Apia in 1889, presaging a larger war, but a cyclone destroyed the ships and Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king. Upon LAUPEPA’s death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. The war ended in 1899 and the Western powers abolished the monarchy, giving the western Samoan islands to Germany and the eastern Samoan islands to the US. The UK abandoned claims in Samoa and received former German territory in the Solomon Islands. The Mau, a non-violent popular movement to advocate for Samoan independence, formed in 1908. New Zealand annexed Samoa in 1914 after the outbreak of World War I. Opposition to New Zealand’s rule quickly grew. In 1918, a New Zealand ship introduced the Spanish flu, infecting 90% of the population and killing more than 20%. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful protestors, killing 11, in an event known as Black Sunday. In 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence as Western Samoa but dropped the “Western” from its name in 1997. The Human Rights Protection Party has dominated politics since 1982, especially under Prime Minister Sailele TUILAEPA, who has been in power since 1998. In the late 2000s, Samoa began making efforts to align more closely with Australia and New Zealand. In 2009, Samoa changed its driving orientation to the left side of the road, in line with other Commonwealth countries. In 2011, Samoa jumped forward one day - skipping December 30 - by moving to the west side of the International Date Line so that it was one hour ahead of New Zealand and three hours ahead of the east coast of Australia, rather than 23 and 21 hours behind, respectively. Topic: San MarinoGeographically the third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named MARINUS in A.D. 301. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of the EU, although it is not a member; social and political trends in the republic track closely with those of its larger neighbor, Italy. Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipePortugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as Prime Minister TROVOADA, was elected in September 2016, marking a rare instance in which the positions of president and prime minister are held by the same party. Prime Minister TROVOADA resigned at the end of 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in early September 2021 and was inaugurated 2 October 2021. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation.Portugal discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the late 15th century, setting up a sugar-based economy that gave way to coffee and cocoa in the 19th century - all grown with African plantation slave labor, a form of which lingered into the 20th century. While independence was achieved in 1975, democratic reforms were not instituted until the late 1980s. The country held its first free elections in 1991, but frequent internal wrangling between the various political parties precipitated repeated changes in leadership and four failed, non-violent coup attempts in 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2009. In 2012, three opposition parties combined in a no confidence vote to bring down the majority government of former Prime Minister Patrice TROVOADA, but in 2014, legislative elections returned him to the office. President Evaristo CARVALHO, of the same political party as Prime Minister TROVOADA, was elected in September 2016, marking a rare instance in which the positions of president and prime minister are held by the same party. Prime Minister TROVOADA resigned at the end of 2018 and was replaced by Jorge BOM JESUS. Carlos Vila NOVA was elected president in early September 2021 and was inaugurated 2 October 2021. New oil discoveries in the Gulf of Guinea may attract increased attention to the small island nation. Topic: Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. 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. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in October 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom. Driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism, he introduced a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. These reforms have accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015, and has since lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism. The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis went to the polls to elect municipal councilors. In December 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal council elections, with 19 women winning seats. After King SALMAN ascended to the throne in 2015, he placed the first next-generation prince, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, in the line of succession as Crown Prince. He designated his son, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Deputy Crown Prince. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, which had been ousted by Huthi forces allied with former president ALI ABDULLAH al-Salih. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations). In May 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal") as part of its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism. In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. Since then, he has jockeyed for influence with neighboring countries in a bid to be the region’s main power broker. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In April 2016, the Saudi Government announced a broad set of socio-economic reforms, known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices throughout 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue. In response, the government cut subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government employee compensation packages; and announced limited new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed cut oil output in early 2017 to regulate supply and help elevate global prices. In early 2020, this agreement by the so-called OPEC+ coalition collapsed. Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to OPEC+’s largest and longest-lasting output cut. This cut helped to buoy prices that had collapsed as a result of the price war and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. 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. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in October 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom. Driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism, he introduced a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. These reforms have accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015, and has since lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism.The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis went to the polls to elect municipal councilors. In December 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal council elections, with 19 women winning seats. After King SALMAN ascended to the throne in 2015, he placed the first next-generation prince, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, in the line of succession as Crown Prince. He designated his son, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Deputy Crown Prince. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, which had been ousted by Huthi forces allied with former president ALI ABDULLAH al-Salih. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations). In May 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal") as part of its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism. In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. Since then, he has jockeyed for influence with neighboring countries in a bid to be the region’s main power broker.The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In April 2016, the Saudi Government announced a broad set of socio-economic reforms, known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices throughout 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue. In response, the government cut subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government employee compensation packages; and announced limited new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed cut oil output in early 2017 to regulate supply and help elevate global prices. In early 2020, this agreement by the so-called OPEC+ coalition collapsed. Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to OPEC+’s largest and longest-lasting output cut. This cut helped to buoy prices that had collapsed as a result of the price war and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Topic: SenegalSenegal is one of the few countries in the world with evidence of continuous human life from the Paleolithic era to present. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the Jolof Empire ruled most of Senegal. Starting in the 15th century, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, and Great Britain traded along the Senegalese coast. Senegal’s location on the western tip of Africa made it a favorable base for the European slave trade. European powers used the Senegalese island of Goree as a base to purchase slaves from the warring chiefdoms on the mainland, and at the height of the slave trade in Senegal, over one-third of the Senegalese population was enslaved. In 1815, France abolished slavery and began expanding inland. During the second half of the 19th century, France took possession of Senegal as a French colony. In 1959, the French colonies of Senegal and French Sudan were merged and granted independence in 1960 as the Mali Federation. The union broke up after only a few months. In 1982, Senegal joined with The Gambia to form the nominal confederation of Senegambia. The envisaged integration of the two countries was never implemented, and the union dissolved in 1989. Since the 1980s, the Movement of Democratic Forces in the Casamance - a separatist movement based in southern Senegal - has led a low-level insurgency. Several attempts at reaching a comprehensive peace agreement have failed. Since 2012, despite sporadic incidents of violence, an unofficial cease-fire has remained largely in effect. Senegal is one of the most stable democracies in Africa and has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping and regional mediation. The Socialist Party of Senegal ruled for 40 years until Abdoulaye WADE was elected president in 2000 and re-elected in 2007. WADE amended Senegal's constitution over a dozen times to increase executive power and weaken the opposition. In 2012, WADE’s decision to run for a third presidential term sparked public backlash that led to his defeat to current President Macky SALL. A 2016 constitutional referendum limited future presidents to two consecutive five-year terms. The change, however, does not apply to SALL's first term. In February 2019, SALL won his bid for re-election; his second term will end in 2024. Topic: SerbiaThe Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Communist Partisans resisted the Axis occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945 and fought nationalist opponents and collaborators as well. The military and political movement headed by Josip Broz "TITO" (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when their domestic rivals and the occupiers were defeated in 1945. Although communists, TITO and his successors (Tito died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Republic of Serbia and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions ultimately failed and, after international intervention, led to the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995. MILOSEVIC retained control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999. Serbian military and police forces withdrew from Kosovo in June 1999, and the UN Security Council authorized an interim UN administration and a NATO-led security force in Kosovo. FRY elections in late 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and the installation of democratic government. In 2003, the FRY became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 led to more intense calls to address Kosovo's status, and the UN began facilitating status talks in 2006. In June 2006, Montenegro seceded from the federation and declared itself an independent nation. Serbia subsequently gave notice that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro. In February 2008, after nearly two years of inconclusive negotiations, Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia - an action Serbia refuses to recognize. At Serbia's request, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in October 2008 sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on whether Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was in accordance with international law. In a ruling considered unfavorable to Serbia, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion in July 2010 stating that international law did not prohibit declarations of independence. In late 2010, Serbia agreed to an EU-drafted UNGA Resolution acknowledging the ICJ's decision and calling for a new round of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, this time on practical issues rather than Kosovo's status. Serbia and Kosovo signed the first agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations between the two countries in April 2013 and are in the process of implementing its provisions. In 2015, Serbia and Kosovo reached four additional agreements within the EU-led Brussels Dialogue framework. These included agreements on the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities; telecommunications; energy production and distribution; and freedom of movement. President Aleksandar VUCIC has promoted an ambitious goal of Serbia joining the EU by 2025. Under his leadership as prime minister, in 2014 Serbia opened formal negotiations for accession.The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929. Communist Partisans resisted the Axis occupation and division of Yugoslavia from 1941 to 1945 and fought nationalist opponents and collaborators as well. The military and political movement headed by Josip Broz "TITO" (Partisans) took full control of Yugoslavia when their domestic rivals and the occupiers were defeated in 1945. Although communists, TITO and his successors (Tito died in 1980) managed to steer their own path between the Warsaw Pact nations and the West for the next four and a half decades. In 1989, Slobodan MILOSEVIC became president of the Republic of Serbia and his ultranationalist calls for Serbian domination led to the violent breakup of Yugoslavia along ethnic lines. In 1991, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia declared independence, followed by Bosnia in 1992. The remaining republics of Serbia and Montenegro declared a new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in April 1992 and under MILOSEVIC's leadership, Serbia led various military campaigns to unite ethnic Serbs in neighboring republics into a "Greater Serbia." These actions ultimately failed and, after international intervention, led to the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in 1995.MILOSEVIC retained control over Serbia and eventually became president of the FRY in 1997. In 1998, an ethnic Albanian insurgency in the formerly autonomous Serbian province of Kosovo provoked a Serbian counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians living in Kosovo. The MILOSEVIC government's rejection of a proposed international settlement led to NATO's bombing of Serbia in the spring of 1999. Serbian military and police forces withdrew from Kosovo in June 1999, and the UN Security Council authorized an interim UN administration and a NATO-led security force in Kosovo. FRY elections in late 2000 led to the ouster of MILOSEVIC and the installation of democratic government. In 2003, the FRY became the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, a loose federation of the two republics. Widespread violence predominantly targeting ethnic Serbs in Kosovo in March 2004 led to more intense calls to address Kosovo's status, and the UN began facilitating status talks in 2006. In June 2006, Montenegro seceded from the federation and declared itself an independent nation. Serbia subsequently gave notice that it was the successor state to the union of Serbia and Montenegro.In February 2008, after nearly two years of inconclusive negotiations, Kosovo declared itself independent of Serbia - an action Serbia refuses to recognize. At Serbia's request, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in October 2008 sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on whether Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence was in accordance with international law. In a ruling considered unfavorable to Serbia, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion in July 2010 stating that international law did not prohibit declarations of independence. In late 2010, Serbia agreed to an EU-drafted UNGA Resolution acknowledging the ICJ's decision and calling for a new round of talks between Serbia and Kosovo, this time on practical issues rather than Kosovo's status. Serbia and Kosovo signed the first agreement of principles governing the normalization of relations between the two countries in April 2013 and are in the process of implementing its provisions. In 2015, Serbia and Kosovo reached four additional agreements within the EU-led Brussels Dialogue framework. These included agreements on the Community of Serb-Majority Municipalities; telecommunications; energy production and distribution; and freedom of movement. President Aleksandar VUCIC has promoted an ambitious goal of Serbia joining the EU by 2025. Under his leadership as prime minister, in 2014 Serbia opened formal negotiations for accession. Topic: SeychellesSeychelles was uninhabited prior to being discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Independence came in 1976. Following a coup d’etat in 1977, the country was a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was reelected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency since independence.Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being discovered by Europeans early in the 16th century. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. During colonial rule, a plantation-based economy developed that relied on imported labor, primarily from European colonies in Africa. Independence came in 1976. Following a coup d’etat in 1977, the country was a socialist one-party state until adopting a new constitution and holding free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was reelected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in 2011 and again in 2015. In 2016, James MICHEL resigned and handed over the presidency to his vice-president, Danny FAURE. In 2020, Wavel RAMKALAWAN was elected president, the first time an opposition candidate has won the presidency since independence. Topic: Sierra LeoneContinuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the dense jungle in the area of Sierra Leone allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invaders from empires in West Africa. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory, but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for black British loyalists from the new United States. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland. In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. While Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, Siaka STEVENS - Sierra Leone’s second prime minister - quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS’ ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH - who was originally elected in 1996 - as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted uninterrupted democratic elections, dominated by the two main political parties. In 2018, Julius Maada BIO of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won the presidential election that saw a high voter turnout despite some allegations of voter intimidation. The next presidential election is scheduled for March 2023.Continuously populated for at least 2,500 years, the dense jungle in the area of Sierra Leone allowed the region to remain relatively protected from invaders from empires in West Africa. Traders introduced Sierra Leone to Islam, which occupies a central role in Sierra Leonean culture and history. In the 17th century, the British set up a trading post near present-day Freetown. The trade originally involved timber and ivory, but later expanded to enslaved people. In 1787, following the American Revolution, Sierra Leone became a destination for black British loyalists from the new United States. After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807, British ships delivered thousands of liberated Africans to Sierra Leone. During the 19th century, the colony gradually expanded inland.In 1961, Sierra Leone became independent of the UK. While Sierra Leone held free and fair elections in 1962 and 1967, Siaka STEVENS - Sierra Leone’s second prime minister - quickly reverted to authoritarian tendencies, outlawing most political parties and ruling from 1967 to 1985. In 1991, Sierra Leonean soldiers launched a civil war against STEVENS’ ruling party. The war caused tens of thousands of deaths and displaced more than 2 million people (about one-third of the population). In 1998, a Nigerian-led West African coalition military force intervened, installing Tejan KABBAH - who was originally elected in 1996 - as prime minister. In 2002, KABBAH officially announced the end of the war. Since 1998, Sierra Leone has conducted uninterrupted democratic elections, dominated by the two main political parties. In 2018, Julius Maada BIO of the Sierra Leone People’s Party won the presidential election that saw a high voter turnout despite some allegations of voter intimidation. The next presidential election is scheduled for March 2023. Topic: SingaporeA Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century and fell into obscurity. The British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the site in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe. Topic: Sint MaartenAlthough sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 and began exploiting its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633, but the Dutch continued to assert their claims. The Spanish finally relinquished the island of Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. The establishment of cotton, tobacco, and sugar plantations dramatically expanded African slavery on the island in the 18th and 19th centuries; the practice was not abolished in the Dutch half until 1863. The island's economy declined until 1939 when it became a free port; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded beginning in the 1950s. In 1954, Sint Maarten and several other Dutch Caribbean possessions became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the Netherlands Antilles. In a 2000 referendum, the citizens of Sint Maarten voted to become a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, effective October 2010. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, causing extensive damage to roads, communications, electrical power, and housing. The UN estimated the storm destroyed or damaged 90% of the buildings, and Princess Juliana International Airport was heavily damaged and closed to commercial air traffic for five weeks. Topic: SlovakiaSlovakia traces its roots to the 9th century state of Great Moravia. Subsequently, the Slovaks became part of the Hungarian Kingdom, where they remained for the next 1,000 years. After the formation of the dual Austro-Hungarian monarchy in 1867, backlash to language and education policies favoring the use of Hungarian (Magyarization) encouraged the strengthening of Slovak nationalism and a cultivation of cultural ties with the closely related Czechs, who fell administratively under the Austrian half of the empire. After the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the close of World War I, the Slovaks joined the Czechs to form Czechoslovakia. The new state was envisioned as a nation with Czech and Slovak branches. During the interwar period, Slovak nationalist leaders pushed for autonomy within Czechoslovakia, and in 1939 Slovakia became an independent state created by and allied with Nazi Germany. Following World War II, Czechoslovakia was reconstituted and came under communist rule within Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe. In 1968, an invasion by Warsaw Pact troops ended the efforts of Czechoslovakia's leaders to liberalize communist rule and create "socialism with a human face," ushering in a period of repression known as "normalization." The peaceful "Velvet Revolution" swept the Communist Party from power at the end of 1989 and inaugurated a return to democratic rule and a market economy. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia underwent a nonviolent "velvet divorce" into its two national components, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Slovakia joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004 and the euro zone on 1 January 2009. Topic: SloveniaThe Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia was one of the republics in the restored Yugoslavia, which, though communist, soon distanced itself from the Soviet Union and spearheaded the Non-Aligned Movement. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a growing economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's postcommunist transition. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone and the Schengen zone in 2007. Topic: Solomon IslandsSettlers from Papua arrived on Solomon Islands around 30,000 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, Austronesian settlers came to Solomon Islands and the two groups mixed extensively. Despite significant inter-island trade, no attempts were made to unite the islands into a single political entity. In 1568, Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA became the first European to spot the islands. After a failed Spanish attempt at creating a permanent European settlement on the islands in the late 1500s, Solomon Islands remained free of European contact until 1767 when British explorer Philip CARTERET sailed by the islands. The islands were regularly visited by European explorers and American and British whaling ships into the 1800s, followed by missionaries in the 1850s. Germany declared a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands in 1885 and the UK established a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. In 1899, Germany transferred its Solomon Islands to the UK in exchange for the UK relinquishing all claims in Samoa. The UK tried to encourage plantation farming but few Europeans were willing to go to Solomon Islands and the UK left most services - such as education and medical services - to missionaries. In 1942, Japan invaded Solomon Islands and significant battles against Allied forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign proved a turning point in the Pacific war. World War II destroyed large parts of Solomon Islands and a nationalism movement emerged near the end of the war. By 1960, the British relented to allow for some local autonomy. The islands were granted self-government in 1976 and independence two years later under Prime Minister Sir Peter KENILOREA. In 1999, longstanding ethnic tensions between ethnic Guale in Honiara and ethnic Malaitans in Honiara’s suburbs erupted in civil war, leading thousands of Malaitans to take refuge in Honiara and Guale to flee the city. In 2000, newly-elected Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE focused on peace agreements and distributing resources equally among groups, but his actions bankrupted the government in 2001 and led to SOGAVARE’s ouster. In 2003, Solomon Islands requested international assistance to reestablish law and order. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which ended in 2017, was generally effective in improving the security situation. In 2006, riots broke out in Honiara and the city’s Chinatown burned over allegations that the prime minister took money from China. SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time following elections in 2019 and that same year announced Solomon Islands would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In late November 2021, protestors, mostly from the island of Malaita calling for SOGAVARE’s removal and more development in Malaita, sparked rioting in Honiara. Settlers from Papua arrived on Solomon Islands around 30,000 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, Austronesian settlers came to Solomon Islands and the two groups mixed extensively. Despite significant inter-island trade, no attempts were made to unite the islands into a single political entity. In 1568, Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA became the first European to spot the islands. After a failed Spanish attempt at creating a permanent European settlement on the islands in the late 1500s, Solomon Islands remained free of European contact until 1767 when British explorer Philip CARTERET sailed by the islands. The islands were regularly visited by European explorers and American and British whaling ships into the 1800s, followed by missionaries in the 1850s. Germany declared a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands in 1885 and the UK established a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. In 1899, Germany transferred its Solomon Islands to the UK in exchange for the UK relinquishing all claims in Samoa. The UK tried to encourage plantation farming but few Europeans were willing to go to Solomon Islands and the UK left most services - such as education and medical services - to missionaries. In 1942, Japan invaded Solomon Islands and significant battles against Allied forces during the Guadalcanal Campaign proved a turning point in the Pacific war. World War II destroyed large parts of Solomon Islands and a nationalism movement emerged near the end of the war. By 1960, the British relented to allow for some local autonomy. The islands were granted self-government in 1976 and independence two years later under Prime Minister Sir Peter KENILOREA. In 1999, longstanding ethnic tensions between ethnic Guale in Honiara and ethnic Malaitans in Honiara’s suburbs erupted in civil war, leading thousands of Malaitans to take refuge in Honiara and Guale to flee the city. In 2000, newly-elected Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE focused on peace agreements and distributing resources equally among groups, but his actions bankrupted the government in 2001 and led to SOGAVARE’s ouster. In 2003, Solomon Islands requested international assistance to reestablish law and order. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which ended in 2017, was generally effective in improving the security situation. In 2006, riots broke out in Honiara and the city’s Chinatown burned over allegations that the prime minister took money from China. SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time following elections in 2019 and that same year announced Solomon Islands would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China. In late November 2021, protestors, mostly from the island of Malaita calling for SOGAVARE’s removal and more development in Malaita, sparked rioting in Honiara.  Topic: SomaliaAncient Egypt trade expeditions along the northeastern coast of Africa - including today's Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia - occurred at various times between the 25th and 12th centuries B.C. Between A.D. 800 and 1100, immigrant Muslim Arabs and Persians set up coastal trading posts along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, solidifying Somalia’s close trading relationship with the Arab Peninsula. In the late 19th century, Britain and Italy established colonies in the Somali Peninsula, where they remained until 1960, when British Somaliland gained independence and joined with Italian Somaliland to form the Republic of Somalia. The country functioned as a parliamentary democracy until 1969, when General Mohamed SIAD Barre took control in a coup, beginning a 22-year authoritarian socialist dictatorship. In an effort to centralize power, SIAD called for the eradication of the clan, the key cultural and social organizing principle in Somali society. Resistance to SIAD’s socialist leadership, which was causing a rapid deterioration of the country, prompted allied clan militias to overthrow SIAD in early 1991, resulting in state collapse. Subsequent fighting between rival clans for resources and territory overwhelmed the country, resulting in a manmade famine and prompting international intervention. Beginning in 1993, the UN spearheaded a humanitarian mission supported by international forces, but the international community largely withdrew by 1995 following Black Hawk Down - an incident in which two American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu, killing 21 international forces and wounding 82. International peace conferences in the 2000s resulted in a number of transitional governments that operated outside of Somalia. Left largely to themselves, Somalis in the country established alternative governance structures; some areas formed their own administrations, such as Somaliland and Puntland, while others developed localized institutions. Many local populations turned to using sharia courts, an Islamic judicial system that implements religious law. Several of these courts came together in 2006 to form the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The ICU established order in many areas of central and southern Somalia, including Mogadishu, but was forced out when Ethiopia intervened militarily in December 2006 on behalf of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). While the TFG settled in the capital, the ICU fled to rural areas or from Somalia altogether, reemerging less than a year later as the Islamic insurgent and terrorist movement al-Shabaab, which is still active today. In January 2007, the African Union (AU) established the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping force, which allowed Ethiopia to withdraw its forces, took over security responsibility for the country, and gave the TFG space to develop Somalia’s new government. By 2012, Somali powerbrokers agreed on a provisional constitution with a loose federal structure and established the central government in Mogadishu. Since then, four interim regional administrations have been established and there have been two presidential elections. However, significant and fundamental governance and security problems remain. .Ancient Egypt trade expeditions along the northeastern coast of Africa - including today's Eritrea, Djibouti, and Somalia - occurred at various times between the 25th and 12th centuries B.C. Between A.D. 800 and 1100, immigrant Muslim Arabs and Persians set up coastal trading posts along the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, solidifying Somalia’s close trading relationship with the Arab Peninsula. In the late 19th century, Britain and Italy established colonies in the Somali Peninsula, where they remained until 1960, when British Somaliland gained independence and joined with Italian Somaliland to form the Republic of Somalia. The country functioned as a parliamentary democracy until 1969, when General Mohamed SIAD Barre took control in a coup, beginning a 22-year authoritarian socialist dictatorship. In an effort to centralize power, SIAD called for the eradication of the clan, the key cultural and social organizing principle in Somali society. Resistance to SIAD’s socialist leadership, which was causing a rapid deterioration of the country, prompted allied clan militias to overthrow SIAD in early 1991, resulting in state collapse. Subsequent fighting between rival clans for resources and territory overwhelmed the country, resulting in a manmade famine and prompting international intervention. Beginning in 1993, the UN spearheaded a humanitarian mission supported by international forces, but the international community largely withdrew by 1995 following Black Hawk Down - an incident in which two American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu, killing 21 international forces and wounding 82. International peace conferences in the 2000s resulted in a number of transitional governments that operated outside of Somalia. Left largely to themselves, Somalis in the country established alternative governance structures; some areas formed their own administrations, such as Somaliland and Puntland, while others developed localized institutions. Many local populations turned to using sharia courts, an Islamic judicial system that implements religious law. Several of these courts came together in 2006 to form the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The ICU established order in many areas of central and southern Somalia, including Mogadishu, but was forced out when Ethiopia intervened militarily in December 2006 on behalf of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG). While the TFG settled in the capital, the ICU fled to rural areas or from Somalia altogether, reemerging less than a year later as the Islamic insurgent and terrorist movement al-Shabaab, which is still active today. In January 2007, the African Union (AU) established the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping force, which allowed Ethiopia to withdraw its forces, took over security responsibility for the country, and gave the TFG space to develop Somalia’s new government. By 2012, Somali powerbrokers agreed on a provisional constitution with a loose federal structure and established the central government in Mogadishu. Since then, four interim regional administrations have been established and there have been two presidential elections. However, significant and fundamental governance and security problems remain. . Topic: South AfricaSome of the earliest human remains in the fossil record are found in South Africa. By about A.D. 500, Bantu speaking groups began settling into what is now northeastern South Africa displacing Khoisan speaking groups to the southwest. Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of present-day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the settlers of Dutch descent (Afrikaners, also called "Boers" (farmers) at the time) trekked north to found their own republics, Transvaal and Orange Free State. In the 1820s, several decades of wars began as the Zulus expanded their territory, moving out of what is today southeastern South Africa and clashing with other indigenous peoples and with expanding European settlements. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration from Europe. The Anglo-Zulu War (1879) resulted in the incorporation of the Zulu kingdom's territory into the British Empire. Subsequently, the Afrikaner republics were incorporated into the British Empire after their defeat in the Second South African War (1899-1902). However, the British and the Afrikaners ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – billed as "separate development" of the races - which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority and other non-white groups. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa's prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 following the end of apartheid ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa has since struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in wealth, housing, education, and health care. Jacob ZUMA became president in 2009 and was reelected in 2014, but resigned in February 2018 after numerous corruption scandals and gains by opposition parties in municipal elections in 2016. His successor, Cyril RAMAPHOSA, has made some progress in reigning in corruption, though many challenges persist. In May 2019 national elections, the country’s sixth since the end of apartheid, the ANC won a majority of parliamentary seats, delivering RAMAPHOSA a five-year term.Some of the earliest human remains in the fossil record are found in South Africa. By about A.D. 500, Bantu speaking groups began settling into what is now northeastern South Africa displacing Khoisan speaking groups to the southwest. Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of present-day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the settlers of Dutch descent (Afrikaners, also called "Boers" (farmers) at the time) trekked north to found their own republics, Transvaal and Orange Free State. In the 1820s, several decades of wars began as the Zulus expanded their territory, moving out of what is today southeastern South Africa and clashing with other indigenous peoples and with expanding European settlements. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration from Europe. The Anglo-Zulu War (1879) resulted in the incorporation of the Zulu kingdom's territory into the British Empire. Subsequently, the Afrikaner republics were incorporated into the British Empire after their defeat in the Second South African War (1899-1902). However, the British and the Afrikaners ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – billed as "separate development" of the races - which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority and other non-white groups. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa's prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule.The first multi-racial elections in 1994 following the end of apartheid ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa has since struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in wealth, housing, education, and health care. Jacob ZUMA became president in 2009 and was reelected in 2014, but resigned in February 2018 after numerous corruption scandals and gains by opposition parties in municipal elections in 2016. His successor, Cyril RAMAPHOSA, has made some progress in reigning in corruption, though many challenges persist. In May 2019 national elections, the country’s sixth since the end of apartheid, the ANC won a majority of parliamentary seats, delivering RAMAPHOSA a five-year term. Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsThe islands, with large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island. Topic: South SudanSouth Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011, is the world’s newest country. Home to a diverse array of mainly Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups that settled in the territory in the 15th through 19th centuries, South Sudanese society is heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and seasonal migration. The land comprising modern-day South Sudan was conquered first by Egypt and later ruled jointly by Egyptian-British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. Christian missionaries propagated the spread of English and Christianity, rather than Arabic and Islam, leading to significant cultural differences between the northern and southern parts of Sudan. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, the Southern region received assurances that it would participate fully in the political system. However, the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises, prompting two periods of civil war (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which as many as 2.5 million people died - mostly civilians - due to starvation and drought. The Second Sudanese civil war was one of the deadliest since WWII, and left Southern Sudanese society devastated by humanitarian crises and economic deterioration. Peace talks resulted in a US-backed Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005, which granted the South a six-year period of autonomy followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in January 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. In December 2013, conflict erupted between forces loyal to President Salva KIIR a Dinka, and forces loyal to Vice President Riek MACHAR, a Nuer. The conflict quickly spread throughout the country and unfolded along ethnic lines, killing tens of thousands and creating a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of South Sudanese displaced and food insecure. KIIR and MACHAR signed a peace agreement in August 2015 that created a Transitional Government of National Unity in April 2016. However, in July 2016, renewed fighting broke out in Juba between KIIR and MACHAR’s forces, plunging the country back into conflict and drawing in additional armed opposition groups, including those in the southern Equatoria region that had largely stayed out of the first round of civil war. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in September 2018, which mostly ended the fighting. The government and most armed opposition groups agreed that they would form a unified national army, create a transitional government by May 2019, and prepare for elections in December 2022. Subsequent extensions pushed elections to late 2023, and the transitional government was formed in February 2020, when MACHAR returned to Juba as First Vice President. Since 2020, implementation of the peace agreement has been stalled as the parties wrangle over power-sharing arrangements, contributing to an uptick in communal violence and the country’s worst food security crisis since independence, with 7 of 11 million South Sudanese citizens in need of humanitarian assistance.South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011, is the world’s newest country. Home to a diverse array of mainly Nilotic ethnolinguistic groups that settled in the territory in the 15th through 19th centuries, South Sudanese society is heavily dependent on seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and seasonal migration. The land comprising modern-day South Sudan was conquered first by Egypt and later ruled jointly by Egyptian-British colonial administrators in the late 19th century. Christian missionaries propagated the spread of English and Christianity, rather than Arabic and Islam, leading to significant cultural differences between the northern and southern parts of Sudan. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, the Southern region received assurances that it would participate fully in the political system. However, the Arab government in Khartoum reneged on its promises, prompting two periods of civil war (1955-1972 and 1983-2005) in which as many as 2.5 million people died - mostly civilians - due to starvation and drought. The Second Sudanese civil war was one of the deadliest since WWII, and left Southern Sudanese society devastated by humanitarian crises and economic deterioration. Peace talks resulted in a US-backed Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in January 2005, which granted the South a six-year period of autonomy followed by a referendum on final status. The result of this referendum, held in January 2011, was a vote of 98% in favor of secession. Since independence, South Sudan has struggled to form a viable governing system and has been plagued by widespread corruption, political conflict, and communal violence. In December 2013, conflict erupted between forces loyal to President Salva KIIR a Dinka, and forces loyal to Vice President Riek MACHAR, a Nuer. The conflict quickly spread throughout the country and unfolded along ethnic lines, killing tens of thousands and creating a dire humanitarian crisis, with millions of South Sudanese displaced and food insecure. KIIR and MACHAR signed a peace agreement in August 2015 that created a Transitional Government of National Unity in April 2016. However, in July 2016, renewed fighting broke out in Juba between KIIR and MACHAR’s forces, plunging the country back into conflict and drawing in additional armed opposition groups, including those in the southern Equatoria region that had largely stayed out of the first round of civil war. A "revitalized" peace agreement was signed in September 2018, which mostly ended the fighting. The government and most armed opposition groups agreed that they would form a unified national army, create a transitional government by May 2019, and prepare for elections in December 2022. Subsequent extensions pushed elections to late 2023, and the transitional government was formed in February 2020, when MACHAR returned to Juba as First Vice President. Since 2020, implementation of the peace agreement has been stalled as the parties wrangle over power-sharing arrangements, contributing to an uptick in communal violence and the country’s worst food security crisis since independence, with 7 of 11 million South Sudanese citizens in need of humanitarian assistance. Topic: Southern OceanA large body of recent oceanographic research has shown that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), an ocean current that flows from west to east around Antarctica, plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. The region where the cold waters of the ACC meet and mingle with the warmer waters of the north defines a distinct border - the Antarctic Convergence - which fluctuates with the seasons, but which encompasses a discrete body of water and a unique ecologic region. The Convergence concentrates nutrients, which promotes marine plant life, and which, in turn, allows for a greater abundance of animal life. In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization delimited the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty region and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. As such, the Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). It should be noted that inclusion of the Southern Ocean does not imply recognition of this feature as one of the world's primary oceans by the US Government. Topic: SpainSpain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World War I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. More recently, Spain has emerged from a severe economic recession that began in mid-2008, posting four straight years of GDP growth above the EU average. Unemployment has fallen, but remains high, especially among youth. Spain is the Eurozone's fourth largest economy. The country has faced increased domestic turmoil in recent years due to the independence movement in its restive Catalonia region.Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World War I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). A peaceful transition to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco FRANCO in 1975, and rapid economic modernization (Spain joined the EU in 1986) gave Spain a dynamic and rapidly growing economy, and made it a global champion of freedom and human rights. More recently, Spain has emerged from a severe economic recession that began in mid-2008, posting four straight years of GDP growth above the EU average. Unemployment has fallen, but remains high, especially among youth. Spain is the Eurozone's fourth largest economy. The country has faced increased domestic turmoil in recent years due to the independence movement in its restive Catalonia region. Topic: Spratly IslandsThe Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs surrounded by rich fishing grounds - and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Since 1985 Brunei has claimed a continental shelf that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim to the reef. Brunei claims an exclusive economic zone over this area. Topic: Sri LankaThe first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a ceasefire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009. During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a ceasefire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009.During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems. Topic: SudanLong referred to as Nubia, modern-day Sudan was the site of the Kingdom of Kerma (ca. 2500-1500 B.C.) until it was absorbed into the New Kingdom of Egypt. By the 11th century B.C., the Kingdom of Kush gained independence from Egypt; it lasted in various forms until the middle of the 4th century A.D. After the fall of Kush, the Nubians formed three Christian kingdoms of Nobatia, Makuria, and Alodia. The latter two endured until around 1500. Between the 14th and 15th centuries much of Sudan was settled by Arab nomads, and between the 16th–19th centuries it underwent extensive Islamization. Following Egyptian occupation early in the 19th century, the British established an Anglo-Egyptian Sudan - nominally a condominium, but in effect a British colony. Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since Sudan gained independence from Anglo-Egyptian co-rule in 1956. The 30-year reign of President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR, following months of nationwide protests, ended with the military forcing him out in April 2019. In July 2019, the country’s Transitional Military Council signed an agreement with the Forces for Freedom and Change (an umbrella group of civilian actors) to form a transitional government under a Constitutional Declaration. Economist and former international civil servant Abdalla HAMDOUK al-Kinani was selected to serve as prime minister of a civilian-led transitional government, which was to have guided the country to credible democratic elections in late 2022. In October 2021, the Sudanese military organized a takeover that ousted Prime Minister HAMDOUK and his government and replaced civilian members of the Sovereign Council (Sudan’s collective Head of State) with individuals selected by the military. HAMDOUK was briefly reinstated in November 2021, but resigned in January 2022. As of March 2022, General Abd-al-Fatah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman, the Chair of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, serves as de facto head of state and government. He presides over a Sovereign Council consisting of military leaders, former armed opposition group representatives, and civilians appointed by the military. A cabinet of acting ministers handles day-to-day administration. These acting ministers are either senior civil servants (some appointed by former Prime Minister HAMDOUK and some selected by the military) or hold-over ministers from Prime Minister HAMDOUK’s former cabinet who were appointed by former armed opposition groups that the military allowed to remain in their positions. The UN, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are currently facilitating a Sudanese-led political process intended to enable Sudanese civilian and military stakeholders to agree on the framework for a new civilian-led transitional government. During most of the second half of the 20th century, Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of the largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern portion of the country. The first civil war ended in 1972, but another broke out in 1983. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04, and the final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years followed by a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan. South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011, but Sudan and South Sudan have yet to fully implement security and economic agreements relating to the normalization of relations between the two countries. In the 21st century, Sudan faced conflict in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile starting in 2003. Together, these conflicts displaced more than 3 million people; while some repatriation has taken place, about 2.28 million IDPs remained in Sudan as of December 2020. Sudan also faces refugee influxes from neighboring countries, primarily Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.  Long referred to as Nubia, modern-day Sudan was the site of the Kingdom of Kerma (ca. 2500-1500 B.C.) until it was absorbed into the New Kingdom of Egypt. By the 11th century B.C., the Kingdom of Kush gained independence from Egypt; it lasted in various forms until the middle of the 4th century A.D. After the fall of Kush, the Nubians formed three Christian kingdoms of Nobatia, Makuria, and Alodia. The latter two endured until around 1500. Between the 14th and 15th centuries much of Sudan was settled by Arab nomads, and between the 16th–19th centuries it underwent extensive Islamization. Following Egyptian occupation early in the 19th century, the British established an Anglo-Egyptian Sudan - nominally a condominium, but in effect a British colony. Military regimes favoring Islamic-oriented governments have dominated national politics since Sudan gained independence from Anglo-Egyptian co-rule in 1956. The 30-year reign of President Umar Hassan Ahmad al-BASHIR, following months of nationwide protests, ended with the military forcing him out in April 2019. In July 2019, the country’s Transitional Military Council signed an agreement with the Forces for Freedom and Change (an umbrella group of civilian actors) to form a transitional government under a Constitutional Declaration. Economist and former international civil servant Abdalla HAMDOUK al-Kinani was selected to serve as prime minister of a civilian-led transitional government, which was to have guided the country to credible democratic elections in late 2022. In October 2021, the Sudanese military organized a takeover that ousted Prime Minister HAMDOUK and his government and replaced civilian members of the Sovereign Council (Sudan’s collective Head of State) with individuals selected by the military. HAMDOUK was briefly reinstated in November 2021, but resigned in January 2022.As of March 2022, General Abd-al-Fatah al-BURHAN Abd-al-Rahman, the Chair of Sudan’s Sovereign Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, serves as de facto head of state and government. He presides over a Sovereign Council consisting of military leaders, former armed opposition group representatives, and civilians appointed by the military. A cabinet of acting ministers handles day-to-day administration. These acting ministers are either senior civil servants (some appointed by former Prime Minister HAMDOUK and some selected by the military) or hold-over ministers from Prime Minister HAMDOUK’s former cabinet who were appointed by former armed opposition groups that the military allowed to remain in their positions. The UN, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are currently facilitating a Sudanese-led political process intended to enable Sudanese civilian and military stakeholders to agree on the framework for a new civilian-led transitional government. During most of the second half of the 20th century, Sudan was embroiled in two prolonged civil wars rooted in northern economic, political, and social domination of the largely non-Muslim, non-Arab southern portion of the country. The first civil war ended in 1972, but another broke out in 1983. Peace talks gained momentum in 2002-04, and the final North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), signed in January 2005, granted the southern rebels autonomy for six years followed by a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan. South Sudan became independent on 9 July 2011, but Sudan and South Sudan have yet to fully implement security and economic agreements relating to the normalization of relations between the two countries. In the 21st century, Sudan faced conflict in Darfur, Southern Kordofan, and Blue Nile starting in 2003. Together, these conflicts displaced more than 3 million people; while some repatriation has taken place, about 2.28 million IDPs remained in Sudan as of December 2020. Sudan also faces refugee influxes from neighboring countries, primarily Central African Republic, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.  Topic: SurinameFirst explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared Suriname a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power. President BOUTERSE was reelected unopposed in 2015. Opposition parties campaigned hard against BOUTERSE in the lead up to the May 2020 elections, and in July 2020, a coalition led by Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI’s VHP and Ronnie Brunswijk’s ABOP was installed. The SANTOKHI government promised to tackle COVID-19, the economic crisis it inherited, and corruption. Topic: SvalbardThe archipelago may have been first discovered by Norse explorers in the 12th century; the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was internationally recognized by treaty in 1920, and five years later it officially took over the territory. In the 20th century coal mining started and today a Norwegian and a Russian company are still functioning. Travel between the settlements is accomplished with snowmobiles, aircraft, and boats. Topic: SwedenA military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. The share of Sweden’s population born abroad increased from 11.3% in 2000 to 19.1% in 2018.  A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war for two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars. Since then, Sweden has pursued a successful economic formula consisting of a capitalist system intermixed with substantial welfare elements. Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum. The share of Sweden’s population born abroad increased from 11.3% in 2000 to 19.1% in 2018.  Topic: SwitzerlandThe Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.  The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.  Topic: SyriaFollowing World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights region to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional, albeit unsuccessful, peace talks over its return. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'ath Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. Following the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum. Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, and compounded by additional social and economic factors, antigovernment protests broke out first in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Demonstrations and violent unrest spread across Syria with the size and intensity of protests fluctuating. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law, new laws permitting new political parties, and liberalizing local and national elections - and with military force and detentions. The government's efforts to quell unrest and armed opposition activity led to extended clashes and eventually civil war between government forces, their allies, and oppositionists. International pressure on the ASAD regime intensified after late 2011, as the Arab League, the EU, Turkey, and the US expanded economic sanctions against the regime and those entities that support it. In December 2012, the Syrian National Coalition, was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. In September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention on behalf of the ASAD regime, and domestic and foreign government-aligned forces recaptured swaths of territory from opposition forces, and eventually the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in December 2016, shifting the conflict in the regime’s favor. The regime, with this foreign support, also recaptured opposition strongholds in the Damascus suburbs and the southern province of Dar’a in 2018. The government lacks territorial control over much of the northeastern part of the country, which is dominated by the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a smaller area dominated by Turkey. The SDF expanded its territorial hold beyond its traditional homelands,  subsuming much of the northeast since 2014 as it battled  the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Since 2016, Turkey has been engaged in northern Syria and has conducted three large-scale military operations to capture territory along Syria's northern border in the provinces of Aleppo, Ar Raqqah, and Al Hasakah. Some opposition forces organized under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Turkish forces have maintained control of northwestern Syria along the Turkish border with the Afrin area of Aleppo Province since 2018. In 2019, Turkey and its opposition allies occupied formerly SDF controlled territory between the cities of Tall Abyad to Ra’s Al ‘Ayn along Syria’s northern border. The extremist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusrah Front) in 2017 emerged as the predominate opposition force in Idlib Province, and still dominates an area also hosting additional Turkish forces. Negotiations between the government and opposition delegations at UN-sponsored Geneva conferences since 2014 and separately held discussions between Iran, Russia, and Turkey since early 2017 have failed to produce a resolution to  the conflict. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. As of early 2022, approximately 6.9 million Syrians were internally displaced and 14.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across the country.  An additional 5.6 million Syrians were registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa. The conflict in Syria remains the largest displacement crisis worldwide.Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights region to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional, albeit unsuccessful, peace talks over its return. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'ath Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. Following the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum.Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, and compounded by additional social and economic factors, antigovernment protests broke out first in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Demonstrations and violent unrest spread across Syria with the size and intensity of protests fluctuating. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law, new laws permitting new political parties, and liberalizing local and national elections - and with military force and detentions. The government's efforts to quell unrest and armed opposition activity led to extended clashes and eventually civil war between government forces, their allies, and oppositionists.International pressure on the ASAD regime intensified after late 2011, as the Arab League, the EU, Turkey, and the US expanded economic sanctions against the regime and those entities that support it. In December 2012, the Syrian National Coalition, was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. In September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention on behalf of the ASAD regime, and domestic and foreign government-aligned forces recaptured swaths of territory from opposition forces, and eventually the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in December 2016, shifting the conflict in the regime’s favor. The regime, with this foreign support, also recaptured opposition strongholds in the Damascus suburbs and the southern province of Dar’a in 2018. The government lacks territorial control over much of the northeastern part of the country, which is dominated by the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a smaller area dominated by Turkey. The SDF expanded its territorial hold beyond its traditional homelands,  subsuming much of the northeast since 2014 as it battled  the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Since 2016, Turkey has been engaged in northern Syria and has conducted three large-scale military operations to capture territory along Syria's northern border in the provinces of Aleppo, Ar Raqqah, and Al Hasakah. Some opposition forces organized under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Turkish forces have maintained control of northwestern Syria along the Turkish border with the Afrin area of Aleppo Province since 2018. In 2019, Turkey and its opposition allies occupied formerly SDF controlled territory between the cities of Tall Abyad to Ra’s Al ‘Ayn along Syria’s northern border. The extremist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusrah Front) in 2017 emerged as the predominate opposition force in Idlib Province, and still dominates an area also hosting additional Turkish forces. Negotiations between the government and opposition delegations at UN-sponsored Geneva conferences since 2014 and separately held discussions between Iran, Russia, and Turkey since early 2017 have failed to produce a resolution to  the conflict. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. As of early 2022, approximately 6.9 million Syrians were internally displaced and 14.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across the country.  An additional 5.6 million Syrians were registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa. The conflict in Syria remains the largest displacement crisis worldwide. Topic: TaiwanFirst inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan, which then governed Taiwan for 50 years. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang, KMT) control after World War II. With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan based on a 1947 Constitution drawn up for all of China. Until 1987, however, the Nationalist government ruled Taiwan under a civil war martial law declaration dating to 1948. Beginning in the 1970s, Nationalist authorities gradually began to incorporate the native population into the governing structure beyond the local level. The democratization process expanded rapidly in the 1980s, leading to the then illegal founding of Taiwan’s first opposition party (the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP) in 1986 and the lifting of martial law the following year. Taiwan held legislative elections in 1992, the first in over forty years, and its first direct presidential election in 1996. In the 2000 presidential elections, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power with the KMT loss to the DPP and afterwards experienced two additional democratic transfers of power in 2008 and 2016. Throughout this period, the island prospered, became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers," and after 2000 became a major investor in mainland China as cross-Strait ties matured. The dominant political issues continue to be economic reform and growth as well as management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China. Topic: TajikistanThe Tajik people came under Russian imperial rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. At that time, bands of indigenous guerrillas (known as "basmachi") fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but in 1929 the USSR designated Tajikistan a separate republic and transferred to it much of present-day Sughd province. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between political, regional, and religious factions from 1992 to 1997. Though the country holds general elections for both the presidency (once every seven years) and legislature (once every five years), observers note an electoral system rife with irregularities and abuse, with results that are neither free nor fair. President Emomali RAHMON, who came to power in 1992 during the civil war and was first elected president in 1994, used an attack planned by a disaffected deputy defense minister in 2015 to ban the last major opposition political party in Tajikistan. In December 2015, RAHMON further strengthened his position by having himself declared "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation," with limitless terms and lifelong immunity through constitutional amendments ratified in a referendum. The referendum also lowered the minimum age required to run for president from 35 to 30, which made RAHMON's first-born son Rustam EMOMALI, the mayor of the capital city of Dushanbe, eligible to run for president in 2020. In April 2020, RAHMON orchestrated EMOMALI's selection as Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan's senate), positioning EMOMALI as next in line of succession for the presidency. RAHMON opted to run in the presidential election in October 2020 and received 91% of the vote. The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Tajikistan became a member of the WTO in March 2013. However, its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajikistani migrant laborers working in Russia and Kazakhstan, pervasive corruption, and the opiate trade and other destabilizing violence emanating from neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan has endured several domestic security incidents since 2010, including armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and between government forces and residents and informal leaders in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Tajikistan suffered its first ISIS-claimed attack in 2018, when assailants attacked a group of Western bicyclists with vehicles and knives, killing four.    The Tajik people came under Russian imperial rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. At that time, bands of indigenous guerrillas (known as "basmachi") fiercely contested Bolshevik control of the area, which was not fully reestablished until 1925. Tajikistan was first created as an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan in 1924, but in 1929 the USSR designated Tajikistan a separate republic and transferred to it much of present-day Sughd province. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan, and ethnic Tajiks an even larger minority in Uzbekistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between political, regional, and religious factions from 1992 to 1997.Though the country holds general elections for both the presidency (once every seven years) and legislature (once every five years), observers note an electoral system rife with irregularities and abuse, with results that are neither free nor fair. President Emomali RAHMON, who came to power in 1992 during the civil war and was first elected president in 1994, used an attack planned by a disaffected deputy defense minister in 2015 to ban the last major opposition political party in Tajikistan. In December 2015, RAHMON further strengthened his position by having himself declared "Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation," with limitless terms and lifelong immunity through constitutional amendments ratified in a referendum. The referendum also lowered the minimum age required to run for president from 35 to 30, which made RAHMON's first-born son Rustam EMOMALI, the mayor of the capital city of Dushanbe, eligible to run for president in 2020. In April 2020, RAHMON orchestrated EMOMALI's selection as Chairman of the Majlisi Milli (Tajikistan's senate), positioning EMOMALI as next in line of succession for the presidency. RAHMON opted to run in the presidential election in October 2020 and received 91% of the vote. The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Tajikistan became a member of the WTO in March 2013. However, its economy continues to face major challenges, including dependence on remittances from Tajikistani migrant laborers working in Russia and Kazakhstan, pervasive corruption, and the opiate trade and other destabilizing violence emanating from neighboring Afghanistan. Tajikistan has endured several domestic security incidents since 2010, including armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and between government forces and residents and informal leaders in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. Tajikistan suffered its first ISIS-claimed attack in 2018, when assailants attacked a group of Western bicyclists with vehicles and knives, killing four.   Topic: TanzaniaTanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous archeological sites, and its diverse cultural heritage reflects the multiple ethnolinguistic groups that live in the country. Its long history of integration into trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean and the African interior led to the development of Swahili as a common language in much of east Africa and the introduction of Islam into the region. A number of independent coastal and island trading posts in what is now Tanzania came under Portuguese control after 1498 when they began to take control of much of the coast and Indian Ocean trade. By 1700, the Sultanate of Oman had become the dominant power in the region after ousting the Portuguese who were also facing a series of local uprisings. During the following hundred years, Zanzibar - an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania - became a hub of Indian Ocean trade, with Arab and Indian traders establishing and consolidating trade routes with communities in mainland Tanzania that contributed to the expansion of the slave trade. Zanzibar briefly become the capital of the Sultanate of Oman before it split into separate Omani and Zanzibar Sultanates in 1856. Beginning in the mid-1800s, European explorers, traders, and Christian missionaries became more active in the region. The Germans eventually established control over mainland Tanzania - which they called Tanganyika - and the British established control over Zanzibar. Tanganyika later came under British administration after the German defeat in World War I. Tanganyika gained independence from Great Britain in 1961, and Zanzibar followed in 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. In Tanganyika, Julius NYERERE, a charismatic and idealistic socialist, established a one-party political system that centralized power and encouraged national self-reliance and rural development. In 1964, a popular uprising overthrew the Sultan in Zanzibar and either killed or expelled many of the Arabs and Indians who had dominated the isles for more than 200 years. Later that year, Tanganyika and Zanzibar combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania, but Zanzibar retained considerable autonomy. Their two ruling parties combined to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in 1977. NYERERE handed over power to Ali Hassan MWINYI in 1985 and remained CCM chair until 1990. Tanzania held its first multi-party elections in 1995, but CCM candidates have continued to dominate politics. Political opposition in Zanzibar has led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. In 2001, 35 people in Zanzibar died when soldiers fired on protestors following the 2000 election. John MAGUFULI won the 2015 presidential election and the CCM won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. He was reelected in 2020 and the CCM increased its majority in an election that was also critiqued by observers. MAGUFULI died in March 2021 while in office and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, Samia Suluhu HASSAN.Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous archeological sites, and its diverse cultural heritage reflects the multiple ethnolinguistic groups that live in the country. Its long history of integration into trade networks spanning the Indian Ocean and the African interior led to the development of Swahili as a common language in much of east Africa and the introduction of Islam into the region. A number of independent coastal and island trading posts in what is now Tanzania came under Portuguese control after 1498 when they began to take control of much of the coast and Indian Ocean trade. By 1700, the Sultanate of Oman had become the dominant power in the region after ousting the Portuguese who were also facing a series of local uprisings. During the following hundred years, Zanzibar - an archipelago off the coast of Tanzania - became a hub of Indian Ocean trade, with Arab and Indian traders establishing and consolidating trade routes with communities in mainland Tanzania that contributed to the expansion of the slave trade. Zanzibar briefly become the capital of the Sultanate of Oman before it split into separate Omani and Zanzibar Sultanates in 1856. Beginning in the mid-1800s, European explorers, traders, and Christian missionaries became more active in the region. The Germans eventually established control over mainland Tanzania - which they called Tanganyika - and the British established control over Zanzibar. Tanganyika later came under British administration after the German defeat in World War I.Tanganyika gained independence from Great Britain in 1961, and Zanzibar followed in 1963 as a constitutional monarchy. In Tanganyika, Julius NYERERE, a charismatic and idealistic socialist, established a one-party political system that centralized power and encouraged national self-reliance and rural development. In 1964, a popular uprising overthrew the Sultan in Zanzibar and either killed or expelled many of the Arabs and Indians who had dominated the isles for more than 200 years. Later that year, Tanganyika and Zanzibar combined to form the United Republic of Tanzania, but Zanzibar retained considerable autonomy. Their two ruling parties combined to form the Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party in 1977. NYERERE handed over power to Ali Hassan MWINYI in 1985 and remained CCM chair until 1990. Tanzania held its first multi-party elections in 1995, but CCM candidates have continued to dominate politics. Political opposition in Zanzibar has led to four contentious elections since 1995, in which the ruling party claimed victory despite international observers' claims of voting irregularities. In 2001, 35 people in Zanzibar died when soldiers fired on protestors following the 2000 election. John MAGUFULI won the 2015 presidential election and the CCM won a two-thirds majority in Parliament. He was reelected in 2020 and the CCM increased its majority in an election that was also critiqued by observers. MAGUFULI died in March 2021 while in office and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, Samia Suluhu HASSAN. Topic: ThailandTwo unified Thai kingdoms emerged in the mid-13th century. The Sukhothai, located in the south-central plains, gained its independence from the Khmer empire to the east. By the late 13th century, Sukhothai’s territory extended into present-day Burma and Laos. Sukhotai lasted until the mid-15th century. The Thai Lan Na kingdom was established in the north with its capital at Chang Mai. Lan Na was conquered by the Burmese in the 16th century. The Ayutthaya kingdom (14th-18th centuries) succeeded the Sukhothai and would become known as the Siamese Kingdom. During the Ayutthaya period, the Thai/Siamese peoples consolidated their hold on what is present-day central and north-central Thailand. Following a military defeat at the hands of the Burmese in 1767, the Siamese Kingdom rose to new heights under the military ruler TAKSIN, who defeated the Burmese occupiers and expanded the kingdom’s territory into modern-day northern Thailand (formerly the Lan Na kingdom), Cambodia, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. The kingdom fought off additional Burmese invasions and raids in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In the mid-1800s, Western pressure led to Siam signing trade treaties that reduced the country’s sovereignty and independence. In the 1890s and 1900s, the British and French forced the kingdom to cede Cambodian, Laotian, and Malay territories that had been under Siamese control. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. After the Japanese invaded Thailand in 1941, the government split into a pro-Japan faction and a pro-Ally faction backed by the king. Following the war, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. In early May 2014, after months of large-scale anti-government protests in Bangkok beginning in November 2013, YINGLAK was removed from office by the Constitutional Court and in late May 2014 the Royal Thai Army, led by Royal Thai Army Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, staged a coup against the caretaker government. The military-affiliated National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), led by PRAYUT as the appointed minister, ruled the country for more than four years, during which time the NCPO drafted a new constitution guaranteeing military sway over Thai politics in future elections by allowing the military to appoint the entire 250 member Senate and requiring a joint meeting of the House and Senate to select the prime minister, effectively giving the military a veto over the top executive. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in October 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (aka King Rama X), ascended the throne in December 2016. He signed the new constitution in April 2017. A long-delayed election in March 2019, disputed and widely viewed as skewed in favor of the party aligned with the military, allowed PRAYUT to continue his premiership. The country experienced large-scale pro-democracy protests in 2020.Two unified Thai kingdoms emerged in the mid-13th century. The Sukhothai, located in the south-central plains, gained its independence from the Khmer empire to the east. By the late 13th century, Sukhothai’s territory extended into present-day Burma and Laos. Sukhotai lasted until the mid-15th century. The Thai Lan Na kingdom was established in the north with its capital at Chang Mai. Lan Na was conquered by the Burmese in the 16th century. The Ayutthaya kingdom (14th-18th centuries) succeeded the Sukhothai and would become known as the Siamese Kingdom. During the Ayutthaya period, the Thai/Siamese peoples consolidated their hold on what is present-day central and north-central Thailand. Following a military defeat at the hands of the Burmese in 1767, the Siamese Kingdom rose to new heights under the military ruler TAKSIN, who defeated the Burmese occupiers and expanded the kingdom’s territory into modern-day northern Thailand (formerly the Lan Na kingdom), Cambodia, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. The kingdom fought off additional Burmese invasions and raids in the late 1700s and early 1800s. In the mid-1800s, Western pressure led to Siam signing trade treaties that reduced the country’s sovereignty and independence. In the 1890s and 1900s, the British and French forced the kingdom to cede Cambodian, Laotian, and Malay territories that had been under Siamese control.A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. After the Japanese invaded Thailand in 1941, the government split into a pro-Japan faction and a pro-Ally faction backed by the king. Following the war, Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, followed by large-scale street protests by competing political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government.In early May 2014, after months of large-scale anti-government protests in Bangkok beginning in November 2013, YINGLAK was removed from office by the Constitutional Court and in late May 2014 the Royal Thai Army, led by Royal Thai Army Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, staged a coup against the caretaker government. The military-affiliated National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), led by PRAYUT as the appointed minister, ruled the country for more than four years, during which time the NCPO drafted a new constitution guaranteeing military sway over Thai politics in future elections by allowing the military to appoint the entire 250 member Senate and requiring a joint meeting of the House and Senate to select the prime minister, effectively giving the military a veto over the top executive. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in October 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (aka King Rama X), ascended the throne in December 2016. He signed the new constitution in April 2017. A long-delayed election in March 2019, disputed and widely viewed as skewed in favor of the party aligned with the military, allowed PRAYUT to continue his premiership. The country experienced large-scale pro-democracy protests in 2020. Topic: Timor-LesteTimor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries and by the 14th century exported aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. A number of local chiefdoms ruled the island in the early 16th century when Portuguese traders arrived, chiefly attracted by the relative abundance of sandalwood on Timor; by mid century, the Portuguese had colonized the island. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died. In an August 1999 UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and displaced nearly 500,000. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly all of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president and a successful transition of power in February 2015. In late 2012, the UN Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and UNMIT departed the country. Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries and by the 14th century exported aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. A number of local chiefdoms ruled the island in the early 16th century when Portuguese traders arrived, chiefly attracted by the relative abundance of sandalwood on Timor; by mid century, the Portuguese had colonized the island. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died. In an August 1999 UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and displaced nearly 500,000. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly all of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president and a successful transition of power in February 2015. In late 2012, the UN Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and UNMIT departed the country.  Topic: TogoFrom the 11th to the 16th centuries, various ethnic groups settled the Togo region. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal region became a major trading center for enslaved people, and the surrounding region  took on the name of "The Slave Coast." In 1884, Germany declared a region including present-day Togo as a protectorate called Togoland. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. French Togoland became Togo upon independence in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Togo held its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. Since then, President GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to democratic reform. Togo has held multiple presidential and legislative elections, and in 2019 held its first local elections in 32 years. Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly, and the country experiences periodic outbursts of protests by frustrated citizens that have led to violence between security forces and protesters. Constitutional changes in 2019 to institute a runoff system in presidential elections and to establish term limits has done little to reduce the resentment many Togolese feel after more than 50 years of one-family rule. GNASSINGBE became eligible for his current fourth term and one additional fifth term under the new rules. The next presidential election will be in 2025.   From the 11th to the 16th centuries, various ethnic groups settled the Togo region. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal region became a major trading center for enslaved people, and the surrounding region  took on the name of "The Slave Coast." In 1884, Germany declared a region including present-day Togo as a protectorate called Togoland. After World War I, rule over Togo was transferred to France. French Togoland became Togo upon independence in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Togo held its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. Since then, President GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to democratic reform. Togo has held multiple presidential and legislative elections, and in 2019 held its first local elections in 32 years. Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly, and the country experiences periodic outbursts of protests by frustrated citizens that have led to violence between security forces and protesters. Constitutional changes in 2019 to institute a runoff system in presidential elections and to establish term limits has done little to reduce the resentment many Togolese feel after more than 50 years of one-family rule. GNASSINGBE became eligible for his current fourth term and one additional fifth term under the new rules. The next presidential election will be in 2025.   Topic: TokelauTokelau, which comprises three atolls, was first settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. The three atolls operated relatively independently but had contact with one another, intermarrying and occasionally fighting wars. Fakaofo Atoll eventually subjugated the other two. British explorer John BYRON was the first European to see Atafu Atoll in 1765. British naval officer Edward EDWARDS saw Nukunonu Atoll in 1791, and ships occasionally continued to pass by Atafu and Nukunonu. In 1835, a US whaling ship became the first non-Pacific island ship to pass by Fakaofo. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in 1845 and converted the population on the islands on which they landed. To this day, Nukunonu is predominantly Catholic while Atafu is mostly Protestant; Catholic and Protestnat missionaries both worked in Fakaofo, and the population there is more mixed. In 1863, Peruvian slave traders, masquerading as missionaries, kidnapped nearly all the men from Tokelau, and local governance moved to a system based on a Council of Elders, which still exists today. The atolls were repopulated when new Polynesian settlers and American and European migrants intermarried with local Tokelauan women. Tokelau became a British protectorate in 1889 and included in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate - later a colony - in 1908. In 1925, the UK placed Tokealu under New Zealand administration. The Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 formally transferred sovereignty from the UK to New Zealand and Tokelauans were granted New Zealand citizenship. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims over Tokelau in the Treaty of Tokehega, and Tokelau relinquished its claims over Swains Island, which is part of American Samoa. Economic opportunities in Tokelau are sparse, and about 80% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Tokelau held two self-governance referendums in 2006 and 2007, in which more than 60% of voters chose to go into free association with New Zealand; however, the referendums failed to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to enact a status change. Tokelau lacks an airport and is only accessible via a day-long boat trip from Samoa, although a site for an airstrip on Nukunonu was selected in 2019. Because of its dependency on Samoa for transportation, in 2011, Tokelau followed Samoa’s lead and shifted the international date line to its east, skipping December 30 and becoming one hour ahead of New Zealand rather than 23 hours behind.Tokelau, which comprises three atolls, was first settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. The three atolls operated relatively independently but had contact with one another, intermarrying and occasionally fighting wars. Fakaofo Atoll eventually subjugated the other two. British explorer John BYRON was the first European to see Atafu Atoll in 1765. British naval officer Edward EDWARDS saw Nukunonu Atoll in 1791, and ships occasionally continued to pass by Atafu and Nukunonu. In 1835, a US whaling ship became the first non-Pacific island ship to pass by Fakaofo. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in 1845 and converted the population on the islands on which they landed. To this day, Nukunonu is predominantly Catholic while Atafu is mostly Protestant; Catholic and Protestnat missionaries both worked in Fakaofo, and the population there is more mixed. In 1863, Peruvian slave traders, masquerading as missionaries, kidnapped nearly all the men from Tokelau, and local governance moved to a system based on a Council of Elders, which still exists today. The atolls were repopulated when new Polynesian settlers and American and European migrants intermarried with local Tokelauan women. Tokelau became a British protectorate in 1889 and included in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate - later a colony - in 1908. In 1925, the UK placed Tokealu under New Zealand administration. The Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 formally transferred sovereignty from the UK to New Zealand and Tokelauans were granted New Zealand citizenship. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims over Tokelau in the Treaty of Tokehega, and Tokelau relinquished its claims over Swains Island, which is part of American Samoa. Economic opportunities in Tokelau are sparse, and about 80% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Tokelau held two self-governance referendums in 2006 and 2007, in which more than 60% of voters chose to go into free association with New Zealand; however, the referendums failed to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to enact a status change. Tokelau lacks an airport and is only accessible via a day-long boat trip from Samoa, although a site for an airstrip on Nukunonu was selected in 2019. Because of its dependency on Samoa for transportation, in 2011, Tokelau followed Samoa’s lead and shifted the international date line to its east, skipping December 30 and becoming one hour ahead of New Zealand rather than 23 hours behind. Topic: TongaThe first humans arrived in Tonga around 1000 B.C. The islands’ politics were probably highly centralized under the Tu’i Tonga, or Tongan king, by A.D. 950, and by 1200, the Tu’i Tonga had expanded his influence throughout Polynesia and into Melanesia and Micronesia. The Tongan Empire began to decline in the 1300s, descending into civil wars, a military defeat to Samoa, and internal political strife that saw successive leaders assassinated. By the mid-1500s, some Tu’i Tongans were ethnic Samoan and day-to-day administration of Tonga was transferred to a new position occupied by ethnic Tongans. Dutch sailors explored the islands in the 1600s and British Captain James COOK visited Tonga three times in the 1770s, naming them the Friendly Islands for the positive reception he thought he received, even though the Tongans he encountered were plotting ways to kill him. In 1799, Tonga fell into a new round of civil wars over succession. Wesleyan missionaries arrived in 1822, quickly converting the population. In the 1830s, a low-ranking chief from Ha’apai began to consolidate control over the islands and won the support of the missionaries by declaring that he would dedicate Tonga to God. The chief soon made alliances with leaders on most of the other islands and was crowned King George TUPOU I in 1845, establishing the only still-extant Polynesian monarchy. Tupou I declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and his successor, King George TUPOU II, agreed to enter a protectorate agreement with the UK in 1900 after rival Tongan chiefs tried to overthrow him. As a protectorate, Tonga never completely lost its indigenous governance, but it did become more isolated and the social hierarchy became more stratified between a group of nobles and a large class of commoners. Today, about one third of parliamentary seats are reserved for nobles. Queen Salote TUPOU III negotiated the end of the protectorate in 1965, which was achieved under King TUPOU IV, who in 1970 withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. A prodemocracy movement gained steam in the early 2000s, led by future Prime Minister ‘Akilisi POHIVA, and in 2006, riots broke out in Nuku’alofa to protest the lack of progress on prodemocracy legislation. To appease the activists, in 2008, King George TUPOU V announced he was relinquishing most of his powers leading up to parliamentary elections in 2010; he died in 2012 and was succeeded by his brother ‘Aho’eitu TUPOU VI. Tropical Cyclone Gita, the strongest-ever recorded storm to impact Tonga, hit the islands in February 2018 causing extensive damage. Topic: Trinidad and TobagoFirst colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers from India between 1845 and 1917, which boosted sugar production as well as the cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is struggling to reverse a surge in violent crime. Topic: TunisiaTunisia has been the nexus of many different colonizations including those of the Phoenicians (as early as the 12 century B.C.), the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, various Arab and Berber kingdoms, and the Ottomans (16th to late 19th centuries). Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in convincing the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. Street protests that began in Tunis in December 2010 over high unemployment, corruption, widespread poverty, and high food prices escalated in January 2011, culminating in rioting that led to hundreds of deaths. On 14 January 2011, the same day BEN ALI dismissed the government, he fled the country, and by late January 2011, a "national unity government" was formed. Elections for the new Constituent Assembly were held in late October 2011, and in December, it elected human rights activist Moncef MARZOUKI as interim president. The Assembly began drafting a new constitution in February 2012 and, after several iterations and a months-long political crisis that stalled the transition, ratified the document in January 2014. Parliamentary and presidential elections for a permanent government were held at the end of 2014. Beji CAID ESSEBSI was elected as the first president under the country's new constitution. Following ESSEBSI’s death in office in July 2019, Tunisia moved its scheduled presidential election forward two months and after two rounds of voting, Kais SAIED was sworn in as president in October 2019. Tunisia also held legislative elections on schedule in October 2019. SAIED's term, as well as that of Tunisia's 217-member parliament, expires in 2024. On 25 July 2021, SAIED seized exceptional powers allowed under Tunisia's constitution to fire the prime minister and suspend the legislature.Tunisia has been the nexus of many different colonizations including those of the Phoenicians (as early as the 12 century B.C.), the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, various Arab and Berber kingdoms, and the Ottomans (16th to late 19th centuries). Rivalry between French and Italian interests in Tunisia culminated in a French invasion in 1881 and the creation of a protectorate. Agitation for independence in the decades following World War I was finally successful in convincing the French to recognize Tunisia as an independent state in 1956. The country's first president, Habib BOURGUIBA, established a strict one-party state. He dominated the country for 31 years, repressing Islamic fundamentalism and establishing rights for women unmatched by any other Arab nation. In November 1987, BOURGUIBA was removed from office and replaced by Zine el Abidine BEN ALI in a bloodless coup. Street protests that began in Tunis in December 2010 over high unemployment, corruption, widespread poverty, and high food prices escalated in January 2011, culminating in rioting that led to hundreds of deaths. On 14 January 2011, the same day BEN ALI dismissed the government, he fled the country, and by late January 2011, a "national unity government" was formed. Elections for the new Constituent Assembly were held in late October 2011, and in December, it elected human rights activist Moncef MARZOUKI as interim president. The Assembly began drafting a new constitution in February 2012 and, after several iterations and a months-long political crisis that stalled the transition, ratified the document in January 2014. Parliamentary and presidential elections for a permanent government were held at the end of 2014. Beji CAID ESSEBSI was elected as the first president under the country's new constitution. Following ESSEBSI’s death in office in July 2019, Tunisia moved its scheduled presidential election forward two months and after two rounds of voting, Kais SAIED was sworn in as president in October 2019. Tunisia also held legislative elections on schedule in October 2019. SAIED's term, as well as that of Tunisia's 217-member parliament, expires in 2024. On 25 July 2021, SAIED seized exceptional powers allowed under Tunisia's constitution to fire the prime minister and suspend the legislature. Topic: TurkeyModern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. An unsuccessful coup attempt was made in July 2016 by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization, has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces and claimed more than 40,000 lives. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, however intense fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms, coupled with some political reforms, have contributed to a growing economy, although economic growth slowed in recent years, with occasional bouts of turmoil. From 2015 and continuing through 2016, Turkey witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence, including major attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and throughout the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup that ultimately failed following widespread popular resistance. More than 240 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. The government accused followers of the Fethullah Gulen transnational religious and social movement ("Hizmet") for allegedly instigating the failed coup and designates the movement’s followers as terrorists. Since the attempted coup, Turkish Government authorities arrested, suspended, or dismissed more than 130,000 security personnel, journalists, judges, academics, and civil servants due to their alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Following the failed coup, the Turkish Government instituted a State of Emergency from July 2016 to July 2018. The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018.Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. An unsuccessful coup attempt was made in July 2016 by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces.Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization, has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces and claimed more than 40,000 lives. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, however intense fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms, coupled with some political reforms, have contributed to a growing economy, although economic growth slowed in recent years, with occasional bouts of turmoil.From 2015 and continuing through 2016, Turkey witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence, including major attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and throughout the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup that ultimately failed following widespread popular resistance. More than 240 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. The government accused followers of the Fethullah Gulen transnational religious and social movement ("Hizmet") for allegedly instigating the failed coup and designates the movement’s followers as terrorists. Since the attempted coup, Turkish Government authorities arrested, suspended, or dismissed more than 130,000 security personnel, journalists, judges, academics, and civil servants due to their alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Following the failed coup, the Turkish Government instituted a State of Emergency from July 2016 to July 2018. The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018. Topic: TurkmenistanPresent-day Turkmenistan covers territory that has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. The area was ruled in antiquity by various Persian empires, and was conquered by Alexander the Great, Muslim armies, the Mongols, Turkic warriors, and eventually the Russians. In medieval times, Merv (located in present-day Mary province) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia in the late 1800s, Turkmen territories later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik resistance in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic; it achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President for Life Saparmyrat NYYAZOW died in December 2006, and Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, a deputy chairman under NYYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president. BERDIMUHAMEDOW won Turkmenistan's first multi-candidate presidential election in February 2007, and again in 2012 and in 2017 with over 97% of the vote in both instances, in elections widely regarded as undemocratic.  In February 2022, BERDIMUHAMEDOW announced that he would step down from the presidency and called for an election to replace him. His son, Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW, won the ensuing election, held in March 2022, with 73% of the vote. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, although no longer head of state, maintains an influential political position as head of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council). Turkmenistan has sought new export markets for its extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves, which have yet to be fully exploited. As of late 2021, Turkmenistan exported the majority of its gas to China and smaller levels of gas to Russia. Turkmenistan's reliance on gas exports has made the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in the global energy market, and economic hardships since the drop in energy prices in 2014 have led many Turkmenistanis to emigrate, mostly to Turkey. Heavy restrictions placed by the government in 2020 on entry and exit into the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a steep drop in emigration, however. Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsThe islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate Crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Grand Turk island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria on 22 September 2017 resulting in loss of power and communications as well as damage to housing and businesses. Topic: TuvaluThe islands were first populated by voyagers from either Samoa or Tonga in the first millennium A.D., and Tuvalu provided a steppingstone for various Polynesian communities that subsequently settled in Melanesia and Micronesia. Tuvalu eventually came under Samoan and Tongan spheres of influence although proximity to Micronesia allowed some Micronesian communities to flourish in Tuvalu, in particular on Nui Atoll. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Tuvalu was visited by a series of American, British, Dutch, and Russian ships. The islands were named the Ellice Islands in 1819. The first Christian missionaries arrived in 1861, eventually converting most of the population, and around the same time, several hundred Tuvaluans were kidnapped by people purporting to be missionaries and sent to work on plantations in Peru and Hawaii. The UK declared a protectorate over the Ellice Islands in 1892 and merged it with the Micronesian Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate became a colony in 1916. During World War II, the US set up military bases on a few islands, and in 1943, after Japan captured many of the northern Gilbert Islands, the UK transferred administration of the colony southward to Funafuti. After the war, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was once again made the colony’s capital and the center of power was firmly in the Gilbert Islands, including the colony’s only secondary school. Amid growing tensions with the Gilbertese, Tuvaluans voted to secede from the colony in 1974, were granted self-rule in 1975, and gained independence in 1978 as Tuvalu. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims to Tuvaluan islands in a treaty of friendship. The Tuvalu Trust Fund was established in 1987 to provide a longterm economic future for the country. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. The contract was renewed in 2011 for a ten-year period. Tuvalu’s isolation means it sees few tourists; in 2020, Funafuti International Airport had four weekly flights - three to Suva, Fiji, and one to Tarawa. Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change; in 2018, sea levels in Funafuti were rising twice as fast as global averages. The Tuvalu Trust Fund was established in 1987 to provide a longterm economic future for the country. In 2000, Tuvalu negotiated a contract leasing its Internet domain name ".tv" for $50 million in royalties over a 12-year period. The contract was renewed in 2011 for a ten-year period. Tuvalu’s isolation means it sees few tourists; in 2020, Funafuti International Airport had four weekly flights - three to Suva, Fiji, and one to Tarawa. Tuvalu is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change; in 2018, sea levels in Funafuti were rising twice as fast as global averages. Topic: UgandaAn ancient crossroads for various migrations, Uganda has as many as 65 ethnic groups that speak languages from three of Africa’s four major linguistic families. As early as 1200, fertile soils and regular rainfall in the south fostered the formation of several large centralized kingdoms, including Buganda, from which the country derives its name. Muslim traders from Egypt reached northern Uganda in the 1820s, and Swahili merchants from the Indian Ocean coast arrived in the south by the 1840s. The area attracted the attention of British explorers seeking the source of the Nile River in the 1860s, and this influence expanded in subsequent decades with the arrival of Christian missionaries and trade agreements; Uganda was declared a British protectorate in 1894. Buganda and other southern kingdoms negotiated agreements with Britain to secure privileges and a level of autonomy that were rare during the colonial period in Africa. The colonial boundaries demarcating Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures, and the disparities between how Britain governed southern and northern areas compounded these differences, complicating efforts to establish a cohesive independent country. Uganda gained independence in 1962 with one of the more developed economies and one of the strongest education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it descended within a few years into political turmoil and internal conflict that lasted more than two decades. In 1966, Prime Minister Milton OBOTE suspended the constitution and violently deposed President Edward MUTESA, who was also the king of Buganda. Idi AMIN seized power in 1971 through a military coup and led the country into economic ruin and rampant mass atrocities that killed as many as 500,000 civilians. AMIN’s annexation of Tanzanian territory in 1979 provoked Tanzania to invade Uganda, depose AMIN, and install a coalition government. In the aftermath, Uganda continued to experience atrocities, looting, and political instability and had four different heads of state between 1979 and 1980. OBOTE regained the presidency in 1980 through a controversial election that sparked renewed guerrilla warfare, killing as an estimated 300,000 civilians. Gen. Tito OKELLO seized power in a coup in 1985, but his rule was short-lived, with Yoweri MUSEVENI becoming president in 1986 after his insurgency captured the capital. MUSEVENI is widely credited with restoring relative stability and economic growth to Uganda but has resisted calls to leave office. In 2017, parliament approved the removal of presidential age limits, making it possible for MUSEVENI to remain in office for life. Uganda faces numerous challenges that could affect future stability, including explosive population growth, power and infrastructure constraints, corruption, underdeveloped democratic institutions, and human rights deficits.An ancient crossroads for various migrations, Uganda has as many as 65 ethnic groups that speak languages from three of Africa’s four major linguistic families. As early as 1200, fertile soils and regular rainfall in the south fostered the formation of several large centralized kingdoms, including Buganda, from which the country derives its name. Muslim traders from Egypt reached northern Uganda in the 1820s, and Swahili merchants from the Indian Ocean coast arrived in the south by the 1840s. The area attracted the attention of British explorers seeking the source of the Nile River in the 1860s, and this influence expanded in subsequent decades with the arrival of Christian missionaries and trade agreements; Uganda was declared a British protectorate in 1894. Buganda and other southern kingdoms negotiated agreements with Britain to secure privileges and a level of autonomy that were rare during the colonial period in Africa. The colonial boundaries demarcating Uganda grouped together a wide range of ethnic groups with different political systems and cultures, and the disparities between how Britain governed southern and northern areas compounded these differences, complicating efforts to establish a cohesive independent country. Uganda gained independence in 1962 with one of the more developed economies and one of the strongest education systems in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it descended within a few years into political turmoil and internal conflict that lasted more than two decades. In 1966, Prime Minister Milton OBOTE suspended the constitution and violently deposed President Edward MUTESA, who was also the king of Buganda. Idi AMIN seized power in 1971 through a military coup and led the country into economic ruin and rampant mass atrocities that killed as many as 500,000 civilians. AMIN’s annexation of Tanzanian territory in 1979 provoked Tanzania to invade Uganda, depose AMIN, and install a coalition government. In the aftermath, Uganda continued to experience atrocities, looting, and political instability and had four different heads of state between 1979 and 1980. OBOTE regained the presidency in 1980 through a controversial election that sparked renewed guerrilla warfare, killing as an estimated 300,000 civilians. Gen. Tito OKELLO seized power in a coup in 1985, but his rule was short-lived, with Yoweri MUSEVENI becoming president in 1986 after his insurgency captured the capital. MUSEVENI is widely credited with restoring relative stability and economic growth to Uganda but has resisted calls to leave office. In 2017, parliament approved the removal of presidential age limits, making it possible for MUSEVENI to remain in office for life. Uganda faces numerous challenges that could affect future stability, including explosive population growth, power and infrastructure constraints, corruption, underdeveloped democratic institutions, and human rights deficits. Topic: UkraineUkraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine achieved a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and endured a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy and prosperity remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. A peaceful mass protest referred to as the "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary (Rada) elections, become prime minister in August 2006, and be elected president in February 2010. In October 2012, Ukraine held Rada elections, widely criticized by Western observers as flawed due to use of government resources to favor ruling party candidates, interference with media access, and harassment of opposition candidates. President YANUKOVYCH's backtracking on a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU in November 2013 - in favor of closer economic ties with Russia - and subsequent use of force against students, civil society activists, and other civilians in favor of the agreement led to a three-month protest occupation of Kyiv's central square. The government's use of violence to break up the protest camp in February 2014 led to all out pitched battles, scores of deaths, international condemnation, a failed political deal, and the president's abrupt departure for Russia. New elections in the spring allowed pro-West president Petro POROSHENKO to assume office in June 2014; he was succeeded by Volodymyr ZELENSKY in May 2019. Shortly after YANUKOVYCH's departure in late February 2014, Russian President PUTIN ordered the invasion of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula falsely claiming the action was to protect ethnic Russians living there. Two weeks later, a "referendum" was held regarding the integration of Crimea into the Russian Federation. The "referendum" was condemned as illegitimate by the Ukrainian Government, the EU, the US, and the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, 100 members of the UN passed UNGA resolution 68/262, rejecting the "referendum" as baseless and invalid and confirming the sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In mid-2014, Russia began supplying proxies in two of Ukraine's eastern provinces with manpower, funding, and materiel driving an armed conflict with the Ukrainian Government that continues to this day. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the unrecognized Russian proxy republics signed the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum in September 2014 to end the conflict. However, this agreement failed to stop the fighting or find a political solution. In a renewed attempt to alleviate ongoing clashes, leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany negotiated a follow-on Package of Measures in February 2015 to implement the Minsk agreements. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the unrecognized Russian proxy republics, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe also meet regularly to facilitate implementation of the peace deal. By early 2022, more than 14,000 civilians were killed or wounded as a result of the Russian intervention in eastern Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, Russia escalated its conflict with Ukraine by invading the country on several fronts in what has become the largest conventional military attack on a sovereign state in Europe since World War II. The invasion has received near universal international condemnation, and many countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and also supplied humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. The invasion has also created Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. As of 24 May, approximately 6.64 million people had fled Ukraine, and nearly 8.03 million people were internally displaced as of 3 May.  More than 8,460 civilian casualties had been reported, as of 22 May.  Ukraine was the center of the first eastern Slavic state, Kyivan Rus, which during the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol invasions, Kyivan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The cultural and religious legacy of Kyivan Rus laid the foundation for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine achieved a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but was reconquered and endured a brutal Soviet rule that engineered two forced famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and Soviet armies were responsible for 7 to 8 million more deaths. Although Ukraine achieved independence in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy and prosperity remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties.A peaceful mass protest referred to as the "Orange Revolution" in the closing months of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO. Subsequent internal squabbles in the YUSHCHENKO camp allowed his rival Viktor YANUKOVYCH to stage a comeback in parliamentary (Rada) elections, become prime minister in August 2006, and be elected president in February 2010. In October 2012, Ukraine held Rada elections, widely criticized by Western observers as flawed due to use of government resources to favor ruling party candidates, interference with media access, and harassment of opposition candidates. President YANUKOVYCH's backtracking on a trade and cooperation agreement with the EU in November 2013 - in favor of closer economic ties with Russia - and subsequent use of force against students, civil society activists, and other civilians in favor of the agreement led to a three-month protest occupation of Kyiv's central square. The government's use of violence to break up the protest camp in February 2014 led to all out pitched battles, scores of deaths, international condemnation, a failed political deal, and the president's abrupt departure for Russia. New elections in the spring allowed pro-West president Petro POROSHENKO to assume office in June 2014; he was succeeded by Volodymyr ZELENSKY in May 2019.Shortly after YANUKOVYCH's departure in late February 2014, Russian President PUTIN ordered the invasion of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula falsely claiming the action was to protect ethnic Russians living there. Two weeks later, a "referendum" was held regarding the integration of Crimea into the Russian Federation. The "referendum" was condemned as illegitimate by the Ukrainian Government, the EU, the US, and the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In response to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, 100 members of the UN passed UNGA resolution 68/262, rejecting the "referendum" as baseless and invalid and confirming the sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. In mid-2014, Russia began supplying proxies in two of Ukraine's eastern provinces with manpower, funding, and materiel driving an armed conflict with the Ukrainian Government that continues to this day. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the unrecognized Russian proxy republics signed the Minsk Protocol and Memorandum in September 2014 to end the conflict. However, this agreement failed to stop the fighting or find a political solution. In a renewed attempt to alleviate ongoing clashes, leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany negotiated a follow-on Package of Measures in February 2015 to implement the Minsk agreements. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia, the unrecognized Russian proxy republics, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe also meet regularly to facilitate implementation of the peace deal. By early 2022, more than 14,000 civilians were killed or wounded as a result of the Russian intervention in eastern Ukraine. On 24 February 2022, Russia escalated its conflict with Ukraine by invading the country on several fronts in what has become the largest conventional military attack on a sovereign state in Europe since World War II. The invasion has received near universal international condemnation, and many countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and also supplied humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine. The invasion has also created Europe's largest refugee crisis since World War II. As of 24 May, approximately 6.64 million people had fled Ukraine, and nearly 8.03 million people were internally displaced as of 3 May.  More than 8,460 civilian casualties had been reported, as of 22 May.  Topic: United Arab EmiratesThe Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Dhabi, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE's economy. In 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard. The UAE did not experience the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East in 2010-11, partly because of the government's multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern emirates, and its aggressive pursuit of advocates of political reform. The UAE in recent years has played a growing role in regional affairs. In addition to donating billions of dollars in economic aid to help stabilize Egypt, the UAE was one of the first countries to join the Defeat-ISIS coalition, and to participate as a key partner in a Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. On 15 September 2020, the UAE and Bahrain signed a peace agreement (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. The UAE and Bahrain thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel. Topic: United KingdomThe United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw two World Wars seriously deplete the UK's strength and the Irish Republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998. The UK was an active member of the EU after its accession in 1973, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, motivated in part by frustration at a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. The UK became the first country to depart the EU on 31 January 2020, after prolonged negotiations on EU-UK economic and security relationships had been hammered out.The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw two World Wars seriously deplete the UK's strength and the Irish Republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998.The UK was an active member of the EU after its accession in 1973, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, motivated in part by frustration at a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. The UK became the first country to depart the EU on 31 January 2020, after prolonged negotiations on EU-UK economic and security relationships had been hammered out. Topic: United StatesBritain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. Since the end of World War II, the economy has achieved relatively steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. Since the end of World War II, the economy has achieved relatively steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology. Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesAll of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force.; Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a NWR.; Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the transpacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for transpacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony.; Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated a NWR in January 2001.All of the following US Pacific island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere.Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. Its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Howland Island: Discovered by the US early in the 19th century, the uninhabited atoll was officially claimed by the US in 1857. Both US and British companies mined for guano deposits until about 1890. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began on this island, similar to the effort on nearby Baker Island, but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. The famed American aviatrix Amelia EARHART disappeared while seeking out Howland Island as a refueling stop during her 1937 round-the-world flight; Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was named in her memory. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano had been removed. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. It was abandoned in 1942 during World War II. The island was established as a NWR in 1974.; Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston and Sand Islands were designated wildlife refuges in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934. Subsequently, the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s. Until late in 2000 the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Munitions destruction, cleanup, and closure of the facility were completed by May 2005. The Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Air Force are currently discussing future management options; in the interim, Johnston Atoll and the three-mile Naval Defensive Sea around it remain under the jurisdiction and administrative control of the US Air Force.; Kingman Reef: The US annexed the reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a NWR.; Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the islands in 1867. The laying of the transpacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for transpacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until closed in 1993. Today the islands are a NWR and are the site of the world's largest Laysan albatross colony.; Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy with the rest owned by the Federal government and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These organizations are managing the atoll as a wildlife refuge. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nm US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and designated a NWR in January 2001. Topic: UruguayMontevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By year-end, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By year-end, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent. Topic: UzbekistanUzbekistan is the geographic and population center of Central Asia. The country has a diverse economy and a relatively young population. Russia conquered and united the disparate territories of present-day Uzbekistan in the late 19th century. Stiff resistance to the Red Army after the Bolshevik Revolution was eventually suppressed and a socialist republic established in 1924. During the Soviet era, intensive production of "white gold" (cotton) and grain led to the overuse of agrochemicals and the depletion of water supplies, leaving the land degraded and the Aral Sea and certain rivers half-dry. Independent since the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the country has diversified agricultural production while developing its mineral and petroleum export capacity and increasing its manufacturing base, although cotton remains a major part of its economy. Uzbekistan’s first president, Islom KARIMOV, led Uzbekistan for 25 years until his death in September 2016. His successor, former Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV, has improved relations with Uzbekistan’s neighbors and introduced wide-ranging economic, judicial, and social reforms. MIRZIYOYEV was reelected in October 2021 with 80% of the vote. Topic: VanuatuVanuatu was first settled around 2000 B.C. by Austronesian speakers from Solomon Islands. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. In the mid-1400s, the Kuwae Volcano erupted, causing frequent conflict and internal strife amid declining food availability, especially on Efate Island. Around 1600, Chief ROI MATA united Efate under his rule. In 1606, Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de QUEIROS was the first European to see the Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and in 1774, British navigator James COOK named the islands the New Hebrides. The islands were frequented by whalers in the 1800s and interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict between Europeans and local Ni-Vanuatu. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s but faced difficulties converting the locals. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males of the islands and forced them to work as indentured servants. With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the British-French Condominium to jointly administer the islands and they established separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional and the UK used France’s defeat to Germany in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. As Japan pushed into Melanesia, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu to prevent further advances. In 1945, US troops withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious cargo cults, such as the John Frum movement. The France-UK condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s but France was hesitant and political parties agitating independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented and elections were held in 1974 with independence granted in 1980 as Vanuatu under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. At independence, the Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, declared Espiritu Santo independent, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues 10 times. Vanuatu was first settled around 2000 B.C. by Austronesian speakers from Solomon Islands. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. In the mid-1400s, the Kuwae Volcano erupted, causing frequent conflict and internal strife amid declining food availability, especially on Efate Island. Around 1600, Chief ROI MATA united Efate under his rule. In 1606, Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de QUEIROS was the first European to see the Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and in 1774, British navigator James COOK named the islands the New Hebrides. The islands were frequented by whalers in the 1800s and interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict between Europeans and local Ni-Vanuatu. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s but faced difficulties converting the locals. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males of the islands and forced them to work as indentured servants. With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the British-French Condominium to jointly administer the islands and they established separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional and the UK used France’s defeat to Germany in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. As Japan pushed into Melanesia, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu to prevent further advances. In 1945, US troops withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious cargo cults, such as the John Frum movement. The France-UK condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s but France was hesitant and political parties agitating independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented and elections were held in 1974 with independence granted in 1980 as Vanuatu under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. At independence, the Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, declared Espiritu Santo independent, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues 10 times. Topic: VenezuelaVenezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Although democratically elected governments largely held sway since 1959, the executive branch under Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, exercised increasingly authoritarian control over other branches of government.  This undemocratic trend continued in 2018 when Nicolas MADURO claimed the presidency for his second term in an election boycotted by most opposition parties and widely viewed as fraudulent. The last democratically-elected institution is the 2015 National Assembly. The President of the 2015 National Assembly, Juan GUAIDO is currently recognized by several countries - including the United States - as the interim president of Venezuela, while MADURO is recognized by most countries. In 2020, legislative elections were held for a new National Assembly, which the opposition boycotted and which were widely condemned as fraudulent. The resulting assembly is viewed by GUAIDO, most opposition parties, and many international actors as illegitimate. In November 2021, most opposition parties broke a three-year election boycott to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections, despite flawed conditions. As a result, the opposition more than doubled its representation at the mayoral level and retained four of 23 governorships. The 2021 regional elections marked the first time since 2006 that the EU was allowed to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela. The MADURO regime places strong restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press. Since CHAVEZ, the ruling party's economic policies expanded the state's role in the economy through expropriations of major enterprises, strict currency exchange and price controls that discourage private sector investment and production, and overdependence on the petroleum industry for revenues, among others. Years of economic mismanagement left Venezuela ill-prepared to weather the global drop in oil prices in 2014, sparking an economic decline that has resulted in reduced government social spending, shortages of basic goods, and high inflation. Worsened living conditions have prompted over 6 million Venezuelans to migrate, mainly settling in nearby countries. Since 2017, the US has imposed financial and sectoral sanctions on the MADURO regime. Since mid-2020, and despite MADURO regime mismanagement and faltering infrastructure, oil production has begun to rise primarily due to strengthened MADURO regime trade relations with China, Russia, Iran, and the illicit oil trade. Caracas has more recently relaxed some economic controls to mitigate the impact of its sustained economic crisis, such as allowing increased currency and liberalizing import flexibility for private citizens and companies. Other concerns include human rights abuses, rampant violent crime, political manipulation of the judicial and electoral systems, and corruption.Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Although democratically elected governments largely held sway since 1959, the executive branch under Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, exercised increasingly authoritarian control over other branches of government.  This undemocratic trend continued in 2018 when Nicolas MADURO claimed the presidency for his second term in an election boycotted by most opposition parties and widely viewed as fraudulent. The last democratically-elected institution is the 2015 National Assembly. The President of the 2015 National Assembly, Juan GUAIDO is currently recognized by several countries - including the United States - as the interim president of Venezuela, while MADURO is recognized by most countries. In 2020, legislative elections were held for a new National Assembly, which the opposition boycotted and which were widely condemned as fraudulent. The resulting assembly is viewed by GUAIDO, most opposition parties, and many international actors as illegitimate. In November 2021, most opposition parties broke a three-year election boycott to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections, despite flawed conditions. As a result, the opposition more than doubled its representation at the mayoral level and retained four of 23 governorships. The 2021 regional elections marked the first time since 2006 that the EU was allowed to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela. The MADURO regime places strong restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press. Since CHAVEZ, the ruling party's economic policies expanded the state's role in the economy through expropriations of major enterprises, strict currency exchange and price controls that discourage private sector investment and production, and overdependence on the petroleum industry for revenues, among others. Years of economic mismanagement left Venezuela ill-prepared to weather the global drop in oil prices in 2014, sparking an economic decline that has resulted in reduced government social spending, shortages of basic goods, and high inflation. Worsened living conditions have prompted over 6 million Venezuelans to migrate, mainly settling in nearby countries. Since 2017, the US has imposed financial and sectoral sanctions on the MADURO regime. Since mid-2020, and despite MADURO regime mismanagement and faltering infrastructure, oil production has begun to rise primarily due to strengthened MADURO regime trade relations with China, Russia, Iran, and the illicit oil trade. Caracas has more recently relaxed some economic controls to mitigate the impact of its sustained economic crisis, such as allowing increased currency and liberalizing import flexibility for private citizens and companies. Other concerns include human rights abuses, rampant violent crime, political manipulation of the judicial and electoral systems, and corruption. Topic: VietnamAncient Vietnam was centered on the Red River Valley and was under Han Chinese rule until approximately the 10th century. The Ly Dynasty (11th-13th century) ruled the first independent Vietnamese state, which was known as Dai Viet, and established their capital at Thang Long (Hanoi). Under the Tran Dynasty (13th-15th century), Dai Viet forces led by one of Vietnam’s national heroes, TRAN Hang Dao, fought off Mongol invaders in 1279. Following a brief Chinese occupation in the early 1400s, the leader of Vietnamese resistance, LE Thai To, made himself emperor and established the Le Dynasty, which lasted until the late 18th century, although not without decades of political turmoil, civil war, and division. During this period, Dai Viet expanded southward to the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, reaching the approximate boundaries of modern-day Vietnam by the 1750s. Dai Viet suffered additional civil war and division in the latter half of the 18th century, but was reunited and renamed Vietnam under Emperor NGUYEN Phuc Anh (aka Gia Long) in 1802. The Nguyen Dynasty would be the last Vietnamese dynasty before the conquest by France, which began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. Vietnam became part of French Indochina in 1887. It declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of its diplomatic isolation, its conservative leadership policies, and the persecution and mass exodus of individuals, many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. Since implementation, the economy has seen strong growth, particularly in agricultural and industrial production, construction, exports, and foreign investment. Increased tourism has also become a key component of economic growth. Nevertheless, the Communist Party maintains tight political and social control of the country and Vietnam faces considerable challenges including rising income inequality, corruption, inadequate social welfare, and a poor human rights record. Since withdrawing its military occupation forces from Cambodia in the late 1980s and the end of Soviet aid by 1991, Vietnam has practiced a non-aligned foreign policy that emphasizes friendly ties with all members of the international community. Relatedly, Vietnam adheres to a security doctrine called the "Four Nos" (no alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign bases, and no using force in international relations). Despite longstanding tensions with Beijing regarding its expansive claims that overlap with Hanoi's own claimed maritime boundaries in the South China Sea, Vietnam puts a priority on stable relations with China, given its proximity, size, and status as Vietnam's largest trading partner. Topic: Virgin IslandsThe Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains. Topic: Wake IslandWake Island was probably visited by Micronesian and Polynesian settlers, and oral legends tell of periodic voyages to the islands by people from the Marshall Islands. Wake Island was uninhabited when Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de NEYRA became the first European to see it in 1568 and still had no humans when English captain Samuel WAKE sailed by it in 1796. The United States Exploring Expedition visited the island in 1841 and the US annexed it in 1899 to use as a cable and refueling station between its newly acquired Pacific territories of Hawaii and the Philippines and Guam. In the 1930s, Pan-American Airways built facilities on Wake Island so that it could be used as a stopover for flights from the US to China. In January 1941, the US began to install military assets on Wake Island and in early December of that year, Japan attacked Wake Island, capturing it by the end of the month after a heroic resistance. Japan held Wake Island until the end of World War II, and in 1946, commercial airlines once again used Wake Island as a refueling stop. In 1973, the Marshall Islands claimed Wake Island based on the oral legends, although the US has not recognized these claims. In 1974, the US military took exclusive control of the island’s airstrip and restricted visitors. In 1978, Bikini Islanders from the Marshall Islands, who were evacuated in the 1950s and 1960s because of US nuclear tests, considered rehoming on Wake Island, but the US military rejected that plan. Since the 1970s, the island has been important for missile defense testing. In 2009, Wake Island was included in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.Wake Island was probably visited by Micronesian and Polynesian settlers, and oral legends tell of periodic voyages to the islands by people from the Marshall Islands. Wake Island was uninhabited when Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de NEYRA became the first European to see it in 1568 and still had no humans when English captain Samuel WAKE sailed by it in 1796. The United States Exploring Expedition visited the island in 1841 and the US annexed it in 1899 to use as a cable and refueling station between its newly acquired Pacific territories of Hawaii and the Philippines and Guam. In the 1930s, Pan-American Airways built facilities on Wake Island so that it could be used as a stopover for flights from the US to China. In January 1941, the US began to install military assets on Wake Island and in early December of that year, Japan attacked Wake Island, capturing it by the end of the month after a heroic resistance. Japan held Wake Island until the end of World War II, and in 1946, commercial airlines once again used Wake Island as a refueling stop. In 1973, the Marshall Islands claimed Wake Island based on the oral legends, although the US has not recognized these claims. In 1974, the US military took exclusive control of the island’s airstrip and restricted visitors. In 1978, Bikini Islanders from the Marshall Islands, who were evacuated in the 1950s and 1960s because of US nuclear tests, considered rehoming on Wake Island, but the US military rejected that plan. Since the 1970s, the island has been important for missile defense testing. In 2009, Wake Island was included in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. Topic: Wallis and FutunaThe first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.The first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization. Topic: West BankThe landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip. In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area. The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements. Since 1994, the PA has administered parts of the West Bank under its control, mainly the major Palestinian population centers and areas immediately surrounding them. Roughly 60% of the West Bank remains under full Israeli civil and military control, impeding movement of people and goods through the territory.  The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area.The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements.  Topic: WorldGlobally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating world wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about environmental degradation including deforestation, energy and water shortages, declining biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820 to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1987, 6 billion in 1999, and 7 billion in 2012. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine and agriculture) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war). Topic: YemenThe Kingdom of Yemen (colloquially known as North Yemen) became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and in 1962 became the Yemen Arab Republic. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became the People's Republic of Southern Yemen (colloquially known as South Yemen). Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation and changed the country's name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement and brief civil war in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to delineate their border. Fighting in the northwest between the government and the Huthis, a Zaydi Shia Muslim minority, continued intermittently from 2004 to 2010, and then again from 2014-present. The southern secessionist movement was revitalized in 2007. Public rallies in Sana'a against then President Ali Abdallah SALIH - inspired by similar Arab Spring demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt - slowly built momentum starting in late January 2011 fueled by complaints over high unemployment, poor economic conditions, and corruption. By the following month, some protests had resulted in violence, and the demonstrations had spread to other major cities. By March the opposition had hardened its demands and was unifying behind calls for SALIH's immediate ouster. In April 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in an attempt to mediate the crisis in Yemen, proposed the GCC Initiative, an agreement in which the president would step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. SALIH's refusal to sign an agreement led to further violence. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2014 in October 2011 calling for an end to the violence and completing a power transfer deal. In November 2011, SALIH signed the GCC Initiative to step down and to transfer some of his powers to Vice President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI. Following HADI's uncontested election victory in February 2012, SALIH formally transferred all presidential powers. In accordance with the GCC Initiative, Yemen launched a National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in March 2013 to discuss key constitutional, political, and social issues. HADI concluded the NDC in January 2014 and planned to begin implementing subsequent steps in the transition process, including constitutional drafting, a constitutional referendum, and national elections. The Huthis, perceiving their grievances were not addressed in the NDC, joined forces with SALIH and expanded their influence in northwestern Yemen, which culminated in a major offensive against military units and rival tribes and enabled their forces to overrun the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. In January 2015, the Huthis surrounded the presidential palace, HADI's residence, and key government facilities, prompting HADI and the cabinet to submit their resignations. HADI fled to Aden in February 2015 and rescinded his resignation. He subsequently escaped to Oman and then moved to Saudi Arabia and asked the GCC to intervene militarily in Yemen to protect the legitimate government from the Huthis. In March, Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition of Arab militaries and began airstrikes against the Huthis and Huthi-affiliated forces. Ground fighting between Huthi-aligned forces and anti-Huthi groups backed by the Saudi-led coalition continued through 2016. In 2016, the UN brokered a months-long cessation of hostilities that reduced airstrikes and fighting, and initiated peace talks in Kuwait. However, the talks ended without agreement. The Huthis and SALIH’s political party announced a Supreme Political Council in August 2016 and a National Salvation Government, including a prime minister and several dozen cabinet members, in November 2016, to govern in Sanaa and further challenge the legitimacy of HADI’s government. However, amid rising tensions between the Huthis and SALIH, sporadic clashes erupted in mid-2017, and escalated into open fighting that ended when Huthi forces killed SALIH in early December 2017. In 2018, anti-Huthi forces made the most battlefield progress in Yemen since early 2016, most notably in Al Hudaydah Governorate. In December 2018, the Huthis and Yemeni Government participated in the first UN-brokered peace talks since 2016, agreeing to a limited ceasefire in Al Hudaydah Governorate and the establishment of a UN Mission to monitor the agreement. In April 2019, Yemen’s parliament convened in Say'un for the first time since the conflict broke out in 2014. In August 2019, violence erupted between HADI's government and the pro-secessionist Southern Transition Council (STC) in southern Yemen. In November 2019, HADI's government and the STC signed a power-sharing agreement to end the fighting between them, and in December 2020, the signatories formed a new cabinet. In 2020 and 2021, fighting continued on the ground in Yemen as the Houthis gained territory, and also conducted regular UAV and missile attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Yemen (colloquially known as North Yemen) became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and in 1962 became the Yemen Arab Republic. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became the People's Republic of Southern Yemen (colloquially known as South Yemen). Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation and changed the country's name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement and brief civil war in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to delineate their border.Fighting in the northwest between the government and the Huthis, a Zaydi Shia Muslim minority, continued intermittently from 2004 to 2010, and then again from 2014-present. The southern secessionist movement was revitalized in 2007.Public rallies in Sana'a against then President Ali Abdallah SALIH - inspired by similar Arab Spring demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt - slowly built momentum starting in late January 2011 fueled by complaints over high unemployment, poor economic conditions, and corruption. By the following month, some protests had resulted in violence, and the demonstrations had spread to other major cities. By March the opposition had hardened its demands and was unifying behind calls for SALIH's immediate ouster. In April 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in an attempt to mediate the crisis in Yemen, proposed the GCC Initiative, an agreement in which the president would step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. SALIH's refusal to sign an agreement led to further violence. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2014 in October 2011 calling for an end to the violence and completing a power transfer deal. In November 2011, SALIH signed the GCC Initiative to step down and to transfer some of his powers to Vice President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI. Following HADI's uncontested election victory in February 2012, SALIH formally transferred all presidential powers. In accordance with the GCC Initiative, Yemen launched a National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in March 2013 to discuss key constitutional, political, and social issues. HADI concluded the NDC in January 2014 and planned to begin implementing subsequent steps in the transition process, including constitutional drafting, a constitutional referendum, and national elections.The Huthis, perceiving their grievances were not addressed in the NDC, joined forces with SALIH and expanded their influence in northwestern Yemen, which culminated in a major offensive against military units and rival tribes and enabled their forces to overrun the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. In January 2015, the Huthis surrounded the presidential palace, HADI's residence, and key government facilities, prompting HADI and the cabinet to submit their resignations. HADI fled to Aden in February 2015 and rescinded his resignation. He subsequently escaped to Oman and then moved to Saudi Arabia and asked the GCC to intervene militarily in Yemen to protect the legitimate government from the Huthis. In March, Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition of Arab militaries and began airstrikes against the Huthis and Huthi-affiliated forces. Ground fighting between Huthi-aligned forces and anti-Huthi groups backed by the Saudi-led coalition continued through 2016. In 2016, the UN brokered a months-long cessation of hostilities that reduced airstrikes and fighting, and initiated peace talks in Kuwait. However, the talks ended without agreement. The Huthis and SALIH’s political party announced a Supreme Political Council in August 2016 and a National Salvation Government, including a prime minister and several dozen cabinet members, in November 2016, to govern in Sanaa and further challenge the legitimacy of HADI’s government. However, amid rising tensions between the Huthis and SALIH, sporadic clashes erupted in mid-2017, and escalated into open fighting that ended when Huthi forces killed SALIH in early December 2017. In 2018, anti-Huthi forces made the most battlefield progress in Yemen since early 2016, most notably in Al Hudaydah Governorate. In December 2018, the Huthis and Yemeni Government participated in the first UN-brokered peace talks since 2016, agreeing to a limited ceasefire in Al Hudaydah Governorate and the establishment of a UN Mission to monitor the agreement. In April 2019, Yemen’s parliament convened in Say'un for the first time since the conflict broke out in 2014. In August 2019, violence erupted between HADI's government and the pro-secessionist Southern Transition Council (STC) in southern Yemen. In November 2019, HADI's government and the STC signed a power-sharing agreement to end the fighting between them, and in December 2020, the signatories formed a new cabinet. In 2020 and 2021, fighting continued on the ground in Yemen as the Houthis gained territory, and also conducted regular UAV and missile attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia.  Topic: ZambiaMultiple waves of Bantu-speaking groups moved into and through what is now Zambia over the past thousand years. In the 1880s, the British began securing mineral and other economic concessions from various local leaders and the territory that is now Zambia eventually came under the control of the former British South Africa Company and was incorporated as the protectorate of Northern Rhodesia in 1911. Administrative control was taken over by the UK in 1924. During the 1920s and 1930s, advances in mining spurred development and immigration. The name was changed to Zambia upon independence in 1964. In the 1980s and 1990s, declining copper prices, economic mismanagement, and a prolonged drought hurt the economy. Elections in 1991 brought an end to one-party rule and propelled the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) to government. The subsequent vote in 1996, however, saw increasing harassment of opposition parties and abuse of state media and other resources. The election in 2001 was marked by administrative problems, with three parties filing a legal petition challenging the election of ruling party candidate Levy MWANAWASA. MWANAWASA was reelected in 2006 in an election that was deemed free and fair. Upon his death in August 2008, he was succeeded by his vice president, Rupiah BANDA, who won a special presidential byelection later that year. The MMD and BANDA lost to the Patriotic Front (PF) and Michael SATA in the 2011 general elections. SATA, however, presided over a period of haphazard economic management and attempted to silence opposition to PF policies. SATA died in October 2014 and was succeeded by his vice president, Guy SCOTT, who served as interim president until January 2015, when Edgar LUNGU won the presidential byelection and completed SATA's term. LUNGU then won a full term in August 2016 presidential elections. Hakainde HICHILEMA was elected president in August 2021. Topic: ZimbabweThe hunter-gatherer San people first inhabited the area that eventually became Zimbabwe. Farming communities migrated to the area around A.D. 500 during the Bantu expansion, and Shona-speaking societies began to develop in the Limpopo valley and Zimbabwean highlands around the 9th century. These societies traded with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast and organized under the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. A series of powerful trade-oriented Shona states succeeded Mapungubwe, including the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (ca. 1220-1450), Kingdom of Mutapa (ca. 1450-1760), and the Rozwi Empire. The Rozwi Empire expelled Portuguese colonists from the Zimbabwean plateau but was eventually conquered in 1838 by the Ndebele clan of Zulu general MZILIKAZI during the era of conflict and population displacement known as the Mfecane. In the 1880s, colonists arrived with the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and obtained a written concession for mining rights from Ndebele King LOBENGULA. The king later disavowed the concession and accused the BSAC agents of deceit. The BSAC annexed Mashonaland and subsequently conquered Matabeleland by force during the First Matabele War of 1893-1894 to establish company rule over the territory. BSAC holdings south of the Zambezi River were annexed by the UK in 1923 and became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. The 1930 Land Apportionment Act restricted black land ownership and established structural racial inequalities that would favor the white minority for decades. A new constitution in 1961 further cemented white minority rule. In 1965, the government under white Prime Minister Ian SMITH unilaterally declared its independence from the UK. London did not recognize Rhodesia’s independence and demanded more voting rights for the black majority in the country. International diplomacy and a liberation struggle by black Zimbabweans finally led to biracial elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, who led the uprising and became the nation's first prime minister, was the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) from independence until his forced resignation in November 2017. In the mid-1980s, the government tortured and killed thousands of civilians in a crackdown on dissent known as the Gukurahundi campaign. Economic mismanagement and chaotic land redistribution policies following independence periodically crippled the economy and resulted in widespread shortages of basic commodities. General elections in 2002, 2008, and 2013 were severely flawed and widely condemned but allowed MUGABE to remain president. In November 2017, Vice President Emmerson MNANGAGWA became president following a military intervention that forced MUGABE to resign, and MNANGAGWA cemented power by sidelining rivals Grace MUGABE (Robert MUGABE’s wife) and Jonathan MOYO of the G40 faction of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party. In July 2018, MNANGAGWA won the presidential election after a close contest with opposition candidate Nelson CHAMISA. MNANGAGWA has resorted to the government's longstanding practice of violently disrupting protests and opposition rallies. Economic conditions remained dire under MNANGAGWA, with inflation soaring in 2019 and the country’s export revenues declining dramatically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The hunter-gatherer San people first inhabited the area that eventually became Zimbabwe. Farming communities migrated to the area around A.D. 500 during the Bantu expansion, and Shona-speaking societies began to develop in the Limpopo valley and Zimbabwean highlands around the 9th century. These societies traded with Arab merchants on the Indian Ocean coast and organized under the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in the 11th century. A series of powerful trade-oriented Shona states succeeded Mapungubwe, including the Kingdom of Zimbabwe (ca. 1220-1450), Kingdom of Mutapa (ca. 1450-1760), and the Rozwi Empire. The Rozwi Empire expelled Portuguese colonists from the Zimbabwean plateau but was eventually conquered in 1838 by the Ndebele clan of Zulu general MZILIKAZI during the era of conflict and population displacement known as the Mfecane. In the 1880s, colonists arrived with the British South Africa Company (BSAC) and obtained a written concession for mining rights from Ndebele King LOBENGULA. The king later disavowed the concession and accused the BSAC agents of deceit. The BSAC annexed Mashonaland and subsequently conquered Matabeleland by force during the First Matabele War of 1893-1894 to establish company rule over the territory. BSAC holdings south of the Zambezi River were annexed by the UK in 1923 and became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. The 1930 Land Apportionment Act restricted black land ownership and established structural racial inequalities that would favor the white minority for decades. A new constitution in 1961 further cemented white minority rule. In 1965, the government under white Prime Minister Ian SMITH unilaterally declared its independence from the UK. London did not recognize Rhodesia’s independence and demanded more voting rights for the black majority in the country. International diplomacy and a liberation struggle by black Zimbabweans finally led to biracial elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, who led the uprising and became the nation's first prime minister, was the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) from independence until his forced resignation in November 2017. In the mid-1980s, the government tortured and killed thousands of civilians in a crackdown on dissent known as the Gukurahundi campaign. Economic mismanagement and chaotic land redistribution policies following independence periodically crippled the economy and resulted in widespread shortages of basic commodities. General elections in 2002, 2008, and 2013 were severely flawed and widely condemned but allowed MUGABE to remain president. In November 2017, Vice President Emmerson MNANGAGWA became president following a military intervention that forced MUGABE to resign, and MNANGAGWA cemented power by sidelining rivals Grace MUGABE (Robert MUGABE’s wife) and Jonathan MOYO of the G40 faction of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front party. In July 2018, MNANGAGWA won the presidential election after a close contest with opposition candidate Nelson CHAMISA. MNANGAGWA has resorted to the government's longstanding practice of violently disrupting protests and opposition rallies. Economic conditions remained dire under MNANGAGWA, with inflation soaring in 2019 and the country’s export revenues declining dramatically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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countries-bahamas-the

Topic: Photos of Bahamas, The Topic: Introduction Background: Lucayan Indians inhabited the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS first set foot in the New World on San Salvador in 1492. British settlement of the islands began in 1647; the islands became a colony in 1783. Piracy thrived in the 17th and 18th centuries because of The Bahamas close proximity to shipping lanes. Since attaining independence from the UK in 1973, The Bahamas has prospered through tourism, international banking, and investment management, which comprise up to 85% of GDP. Because of its proximity to the US - the nearest Bahamian landmass being only 80 km (50 mi) from Florida - the country is a major transshipment point for illicit trafficking, particularly to the US mainland, as well as Europe. US law enforcement agencies cooperate closely with The Bahamas, and the US Coast Guard assists Bahamian authorities in maritime security and law enforcement through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, or OPBAT.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 13,880 sq km land: 10,010 sq km water: 3,870 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 3,542 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Elevation: highest point: 1.3 km NE of Old Bight on Cat Island 64 m note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it indicates the wrong high elevation point lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 1.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.2% (2018 est.) forest: 51.4% (2018 est.) other: 47.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located Natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited Map description: The Bahamas map showing the many islands and cays that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.The Bahamas map showing the many islands and cays that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 355,608 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Bahamian(s) adjective: Bahamian Ethnic groups: African descent 90.6%, White 4.7%, mixed 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.) note: data represent population by racial group Languages: English (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Religions: Protestant 69.9% (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Brethren 1.6%, other Protestant .9%), Roman Catholic 12%, other Christian 13% (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), other 0.6%, none 1.9%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 38,811/female 37,719) 15-24 years: 14.91% (male 26,636/female 25,945) 25-54 years: 43.56% (male 76,505/female 77,119) 55-64 years: 10.75% (male 17,508/female 20,391) 65 years and over: 9.08% (2021 est.) (male 12,587/female 19,434) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 41.5 youth dependency ratio: 30.6 elderly dependency ratio: 11 potential support ratio: 9.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 32.8 years male: 31.7 years female: 34 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.82% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 14.64 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located Urbanization: urban population: 83.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 70 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.13 years male: 73.2 years female: 79.14 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.) Drinking water source: improved: total: 98.9% of population unimproved: total: 1.1% of population (2017 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.8% (2019) Physicians density: 1.94 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: total: 98.2% of population unimproved: total: 1.8% of population (2017 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,700 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <200 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 31.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 10.6% (2020 est.) male: 18.8% (2020 est.) female: 2.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.8% male: 20.8% female: 31.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: coral reef decay; solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.56 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.79 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.23 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream Land use: agricultural land: 1.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.2% (2018 est.) forest: 51.4% (2018 est.) other: 47.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 83.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.02% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 264,000 tons (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 31 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 700 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of The Bahamas conventional short form: The Bahamas etymology: name derives from the Spanish "baha mar," meaning "shallow sea," which describes the shallow waters of the Bahama Banks Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Nassau geographic coordinates: 25 05 N, 77 21 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November etymology: named after William III (1650-1702), king of England, Scotland, and Ireland, who was a member of the House of Nassau Administrative divisions: 31 districts; Acklins Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Black Point, Cat Island, Central Abaco, Central Andros, Central Eleuthera, City of Freeport, Crooked Island and Long Cay, East Grand Bahama, Exuma, Grand Cay, Harbour Island, Hope Town, Inagua, Long Island, Mangrove Cay, Mayaguana, Moore's Island, North Abaco, North Andros, North Eleuthera, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, South Abaco, South Andros, South Eleuthera, Spanish Wells, West Grand Bahama Independence: 10 July 1973 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 10 July (1973) Constitution: history: previous 1964 (preindependence); latest adopted 20 June 1973, effective 10 July 1973 amendments: proposed as an "Act" by Parliament; passage of amendments to articles such as the organization and composition of the branches of government requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of the membership of both houses of Parliament and majority approval in a referendum; passage of amendments to constitutional articles such as fundamental rights and individual freedoms, the powers, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, or changes to the Bahamas Independence Act 1973 requires approval by at least three-fourths majority of the membership of both houses and majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2016 Legal system: common law system based on the English model International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 6-9 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cornelius A. SMITH (since 28 June 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Philip DAVIS (since 17 September 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by governor general on recommendation of prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (16 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 9 selected on the advice of the prime minister, 4 on the advice of  the leader of the opposition party, and 3 on the advice of the prime minister in consultation with the opposition leader; members serve 5-year terms) House of Assembly (39 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 24 May 2017 (next appointments in 2022) House of Assembly - last held on 16 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2026) election results: Senate - appointed; composition as of March 2022 - men 12, women 4, percent of women 25% House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - PLP 52.5%, FNM 36.2%; seats by party - PLP 32, FNM 7; composition as of March 2022 - men 32, women 7, percent of women 18%; note - total Parliament percent of women 20% note: the government may dissolve the parliament and call elections at any time Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices, organized in 3-member panels); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 2 justices) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general on the advice of the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition party; other Court of Appeal and Supreme Court justices appointed by the governor general upon recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body headed by the chief justice; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 68 but can be extended until age 70; Supreme Court justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement normally at age 65 but can be extended until age 67 subordinate courts: Industrial Tribunal; Stipendiary and Magistrates' Courts; Family Island Administrators note: The Bahamas is a member of the 15-member Caribbean Community but is not party to the agreement establishing the Caribbean Court of Justice as its highest appellate court;  the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal for The Bahamas Political parties and leaders: Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Arinthia KOMOLAFE] Free National Movement or FNM [Michael PINTARD] Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Philip "Brave" DAVIS] International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Wendall Kermith JONES (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 600 New Hampshire Ave NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668 email address and website: embassy@bahamasembdc.org https://www.bahamasembdc.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Miami, New York, Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d' Affaires Usha E. PITTS (since 1 January 2021) embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau mailing address: 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC 20521-3370 telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181 FAX: [1] (242) 356-7174 email address and website: acsnassau@state.gov https://bs.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the rich resources of land and sea National symbol(s): blue marlin, flamingo, Yellow Elder flower; national colors: aquamarine, yellow, black National anthem: name: "March On, Bahamaland!" lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The Bahamas has the second highest per capita GDP in the English-speaking Caribbean with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and financial services. Tourism accounts for approximately 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than 7% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The new government led by Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS has prioritized addressing fiscal imbalances and rising debt, which stood at 75% of GDP in 2016. Large capital projects like the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel are driving growth. Public debt increased in 2017 in large part due to hurricane reconstruction and relief financing. The primary fiscal balance was a deficit of 0.4% of GDP in 2016. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $12.1 billion (2020 est.) $14.45 billion (2019 est.) $14.28 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.4% (2017 est.) -1.7% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $30,800 (2020 est.) $37,100 (2019 est.) $37,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $12.16 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2017 est.) -0.3% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Ba2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.3% (2017 est.) industry: 7.7% (2017 est.) services: 90% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, grapefruit, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, poultry, tropical fruit, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas Industries: tourism, banking, oil bunkering, maritime industries, transshipment and logistics, salt, aragonite, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 5.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 196,900 (2013 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3% industry: 11% services: 49% tourism: 37% (2011 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.1% (2017 est.) 12.2% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.8% male: 20.8% female: 31.6% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: 9.3% (2010 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1% highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: 2.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.46 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 54.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$1.909 billion (2017 est.) -$868 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.69 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.14 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.75 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Poland 32%, United States 17%, Ecuador 9%, China 6%, Japan 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, nitrogen compounds, crustaceans, styrene polymers (2019) Imports: $3.64 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.91 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 31%, South Korea 29%, Japan 14% (2019) Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, recreational boats, cars (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.522 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.002 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $17.56 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $16.35 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Exchange rates: Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2017 est.) 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 578,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 2,103,248,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 245,000 kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 25,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 19,150 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 4.417 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 4.417 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.984 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.976 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 140.505 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 91,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 466,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021) domestic: 23 per 100 fixed-line, 109 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019) international: country code - 1-242; landing points for the ARCOS-1, BICS, Bahamas 2-US, and BDSN fiber-optic submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2; the Bahamas Domestic Submarine Network links all of the major islands; (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: The Bahamas has 4 major TV providers that provide service to all major islands in the archipelago; 1 TV station is operated by government-owned, commercially run Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and competes freely with 4 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is widely available; there are 32 licensed broadcast (radio) service providers, 31 are privately owned FM radio stations operating on New Providence, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco Island, and on smaller islands in the country; the BCB operates a multi-channel radio broadcasting network that has national coverage; the sector is regulated by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (2019) Internet country code: .bs Internet users: total: 342,126 (2020 est.) percent of population: 87% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 83,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 5 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 35 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,197,116 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 160,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: C6 Airports: total: 54 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 24 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 17 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 2,700 km (2011) paved: 1,620 km (2011) unpaved: 1,080 km (2011) Merchant marine: total: 1,323 by type: bulk carrier 333, container ship 45, general cargo 64, oil tanker 224, other 657 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point cruise port(s): Nassau container port(s) (TEUs): Freeport (1,396,568) (2019) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF): includes land, air, maritime elements (2022) note: the RBDF is primarily responsible for external security but also provides security at a detention center for migrants and performs some domestic security functions, such as guarding embassies; the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) maintains internal security; both the RBDF and the RBPF report to the minister of national security Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2020) 0.7% of GDP (2019) 0.7% of GDP (2018) 0.7% of GDP (2017) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,500 active RBDF personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: most of the RBDF's major equipment inventory is supplied by the Netherlands (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2022) Military - note: the RBDF was established in 1980; its primary responsibilities are disaster relief, maritime security, and counter-narcotics operations; it is a naval force, but includes a lightly-armed marine infantry/commando squadron for base and internal security, as well as a few light non-combat aircraft; the maritime element has coastal patrol craft and patrol boats; the RBDF maintains training relationships with the UK and the US  (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: The Bahamas-US (Maritime Boundary): In declaring its archipelagic waters and 200 nm EEZ in 1993 legislation, The Bahamas did not delimit the outer limits of the EEZ; but in areas where EEZs overlap with neighbors, The Bahamas agreed to equidistance as a line of separation.  However, The Bahamas has yet to define maritime boundaries with any of its neighbors, including the United States, whose Florida coast lays about 70 nm from Grand Bahama Island.The Bahamas-US (Maritime Boundary): In declaring its archipelagic waters and 200 nm EEZ in 1993 legislation, The Bahamas did not delimit the outer limits of the EEZ; but in areas where EEZs overlap with neighbors, The Bahamas agreed to equidistance as a line of separation.  However, The Bahamas has yet to define maritime boundaries with any of its neighbors, including the United States, whose Florida coast lays about 70 nm from Grand Bahama Island. Illicit drugs: a significant transit point for illegal drugs bound for the United States; illicit production of marijuana continuesa significant transit point for illegal drugs bound for the United States; illicit production of marijuana continues

20220901

field-trafficking-in-persons

Trafficking in persons is modern-day slavery, involving victims who are forced, defrauded, or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. The International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment, and social protection issues, estimated in 2016 that 24.9 million people worldwide were victims of forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, sexual servitude, and involuntary servitude. Human trafficking is a multi-dimensional threat, depriving people of their human rights and freedoms, risking global health, promoting social breakdown, inhibiting development by depriving countries of their human capital, and helping fuel the growth of organized crime. In 2000, the US Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), reauthorized several times (the latest in (2019), which provides tools for the US to combat trafficking in persons, both domestically and abroad. One of the law's key components is the creation of the US Department of State's annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which assesses the government response (i.e., the current situation) in some 150 countries with a significant number of victims trafficked across their borders who are recruited, harbored, transported, provided, or obtained for forced labor or sexual exploitation. Countries in the annual report are rated in three tiers, based on government efforts to combat trafficking. The countries identified in this entry are those listed in the annual Trafficking in Persons Report as 'Tier 2 Watch List' or 'Tier 3' based on the following tier rating definitions: Tier 2 Watch List countries do not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but are making significant efforts to do so, and meet one of the following criteria: 1. they display high or significantly increasing number of victims, 2. they have failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, or, 3. they have committed to take action over the next year. Tier 3 countries neither satisfy the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking nor demonstrate a significant effort to do so. Countries in this tier are subject to potential non-humanitarian and non-trade sanctions. Topic: Afghanistancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims and returning Afghan migrants and exploit Afghan victims abroad; internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; traffickers exploit men, women, and a large number of children domestically; victims are subjected to forced labor in agriculture, brick kilns, carpet weaving, domestic servitude, commercial sex, begging, poppy cultivation and harvesting, salt mining, transnational drug smuggling, and truck driving; Afghan security forces and non-state armed groups, including the pro-government militias and the Taliban, continue to unlawfully recruit and use child soldiers; sexual exploitation of boys remains pervasive nationwide, and traffickers subject some boys to sexual exploitation abroad tier rating: Tier 3 — Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government decreased law enforcement efforts against civilian and official perpetrators of trafficking, and officials complicit in recruitment and use of child soldiers and the sexual exploitation of boys continued to operate with impunity; authorities continued to arrest, detain, and penalize many trafficking victims, including punishing sex trafficking victims for “moral crimes”; the judiciary remained underfunded, understaffed, and undertrained (2020)Tier 3 — Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government decreased law enforcement efforts against civilian and official perpetrators of trafficking, and officials complicit in recruitment and use of child soldiers and the sexual exploitation of boys continued to operate with impunity; authorities continued to arrest, detain, and penalize many trafficking victims, including punishing sex trafficking victims for “moral crimes”; the judiciary remained underfunded, understaffed, and undertrained (2020) Topic: Algeriacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; Algerian women and girls are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to financial problems or after running away from home; undocumented sub-Saharan migrants are vulnerable to labor and sex trafficking and are exploited in restaurants, houses, and informal worksites; sub-Saharan men and women needing more funds for their onward journey to Europe work illegally in construction and commercial sex and are vulnerable to sex trafficking and debt bondage; foreign women and girls, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, are subject to sex trafficking in bars and informal brothels; criminal begging rings that exploit sub-Saharan African migrant children are common tier rating: Tier 3 — Algeria does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities prosecuted fewer traffickers and identified fewer victims compared to last year and convicted no traffickers; the government continued to lack effective procedures and mechanisms to screen for, identify, and refer potential victims to protective services and punished some potential victims for unlawful acts traffickers forced them to commit; the government took some steps to combat trafficking, including prosecuting some traffickers, identifying some victims, and continuing to implement its 2019-2021 national anti-trafficking action plan (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; Algerian women and girls are vulnerable to sex trafficking due to financial problems or after running away from home; undocumented sub-Saharan migrants are vulnerable to labor and sex trafficking and are exploited in restaurants, houses, and informal worksites; sub-Saharan men and women needing more funds for their onward journey to Europe work illegally in construction and commercial sex and are vulnerable to sex trafficking and debt bondage; foreign women and girls, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa, are subject to sex trafficking in bars and informal brothels; criminal begging rings that exploit sub-Saharan African migrant children are common Topic: Armeniacurrent situation: Armenians may be exploited domestically or abroad, and foreigners may be subjected to sex trafficking or forced labor in Armenia; Armenian women and children are exploited in sex and labor trafficking domestically, as well as sex trafficking in the UAE and Turkey; Armenian migrants experience forced labor in Russia, the UAE, and Turkey; Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Russian women working as dancers are vulnerable to sex trafficking, while Indian employment seekers are subjected to forced labor in Armenia tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Armenia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement authorities did not conduct proactive investigations and relied on victims to self-identify; prevention efforts decreased and protection efforts were weak, with the government continuing to lack a formal victim-witness protection program; the government had no convictions, including convictions of complicit government employees, for the second consecutive year and has not had a forced labor conviction since 2014; legislation was passed to strengthen the health and labor body and training was provided to law enforcement officials; government and local NGOs provided legal, medical, and psychological assistance, housing, and monetary compensation to victims; however, civil society continued to provide reintegration and long-term support services without government funding (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Armenia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; law enforcement authorities did not conduct proactive investigations and relied on victims to self-identify; prevention efforts decreased and protection efforts were weak, with the government continuing to lack a formal victim-witness protection program; the government had no convictions, including convictions of complicit government employees, for the second consecutive year and has not had a forced labor conviction since 2014; legislation was passed to strengthen the health and labor body and training was provided to law enforcement officials; government and local NGOs provided legal, medical, and psychological assistance, housing, and monetary compensation to victims; however, civil society continued to provide reintegration and long-term support services without government funding (2020) Topic: Arubacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; foreign men and women are subject to forced labor in Aruba’s services and construction sectors; Venezuelans overstaying visas are at risk of forced labor in domestic service, construction, and commercial sex; Chinese men and women and Indian men are subject to forced labor in retail businesses and domestic service; managers of some Chinese-owned grocery stores and restaurants exploit children through sex trafficking and forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Aruba does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government provided officials with anti-trafficking training, continued an awareness campaign, and continued to implement the 2018-2022 national action plan; however, officials investigated fewer trafficking cases and did not report prosecuting or convicting any traffickers; efforts were hindered by the conflation of trafficking with migrant smuggling; authorities also did not report identifying any victims, including Venezuelan migrants and refugees, who are vulnerable to trafficking (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims; foreign men and women are subject to forced labor in Aruba’s services and construction sectors; Venezuelans overstaying visas are at risk of forced labor in domestic service, construction, and commercial sex; Chinese men and women and Indian men are subject to forced labor in retail businesses and domestic service; managers of some Chinese-owned grocery stores and restaurants exploit children through sex trafficking and forced labor Topic: Azerbaijancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Azerbaijan and exploit Azerbaijanis abroad; Azerbaijani men and boys experience forced labor domestically and in Qatar, Russia, and the UAE; Azerbaijani women and children are subjected to sex trafficking domestically and in Iran, Malaysia, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, and the UAE; Azerbaijan is a destination country for sex and forced labor trafficking victims from China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan; some children are exploited domestically for forced begging and forced labor as roadside vendors and at tea houses and wedding venues tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Azerbaijan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; more traffickers were convicted and judges received guidance to issue stricter sentences; the government significantly increased funding for victim protection by establishing grants for civil society; however, authorities identified fewer victims than in the previous year, did not regularly screen vulnerable populations, and continued to lack proactive identification methods, resulting in victims being penalized for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit (2020) Topic: Barbadoscurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Barbados; foreign women are subject to sex trafficking; children are exploited in sex trafficking by parents and caregivers, according to anecdotal reports; documented and undocumented migrants from Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Venezuela are at high risk for trafficking, while migrants from other nearby countries are increasingly vulnerable tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Barbados does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government completed an anti-trafficking manual on assisting and interviewing victims, reinstated the anti-trafficking task force, and increased training for law enforcement and child care officials; however, authorities again did not identify any trafficking victims, reported no new prosecutions, and have never convicted anyone of trafficking; the national action plan has yet to be completed (2020) Topic: Belaruscurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims and exploit Belarusians abroad; the majority of trafficking victims are men subjected to forced labor; most Belarusian victims are trafficked in Belarus and Russia, but also in Poland, Turkey, and other Eurasian and Middle Eastern countries; the government continued to subject factory workers, civil servants, and students to state-sponsored forced labor harvesting crops on state-owned farms or cleaning streets tier rating: Tier 3 — Belarus does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking because of a government policy or pattern of government-sponsored forced labor in public works projects and the agricultural sector; however, authorities convicted traffickers under its trafficking statute for the first time in eight years, increased training for law enforcement officers, and confirmed significantly more victims; the government adopted a national action plan to protect minors from sexual violence and exploitation (2020) Topic: Belizecurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims and Belizeans abroad; Belizean and foreign women, men, and girls and LGBTI persons, mainly from Central America, are sex trafficked in bars, nightclubs, hotels, and brothels; men, women, and children from Central America, Mexico, and Asia may migrate voluntarily to Belize seeking work and then are subjected to forced labor in restaurants, shops, domestic work, and agriculture; foreign child sex tourists exploit children in tourist areas tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities initiated more trafficking investigations, convicted a trafficker, screened for potential trafficking victims during labor inspections, and continued to implement a 2018-2020 national anti-trafficking action plan; anti-trafficking training was provided to the anti-trafficking police unit, immigration officers, prosecutors, judges, prison officials, and social workers; however, the government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions and continued to apply victim identification procedures inconsistently; corruption and official complicity in trafficking remained concerns, but no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees were reported (2020) Topic: Bhutancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Bhutan and Bhutanese abroad; some traffickers posing as recruiters use the lure of well-paying jobs overseas to exploit Bhutanese citizens for forced labor; some Bhutanese working in hospitality, retail, and service industries in the Gulf states and India, Thailand, and the UK reported trafficking indicators, including illegal recruitment fees, wage deductions, restricted movement, passport retention, and non-payment of wages; Bhutanese women and girls working as domestics, caregivers, and entertainers are subject to sex and labor trafficking domestically; Bhutanese and Indian women may be forced to work in hotels, massage parlors, and nightclubs, while male Indian workers face unauthorized deductions and non-payment of wages in the construction and hydropower sectors tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Bhutan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; among its accomplishments, Bhutan convicted one trafficker, appealed the dismissal of trafficking charges in a second case, finalized and disseminated standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral, and initiated an investigation into reports of labor exploitation; the government also continued to work with an international organization on anti-trafficking training and public awareness events; however, Bhutanese courts continued to dismiss and refile on lesser charges human trafficking cases due to inconsistencies between Bhutanese law and the international definition of trafficking; additionally, authorities did not identify any trafficking victims during the reporting period and did not provide protective services to Bhutanese victims of forced labor abroad (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Bhutan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; among its accomplishments, Bhutan convicted one trafficker, appealed the dismissal of trafficking charges in a second case, finalized and disseminated standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral, and initiated an investigation into reports of labor exploitation; the government also continued to work with an international organization on anti-trafficking training and public awareness events; however, Bhutanese courts continued to dismiss and refile on lesser charges human trafficking cases due to inconsistencies between Bhutanese law and the international definition of trafficking; additionally, authorities did not identify any trafficking victims during the reporting period and did not provide protective services to Bhutanese victims of forced labor abroad (2020) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnians and Herzegovinians abroad; Bosnian and foreign women and girls are sex trafficked within the country; Bosnians are also exploited through forced labor in construction and other industries in neighboring Balkan countries and throughout Europe; thousands of migrants and refugees smuggled through Bosnia and Herzegovina are vulnerable to trafficking, especially women and unaccompanied minors; Romani children are victims of forced begging, sex trafficking, and domestic servitude tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Bosnia and Herzegovina does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; because the government devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet minimum standards, Bosnia and Herzegovina was granted a waiver from being downgraded to Tier 3; the government adopted a national strategy in January 2020; the State Prosecutor’s Office appointed a prosecutor to the anti-trafficking strike force, the only mechanism to coordinate law enforcement efforts across entities on trafficking cases; the government identified more trafficking victims and revised the structure and guidelines of regional coordinating teams to increase effectiveness; however, the lack of an approved state budget delayed funding for anti-trafficking efforts; law enforcement continued to regularly investigate trafficking under lesser offenses, while judges continued to issue sentences below the minimum penalty; the government continued to penalize victims and did not disburse annual funds to NGOs for victim protection (2020) Topic: Bruneicurrent situation: human traffickers exploit foreign victims in Brunei; some men and women who migrate to Brunei to work as domestics or in retail or construction are subject to involuntary servitude, debt-based coercion, contract switching, non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, physical abuse, or confinement; some female migrants entering Brunei on tourist visas are forced into prostitution; some traffickers use Brunei as a transit point for victims used for sex and labor trafficking in Malaysia and Indonesia tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government enacted the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Order, which criminalized sex and labor trafficking and separated trafficking crimes from migrant smuggling crimes; the government formalized its interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee; instituted a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices, ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, and acceded to the UN TIP Protocol; however, authorities did not formally identify any trafficking cases, did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, and did not convict any traffickers; trafficking victims continued to be detained, deported, and charged with crimes without law enforcement determining if they were forced to commit the illegal acts by traffickers; the government again did not allocate money to a fund established in 2004 for victim compensation and repatriation; a draft national action plan to combat trafficking was not completed for the sixth consecutive year (2020) Topic: Burmacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit men, women, and children through forced labor, and women and children in sex trafficking in Burma and abroad; Burmese men are forced to work domestically and abroad in fishing, manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, and construction; fishermen are lured into forced labor in remote waters and offshore by recruitment agencies in Burma and Southeast Asia; Burmese women increasingly are lured to China for marriage under false pretenses and are subjected to sex trafficking, forced concubinage and childbearing, and forced domestic labor; men, women, and children in ethnic minority areas are at increased risk of sex trafficking and forced labor in farming, manufacturing, and construction; men and boys are recruited locally by traffickers for forced labor in oil palm, banana, and rubber plantations, in mining, fishing, and bamboo, teak, rice, and sugarcane harvesting; some military personnel, civilian brokers, border guard officials, and ethnic armed groups continue to recruit child soldiers, particularly in conflict areas tier rating: Tier 3 — Burma does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; authorities increased the investigation and prosecution of trafficking crimes, including those involving officials, and the investigation of forced labor in the fishing sector; the government identified and referred more victims to care and enacted legislation enhancing protections for child victims; however, a policy or pattern of forced labor existed; the use of children in labor and support roles by the military increased in conflict zones in Rakhine and Shan States; displacement resulting from military conflict made Rohingya and other ethnic groups vulnerable to human trafficking; the constitutionally guaranteed power of the military continued to limit the government’s ability to address forced adult labor and child soldier recruitment; although authorities allocated increased funding to victim protection, most services to trafficking victims were provided by NGOs and foreign donors (2020) Topic: Burundicurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Burundi and victims from Burundi abroad; traffickers take advantage of Burundians in precarious or desperate situations, including returned refugees; children were reportedly recruited by armed groups and forced to participate in anti-government activities; non-state armed groups allegedly used threats, intimidation, and physical assaults to coerce refugees in a camp in Rwanda to support the Burundian opposition; children and young adults are trafficked by relatives, neighbors, and friends and are subjected to forced labor in agriculture, mining, informal commerce, charcoal production, and fishing; some girls and young women are forced into domestic servitude and sex trafficking in restaurants and bars around Lake Tanganyika; women and girls who go to the Middle East for domestic service jobs report physical and sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 3 — Burundi does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government worked with an international organization to provide training to immigration officials, identified victims of trafficking abroad, and conducted public awareness campaigns with an international organization; however, authorities did not convict any traffickers for the fifth consecutive year and did not investigate, prosecute, or convict officials allegedly complicit in human trafficking; the government did not have standard operating procedures to identify and refer victims to services and did not have adequate protection services for victims; authorities continued to lack a clear understanding of trafficking despite the government providing training to immigration officials (2020) Topic: Cambodiacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit Cambodian men, women, and children in forced labor and sex trafficking in Cambodia and abroad, and foreign nationals are trafficked in Cambodia; Cambodian adults and children migrate to other countries in the region or increasingly to the Middle East where traffickers force them to work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic servitude; significant numbers of Cambodian men and boys are subject to forced labor on Thai ships in international waters and may experience physical abuse, nonpayment or underpayment of wages, and confinement at sea for years; brick kiln owners exploit thousands of Cambodians, including children, through debt-based coercion; children from poor families are vulnerable to forced labor, often with the complicity of their parents, in domestic servitude, forced begging, or street vending in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls from rural areas move to cities and tourist areas where they are sex trafficked tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Cambodia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities continued to prosecute and convict traffickers and utilized new victim identification and data collection technologies; the government enacted a five-year national action plan to combat human trafficking; however, corruption continued to impede law enforcement efforts, criminal proceedings, and services to victims; some corrupt officials may have profited directly from sex and labor trafficking or accepted bribes to dismiss charges or reduce sentences; insufficient judicial monitoring systems enabled suspected traffickers to flee before trial; authorities failed to issue formal guidance allowing the use of undercover techniques in anti-trafficking investigations (2020) Topic: Camerooncurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Cameroon and Cameroonians abroad; deteriorating economic and education conditions and diminished police and judicial presence caused by conflict in the Northwest and Southwest has left displaced persons vulnerable to trafficking; parents may be lured by promises of education or a better life for their children in urban areas, and then the children are subject to forced labor and sex trafficking; teenagers and adolescents may be lured to cities with promises of employment and then become victims of forced labor and sex trafficking; children from neighboring countries are forced to work in spare parts shops or cattle grazing by business owners and herders; Cameroonians, often from rural areas, are exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking in the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and African countries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Cameroon does not meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated at least nine suspected trafficking cases, identified 77 victims, and provided some training on trafficking indicators to officials and teachers; however, officials prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers; standard operating procedures for the identification and referral of trafficking victims were not implemented, and officials were not trained on the measures; the government did not report referring trafficking victims to government institutions for vulnerable children, but NGO-funded centers provided care for an unknown number of child victims; 2012 anti-trafficking legislation addressing victim and witness protection in conformity with international law was not passed for the eighth consecutive year (2020) Topic: Chadcurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Chad and Chadians abroad; most trafficking is internal; some children are sent by their parents to relatives or intermediaries to receive education, an apprenticeship, goods, or money and are then forced to work in domestic service or cattle herding; children are also forced to work in agriculture, gold mines, charcoal vending, and fishing, and those attending Koranic schools are forced into begging and street vending; girls from rural areas who search for work in larger towns are exploited in sex trafficking and domestic servitude; terrorist groups abduct children to serve as soldiers, suicide bombers, brides, and forced laborers tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Chad does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; one trafficker was convicted, the first under a 2018 law, but the government did not report investigating or prosecuting alleged traffickers, including complicit government officials; the government adopted a formal Road Map to implement its 2108 National Action Plan but did not report executing it; authorities did not identify any victims and have not drafted victim identification and referral procedures; the government continued to make no effort to raise awareness on trafficking (2020) Topic: Chinacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in China and Chinese people abroad; Chinese men, women, and children are victims of forced labor and sex trafficking in at least 60 countries; traffickers also use China as a transit point to subject foreign individuals to trafficking in other countries throughout Asia and in international maritime industries; state-sponsored forced labor is intensifying under the government’s mass detention and political indoctrination campaign against Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; well-organized criminal syndicates and local gangs subject Chinese women and girls to sex trafficking within China; women and girls from South Asia, Southeast Asia, and several countries in Africa experience forced labor in domestic service, forced concubinism leading to forced childbearing, and sex trafficking via forced and fraudulent marriage to Chinese men; African and Asian men reportedly experience conditions indicative of forced labor aboard Chinese-flagged fishing vessels; many North Korean refugees and asylum-seekers living in China illegally are particularly vulnerable to trafficking tier rating: Tier 3 — China does not fully meet the minimum standards for elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government prosecuted and convicted some traffickers and continued to cooperate with international authorities to address forced and fraudulent marriages in China; however, there was a government policy or pattern of widespread forced labor, including the continued mass arbitrary detention of more than one million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, ethnic Kyrgyz, and other Muslims in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; the government did not report any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of law enforcement officials allegedly complicit despite continued reports of officials benefiting from, permitting, or directly facilitating sex trafficking; authorities did not report identifying any trafficking victims or referring them to protective services; it is likely that law enforcement arrested and detained unidentified trafficking victims for crimes traffickers compelled them to commit; for the third consecutive year, the government did not report the extent to which it funded anti-trafficking activities in furtherance of the 2013-2020 National Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking (2020) Topic: Comoroscurrent situation: human traffickers may exploit domestic and foreign victims in Comoros and Comorians abroad; some Comorian and Malagasy women are subject to forced labor in the Middle East; adults and children may be forced to work in agriculture, construction, or as domestics in Mayotte; children abandoned by parents who left to seek jobs abroad are vulnerable to exploitation in domestic service, vending, baking, fishing, and agriculture; children from poor families whose parents place them with a relative or acquaintance for educational opportunities are vulnerable to domestic servitude and physical and sexual abuse; some children in Koranic schools may experience forced labor in agriculture or domestic servitude; inadequate border controls; government corruption, and international crime networks leave Comorians vulnerable to international trafficking tier rating: Tier 3 — Comoros does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking is not making significant efforts to do so; the Anti-Trafficking Task Force met for the first time since 2017 and began drafting a national action plan for combatting trafficking; the government took steps to ratify the 2000 UN TIP Protocol and supported centers that identify and provide care to victims of crime, would include trafficking victims; however, authorities continued to lack an understanding of trafficking and did not make any anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts; the government did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any alleged traffickers or officials suspected of complicity in trafficking; the government did not develop any standing operating procedures for identifying trafficking victims and referring them to limited care providers; no public awareness campaigns were conducted (2020) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congolese abroad; most trafficking is internal and involves the forced labor of men, women, and children in artisanal mining, agriculture, domestic servitude, sex trafficking, or child recruitment by armed groups; some traffickers are family members or others who promise victims or victims’ families educational or job opportunities and instead force victims to work as domestic servants, street vendors, gang members, or in commercial sex; some Congolese women and girls who migrate to other countries in Africa or the Middle East are exploited in sex trafficking or forced labor in agriculture, diamond mines, or domestic service; they may be fraudulently recruited by traffickers with false promises of jobs or education tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the DRC was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List because of several accomplishments; the government drafted and launched its first national anti-trafficking action plan; authorities increased law enforcement efforts, including investigating and prosecuting more trafficking crimes; a number of traffickers were convicted, including a high-ranking army officer and the leader of an armed group; however, authorities continued to lack standard operating procedures for identifying victims and referring them to care; there were credible allegations that the army abducted women and girls for sexual slavery and recruited and used child soldiers (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the DRC was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List because of several accomplishments; the government drafted and launched its first national anti-trafficking action plan; authorities increased law enforcement efforts, including investigating and prosecuting more trafficking crimes; a number of traffickers were convicted, including a high-ranking army officer and the leader of an armed group; however, authorities continued to lack standard operating procedures for identifying victims and referring them to care; there were credible allegations that the army abducted women and girls for sexual slavery and recruited and used child soldiers (2020) Topic: Cubacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Cuba and Cubans abroad; individuals are forced or coerced into participating and threatened to stay in labor export programs, most notably foreign medical missions; sex trafficking and sex tourism occur within Cuba; traffickers exploit Cubans in sex trafficking and forced labor in South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, the Mediterranean, and the US; foreigners from Africa and Asia are subject to sex trafficking and forced labor in Cuba to pay off travel debts; the government uses high school students in some rural areas to harvest crops without pay, claiming that the work is voluntary tier rating: Tier 3 — Cuba does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government made some efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict sex traffickers and sex tourists and identified and provided assistance to some victims; however, no efforts were made to address forced labor; there was a government policy or pattern to profit from labor export programs with strong indications of forced labor, particularly in foreign medical missions; authorities did not protect potential trafficking victims, leaving them at risk of being detained or charged for crimes their traffickers forced them to commit (2020)Tier 3 — Cuba does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government made some efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict sex traffickers and sex tourists and identified and provided assistance to some victims; however, no efforts were made to address forced labor; there was a government policy or pattern to profit from labor export programs with strong indications of forced labor, particularly in foreign medical missions; authorities did not protect potential trafficking victims, leaving them at risk of being detained or charged for crimes their traffickers forced them to commit (2020) Topic: Curacaocurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Curacao; undocumented migrants, including the growing population of Venezuelans, are vulnerable to sex and labor trafficking; Curacaoan and foreign women and girls, mostly Dominican and Venezuelan, are exploited in sex trafficking; migrants from other Caribbean countries, South America, China, and India are subject to forced labor in construction, domestic servitude, landscaping, minimarkets, retail, and restaurants tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Curacao does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but it is making significant efforts to do so; the government prosecuted and convicted more traffickers than in the previous reporting period; however, authorities identified fewer victims, and assistance to victims was contingent upon their cooperation with law enforcement in prosecuting traffickers; victims who were in the country illegally, including Venezuelans, were at risk of deportation if they did not participate in trials against their traffickers; the government did not operate centers for trafficking victims but provided some funding to NGOs and international organizations to care for victims (2020) Topic: Dominican Republiccurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in the Dominican Republic and Dominicans abroad; Dominican women and children are sex trafficked throughout the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States; victims from Haiti and elsewhere in the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America are trafficked in the Dominican Republic; Dominican women are lured to the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America to work in nightclubs but are then sex trafficked; domestically, children are forced into domestic servitude, street vending, begging, agricultural work, construction, and moving illicit narcotics, while adults are forced to work in construction, agriculture, and the services sector tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Dominican Republic does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government has drafted a revised trafficking law that would be consistent with international law by removing the requirement for force, fraud, or coercion of sex trafficking of victims younger than 18; authorities increased investigations and prosecutions but convicted fewer traffickers and issued inadequate sentences; the country lacks a dedicated victim assistance budget and a full-time victim shelter; authorities did not effectively screen for trafficking indicators or refer all vulnerable individuals to care; the government has not allocated specific funds to implement its national anti-trafficking plan beyond the standard operating budget for the 14 institutions that are part of its Inter-Institutional Commission against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (2020) Topic: Equatorial Guineacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Equatorial Guinea and Equatoguineans abroad; the majority of trafficking victims are subjected to forced domestic service and commercial sex in cities, particularly in the hospitality and restaurant sector; local and foreign women, including Latin Americans, are exploited in commercial sex domestically, while some Equatoguinean women are sex trafficked in Spain; some children from rural areas have been forced into domestic servitude; children from nearby countries are forced to labor as domestic workers, market workers, vendors, and launderers; individuals recruited from African countries and temporary workers from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela are sometimes exploited in forced labor and sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Equatorial Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities investigated, and for the first time since 2010, initiated the prosecution of alleged human traffickers; the government partnered with an international organization to provide training for more than 700 officials and civil society actors; authorities developed and implemented formal screening procedures to identify victims within vulnerable populations, an effort that had stalled for five years; however, the government still has not convicted a trafficker or any complicit government employees under its 2004 anti-trafficking law; a lack of training among judicial officials has resulted in potential trafficking crimes being tried under related statutes; victim services remained inadequate; authorities did not report referring any trafficking victims to government housing that was supposed to serve as temporary shelter (2020) Topic: Eritreacurrent situation: human traffickers export domestic victims in Eritrea or abroad; National Service is mandatory at age 18 and may take a variety of forms, including military service and physical labor but also government office jobs and teaching; Eritreans who flee the country, usually with the aim of reaching Europe, seek the help of paid smugglers and are vulnerable to trafficking when they cross the border clandestinely into Sudan, Ethiopia, and to a lesser extent Djibouti; Eritreans are subject to forced labor and sex trafficking mainly in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Libya tier rating: Tier 3 — Eritrea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government engaged in critical bilateral and multilateral partnerships to build its capacity for anti-trafficking initiatives; officials participated in a UN-sponsored regional anti-trafficking workshop and committed to produce a regional plan of action to combat trafficking; however, a government policy or pattern of forced labor existed; the government continued to subject its nationals to forced labor in its compulsory national service and citizen militia by forcing them to serve indefinitely or for arbitrary periods; authorities did not report any trafficking investigations, prosecutions, or convictions, including complicit government employees, nor did they report identifying victims and referring them to care; the government has no action plan to combat human trafficking (2020) Topic: Fijicurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Fiji and Fijians abroad; Fijian women and children and victims from Thailand and China are sex trafficked in illegal brothels, local hotels, private homes, and massage parlors; Fijian children sent to live with families in larger cities are vulnerable to forced labor or sexual activity in exchange for food, clothing, shelter, or school fees; labor traffickers exploit Southeast Asian workers on small informal farms and factories and in construction; Southeast Asian fisherman may be subject to forced labor on Fijian-flagged ships or foreign-flagged ships transiting Fijian ports and water tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities maintained anti-trafficking law enforcement, investigating a similar number of cases as the prior year and convicting a trafficker for the first time since 2014; a government-convened working group finalized an updated anti-trafficking national action plan; however, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts; law enforcement was often unaware of the definition of trafficking, procedures for interviewing victims, and how to proactively screen vulnerable populations for trafficking victims; inspectors did not adequately investigate labor violations for trafficking indicators or provide adequate support to victims (2020) Topic: Gambia, Thecurrent situation: The Gambia is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Gambian women, children, and, to a lesser extent, boys are exploited for prostitution and domestic servitude; women, girls, and boys from West African countries are trafficked to the Gambia for sexual exploitation, particularly catering to European tourists seeking sex with children; some Gambian trafficking victims have been identified in neighboring West African countries and the UK; boys in some Koranic schools are forced into street vending or begging tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — The Gambia does not meet the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do so; the government has increased investigations, identified more trafficking victims, improved security at a Department of Social Welfare shelter, increased training for officials, and raised public awareness of the problem of trafficking; the government was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List during this rating period; despite these efforts, the government did not convict a trafficker for the third consecutive year; victim services remained inadequate, and some law enforcement officers reportedly requested  bribes to register trafficking complaints (2020) Topic: Guineacurrent situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg, work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; some Guinean children are forced to mine in Senegal, Mali, and possibly other West African countries; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Greece, and Spain, while Chinese and Vietnamese women are reportedly forced into prostitution in Guinea tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however it is making significant efforts to do so; the government  drafted a new anti-trafficking action plan, provided support to eight victims exploited in the Middle East, and incorporated anti-trafficking training into the law enforcement curriculum; however, the government did not overall increase efforts compared to the last rating period; investigations and prosecutions of trafficking crimes decreased, victim identification was inadequate, and NGO’s providing victim services did not receive government support; for the fourth year, resources for the anti-trafficking committee or the Office for the Protection of Gender, Children and Morals were inadequate; a Quranic teacher was not prosecuted for allegedly forcing child begging; Guinea was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Guinea-Bissaucurrent situation: Guinea-Bissau is a country of origin and destination for children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the scope of the problem of trafficking women or men for forced labor or forced prostitution is unknown; boys reportedly were transported to southern Senegal for forced manual and agricultural labor; girls may be subjected to forced domestic service and child prostitution in Senegal and Guinea; both boys and girls are forced to work as street vendors in cities in Guinea-Bissau and Senegal tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Guinea-Bissau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include identifying forced child begging victims, cooperating with Moroccan authorities on international crime investigations, and approving a new action plan; yet, the government has not convicted a trafficker, identified fewer trafficking victims, and lacked resources or the political will to fight trafficking or to enact its action plan, which would meet minimum standards; Guinea-Bissau was granted a waiver under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) Topic: Hong Kongcurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Hong Kong, and traffickers also exploit victims from Hong Kong abroad; traffickers exploit women from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia in sex trafficking; some women in Hong Kong – often with the assistance of their families – deceive Indian and Pakistani men into arranged marriages involving forced domestic service, bonded labor in construction and other physically demanding industries, and other forms of abuse via exploitative contracts; drug trafficking syndicates coerced South American women to carry drugs into Hong Kong; employment agencies hired foreign domestic workers under false pretenses and forced them into commercial sex, sometimes through debt-based coercion tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List —  Hong Kong does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; Hong Kong is hiring and training 98 new employees within the immigration, customs, labor, and justice departments dedicated to trafficking issues; authorities screened more than 7,000 vulnerable individuals for trafficking; the labor department introduced a victim identification mechanism to its division offices; the government provided anti-trafficking training to various officials; the government did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any cases of labor trafficking, investigated fewer sex trafficking cases, and did not provide victims any government-funded services; the government continued to penalize victims for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit; no legislation was enacted to fully criminalize all forms of trafficking (2020) Topic: Irancurrent situation: Iran is a presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Iranian and Afghan boys and girls are forced into prostitution domestically; Iranian women are subjected to sex trafficking in Iran, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, and Europe; Azerbaijani women and children are also sexually exploited in Iran; Afghan migrants and refugees and Pakistani men and women are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Iran; NGO reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking in Iran tier rating: Tier 3 — Iran does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, Iran remained in Tier 3; the government continued a policy of recruiting and using child soldiers, government officials perpetrated sex trafficking of adults and children and continued trafficking both in Iran and overseas; the government continued to force or coerce children and adults to fight for Iranian-led militias operating in Syria and provided financial support to militias fighting in armed conflicts in the region using child soldiers; authorities failed to identify and protect trafficking victims among vulnerable populations; law enforcement treated trafficking victims as criminals, facing severe punishment or death for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit (2020) Topic: Irelandcurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Ireland and Irish victims abroad; traffickers subject Irish children and foreign trafficking victims from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and South America to sex trafficking; victims are exploited in forced domestic work, the restaurant industry, waste management, fishing, seasonal agriculture, and car washing services; Vietnamese and Chinese nationals convicted for cannabis cultivation often report indicators of forced labor, such as document retention, restriction of movement, and non-payment of wages; undocumented workers in the fishing industry and domestic workers, particularly au pairs, are vulnerable to trafficking; women from Eastern Europe forced into marriage in Ireland are at risk for sex trafficking and forced labor; the problem of forced labor in the country is growing tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Ireland does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts included increasing prosecutions and funding to NGOs for victim assistance, increasing the number of police and immigration officers receiving anti-trafficking training, and reorganizing its anti-trafficking coordination unit; however, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts; no traffickers have been convicted since the anti-trafficking law was amended in 2013; weakened deterrence meant impunity for traffickers and undermined efforts to support victims testifying against traffickers; systematic deficiencies in victim identification, a lack of specialized services for victims continued, and the amended working scheme for sea fishers increased their vulnerability to trafficking (2020) Topic: Jordancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Jordan and Jordanians abroad; victims are primarily from South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, Egypt, and Syria; foreign migrants, many undocumented, working in construction, agriculture, textiles, and domestic work are the most vulnerable to trafficking because of informal work agreements and frequently changing employers; forced labor victims experience withheld or unpaid wages, confiscation of identity documents, restricted freedom of movement, unsafe living conditions, long hours without rest, isolation, and verbal and physical abuse; child labor and potential forced child labor increased; traffickers exploit Lebanese, North African, and Eastern European women who have migrated to Jordan to work in restaurants and nightclubs are subject to sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Jordan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government increased the training of law enforcement personnel and victim advocates, maintained a trafficking shelter offering a wide range of services, partnered with civil society actors to proactively identify and protect trafficking victims, and conducted anti-trafficking awareness campaigns; the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts as fewer traffickers were investigated, prosecuted, and convicted; fewer victims were identified and assisted, and victims were still arrested, detained, and deported for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit; under Jordan’s anti-trafficking law, penalties for sex trafficking offenses were not commensurate with penalties for other serious crimes (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Jordan and Jordanians abroad; victims are primarily from South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, Egypt, and Syria; foreign migrants, many undocumented, working in construction, agriculture, textiles, and domestic work are the most vulnerable to trafficking because of informal work agreements and frequently changing employers; forced labor victims experience withheld or unpaid wages, confiscation of identity documents, restricted freedom of movement, unsafe living conditions, long hours without rest, isolation, and verbal and physical abuse; child labor and potential forced child labor increased; traffickers exploit Lebanese, North African, and Eastern European women who have migrated to Jordan to work in restaurants and nightclubs are subject to sex trafficking Topic: Kazakhstancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Kazakhstan and Kazakhstanis abroad; traffickers lure victims from rural areas to larger cities with fake offers of employment; traffickers coerce or force Kazakhstani men and women into labor in Russia, Bahrain, Brazil, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; sex traffickers exploit Kazakhstani women and girls in the Middle East, Europe, East Asia, the United States, Central Asian and Eastern European countries and rural areas in Kazakhstan; children are forced to beg and adults and children may be coerced into criminal behavior; traffickers are increasingly using debt-based coercion; traffickers capitalize on tough law enforcement policies on migrants to coerce them to remain and leverage these policies to threaten victims with punishment and deportation if they notify authorities, which fosters a distrust in law enforcement tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Kazakhstan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted amendments increasing criminal penalties for traffickers, including rescinding the provision allowing alleged traffickers to pay a settlement to victims to withdraw their criminal cases; authorities developed victim identification guidelines for diplomatic staff and provided victim identification training to some labor inspectors; the government took initial steps toward improving its annual NGO funding process; the government’s efforts to identify and protect foreign victims increased; foreign victims who did not participate in criminal investigations were ineligible for services and were deported; law enforcement continued to make limited efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict labor trafficking crimes; trafficking convictions decreased for the fourth consecutive year; NGOs reported allegations of police officers’ involvement in human trafficking, but few police or other officials suspected of complicity were investigated or prosecuted (2020) Topic: Korea, Northcurrent situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, and sex trafficking; in the recent past, many North Korean women and girls lured by promises of food, jobs, and freedom migrated to China illegally to escape poor social and economic conditions only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements; North Koreans do not have a choice in the work the government assigns them and are not free to change jobs at will; many North Korean workers recruited to work abroad under bilateral contracts with foreign governments are subjected to forced labor and reportedly face government reprisals if they try to escape or complain to outsiders; thousands of North Koreans, including children, are subjected to forced labor in prison camps tier rating: Tier 3 — the government of North Korea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; during this reporting period there was a government policy or pattern of forced labor of adults and children in prison camps, labor training centers, and through its imposition of forced labor conditions on North Korean overseas contract workers;  proceeds from state-sponsored forced labor fund government functions and illicit activities; the government has made no effort to address human trafficking (2020) Topic: Kyrgyzstancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstanis abroad; Kyrgyz men, women, and children are exploited in forced labor in Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and other European countries specifically in agriculture, construction, textiles, domestic service, and childcare; sex traffickers exploit Kyrgyz women and girls domestically and in India, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates; problems with police misconduct and corruption include allegations that police threaten and extort sex trafficking victims and accept bribes from alleged traffickers to drop cases; street children who beg or do domestic work are vulnerable to traffickers tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Kyrgyzstan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government adopted a National Referral Mechanism (NRM) that established formal policies on victim identification and the provision of social services;  the government established an interagency focus group to accelerate implementation of the NRM and improve law enforcement investigations; authorities increased investigations but did not prosecute or convict any traffickers; the government conducted limited training on the NRM; some officials reportedly  dropped charges or tipped off suspects and allowed victims to be pressured or paid to drop charges against alleged traffickers; the government’s written plan, if implemented, would meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, Kyrgyzstan was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) Topic: Lesothocurrent situation: Lesotho is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and for men subjected to forced labor; Basotho women and children are subjected to domestic servitude and children, to a lesser extent, commercial sexual exploitation within Lesotho and South Africa; some Basotho women willingly migrate to South Africa seeking work in domestic service only to be forced into prostitution; some Basotho men who voluntarily migrate to South Africa for work become victims of forced labor in agriculture and mining or are coerced into committing crimes tier rating: Tier 3 — Lesotho does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore it was downgraded to Tier 3; positive steps included partnering with an NGO and an international organization in awareness-raising activities, participating in a regional data collection tool, and training 27 diplomats on trafficking in persons; however, authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any traffickers or officials complicit in trafficking and did not investigate concerns of official complicity in trafficking crimes restricted law enforcement actions; fewer victims were identified and received no protective services; no standard operating procedures for victim identification or implementation of the national referral mechanism; the government did not finance  the Victims of Trafficking Trust Fund or the Child and Gender Protection Unit; front-line responders to trafficking crimes are inadequately trained; penalties for human trafficking are not stringent enough to serve as a deterrent (2020) Topic: Macaucurrent situation: Macau is a destination and, to a much lesser extent, source for women and children subjected to sex trafficking and possibly forced labor; most victims come from the Chinese mainland, but others are trafficked from China, Russia, and Southeast Asia; victims are lured in by false job offers and forced into prostitution, often being confined to massage parlors and illegal brothels where their identity documents are confiscated and they are threatened with violence; Chinese, Russian, and Thai criminal organizations are believed to be involved in recruiting women for Macau’s commercial sex industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Macau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government trained police, customs, and social welfare officials on human trafficking, funded an awareness campaign, and provided services to victims; authorities convicted three sex traffickers but did not sentence anyone to significant prison terms; authorities investigated only one potential trafficking case and made no prosecutions; the government provided no assistance to any victims, and officials did not initiate any prosecutions or sentence convicted traffickers to significant terms of imprisonment; Macau was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Malaysiacurrent situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for foreign workers who migrate willingly from countries including Indonesia, Nepal, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam, but subsequently they encounter forced labor or debt bondage at the hands of their employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; a small number of Malaysian citizens were reportedly trafficked internally and to Singapore, China, and Japan for commercial sexual exploitation; refugees are also vulnerable to trafficking; some officials are reportedly complicit in facilitating trafficking; traffickers lure Rohingya women and girls residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh to Malaysia, where they are coerced to engage in commercial sex tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Malaysia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more victims, increased the number of trafficking-specialist prosecutors, drafted victim identification standard operating procedures, identified two volunteer victim assistance specialists that worked with more than 100 victims, and co-hosted the first national conference on anti-trafficking; however, authorities prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers and investigated few trafficking cases; despite the issue of corruption, insufficient efforts were made to prosecute officials’ complicity in trafficking-related crimes or to report the results of investigations into such crimes; insufficient interagency coordination and victim services discouraged foreign victims from participating in criminal proceedings; no resources were devoted to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; Malaysia was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) Topic: Maldivescurrent situation: Maldives is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a source country for Maldivian children subjected to human trafficking within the country; Bangladeshi and Indian migrants working both legally and illegally in the construction and service sectors face conditions of forced labor, including fraudulent recruitment, confiscation of identity and travel documents, nonpayment of wages, and debt bondage; a small number of women from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, China, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Eastern Europe, and former Soviet states are trafficked to Maldives for sexual exploitation; some Maldivian children are transported to the capital for forced domestic service, where they may also be sexually abused tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Maldives does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts included convicting two individuals for trafficking-related offenses, convening the National Anti-Trafficking Steering Committee for the first time in two years; drafting and finalizing a 2020-2022 national action plan; however, efforts to hold employers accountable for trafficking did not increase, non-payment of wages and of the retention of migrant workers’ passports continued; standard operating procedures for victim identification, protection, and referral were not adopted; insufficient resources were devoted to the national action plan; Maldives was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) Topic: Malicurrent situation: Mali is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; women and girls are forced into domestic servitude, agricultural labor, and support roles in gold mines, as well as subjected to sex trafficking; Malian boys are found in conditions of forced labor in agricultural settings, gold mines, and the informal commercial sector, as well as forced begging in Mali and neighboring countries; Malians and other Africans who travel through Mali to Mauritania, Algeria, or Libya in hopes of reaching Europe are particularly at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking; men and boys, primarily of Songhai ethnicity, are subjected to debt bondage in the salt mines of Taoudenni in northern Mali; some members of Mali's Tuareg community are subjected to traditional slavery-related practices, and this involuntary servitude reportedly has extended to their children; reports indicate that non-governmental armed groups operating in northern Mali recruited children as combatants, cooks, porters, guards, spies, and sex slaves; slaveholders use some members of the Tuareg community in hereditary servitude where communities rather than individuals or families exploit the enslaved tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Mali does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; government efforts included prosecuting hereditary slavery cases, increasing convictions, continuing training and awareness raising activities, releasing all children associated with the Malian armed forces (FAMa) to an international organization for care, training law enforcement officials on protection of children in armed conflict, identifying 215 children used by armed groups and referring them to international organizations for care; however, the government did not stop all use of children in the FAMa; the government continued to provide support to and collaborate with the Imghad Tuareg and the Allies Self-Defense Group, which recruited and used child soldiers; authorities did not investigate any suspects for child soldier offenses or make efforts to prevent it; law enforcement lacked resources and training about human trafficking; services for victims remained insufficient; therefore, Mali was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Marshall Islandscurrent situation: The Marshall Islands are a destination country for women from East Asia subjected to sex trafficking; foreign women are reportedly forced into prostitution in bars frequented by crew members of fishing vessels; some Chinese women are recruited to the Marshall Islands with promises of legitimate work and are subsequently forced into prostitution; wealthy or powerful families use traditional cultural practices to exploit impoverished Marshallese from outer islands as indentured laborers on their property; Marshallese children are transported to the United States and subjected to sexual abuse tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Marshall Islands does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include its first trafficking prosecution since 2011 and opening an investigation into an immigration official for alleged trafficking complicity; however, no efforts were made to identify trafficking victims and no assistance was provided to victims; the government has not convicted any traffickers since 2011 (2020) Topic: Mauritaniacurrent situation: Mauritania is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and sex trafficking; adults and children from traditional slave castes are subjected to slavery-related practices rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships; Mauritanian boys  are trafficked within the country by religious teachers for forced begging; Mauritanian girls, as well as girls from Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, and other West African countries, are forced into domestic servitude; Mauritanian women and girls are forced into prostitution in the country or transported to countries in the Middle East for the same purpose tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Mauritania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; the government convicted five hereditary slaveholders, drafted new anti-trafficking legislation and a national action plan, raised awareness on child forced begging in Quranic schools with imams and religious leaders by establishing an inter-ministerial committee, published a child protection guide, and operated a cash transfer program; however, the government rarely imprisoned convicted slaveholders and did not identify any victims; government agencies lacked resources; government officials refuse to investigate or prosecute political offenders (2020) Topic: Mauritiuscurrent situation: Mauritius is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Mauritian girls are induced or sold into prostitution, often by peers, family members, or businessmen offering other forms of employment; Mauritian adults have been identified as labor trafficking victims in the UK, Belgium, and Canada, while Mauritian women from Rodrigues Island are also subject to domestic servitude in Mauritius; Malagasy women transit Mauritius en route to the Middle East for jobs as domestic servants and subsequently are subjected to forced labor; Cambodian men are victims of forced labor on foreign fishing vessels in Mauritius’ territorial waters; other migrant workers from East and South Asia and Madagascar are also subject to forced labor in Mauritius’ manufacturing and construction sectors tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Mauritius does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, the government made modest efforts to address child sex trafficking but none related to adult forced labor; law enforcement lacks an understanding of trafficking crimes outside of child sex trafficking, despite increasing evidence of other forms of human trafficking; authorities made no trafficking prosecutions or convictions and made modest efforts to assist a couple of child sex trafficking victims; officials sustained an extensive public awareness campaign to prevent child sex trafficking, but no efforts were made to raise awareness or reduce demand for forced adult or child labor (2015) Topic: Nicaraguacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Nicaragua and Nicaraguans abroad; women, children, and migrants are most at risk; women and children are subject to sex trafficking within the country and its two Caribbean autonomous regions, as well as  in other Central American countries, Mexico, Spain, and the United States; traffickers used social media to recruit victims with promises of high-paying jobs in restaurants, hotels, construction, and security outside of Nicaragua where they are subjected to sex or labor trafficking; traffickers exploit children through forced participation in illegal drug production and trafficking; children and persons with disabilities are subjected to forced begging; Nicaragua is also a destination for child sex tourists from the United States, Canada, and Western Europe tier rating: Tier 3 — Nicaragua does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so and was downgraded to Tier 3; the government identified slightly more victims than in the previous reporting period and prosecuted a trafficker; however, no traffickers were convicted and victim identification remained inadequate; authorities did not  investigate, prosecute, or convict government employees complicit in trafficking; the government provided no victim services; prosecution, protection, and prevention efforts in the two Caribbean autonomous regions of Nicaragua continued to be much weaker than in the rest of the country (2020) Topic: Nigeriacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Nigeria along with victims from Nigeria abroad; internal trafficking involving recruiting victims from rural areas for commercial sex  and forced labor in domestic work, street vending, mining, agriculture, begging and textile manufacturing; traffickers operate “baby factories” where women held against their will are raped and children are sold into forced labor or sex trafficking or rented to beggars to increase their profits; women are often taken to other West and Central African countries, South Africa, Europe and the Middle East for commercial sex; Boko Haram and ISIS-WA forcibly recruit, abduct, and use child soldiers as young as 12 as cooks, spies, messengers, bodyguards, armed combatants, and suicide bombers; they abduct women and girls in the northern region of Nigeria for sexual slavery and forced labor tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Nigeria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government is continuing to train officials and raise public awareness; the government established anti-trafficking task forces in Borno and Ekiti states and used new technology to collect victim testimony; authorities prosecuted three government officials complicit in human trafficking; the government is drafting a memoranda of understanding that will improve coordination between government agencies; however, security forces used at least two children in support roles; some security officials were involved in sex trafficking; no criminal charges were made against military officials or members of the Civilian Joint Task Force for sex trafficking or the use of child soldiers; no protections were given to female and child trafficking victims allegedly associated with insurgencies; fewer traffickers were convicted; Nigeria was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Pakistancurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Pakistan and Pakistanis abroad; the largest human trafficking problem is bonded labor, where traffickers exploit a debt assumed by a worker as part of the terms of employment, entrapping sometimes generations of a family; bonded laborers are forced to work in agriculture, brick kilns, fisheries, mining, textile manufacturing, bangle- and carpet-making; traffickers buy, sell, rent, and kidnap children for forced labor in begging, domestic work, small shops, sex trafficking and stealing; some children are maimed to bring in more money for begging; Afghans, Iranians, and Pakistanis are forced into drug trafficking in border areas and Karachi; Pakistani traffickers lure women and girls away from their families with promises of marriage and exploit the women and girls in sex trafficking; militant groups kidnap, buy, or recruit children and force them to spy, fight, and conduct suicide attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Pakistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; government efforts include convicting traffickers under the comprehensive human trafficking law, convicting more traffickers for bonded labor, and increasing registration of brick kilns nationwide for the oversight of workers traffickers target; more trafficking victims were identified; authorities initiated eight investigations against suspected traffickers of Pakistani victims overseas; authorities collaborated with international partners and foreign governments on anti-trafficking efforts; however, the government  significantly decreased investigations and prosecutions of sex traffickers; bonded labor exists on farms and in brick kilns in Punjab province; no action was taken against officials involved in trafficking; several high-profile trafficking cases were dropped during the reporting period; resources were lacking for the care of identified victims; Pakistan was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Papua New Guineacurrent situation: Papua New Guinea is a source, destination, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; women and children are subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude; families may sell girls into forced marriages to settle debts, leaving them vulnerable to forced domestic service; local and Chinese men are forced to labor in logging and mining camps; migrant women from Malaysia, Thailand, China, and the Philippines are subjected to sex trafficking and domestic servitude at logging and mining camps, fisheries, and entertainment sites tier rating: Tier 3 — Papua New Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; despite remaining at Tier 3, the government continued to identify some trafficking victims and a prominent trafficking case was advanced; however, the government did not provide protective services for victims and did not systematically implement its victim identification procedures; corruption among officials in the logging sector remains a problem, and they continue to facilitate sex trafficking and forced labor; no alleged traffickers were convicted; the government dedicates little financial and human resources to combat trafficking, and awareness of trafficking is low among government officials (2020) Topic: Romaniacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Romania and Romanians abroad;  Romania remains a primary source country for sex and labor trafficking victims in Europe; Romanian men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in agriculture, construction, hotels, manufacturing, domestic service, commercial sex, and forced begging and theft; Romania is a destination country for a limited number of foreign trafficking victims, including migrants from Africa, Europe, and South and Southeast Asia, exploited in the construction, hotel, and food-processing industries tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Romania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more trafficking victims during the reporting period, participated in more international investigations, and conducted awareness campaigns; however, authorities investigated, prosecuted, and convicted fewer traffickers; officials complicit in trafficking crimes, especially with minors in government-run homes or placement centers, were not prosecuted; government funding of services for child trafficking victims remained inadequate (2020) Topic: Russiacurrent situation: Russia is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking, although labor trafficking is the predominant problem; people from Russia and other countries in Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and Asia, including Vietnam and North Korea, are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Russia’s construction, manufacturing, agriculture, repair shop, and domestic services industries, as well as forced begging and narcotics cultivation; North Koreans contracted under bilateral government arrangements to work in the timber industry in the Russian Far East reportedly are subjected to forced labor; Russian women and children were reported to be victims of sex trafficking in Russia, Northeast Asia, Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, while women from European, African, and Central Asian countries were reportedly forced into prostitution in Russia tier rating: Tier 3 — Russia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, is not making significant efforts to do, and remains in Tier 3; the government took some steps to address trafficking by convicting some traffickers, facilitating the return of Russian children from Iraq and Syria, and identifying some victims, including foreign nationals; however, there was a government policy of forced labor, the number of victims identified was negligible, and authorities penalized potential victims without screening for signs of trafficking; the government offered no funding or programs for trafficking victims’ rehabilitation, prosecutions remained low compared with the scope of Russia’s trafficking problem, no national anti-trafficking strategy has been drafted, and government agencies have not been assigned roles or responsibilities (2020) Topic: Saudi Arabiacurrent situation: Saudi Arabia is a destination country for men and women subjected to forced labor and, to a lesser extent, forced prostitution; men and women primarily from South and Southeast Asia and Africa voluntarily travel to Saudi Arabia to work in domestic service, construction, agriculture or other low-skilled jobs, but some subsequently face conditions indicative of involuntary servitude (many are forced to work months or years beyond their contract term because employers withhold passports and required exit visas); women, primarily from Asian and African countries, are reported to be forced into prostitution in Saudi Arabia tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Saudi Arabia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; the government enacted the country’s first-ever national referral mechanism (NRM) and increased the number of prosecutions and convictions under the anti-trafficking law; victims are identified and referred for care; the government convicted and sentenced two Saudi officials complicit in trafficking crimes; however, the government continued to fine, jail, and/or deport migrant workers for prostitution or immigration violations who may have been trafficking victims; authorities regularly misclassified potential trafficking crimes as labor law violations rather than as criminal offenses (2020)Tier 2 Watch List — Saudi Arabia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but is making significant efforts to do so and was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; Topic: Senegalcurrent situation: Senegal is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women who are subjected to forced begging, forced labor, and sex trafficking; traffickers subject Senegalese children to forced labor in domestic service, mining, and prostitution; some Senegalese boys from Quranic schools and boys from The Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea are forced to beg; Senegalese women and girls are forced into domestic servitude in neighboring countries, Europe, and the Middle East, while others are sexually exploited in Senegal; women and girls from other West African countries are subjected to domestic servitude and sexual exploitation in Senegal; Ukrainian and Chinese women are exploited for sex trafficking in bars and nightclubs; North Korean workers are forced to work in construction tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Senegal does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include establishing an anti-trafficking database; planning the third phase of its program to remove vulnerable children, including trafficking victims, from the streets of major cities; launching an emergency campaign to place vulnerable children and forced begging victims in shelters due to COVID 19 pandemic; however, the government rarely proactively investigated or prosecuted traffickers exploiting children in forced begging; authorities did not take action against officials who refused to investigate such cases; officials only applied adequate prison terms in accordance with the 2005 anti-trafficking law to two convicted traffickers; authorities did not identify any adult trafficking victims; government officials continued to have a limited knowledge of trafficking; Senegal was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Seychellescurrent situation: Seychelles is a source and destination country for children and women subjected to sex trafficking; Seychellois girls and, to a lesser extent boys, are forced into prostitution in nightclubs, bars, guest houses, hotels, brothels, private homes, and on the streets by peers, family members, and pimps; foreign tourists, sailors, and migrant workers contribute to the demand for commercial sex acts in Seychelles; some of the large population of foreign migrant workers reportedly experience the underpayment of wages and substandard housing tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Seychelles does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government allocated an operational and programmatic budget to the National Coordinating Committee on Trafficking in Persons, signed a bilateral agreement outlining procedures for employment and repatriation in Seychelles of migrant workers from Bangladesh and established a hotline to report forced labor concerns; however, no victims of trafficking were identified; efforts to address sex trafficking remained inadequate, its standard operating procedures for victim identification and referral to care services were not implemented; there are no shelters or care facilities for trafficking victims; investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers decreased; Seychelles did not establish a secretariat to support the Coordinating Committee, hindering the committee’s ability to direct anti-trafficking efforts across government and drive national policy; Seychelles was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: South Sudancurrent situation: South Sudan is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; South Sudanese women and girls, particularly those who are internally displaced or from rural areas, are vulnerable to forced labor and sexual exploitation in urban centers; the rising number of street children and child laborers are also exploited for forced labor and prostitution; women and girls from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo are trafficked to South Sudan with promises of legitimate jobs and are forced into the sex trade; inter-ethnic abductions continue between some communities in South Sudan; government forces use children to fight and perpetrate violence against other children and civilians, to serve as scouts, escorts, cooks, and cleaners, and to carry heavy loads while on the move tier rating: Tier 3 — South Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so: the government’s efforts include forming and staffing an anti-trafficking inter-ministerial task force, releasing 286 child soldiers, and identifying 19 potential trafficking victims; however, the recruitment of child soldiers by security and law enforcement continues and neither was held criminally responsible; authorities did not investigate or prosecute forced labor or sex trafficking crimes and made no effort to identify and protect trafficking victims; authorities continued to arrest and imprison child sex trafficking victims without screening for indicators of trafficking (2020)Tier 3 — South Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so: the government’s efforts include forming and staffing an anti-trafficking inter-ministerial task force, releasing 286 child soldiers, and identifying 19 potential trafficking victims; however, the recruitment of child soldiers by security and law enforcement continues and neither was held criminally responsible; authorities did not investigate or prosecute forced labor or sex trafficking crimes and made no effort to identify and protect trafficking victims; authorities continued to arrest and imprison child sex trafficking victims without screening for indicators of trafficking (2020) Topic: Sri Lankacurrent situation: Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking cases involve traffickers forcing Sri Lankan workers into labor overseas; men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States in construction, garment manufacturing, and domestic service; authorities have identified labor trafficking victims among Sri Lankan female migrant workers who seek employment in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Japan, and South Korea; traffickers force children, individuals with physical deformities, and those from socially vulnerable groups to beg or engage in criminal activity in Sri Lanka’s largest cities tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Sri Lanka does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include convicting traffickers under its trafficking statute, identifying victims, and working on anti-trafficking training and raising awareness; however, some officials reportedly complicit in trafficking are inadequately investigated; fewer victims were identified in country and abroad; social and legal assistance for victims remained inadequate and inconsistent; the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment did not refer potential trafficking cases to police for criminal investigation; police continued to arrest  trafficking victims for prostitution, vagrancy, and immigration offenses; child sex trafficking victims remained in government detention centers (2020) Topic: Sudancurrent situation: Sudan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; traffickers exploit homeless children and unaccompanied migrant children from West and Central Africa in forced labor for begging, public transportation, large markets, and in sex trafficking; business owners, informal mining operators, community members, and farmers exploit children in brick-making factories, gold mining, collecting medical waste, street vending, and agriculture; children are exposed to threats, physical and sexual abuse, and hazardous working conditions; criminal groups exploit Sudanese women and girls from rural areas in domestic work and in sex trafficking; Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, a semi-autonomous paramilitary branch of the government, have been accused of recruiting child soldiers, which they deny; Eritrean, Ethiopian, and other Africans refugees at government encampments risk exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Sudan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities prosecuted more suspected traffickers and launched an awareness campaign; the government streamlined its national anti-trafficking mechanism and focused resources on the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking; a national action plan was drafted, finalized, and approved; Sudanese Armed Forces officials launched a unit for child protection efforts in conflict areas and trained more than 5,000 members of its military on child protection issues; however, the Rapid Support Forces, a semi-autonomous paramilitary branch of the government, is reported to have recruited child soldiers and government authorities have acknowledged there are child soldiers among demobilizing forces covered under the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement; the government has not developed a system to identify, demobilize, and rehabilitate victims; officials’ denial of trafficking, smuggling, and kidnapping for ransom impeded anti-trafficking efforts; investigations and convictions of trafficking crimes decreased; Sudan was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3; Sudan remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year (2020) Topic: Syriacurrent situation: due to Syria’s civil war, hundreds of thousands of Syrians, foreign migrant workers, and refugees have fled the country and are vulnerable to human trafficking; the lack of security and inaccessibility of the majority of the country makes it impossible to conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of the ongoing conflict on the scope and magnitude of Syria’s human trafficking situation; prior to the uprising, the Syrian armed forces and opposition forces used Syrian children in combat and support roles and as human shields tier rating: Tier 3 — Syria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government does not hold any traffickers, including complicit officials, criminally accountable for trafficking; no trafficking victims were identified or received protection during the reporting period; government and pro-Syrian militias continued to forcibly recruit and use child soldiers; the government does not prevent armed opposition forces and designated terrorist organizations from recruiting children; authorities continued to arrest, detain, and severely abuse trafficking victims, including child soldiers, and punished them for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit (2020) Topic: Tanzaniacurrent situation: Tanzania is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the exploitation of young girls in domestic servitude continues to be Tanzania’s largest human trafficking problem; Tanzanian boys are subject to forced labor mainly on farms but also in mines, in the commercial service sector, in the sex trade, and possibly on small fishing boats; internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking and is usually facilitated by friends, family members, or intermediaries offering education or legitimate job opportunities; trafficking victims from Burundi, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nepal, Yemen, and India are forced to work in Tanzania’s agricultural, mining, and domestic service sectors or may be sex trafficked; traffickers transported Tanzanian children with physical disabilities to Kenya to work as beggars or in massage parlors; girls forced to donate a kidney to pay for supposed transportation fees to the United Arab Emirates; traffickers subject Tanzanians to forced labor, including in domestic service, and sex trafficking in other African countries, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the United States tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Tanzania does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts were made to  identify and refer victims for care; investigations and convictions of traffickers, training for officials, and public awareness campaigns were increased along with a National Guideline for Safe Houses; however, the government did not amend its law to remove sentencing provisions that allow fines in lieu of imprisonment; fewer prosecutions were initiated; the government did not implement the 2018-2021 national action plan; officials did not fully implement the creation of the anti-trafficking fund nor disperse funds; no formal victim identification and protection was provided (2020) Topic: Timor-Lestecurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Timor-Leste, and traffickers exploit victims from Timor-Leste abroad; traffickers exploit Timorese women, girls, and occasionally young men and boys from rural areas in sex trafficking or domestic servitude; Timorese men are exploited in forced labor in agriculture, construction, and mining; families place children in bonded domestic and agricultural labor to pay debts; traffickers deceive young men and women with promises of a scholarship or employment opportunities in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries in the region only taking them to a different county, taking their passports, and forcing them into labor, including domestic servitude; sex traffickers in Timor-Leste prey on foreign women from East and Southeast Asia; traffickers also recruit Timorese women to send them to China, Indonesia, or Malaysia for commercial sex tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Timor-Leste does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include re-establishing funding to NGOs for victim services and integrating an anti-trafficking curriculum for officials; however, authorities decreased investigations and convictions; victim protection services were inadequate, and no government-wide standard operating procedures for victim identification were implemented; understanding of trafficking remains low among officials (2020) Topic: Turkmenistancurrent situation: Turkmenistan is a source, and to a much lesser degree, destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen in search of work in other countries are forced to work in textile sweatshops, construction, and domestic service; some Turkmen women and girls are sex trafficked abroad; Turkey is the primary trafficking destination, followed by Russia, India, and other countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe; labor trafficking occurs within Turkmenistan, particularly in the construction industry; government officials require employees in private sector institutions, soldiers, and public sector workers to pick cotton without payment under the threat of penalty, such as dismissal, reduced work hours, or salary deductions to meet government-imposed quotas for the cotton harvest tier rating: Tier 3 — Turkmenistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government approved the 2020-2022 national action plan, continued anti-trafficking awareness campaigns, worked with international organizations on combating trafficking, provided training to its diplomatic corps on human trafficking, and identified potential trafficking victims at the international airport; however, the  government used forced labor in the cotton harvest and public works projects; no officials were held accountable for their role in trafficking crimes; authorities did not prosecute or convict any traffickers; no victims were identified and offered protection or assistance programs (2020) Topic: Ugandacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Uganda, and traffickers exploit victims from Uganda abroad; young Ugandan children are exploited in forced labor in agriculture, fishing, forestry, cattle herding, mining, stone quarrying, brick making, carpentry, steel manufacturing, street vending, bars, restaurants, gold mining, and domestic service; traffickers exploit girls and boys in commercial sex; most are children from the northeastern region and are exploited in forced begging, commercial sex in brothels, or sold in markets; traffickers compel  children from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan into forced agricultural labor and sex trafficking in Uganda; young women most at risk for transnational trafficking seek employment as domestic workers in the Middle East and then are exploited in sex trafficking; traffickers subject Ugandans to forced labor and sex trafficking in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Bahrain, Jordan, China, Kenya, and India; traffickers are often relatives, friends of victims, or religious leaders who receive a fee per worker from recruiters tier rating: Tier 2 Watch list — Uganda does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include investigating allegations of complicit officials, implementing the protection and prevention provisions of the 2009 anti-trafficking act, convicting alleged traffickers, developing a plan for an anti-trafficking department within the police force; however, the government reported the lowest number of investigations in the past five years and a substantial decrease in prosecutions; authorities provided no training for law enforcement and immigration officials and identified fewer victims; the Coordination Office for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons is severely underfunded, stifling efforts to coordinate and combat trafficking; no systematic procedures to refer or assist victims have been developed, and the government provides no resources to NGOs for protective services; Uganda was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List (2020) Topic: Uzbekistancurrent situation: Uzbekistan is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; adults are victims of government-organized forced labor during Uzbekistan’s annual cotton harvest; local officials in some instances force teachers, students (including children), private businesses employees, and others to work in construction and other forms of non-cotton agriculture and to clean parks, streets, and buildings; traffickers exploit Uzbek women and children in sex trafficking in the Middle East, Eurasia, and Asia, and internally in brothels, clubs, and private residences; traffickers subject Uzbek men, and to a lesser extent women, to forced labor in Kazakhstan, Russia, Moldova, Turkey, and in other Asian, Middle Eastern, and European countries in the construction, oil and gas, agricultural, retail, and food sectors tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Uzbekistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; government efforts included addressing the use of forced adult labor during the cotton harvest by increasing pay to laborers and improving working conditions for voluntary workers and ceasing the forced use of students, teachers, and health care workers; third-party monitors were allowed access to the harvest to view changes; the government created a National Commission on Trafficking chaired by the regional governor in every area of the country; however, reports continued of corrupt officials requiring public sector employees to pick cotton or pay for a replacement worker with extorted penalties paid to them; fewer cases of traffickers were investigated and prosecuted, fewer victims of trafficking were identified, and fewer convictions carried a prison sentence; authorities conducted no investigations against corrupt officials extorting money during the cotton harvest (2020) Topic: Venezuelacurrent situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; women from Colombia, Peru, Haiti, China, and South Africa are also reported to have been sexually exploited in Venezuela; some Venezuelan women are transported to Caribbean islands, particularly Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago, where they are subjected to forced prostitution; some Venezuelan children are forced to beg on the streets or work as domestic servants, while Ecuadorian children, often from indigenous communities, are subjected to forced labor; the government provided support to FARC dissidents and the ELN, which grew through the recruitment of child soldiers and exploitation of children in sex trafficking and forced labor; Illegal armed groups lure children in vulnerable conditions and dire economic circumstances with gifts and promises of basic sustenance to later recruit them into their ranks tier rating: Tier 3 — Venezuela does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government created a specialized prosecutor’s office to oversee trafficking investigations and prosecutions; authorities began legal proceedings against three complicit officials in a notable case; however, the government did not assist any victims or investigate, prosecute, or convict any traffickers; little effort was made to curb the forced recruitment of Venezuelan children by Colombian armed groups operating illegally in Venezuela; authorities made little effort to screen Cuban medical professionals for trafficking indicators as the Cuban Government may have forced them to work by withholding their documentation, and coercing them to falsify medical records (2020) Topic: Vietnamcurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Vietnam, and traffickers exploit Vietnamese abroad; Vietnamese men and women who migrate abroad for work may be subject to exploitation and illegally high fees from recruiters trapping them in debt bondage; traffickers subject victims to forced labor in construction, fishing, agriculture, mining, maritime industries, logging, and manufacturing, primarily in Taiwan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Laos, Japan, and to a lesser extent, some parts of Europe and the UK; traffickers mislead Vietnamese women and children with fraudulent employment opportunities and sex traffick them to brothels on the borders of China, Cambodia, Laos, and elsewhere in Asia; traffickers use the Internet, gaming sites, and particularly social media to lure victims; domestic traffickers are sometimes  family members or small-scale networks exploiting Vietnamese men, women, and children - including street children and children with disabilities - in forced labor as street beggars or in brick kilns and mines; child sex tourists from elsewhere in Asia and other countries exploit children; prisoners reportedly are forced to work in agriculture, manufacturing, and hazardous industries, such as cashew processing tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Vietnam does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include providing trafficking victims the right to legal representation in judicial proceedings, increasing the amount of shelter time for victims by one month, providing financial support, continuing large-scale awareness campaigns in vulnerable communities and to workers going overseas, and training law enforcement; however, fewer victims were identified or assisted and procedures remained slow and ineffective; provincial officials unfamiliar with anti-trafficking law impede anti-trafficking efforts; labor recruitment firms extorted illegal high fees from workers looking for overseas employment putting them at risk for forced labor; no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of officials complicit in trafficking offenses were made (2020) Topic: Worldcurrent situation: approximately 800,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked annually across national borders, not including millions trafficked within their own countries; at least 80% of the victims are female and up to 50% are minors; 75% of all victims are trafficked into commercial sexual exploitation; almost two-thirds of the global victims are trafficked intra-regionally within East Asia and the Pacific (260,000 to 280,000 people) and Europe and Eurasia (170,000 to 210,000 people) Tier 2 Watch List:  (44 countries) Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Curacao, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia Tier 3:  (19 countries) Afghanistan, Algeria, Belarus, Burma, Burundi, China, Comoros, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Lesotho, Nicaragua, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Russia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Venezuela (2020) Topic: Zambiacurrent situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Zambia and Zambians abroad; most trafficking occurs within Zambia’s borders, with traffickers exploiting women and children from rural areas in cities in domestic servitude or forced labor in agriculture, textile production, mining, construction, small businesses, such as bakeries, and forced begging; Jerabo gangs force Zambian children into illegal mining operations, such as loading stolen copper or crushing rocks; truck drivers exploit Zambian boys and girls in sex trafficking in towns along the Zimbabwean and Tanzanian borders, and miners exploit them in Solwezi; Zambian boys are exploited for sex trafficking in Zimbabwe and women and girls in South Africa; traffickers exploit victims from Tanzania and Malawi in the Zambian timber industry tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Zambia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making efforts to do so; efforts included increasing law enforcement training, establishing two fast-track human trafficking courts, conducting awareness campaigns about human trafficking, slightly increasing prosecutions and convictions, and strengthening prison sentences given to traffickers; however; investigations of trafficking crimes and funding to shelters and other victim assistance programs decreased; authorities did not proactively screen for trafficking among vulnerable populations, including foreign nationals and those involved in commercial sex; authorities detained and deported potential trafficking victims involved in smuggling; the national inter-ministerial committee is weak in overseeing national anti-trafficking efforts and trends (2020) Topic: Zimbabwecurrent situation: Zimbabwe is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and girls from towns bordering South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia are subjected to forced labor, including domestic servitude, and prostitution catering to long-distance truck drivers; Zimbabwean men, women, and children experience forced labor in agriculture and domestic servitude in rural areas; family members may recruit children and other relatives from rural areas with promises of work or education in cities and towns where they end up in domestic servitude and sex trafficking; Zimbabwean women and men are lured into exploitative labor situations in South Africa and other neighboring countries tier rating: Tier 3 - Zimbabwe does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government passed an anti-trafficking law in 2014 defining trafficking in persons as a crime of transportation and failing to capture the key element of the international definition of human trafficking – the purpose of exploitation – which prevents the law from being comprehensive or consistent with the 2000 UN TIP Protocol that Zimbabwe acceded to in 2013; the government did not report on anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts during 2014, and corruption in law enforcement and the judiciary remain a concern; authorities made minimal efforts to identify and protect trafficking victims, relying on NGOs to identify and assist victims; Zimbabwe’s 2014 anti-trafficking law required the opening of 10 centers for trafficking victims, but none were established during the year; five existing shelters for vulnerable children and orphans may have accommodated child victims; in January 2015, an inter-ministerial anti-trafficking committee was established, but it is unclear if the committee ever met or initiated any activities (2015)

20220901

countries-palau-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence.After three decades as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific under US administration, this westernmost cluster of the Caroline Islands opted for independence in 1978 rather than join the Federated States of Micronesia. A Compact of Free Association with the US was approved in 1986 but not ratified until 1993. It entered into force the following year when the islands gained independence. Topic: Geography Area: total: 459 sq km land: 459 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals Topic: People and Society Population: 21,695 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, Caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.) Languages: Palauan (official on most islands) 65.2%, other Micronesian 1.9%, English (official) 19.1%, Filipino 9.9%, Chinese 1.2%, other 2.8% (2015 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical 26.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.9%, Assembly of God .9%, Baptist .7%), Modekngei 5.7% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 9.7% (2015 est.) Population growth rate: 0.39% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic in free association with the US Capital: name: Ngerulmud Executive branch: chief of state: President Surangel WHIPPS Jr. (since 21 January 2021); Vice President Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau SENIOR (since 21 January 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Surangel WHIPPS Jr. (since 21 January 2021); Vice President Jerrlyn Uduch Sengebau SENIOR (since 21 January 2021) Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Olbiil Era Kelulau consists of: Senate (13 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms) House of Delegates (16 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: high-income Pacific island economy; major subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; reliant on US aid; strong tourism has prompted sustainability oversight mechanism; severely disrupted by COVID-19high-income Pacific island economy; major subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; reliant on US aid; strong tourism has prompted sustainability oversight mechanism; severely disrupted by COVID-19 Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $320 million (2019 est.) Real GDP per capita: $17,600 (2019 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra Industries: tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture Exports: $23.17 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: Japan 70%, South Korea 15%, United States 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish, computers, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts, scrap vessels (2019) Imports: $4.715 billion (2018 est.) Imports - partners: South Korea 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 17%, United States 17%, Japan 16% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fish, cars, broadcasting equipment, modeling instruments (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022

20220901

countries-timor-leste-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Timor-Leste due to crime and civil unrest. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for each entry stamp/visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country. US Embassy/Consulate: +(670) 332-4684; EMER: +(670) 7723-1328; US Embassy Dili, Av. de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili, Timor-Leste; ConsDili@state.gov; https://tl.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 670 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance and Fire: 115; Police: 112; 331 2383 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons Currency (Code): US Dollar (USD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): E, G, I Major Languages: Tetun Prasa, Mambai, Makasai, Tetun Terik, Baikenu, Kemak, Bunak, Tokodede, Fataluku: note: there are about 32 indigenous languages Major Religions: Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2% Time Difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Dili (includes Cristo Rei, Resistance Museum, Tais Market); Jesus Backside Beach; Atauro Island; Lake Ira Lalaro; Jaco Island; Mount Ramelau; Marobo Hot Springs Major Sports: Soccer, boxing Cultural Practices: Timorese women are usually modestly dressed. It would be respectful, as a tourist, to dress likewise. Tipping Guidelines: Service charges are not added to bills automatically. Leave a 10% tip if the service warrants it. Tipping is not seen as a necessity, but a reward for good service. Souvenirs: Tais woven fabric, Batik and embroidered fabrics, shell and pearl jewelry, handmade bags, woodcarvings, silverwork Traditional Cuisine: Ikan pepes — fish is coated in a paste made with ingredients including turmeric, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, shrimp paste, palm sugar, lemon basil, tamarind, lemongrass, and chili peppers and then wrapped in banana leaves; the parcels are steamed or grilled and served with lime or lemon wedges on the side Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022

20220901

field-marine-fisheries

This entry describes the major fisheries in the world's oceans in terms of the area covered, their ranking in terms of the global catch, the main producing countries, and the principal species caught. The information is provided by the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Topic: Arctic Oceanthe Arctic fishery region (Region 18) is the smallest in the world with a catch of only 515 mt in 2019, although the Food and Agriculture Organization assesses that some Arctic catches are reported in adjacent regions; Russia and Canada were historically the major producers; in 2017, Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the US, along with the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, agreed to a 16 year ban on fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean to allow for time to study the ecological system of these waters Regional fisheries bodies: International Council for the Exploration of the Seas Topic: Atlantic Oceanthe Atlantic Ocean fisheries are the second most important in the world accounting for 26.4%, or 21,063,495 mt, of the global catch in 2019; of the seven regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Atlantic basin, the most important include the following: Northeast Atlantic region (Region 27) is the fourth most important in the world producing 10.2% of the global catch or 8,116,507 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 36º North latitude and east of 40º West longitude with the major producers including Norway (3,528,240 mt), Russia (1,044,153 mt), Iceland (933,019 mt), UK (823,669 mt), and Denmark (641,927 mt); the region includes the historically important fishing grounds of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the British Isles; the principal catches include Atlantic cod, haddock, saithe (pollock), Blue Whiting, herring, and mackerel; not all fish caught are for human consumption, half of fish catches in the North Sea are processed as fish oil or fish meal, which are used in animal fodder Eastern Central Atlantic region (Region 34) is the second most important Atlantic fishery, and sixth largest in the world producing more than 6.8% of the global catch or 5,397,726 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters between 36º North and 6º South latitude and east of 40º West longitude off the west coast of Africa with the major producers including Morocco (1,419,872 mt), Mauritania (705,850 mt), Senegal (472,571 mt), Nigeria (451,768 mt), Ghana (303,001 mt), Cameroon (265,969 mt), and Sierra Leone (200,000 mt); the principal catches include pilchard, sardinellas, shad, and mackerel Northwest Atlantic region (Region 21) is the third most important Atlantic fishery and eighth in the world producing 2% of the global catch and 1,679,512 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 35º North latitude and west of 42º West longitude including the important fishing grounds over the continental shelf of North America such as the Grand Banks, the Georges Bank, and the Flemish Cap, as well as Baffin Bay with the major producers including the US (927,777 mt), Canada (615,651 mt), and Greenland (179,990 mt); the principal catches include sea scallops, prawns, lobster, herring, and menhaden Mediterranean and Black Sea region (Region 37) is a minor fishing region representing 1.7% or 1,385,190 mt of the world’s total capture in 2019; the region encompasses all waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar with the major producers including Turkey (686,650 mt), Italy (281,212 mt), Tunisia (129,325 mt), Spain (119,759 mt), and Russia (72,279 mt); the principal catches include European anchovy, European pilchard, Gobies, and clams Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Organization, Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commissionthe Atlantic Ocean fisheries are the second most important in the world accounting for 26.4%, or 21,063,495 mt, of the global catch in 2019; of the seven regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Atlantic basin, the most important include the following:Northeast Atlantic region (Region 27) is the fourth most important in the world producing 10.2% of the global catch or 8,116,507 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 36º North latitude and east of 40º West longitude with the major producers including Norway (3,528,240 mt), Russia (1,044,153 mt), Iceland (933,019 mt), UK (823,669 mt), and Denmark (641,927 mt); the region includes the historically important fishing grounds of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the British Isles; the principal catches include Atlantic cod, haddock, saithe (pollock), Blue Whiting, herring, and mackerel; not all fish caught are for human consumption, half of fish catches in the North Sea are processed as fish oil or fish meal, which are used in animal fodderEastern Central Atlantic region (Region 34) is the second most important Atlantic fishery, and sixth largest in the world producing more than 6.8% of the global catch or 5,397,726 mt in 2019; the region encompasses the waters between 36º North and 6º South latitude and east of 40º West longitude off the west coast of Africa with the major producers including Morocco (1,419,872 mt), Mauritania (705,850 mt), Senegal (472,571 mt), Nigeria (451,768 mt), Ghana (303,001 mt), Cameroon (265,969 mt), and Sierra Leone (200,000 mt); the principal catches include pilchard, sardinellas, shad, and mackerelNorthwest Atlantic region (Region 21) is the third most important Atlantic fishery and eighth in the world producing 2% of the global catch and 1,679,512 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 35º North latitude and west of 42º West longitude including the important fishing grounds over the continental shelf of North America such as the Grand Banks, the Georges Bank, and the Flemish Cap, as well as Baffin Bay with the major producers including the US (927,777 mt), Canada (615,651 mt), and Greenland (179,990 mt); the principal catches include sea scallops, prawns, lobster, herring, and menhadenMediterranean and Black Sea region (Region 37) is a minor fishing region representing 1.7% or 1,385,190 mt of the world’s total capture in 2019; the region encompasses all waters east of the Strait of Gibraltar with the major producers including Turkey (686,650 mt), Italy (281,212 mt), Tunisia (129,325 mt), Spain (119,759 mt), and Russia (72,279 mt); the principal catches include European anchovy, European pilchard, Gobies, and clams Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic, Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea, General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Organization, Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission Topic: Indian Oceanthe Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean: Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas Western Indian Ocean region (Region 51) is the world’s sixth largest producing region with more than 6.8% or 5,463,286 mt of the global catch in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º South latitude and west of 80º East longitude including the western Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea as well as the waters along the east coast of Africa and Madagascar, the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and the west coast of India with major producers including India (2,207,125 mt), Oman (580,048 mt), Pakistan (341,730 mt), and Mozambique (274,791 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, mackerel, sardines, shrimp, and cephalopods Regional fisheries bodies: Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Regional Commission for Fisheries (Persian Gulf/Gulf of Oman), Southeast Asia Fisheries Development Center, Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission, South Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreementthe Indian Ocean fisheries are the third most important in the world accounting for 15.3%, or 12,248,064 mt of the global catch in 2019; tuna, small pelagic fish, and shrimp are important species in these regions; the Food and Agriculture Organization delineated two fishing regions in the Indian Ocean:Eastern Indian Ocean region (Region 57) is the most important region and the fifth largest producing region in the world with 8.5%, or 6,784,778 mt, of the global catch in 2019; the region encompasses the waters north of 55º South latitude and east of 80º East longitude including the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea with the major producers including India (2,362,481 mt), Indonesia (1,940,558 mt), Burma (1,114,777 mt), Bangladesh (877,837 mt), and Sri Lanka (373,369 mt); the principal catches include shad, Skipjack tuna, mackerel, shrimp, and sardinellas Topic: Pacific Oceanthe Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important: Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scads Western Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopods Southeast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel Pacific Northeast region (Region 67) is the fourth largest Pacific Ocean fishery and seventh largest in the world producing 4% of the global catch or 3,160,372 mt in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º North latitude and east of 175º West longitude including the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea with the major producers including the US (3,009,568 mt), Canada (276,677 mt), and Russia (6,908 mt); the principal catches include Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, and North Pacific hake Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, North Pacific Fisheries Commission, South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commissionthe Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important:Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scadsWestern Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopodsSoutheast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel Topic: Southern Oceanthe Southern Ocean fishery is relatively small with a total catch of 380,771 mt in 2019; the Food and Agriculture Organization has delineated three regions in the Southern Ocean (Regions 48, 58, 88) that generally encompass the waters south of 40° to 60° South latitude; the most important producers in these regions include Norway (230,258 mt), China (50,381 mt), and South Korea (43,336 mt); Antarctic Krill made up 96% of the total catch in 2019, while other important species include Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish Regional fisheries bodies: Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

20220901

field-budget-surplus-or-deficit-country-comparison

20220901

countries-dominica-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Dominica. Consult its website daily via the link below for any travel advisories about visiting this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days. US Embassy/Consulate: US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica; US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy in Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI; https://bb.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 1 Local Emergency Phone: 999 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Currency (Code): Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): D, G Major Languages: English, French patois Major Religions: Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 29.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 1.1% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Boiling Lake; Morne Trois Pitons National Park; Titou Gorge Major Sports: Cricket, soccer Cultural Practices: Drawing air through the teeth to make a sucking sound is used to express anger or annoyance. Tipping Guidelines: Tips of 10% are expected at restaurants unless service charges are added. It is appropriate to tip a housekeeper $1-2 (USD) per night for good service. Souvenirs: Grass and reed rugs and bags, Carib baskets, herbs and spices, pottery, jewelry, coconut items, rumPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination. World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination. US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens. To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) How to get help in an emergency?  Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444 Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

countries-brunei

Topic: Photos of Brunei Topic: Introduction Background: The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of decline brought on by internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. In 2017, Brunei celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia Geographic coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 5,765 sq km land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware Land boundaries: total: 266 km border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km Coastline: 161 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Elevation: highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 478 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber Land use: agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.) forest: 71.8% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012) Natural hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare Geography - note: close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia Map description: Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea.Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 478,054 (2022 est.) note: immigrants make up approximately 26% of the total population, according to UN data (2019) Nationality: noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian Ethnic groups: Malay 65.8%, Chinese 10.2%, other 24% (2020 est.) Languages: Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official) 80.9%, Christian 7.1%, Buddhist 7.1%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 5% (2016 est.) Demographic profile: Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs. Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service.  Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs.Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service. Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force. Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.41% (male 53,653/female 50,446) 15-24 years: 16.14% (male 37,394/female 37,559) 25-54 years: 47.21% (male 103,991/female 115,291) 55-64 years: 8.34% (male 19,159/female 19,585) 65 years and over: 5.9% (2020 est.) (male 13,333/female 14,067) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 38.7 youth dependency ratio: 31 elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 potential support ratio: 12.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 31.1 years male: 30.5 years female: 31.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.45% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.14 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011) note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 31 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.38 years male: 76.01 years female: 80.86 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: NA total: 99.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2020) Current Health Expenditure: 2.2% (2019) Physicians density: 1.61 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 14.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 16.2% (2020 est.) male: 30% (2020 est.) female: 2.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.2% male: 98.1% female: 93.4% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4% male: 19% female: 25.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: no major environmental problems, but air pollution control is becoming a concern; seasonal trans-boundary haze from forest fires in Indonesia Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 5.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7.66 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 8.4 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy Land use: agricultural land: 2.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.) forest: 71.8% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.05% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 8.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which roughly translates as "there" or "that's it" Government type: absolute monarchy or sultanate Capital: name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986; "The Father of Independence") who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximate meaning "honored lord") upon his abdication in 1967; "bandar" in Malay means "town" or "city"; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei Town) Administrative divisions: 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong Independence: 1 January 1984 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June Constitution: history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959; note - some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a State of Emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984 amendments: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council; amended several times, last in 2010 Legal system: mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law; note - in April 2019, the full sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with present common law codes International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years Suffrage: 18 years of age for village elections; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council; Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah is also Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries elections: January 2017 - appointed by the sultan election results: NA; composition (as of February 2022) - men 30, women 3, percent of women 9.1% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court); note - Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts Political parties and leaders: National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity International organization participation: ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dato Paduka Haji Serbini bin Haji ALI (since 28 January 2016) chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 email address and website: info@bruneiembassy.org http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021) embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC  20521-4020 telephone: (673) 238-7400 FAX: (673) 238-7533 email address and website: ConsularBrunei@state.gov https://bn.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers; the emblem includes five main components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, the two upraised hands signifying the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the state religion; the state motto "Always render service with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace" National symbol(s): royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black National anthem: name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap note: adopted 1951 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market.   Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level.   The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level. The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.23 billion (2020 est.) $26.91 billion (2019 est.) $25.9 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.3% (2017 est.) -2.5% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $62,200 (2020 est.) $62,100 (2019 est.) $60,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $12.13 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.2% (2017 est.) -0.7% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.) industry: 56.6% (2017 est.) services: 42.3% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 25% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 8.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 45.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -36.8% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: poultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation Industrial production growth rate: 1.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 203,600 (2014 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.2% industry: 62.8% services: 33% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2017 est.) 6.9% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4% male: 19% female: 25.8% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 2.245 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.345 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 2.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $2.021 billion (2017 est.) $1.47 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $7.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $7.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Japan 34%, Australia 12%, Singapore 10%, India 8%, Malaysia 8%, Thailand 7%, China 6%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, industrial hydrocarbons (2019) Imports: $6.81 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.68 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Singapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $0 (2014) $0 (2013) note: public external debt only; private external debt unavailable Exchange rates: Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.33685 (2020 est.) 1.35945 (2019 est.) 1.3699 (2018 est.) 1.3749 (2014 est.) 1.267 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.261 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 4,140,140,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 497 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 107,300 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 18,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 103,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 10,310 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 12,498,299,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 4,166,987,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 7,774,406,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.956 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.387 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.569 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 415.184 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 103,885 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 526,589 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Brunei Darussalam seemed poised to start its economic recovery from the double blow it received to its GDP in 2020 from the Covid-19 crisis and a global slump in oil prices; Brunei’s mobile market experienced a sharp a sharp drop-off in subscriber numbers in 2020; in 2022 there was a concerted effort to build out the fixed-line infrastructure while progressing towards introducing 5G mobile services; Brunei’s fixed-line market is one of the few countries in the world to have displayed significant growth rather than a decline in teledensity in the last few years; this upward trend is set to continue as the new Unified National Network (UNN) works diligently to expand and enhance the fixed-line infrastructure around the country; strong growth was also seen in the fixed broadband space, on the back of those same infrastructure developments that are part of the Brunei Vision 2035 initiative; fixed broadband is starting from a relatively low base by international standards and is still only at 18%, leaving lots of room for growth; mobile and mobile broadband, on the other hand, are still suffering from the market contractions first felt in 2020; rates for both segments were already extremely high so the decline may simply be a reflection of those users with services that were purely discretionary; Brunei’s 2G GSM network is shut down, with the spectrum to be reallocated to 3G, 4G, and potentially 5G use. (2021) domestic: every service available; nearly 24 per 100 fixed-line, 120 per 100 mobile-cellular (2020) international: country code - 673; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-3, SJC, AAG, Lubuan-Brunei Submarine Cable via optical telecommunications submarine cables that provides links to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean) (2019) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters Internet country code: .bn Internet users: total: 415,609 (2020 est.) percent of population: 95% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 71,078 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,234,455 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 129.35 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V8 Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Pipelines: 33 km condensate, 86 km condensate/gas, 628 km gas, 492 km oil (2013) Roadways: total: 2,976 km (2014) paved: 2,559 km (2014) unpaved: 417 km (2014) Waterways: 209 km (2012) (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links) Merchant marine: total: 96 by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 3, other 75 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Muara oil terminal(s): Lumut, Seria LNG terminal(s) (export): Lumut Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Royal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2022) Military expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $870 million) 2.7% of GDP (2018) (approximately $720 million) 2.8% of GDP (2017) (approximately $750 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,000 total active troops (4,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Royal Brunei Armed Forces imports nearly all of its military equipment and weapons systems and has a variety of suppliers, including the US and several European countries (2021) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service; non-Malays are ineligible to serve; recruits from the army, navy, and air force all undergo 43-week initial training (2021) Military - note: Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the United Kingdom and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also hosts a Singaporean military training base (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reefper Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei; nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reef Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 20,863 (mid-year 2021); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning land Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit foreign victims in Brunei; some men and women who migrate to Brunei to work as domestics or in retail or construction are subject to involuntary servitude, debt-based coercion, contract switching, non-payment of wages, passport confiscation, physical abuse, or confinement; some female migrants entering Brunei on tourist visas are forced into prostitution; some traffickers use Brunei as a transit point for victims used for sex and labor trafficking in Malaysia and Indonesia tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government enacted the 2019 Trafficking in Persons Order, which criminalized sex and labor trafficking and separated trafficking crimes from migrant smuggling crimes; the government formalized its interagency anti-trafficking in persons committee; instituted a committee to review foreign worker recruitment practices, ratified the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, and acceded to the UN TIP Protocol; however, authorities did not formally identify any trafficking cases, did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions, and did not convict any traffickers; trafficking victims continued to be detained, deported, and charged with crimes without law enforcement determining if they were forced to commit the illegal acts by traffickers; the government again did not allocate money to a fund established in 2004 for victim compensation and repatriation; a draft national action plan to combat trafficking was not completed for the sixth consecutive year (2020) Illicit drugs: drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty

20220901

central-america-and-the-caribbean

20220901

field-government-type

This entry gives the basic form of government. Definitions of the major governmental terms are as follows. (Note that for some countries more than one definition applies.): Absolute monarchy - a form of government where the monarch rules unhindered, i.e., without any laws, constitution, or legally organized opposition. Anarchy - a condition of lawlessness or political disorder brought about by the absence of governmental authority. Authoritarian - a form of government in which state authority is imposed onto many aspects of citizens' lives. Commonwealth - a nation, state, or other political entity founded on law and united by a compact of the people for the common good. Communist - a system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single - often authoritarian - party holds power; state controls are imposed with the elimination of private ownership of property or capital while claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people (i.e., a classless society). Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution. Constitutional monarchy - a system of government in which a monarch is guided by a constitution whereby his/her rights, duties, and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed. Democratic republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Ecclesiastical - a government administrated by a church. Emirate - similar to a monarchy or sultanate, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of an emir (the ruler of a Muslim state); the emir may be an absolute overlord or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Federal (Federation) - a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided - usually by means of a constitution - between a central authority and a number of constituent regions (states, colonies, or provinces) so that each region retains some management of its internal affairs; differs from a confederacy in that the central government exerts influence directly upon both individuals as well as upon the regional units. Federal republic - a state in which the powers of the central government are restricted and in which the component parts (states, colonies, or provinces) retain a degree of self-government; ultimate sovereign power rests with the voters who chose their governmental representatives. Islamic republic - a particular form of government adopted by some Muslim states; although such a state is, in theory, a theocracy, it remains a republic, but its laws are required to be compatible with the laws of Islam. Maoism - the theory and practice of Marxism-Leninism developed in China by Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung), which states that a continuous revolution is necessary if the leaders of a communist state are to keep in touch with the people. Marxism - the political, economic, and social principles espoused by 19th century economist Karl Marx; he viewed the struggle of workers as a progression of historical forces that would proceed from a class struggle of the proletariat (workers) exploited by capitalists (business owners), to a socialist"dictatorship of the proletariat," to, finally, a classless society - Communism. Marxism-Leninism - an expanded form of communism developed by Lenin from doctrines of Karl Marx; Lenin saw imperialism as the final stage of capitalism and shifted the focus of workers' struggle from developed to underdeveloped countries. Monarchy - a government in which the supreme power is lodged in the hands of a monarch who reigns over a state or territory, usually for life and by hereditary right; the monarch may be either a sole absolute ruler or a sovereign - such as a king, queen, or prince - with constitutionally limited authority. Oligarchy - a government in which control is exercised by a small group of individuals whose authority generally is based on wealth or power. Parliamentary democracy - a political system in which the legislature (parliament) selects the government - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor along with the cabinet ministers - according to party strength as expressed in elections; by this system, the government acquires a dual responsibility: to the people as well as to the parliament. Parliamentary government (Cabinet-Parliamentary government) - a government in which members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its leader - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor) are nominated to their positions by a legislature or parliament, and are directly responsible to it; this type of government can be dissolved at will by the parliament (legislature) by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no longer function. Parliamentary monarchy - a state headed by a monarch who is not actively involved in policy formation or implementation (i.e., the exercise of sovereign powers by a monarch in a ceremonial capacity); true governmental leadership is carried out by a cabinet and its head - a prime minister, premier, or chancellor - who are drawn from a legislature (parliament). Presidential - a system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature (to which it is generally not accountable). Republic - a representative democracy in which the people's elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation. Socialism - a government in which the means of planning, producing, and distributing goods is controlled by a central government that theoretically seeks a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor; in actuality, most socialist governments have ended up being no more than dictatorships over workers by a ruling elite. Sultanate - similar to a monarchy, but a government in which the supreme power is in the hands of a sultan (the head of a Muslim state); the sultan may be an absolute ruler or a sovereign with constitutionally limited authority. Theocracy - a form of government in which a Deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, but the Deity's laws are interpreted by ecclesiastical authorities (bishops, mullahs, etc.); a government subject to religious authority. Totalitarian - a government that seeks to subordinate the individual to the state by controlling not only all political and economic matters, but also the attitudes, values, and beliefs of its population. Topic: Afghanistanthe United States does not recognize the Taliban governmentthe United States does not recognize the Taliban government Topic: Albaniaparliamentary republic Topic: Algeriapresidential republic Topic: American Samoaunincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; Topic: Andorraparliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain Topic: Angolapresidential republic Topic: Anguillaparliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK Topic: AntarcticaAntarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic region is governed by a system known as the Antarctic Treaty system; the system includes: 1. the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, which establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica, 2. Measures, Decisions, and Resolutions adopted at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, 3. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972), 4. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980), and 5. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991); the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings operate by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative parties at annual Treaty meetings; by January 2022, there were 54 treaty member nations: 29 consultative and 25 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 22 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; measures adopted at these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK; nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998), China (1983/1985), Czech Republic (1962/2014), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), Iceland (2015), Kazakhstan (2015), North Korea (1987), Malaysia (2011), Monaco (2008), Mongolia (2015), Pakistan (2012), Papua New Guinea (1981), Portugal (2010), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Slovenia (2019), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 measures adopted at treaty consultative meetings and approved by governments; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment and includes five annexes that have entered into force: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management; a sixth annex addressing liability arising from environmental emergencies has yet to enter into force; the Protocol prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaAntarctic Treaty Summary - the Antarctic region is governed by a system known as the Antarctic Treaty system; the system includes: 1. the Antarctic Treaty, signed on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961, which establishes the legal framework for the management of Antarctica, 2. Measures, Decisions, and Resolutions adopted at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, 3. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (1972), 4. The Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (1980), and 5. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991); the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings operate by consensus (not by vote) of all consultative parties at annual Treaty meetings; by January 2022, there were 54 treaty member nations: 29 consultative and 25 non-consultative; consultative (decision-making) members include the seven nations that claim portions of Antarctica as national territory (some claims overlap) and 22 non-claimant nations; the US and Russia have reserved the right to make claims; the US does not recognize the claims of others; Antarctica is administered through meetings of the consultative member nations; measures adopted at these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; the years in parentheses indicate when a consultative member-nation acceded to the Treaty and when it was accepted as a consultative member, while no date indicates the country was an original 1959 treaty signatory; claimant nations are - Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, NZ, Norway, and the UK; nonclaimant consultative nations are - Belgium, Brazil (1975/1983), Bulgaria (1978/1998), China (1983/1985), Czech Republic (1962/2014), Ecuador (1987/1990), Finland (1984/1989), Germany (1979/1981), India (1983/1983), Italy (1981/1987), Japan, South Korea (1986/1989), Netherlands (1967/1990), Peru (1981/1989), Poland (1961/1977), Russia, South Africa, Spain (1982/1988), Sweden (1984/1988), Ukraine (1992/2004), Uruguay (1980/1985), and the US; non-consultative members, with year of accession in parentheses, are - Austria (1987), Belarus (2006), Canada (1988), Colombia (1989), Cuba (1984), Denmark (1965), Estonia (2001), Greece (1987), Guatemala (1991), Hungary (1984), Iceland (2015), Kazakhstan (2015), North Korea (1987), Malaysia (2011), Monaco (2008), Mongolia (2015), Pakistan (2012), Papua New Guinea (1981), Portugal (2010), Romania (1971), Slovakia (1962/1993), Slovenia (2019), Switzerland (1990), Turkey (1996), and Venezuela (1999); note - Czechoslovakia acceded to the Treaty in 1962 and separated into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993; Article 1 - area to be used for peaceful purposes only; military activity, such as weapons testing, is prohibited, but military personnel and equipment may be used for scientific research or any other peaceful purpose; Article 2 - freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation shall continue; Article 3 - free exchange of information and personnel, cooperation with the UN and other international agencies; Article 4 - does not recognize, dispute, or establish territorial claims and no new claims shall be asserted while the treaty is in force; Article 5 - prohibits nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes;Article 6 - includes under the treaty all land and ice shelves south of 60 degrees 00 minutes south and reserves high seas rights; Article 7 - treaty-state observers have free access, including aerial observation, to any area and may inspect all stations, installations, and equipment; advance notice of all expeditions and of the introduction of military personnel must be given; Article 8 - allows for jurisdiction over observers and scientists by their own states; Article 9 - frequent consultative meetings take place among member nations; Article 10 - treaty states will discourage activities by any country in Antarctica that are contrary to the treaty; Article 11 - disputes to be settled peacefully by the parties concerned or, ultimately, by the ICJ; Articles 12, 13, 14 - deal with upholding, interpreting, and amending the treaty among involved nations; other agreements - some 200 measures adopted at treaty consultative meetings and approved by governments; the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed 4 October 1991 and entered into force 14 January 1998; this agreement provides for the protection of the Antarctic environment and includes five annexes that have entered into force: 1) environmental impact assessment, 2) conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora, 3) waste disposal and waste management, 4) prevention of marine pollution, 5) area protection and management; a sixth annex addressing liability arising from environmental emergencies has yet to enter into force; the Protocol prohibits all activities relating to mineral resources except scientific research; a permanent Antarctic Treaty Secretariat was established in 2004 in Buenos Aires, Argentina Topic: Antigua and Barbudaparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Argentinapresidential republic Topic: Armeniaparliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system Topic: Arubaparliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Topic: Australiafederal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Austriafederal parliamentary republic Topic: Azerbaijanpresidential republic Topic: Bahamas, Theparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Bahrainconstitutional monarchy Topic: Bangladeshparliamentary republic Topic: Barbadosparliamentary republic; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Belaruspresidential republic in name, although in fact a dictatorship Topic: Belgiumfederal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Topic: Belizeparliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Beninpresidential republic Topic: BermudaOverseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy Topic: Bhutanconstitutional monarchy Topic: Boliviapresidential republic Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaparliamentary republic Topic: Botswanaparliamentary republic Topic: Brazilfederal presidential republic Topic: British Virgin IslandsOverseas Territory of the UK with limited self-government; parliamentary democracy Topic: Bruneiabsolute monarchy or sultanate Topic: Bulgariaparliamentary republic Topic: Burkina Fasopresidential republic Topic: Burmaparliamentary republic Topic: Burundipresidential republic Topic: Cabo Verdeparliamentary republic Topic: Cambodiaparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Cameroonpresidential republic Topic: Canadafederal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution Topic: Cayman Islandsparliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK Topic: Central African Republicpresidential republic Topic: Chadpresidential republic Topic: Chilepresidential republic Topic: Chinacommunist party-led state Topic: Christmas Islandnon-self-governing overseas territory of Australia Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnon-self-governing overseas territory of Australia Topic: Colombiapresidential republic Topic: Comorosfederal presidential republic Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thesemi-presidential republic Topic: Congo, Republic of thepresidential republic Topic: Cook Islandsparliamentary democracy Topic: Costa Ricapresidential republic Topic: Cote d'Ivoirepresidential republic Topic: Croatiaparliamentary republic Topic: Cubacommunist state Topic: Curacaoparliamentary democracyparliamentary democracy Topic: CyprusRepublic of Cyprus - presidential republic; "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" (self-declared) - parliamentary republic with enhanced presidency Topic: Czechiaparliamentary republic Topic: Denmarkparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Djiboutipresidential republic Topic: Dominicaparliamentary republic Topic: Dominican Republicpresidential republic Topic: Ecuadorpresidential republic Topic: Egyptpresidential republic Topic: El Salvadorpresidential republic Topic: Equatorial Guineapresidential republic Topic: Eritreapresidential republic Topic: Estoniaparliamentary republic Topic: Eswatiniabsolute monarchy Topic: Ethiopiafederal parliamentary republic Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK Topic: Faroe Islandsparliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark Topic: Fijiparliamentary republic Topic: Finlandparliamentary republic Topic: Francesemi-presidential republic Topic: French Polynesiaparliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France Topic: Gabonpresidential republic Topic: Gambia, Thepresidential republic Topic: Georgiasemi-presidential republic Topic: Germanyfederal parliamentary republic Topic: Ghanapresidential republic Topic: Gibraltarparliamentary democracy (Parliament); self-governing overseas territory of the UK Topic: Greeceparliamentary republic Topic: Greenlandparliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut) Topic: Grenadaparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Guamunincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches Topic: Guatemalapresidential republic Topic: Guernseyparliamentary democracy (States of Deliberation) Topic: Guineapresidential republic Topic: Guinea-Bissausemi-presidential republic Topic: Guyanaparliamentary republic Topic: Haitisemi-presidential republic Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy" Topic: Honduraspresidential republic Topic: Hong Kongpresidential limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China Topic: Hungaryparliamentary republic Topic: Icelandunitary parliamentary republic Topic: Indiafederal parliamentary republic Topic: Indonesiapresidential republic Topic: Irantheocratic republic Topic: Iraqfederal parliamentary republic Topic: Irelandparliamentary republic Topic: Isle of Manparliamentary democracy (Tynwald) Topic: Israelparliamentary democracy Topic: Italyparliamentary republic Topic: Jamaicaparliamentary democracy (Parliament) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Japanparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Jerseyparliamentary democracy (Assembly of the States of Jersey) Topic: Jordanparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Kazakhstanpresidential republic Topic: Kenyapresidential republic Topic: Kiribatipresidential republic Topic: Korea, Northdictatorship, single-party state; official state ideology of "Juche" or "national self-reliance" Topic: Korea, Southpresidential republic Topic: Kosovoparliamentary republic Topic: Kuwaitconstitutional monarchy (emirate) Topic: Kyrgyzstanparliamentary republic Topic: Laoscommunist state Topic: Latviaparliamentary republic Topic: Lebanonparliamentary republic Topic: Lesothoparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Liberiapresidential republic Topic: Libyain transition Topic: Liechtensteinconstitutional monarchy Topic: Lithuaniasemi-presidential republic Topic: Luxembourgconstitutional monarchy Topic: Macauexecutive-led limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China Topic: Madagascarsemi-presidential republic Topic: Malawipresidential republic Topic: Malaysiafederal parliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Maldivespresidential republic Topic: Malisemi-presidential republic Topic: Maltaparliamentary republic Topic: Marshall Islandsmixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US Topic: Mauritaniapresidential republic Topic: Mauritiusparliamentary republic Topic: Mexicofederal presidential republic Topic: Micronesia, Federated States offederal republic in free association with the US Topic: Moldovaparliamentary republic Topic: Monacoconstitutional monarchy Topic: Mongoliasemi-presidential republic Topic: Montenegroparliamentary republic Topic: Montserratparliamentary democracy; self-governing overseas territory of the UK Topic: Moroccoparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Mozambiquepresidential republic Topic: Namibiapresidential republic Topic: Nauruparliamentary republic Topic: Nepalfederal parliamentary republic Topic: Netherlandsparliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Topic: New Caledoniaparliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France Topic: New Zealandparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Nicaraguapresidential republic Topic: Nigersemi-presidential republic Topic: Nigeriafederal presidential republic Topic: Niueparliamentary democracy Topic: Norfolk Islandnon-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia Topic: North Macedoniaparliamentary republic Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsa commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches Topic: Norwayparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Omanabsolute monarchy Topic: Pakistanfederal parliamentary republic Topic: Palaupresidential republic in free association with the US Topic: Panamapresidential republic Topic: Papua New Guineaparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Paraguaypresidential republic Topic: Perupresidential republic Topic: Philippinespresidential republic Topic: Pitcairn Islandsparliamentary democracy Topic: Polandparliamentary republic Topic: Portugalsemi-presidential republic Topic: Puerto Ricounincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches Topic: Qatarabsolute monarchy Topic: Romaniasemi-presidential republic Topic: Russiasemi-presidential federation Topic: Rwandapresidential republic Topic: Saint Barthelemyparliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaparliamentary democracy Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisfederal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Saint Luciaparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Saint Martinparliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonparliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Samoaparliamentary republic Topic: San Marinoparliamentary republic Topic: Sao Tome and Principesemi-presidential republic Topic: Saudi Arabiaabsolute monarchy Topic: Senegalpresidential republic Topic: Serbiaparliamentary republic Topic: Seychellespresidential republic Topic: Sierra Leonepresidential republic Topic: Singaporeparliamentary republic Topic: Sint Maartenparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchyparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Topic: Slovakiaparliamentary republic Topic: Sloveniaparliamentary republic Topic: Solomon Islandsparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Somaliafederal parliamentary republic Topic: South Africaparliamentary republic Topic: South Sudanpresidential republic Topic: Spainparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Sri Lankapresidential republic Topic: Sudanpresidential republic Topic: Surinamepresidential republic Topic: Svalbardnon-self-governing territory of Norway Topic: Swedenparliamentary constitutional monarchy Topic: Switzerlandfederal republic (formally a confederation) Topic: Syriapresidential republic; highly authoritarian regime Topic: Taiwansemi-presidential republic Topic: Tajikistanpresidential republic Topic: Tanzaniapresidential republic Topic: Thailandconstitutional monarchy Topic: Timor-Lestesemi-presidential republic Topic: Togopresidential republic Topic: Tokelauparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchyparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Topic: Tongaconstitutional monarchy Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoparliamentary republic Topic: Tunisiaparliamentary republic Topic: Turkeypresidential republic Topic: Turkmenistanpresidential republic; authoritarian Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsparliamentary democracy Topic: Tuvaluparliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: Ugandapresidential republic Topic: Ukrainesemi-presidential republic Topic: United Arab Emiratesfederation of monarchies Topic: United Kingdomparliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Topic: United Statesconstitutional federal republic Topic: Uruguaypresidential republic Topic: Uzbekistanpresidential republic; highly authoritarian Topic: Vanuatuparliamentary republic Topic: Venezuelafederal presidential republic Topic: Vietnamcommunist state Topic: Virgin Islandsunincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches Topic: Wallis and Futunaparliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France Topic: Yemenin transition Topic: Zambiapresidential republic Topic: Zimbabwepresidential republic

20220901

field-real-gdp-per-capita

This entry shows real GDP, divided by population as of 1 July for the same year. Topic: Afghanistan$2,000 (2020 est.) $2,100 (2019 est.) $2,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Albania$13,300 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $13,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Algeria$10,700 (2020 est.) $11,500 (2019 est.) $11,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: American Samoa$11,200 (2016 est.) $11,300 (2015 est.) $11,200 (2014 est.) Topic: Andorra$49,900 (2015 est.) $51,300 (2014 est.) $50,300 (2013 est.) Topic: Angola$6,200 (2020 est.) $6,700 (2019 est.) $6,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Anguilla$12,200 (2008 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda$18,000 (2020 est.) $21,500 (2019 est.) $21,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Argentina$19,700 (2020 est.) $22,100 (2019 est.) $22,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Armenia$12,600 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $12,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Aruba$37,500 (2017 est.) $38,442 (2017 est.) $37,300 (2016 est.) Topic: Australia$48,700 (2020 est.) $49,500 (2019 est.) $49,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Austria$51,900 (2020 est.) $55,800 (2019 est.) $55,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Azerbaijan$13,700 (2020 est.) $14,400 (2019 est.) $14,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bahamas, The$30,800 (2020 est.) $37,100 (2019 est.) $37,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bahrain$40,900 (2020 est.) $45,100 (2019 est.) $46,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bangladesh$4,800 (2020 est.) $4,800 (2019 est.) $4,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Barbados$12,900 (2020 est.) $15,600 (2019 est.) $15,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Belarus$19,100 (2020 est.) $19,300 (2019 est.) $18,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Belgium$48,200 (2020 est.) $51,700 (2019 est.) $51,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Belize$6,100 (2020 est.) $7,300 (2019 est.) $7,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Benin$3,300 (2020 est.) $3,300 (2019 est.) $3,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bermuda$81,800 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $81,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $81,835 (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan$10,900 (2020 est.) $11,800 (2019 est.) $11,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bolivia$7,900 (2020 est.) $8,700 (2019 est.) $8,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina$14,300 (2020 est.) $14,900 (2019 est.) $14,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Botswana$16,000 (2020 est.) $17,800 (2019 est.) $17,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Brazil$14,100 (2020 est.) $14,800 (2019 est.) $14,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: British Virgin Islands$34,200 (2017 est.) Topic: Brunei$62,200 (2020 est.) $62,100 (2019 est.) $60,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Bulgaria$22,400 (2020 est.) $23,200 (2019 est.) $22,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Burkina Faso$2,200 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Burma$4,500 (2020 est.) $5,100 (2019 est.) $5,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Burundi$700 (2020 est.) $800 (2019 est.) $800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cabo Verde$6,000 (2020 est.) $7,200 (2019 est.) $6,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cambodia$4,200 (2020 est.) $4,400 (2019 est.) $4,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cameroon$3,600 (2020 est.) $3,600 (2019 est.) $3,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Canada$45,900 (2020 est.) $49,000 (2019 est.) $48,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cayman Islands$73,600 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $71,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $69,573 (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic$900 (2020 est.) $900 (2019 est.) $900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Chad$1,500 (2020 est.) $1,600 (2019 est.) $1,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Chile$23,300 (2020 est.) $25,000 (2019 est.) $25,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: China$16,400 (2020 est.) $16,100 (2019 est.) $15,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Colombia$13,400 (2020 est.) $14,600 (2019 est.) $14,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Comoros$3,100 (2020 est.) $3,100 (2019 est.) $3,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the$1,100 (2020 est.) $1,100 (2019 est.) $1,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Congo, Republic of the$3,400 (2020 est.) $3,800 (2019 est.) $3,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cook Islands$16,700 (2016 est.) $9,100 (2005 est.) Topic: Costa Rica$19,700 (2020 est.) $20,800 (2019 est.) $20,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cote d'Ivoire$5,200 (2020 est.) $5,200 (2019 est.) $5,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Croatia$26,500 (2020 est.) $28,800 (2019 est.) $27,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Cuba$12,300 (2016 est.) $12,200 (2015 est.) $12,100 (2014 est.) note: data are in 2016 US dollars Topic: Curacao$24,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $25,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $25,475 (2017 est.) Topic: Cyprus$37,700 (2020 est.) $40,200 (2019 est.) $39,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Czechia$38,300 (2020 est.) $40,700 (2019 est.) $39,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Denmark$55,900 (2020 est.) $57,700 (2019 est.) $56,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Djibouti$5,500 (2020 est.) $5,500 (2019 est.) $5,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Dominica$9,900 (2020 est.) $11,900 (2019 est.) $11,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Dominican Republic$17,000 (2020 est.) $18,400 (2019 est.) $17,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Ecuador$10,300 (2020 est.) $11,400 (2019 est.) $11,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Egypt$12,000 (2020 est.) $11,800 (2019 est.) $11,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: El Salvador$8,100 (2020 est.) $8,800 (2019 est.) $8,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Equatorial Guinea$17,000 (2020 est.) $18,500 (2019 est.) $20,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Eritrea$1,600 (2017 est.) $1,500 (2016 est.) $1,500 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Estonia$35,600 (2020 est.) $36,800 (2019 est.) $35,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Eswatini$8,400 (2020 est.) $8,600 (2019 est.) $8,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Ethiopia$2,300 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: European Union$44,436 (2019 est.) $43,761 (2018 est.) $42,848 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)$70,800 (2015 est.) $63,000 (2014 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands$40,000 (2014 est.) Topic: Fiji$11,000 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $13,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Finland$47,300 (2020 est.) $48,700 (2019 est.) $48,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: France$42,000 (2020 est.) $45,800 (2019 est.) $45,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: French Polynesia$17,000 (2015 est.) $20,100 (2014 est.) $22,700 (2010) Topic: Gabon$14,400 (2020 est.) $15,000 (2019 est.) $14,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Gambia, The$2,200 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Gaza Strip$6,220 (2019 est.) $6,318 (2018 est.) $6,402 (2017 est.) see entry for the the West Bank Topic: Georgia$14,100 (2020 est.) $15,000 (2019 est.) $14,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Germany$50,900 (2020 est.) $53,600 (2019 est.) $53,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Ghana$5,300 (2020 est.) $5,400 (2019 est.) $5,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Gibraltar$61,700 (2014 est.) $43,000 (2008 est.) $41,200 (2007 est.) Topic: Greece$27,300 (2020 est.) $29,700 (2019 est.) $29,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Greenland$41,800 (2015 est.) $38,800 (2014 est.) $38,500 (2013 est.) Topic: Grenada$15,100 (2020 est.) $17,100 (2019 est.) $16,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Guam$35,600 (2016 est.) $35,200 (2015 est.) $34,400 (2014 est.) Topic: Guatemala$8,400 (2020 est.) $8,700 (2019 est.) $8,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Guernsey$52,500 (2014 est.) Topic: Guinea$2,700 (2020 est.) $2,600 (2019 est.) $2,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Guinea-Bissau$1,800 (2020 est.) $1,900 (2019 est.) $1,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Guyana$18,700 (2020 est.) $13,100 (2019 est.) $12,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Haiti$2,800 (2020 est.) $2,900 (2019 est.) $3,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Honduras$5,100 (2020 est.) $5,700 (2019 est.) $5,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Hong Kong$56,200 (2020 est.) $59,600 (2019 est.) $61,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Hungary$31,000 (2020 est.) $32,600 (2019 est.) $31,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Iceland$52,300 (2020 est.) $56,900 (2019 est.) $56,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: India$6,100 (2020 est.) $6,700 (2019 est.) $6,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Indonesia$11,400 (2020 est.) $11,800 (2019 est.) $11,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Iran$12,400 (2020 est.) $12,400 (2019 est.) $13,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Iraq$9,300 (2020 est.) $10,600 (2019 est.) $10,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Ireland$89,700 (2020 est.) $87,800 (2019 est.) $84,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Isle of Man$84,600 (2014 est.) $86,200 (2013 est.) $73,700 (2012 est.) Topic: Israel$38,300 (2020 est.) $40,000 (2019 est.) $39,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Italy$39,000 (2020 est.) $42,700 (2019 est.) $42,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Jamaica$8,700 (2020 est.) $9,800 (2019 est.) $9,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Japan$41,400 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $41,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $40,859 (2017 est.) Topic: Jersey$56,600 (2016 est.) $49,500 (2015 est.) Topic: Jordan$9,800 (2020 est.) $10,100 (2019 est.) $10,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Kazakhstan$25,300 (2020 est.) $26,400 (2019 est.) $25,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Kenya$4,200 (2020 est.) $4,300 (2019 est.) $4,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Kiribati$2,300 (2020 est.) $2,300 (2019 est.) $2,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Korea, North$1,700 (2015 est.) $1,800 (2014 est.) $1,800 (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars Topic: Korea, South$42,300 (2020 est.) $42,700 (2019 est.) $41,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Kosovo$10,800 (2020 est.) $11,500 (2019 est.) $10,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Kuwait$49,900 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $50,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $50,856 (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan$4,700 (2020 est.) $5,300 (2019 est.) $5,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Laos$7,800 (2020 est.) $7,900 (2019 est.) $7,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Latvia$29,900 (2020 est.) $30,900 (2019 est.) $30,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Lebanon$11,600 (2020 est.) $14,600 (2019 est.) $15,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Lesotho$2,300 (2020 est.) $2,600 (2019 est.) $2,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Liberia$1,400 (2020 est.) $1,400 (2019 est.) $1,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Libya$10,300 (2020 est.) $15,200 (2019 est.) $15,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Liechtenstein$139,100 (2009 est.) $90,100 (2008 est.) $91,300 (2007 est.) Topic: Lithuania$36,700 (2020 est.) $37,100 (2019 est.) $35,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Luxembourg$110,300 (2020 est.) $113,900 (2019 est.) $113,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Macau$54,800 (2020 est.) $127,200 (2019 est.) $132,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Madagascar$1,500 (2020 est.) $1,600 (2019 est.) $1,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Malawi$1,500 (2020 est.) $1,500 (2019 est.) $1,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Malaysia$26,400 (2020 est.) $28,400 (2019 est.) $27,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Maldives$13,000 (2020 est.) $19,500 (2019 est.) $18,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Mali$2,200 (2020 est.) $2,300 (2019 est.) $2,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Malta$39,200 (2020 est.) $44,000 (2019 est.) $43,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Marshall Islands$4,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $3,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $3,776 (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritania$5,000 (2020 est.) $5,200 (2019 est.) $5,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Mauritius$19,500 (2020 est.) $22,900 (2019 est.) $22,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Mexico$17,900 (2020 est.) $19,700 (2019 est.) $19,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of$3,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $3,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $3,200 (2015 est.) Topic: Moldova$12,300 (2020 est.) $13,000 (2019 est.) $12,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Monaco$115,700 (2015 est.) $109,200 (2014 est.) $101,900 (2013 est.) Topic: Mongolia$11,500 (2020 est.) $12,300 (2019 est.) $11,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Montenegro$18,300 (2020 est.) $21,500 (2019 est.) $20,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Montserrat$34,000 (2011 est.) $31,100 (2010 est.) $32,300 (2009 est.) Topic: Morocco$6,900 (2020 est.) $7,500 (2019 est.) $7,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Mozambique$1,200 (2020 est.) $1,300 (2019 est.) $1,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Namibia$8,900 (2020 est.) $9,800 (2019 est.) $10,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Nauru$13,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $13,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $10,667 (2017 est.) Topic: Nepal$3,800 (2020 est.) $4,000 (2019 est.) $3,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Netherlands$54,200 (2020 est.) $56,600 (2019 est.) $56,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: New Caledonia$31,100 (2015 est.) $32,100 (2014 est.) $29,800 (2012 est.) Topic: New Zealand$42,400 (2020 est.) $42,900 (2019 est.) $42,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Nicaragua$5,300 (2020 est.) $5,500 (2019 est.) $5,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Niger$1,200 (2020 est.) $1,200 (2019 est.) $1,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Nigeria$4,900 (2020 est.) $5,100 (2019 est.) $5,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Niue$5,800 (2003 est.) Topic: North Macedonia$15,800 (2020 est.) $16,600 (2019 est.) $16,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Northern Mariana Islands$24,500 (2016 est.) $18,400 (2015 est.) $16,600 (2014 est.) Topic: Norway$63,600 (2020 est.) $64,500 (2019 est.) $64,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Oman$27,300 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $28,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $29,082 (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan$4,600 (2020 est.) $4,700 (2019 est.) $4,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Palau$17,600 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $18,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $17,841 (2017 est.) Topic: Panama$25,400 (2020 est.) $31,400 (2019 est.) $31,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Papua New Guinea$4,100 (2020 est.) $4,300 (2019 est.) $4,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Paraguay$12,300 (2020 est.) $12,600 (2019 est.) $12,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Peru$11,300 (2020 est.) $12,900 (2019 est.) $12,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Philippines$8,000 (2020 est.) $8,900 (2019 est.) $8,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Poland$32,200 (2020 est.) $33,100 (2019 est.) $31,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Portugal$32,200 (2020 est.) $34,900 (2019 est.) $34,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Puerto Rico$33,400 (2020 est.) $34,800 (2019 est.) $34,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Qatar$85,300 (2020 est.) $90,000 (2019 est.) $91,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Romania$28,800 (2020 est.) $29,900 (2019 est.) $28,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Russia$26,500 (2020 est.) $27,200 (2019 est.) $26,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Rwanda$2,100 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha$7,800 (FY09/10 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis$23,300 (2020 est.) $26,200 (2019 est.) $25,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Saint Lucia$12,300 (2020 est.) $15,400 (2019 est.) $15,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Saint Martin$19,300 (2005 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon$46,200 (2006 est.) $34,900 (2005) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines$12,100 (2020 est.) $12,500 (2019 est.) $12,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Samoa$6,300 (2020 est.) $6,500 (2019 est.) $6,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: San Marino$60,800 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $59,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $58,867 (2017 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe$4,100 (2020 est.) $4,000 (2019 est.) $4,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Saudi Arabia$44,300 (2020 est.) $47,000 (2019 est.) $47,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Senegal$3,300 (2020 est.) $3,400 (2019 est.) $3,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Serbia$18,200 (2020 est.) $18,300 (2019 est.) $17,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Seychelles$24,400 (2020 est.) $27,500 (2019 est.) $27,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Sierra Leone$1,600 (2020 est.) $1,700 (2019 est.) $1,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Singapore$93,400 (2020 est.) $98,400 (2019 est.) $98,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Sint Maarten$35,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $35,342 (2018 est.) $37,914 (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakia$30,300 (2020 est.) $31,900 (2019 est.) $31,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Slovenia$36,500 (2020 est.) $38,900 (2019 est.) $38,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Solomon Islands$2,500 (2020 est.) $2,700 (2019 est.) $2,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Somalia$800 (2020 est.) $900 (2019 est.) $900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: South Africa$11,500 (2020 est.) $12,500 (2019 est.) $12,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: South Sudan$1,600 (2017 est.) $1,700 (2016 est.) $2,100 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Spain$36,200 (2020 est.) $40,800 (2019 est.) $40,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Sri Lanka$12,500 (2020 est.) $13,100 (2019 est.) $12,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Sudan$4,000 (2020 est.) $4,200 (2019 est.) $4,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Suriname$16,100 (2020 est.) $19,000 (2019 est.) $19,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Sweden$50,700 (2020 est.) $52,500 (2019 est.) $52,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Switzerland$68,400 (2020 est.) $70,900 (2019 est.) $70,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Syria$2,900 (2015 est.) $3,300 (2014 est.) $2,800 (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars Topic: Taiwan$24,502 (2018 est.) $50,500 (2017 est.) $23,865 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tajikistan$3,700 (2020 est.) $3,600 (2019 est.) $3,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tanzania$2,600 (2020 est.) $2,700 (2019 est.) $2,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Thailand$17,300 (2020 est.) $18,500 (2019 est.) $18,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Timor-Leste$3,200 (2020 est.) $3,600 (2019 est.) $3,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Togo$2,100 (2020 est.) $2,100 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tokelau$6,004 (2017 est.) $4,855 (2016 est.) $4,292 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tonga$6,400 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $6,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $6,472 (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago$23,700 (2020 est.) $25,800 (2019 est.) $26,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tunisia$9,700 (2020 est.) $10,800 (2019 est.) $10,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)$28,400 (2020 est.) $28,200 (2019 est.) $28,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Turkmenistan$15,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $14,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $14,205 (2017 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands$21,100 (2020 est.) $29,300 (2019 est.) $28,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Tuvalu$4,400 (2020 est.) $4,300 (2019 est.) $3,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Uganda$2,200 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Ukraine$12,400 (2020 est.) $12,800 (2019 est.) $12,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: United Arab Emirates$67,100 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $67,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $67,184 (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom$41,600 (2020 est.) $46,400 (2019 est.) $46,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: United States$60,200 (2020 est.) $62,600 (2019 est.) $61,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Uruguay$21,600 (2020 est.) $23,000 (2019 est.) $23,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Uzbekistan$7,000 (2020 est.) $7,000 (2019 est.) $6,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Vanuatu$2,800 (2020 est.) $3,100 (2019 est.) $3,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Venezuela$7,704 (2018 est.) $12,500 (2017 est.) $9,417 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Vietnam$8,200 (2020 est.) $8,000 (2019 est.) $7,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Virgin Islands$37,000 (2016 est.) $35,800 (2015 est.) $34,500 (2014 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna$3,800 (2004 est.) Topic: West Bank$5,400 (2020 est.) $6,200 (2019 est.) $6,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip Topic: World$17,500 (2017 est.) $17,000 (2016 est.) $16,800 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Yemen$2,500 (2017 est.) $2,700 (2016 est.) $3,200 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Zambia$3,300 (2020 est.) $3,500 (2019 est.) $3,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Topic: Zimbabwe$2,700 (2020 est.) $3,000 (2019 est.) $3,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

20220901

field-total-fertility-rate-country-comparison

20220901

field-pipelines

Topic: CIA.gov has changed . . .If you arrived at this page using a bookmark or favorites link, please update it accordingly.Please use the search form or the links below to find the information you seek.Thank you for visiting CIA.gov.The CIA Web Team

20220901

field-gdp-composition-by-end-use

This entry shows who does the spending in an economy: consumers, businesses, government, and foreigners. The distribution gives the percentage contribution to total GDP of household consumption, government consumption, investment in fixed capital, investment in inventories, exports of goods and services, and imports of goods and services, and will total 100 percent of GDP if the data are complete. household consumption consists of expenditures by resident households, and by nonprofit institutions that serve households, on goods and services that are consumed by individuals. This includes consumption of both domestically produced and foreign goods and services. government consumption consists of government expenditures on goods and services. These figures exclude government transfer payments, such as interest on debt, unemployment, and social security, since such payments are not made in exchange for goods and services supplied. investment in fixed capital consists of total business spending on fixed assets, such as factories, machinery, equipment, dwellings, and inventories of raw materials, which provide the basis for future production. It is measured gross of the depreciation of the assets, i.e., it includes investment that merely replaces worn-out or scrapped capital. Earlier editions of The World Factbook referred to this concept as Investment (gross fixed) and that data now have been moved to this new field. investment in inventories consists of net changes to the stock of outputs that are still held by the units that produce them, awaiting further sale to an end user, such as automobiles sitting on a dealer’s lot or groceries on the store shelves. This figure may be positive or negative. If the stock of unsold output increases during the relevant time period, investment in inventories is positive, but, if the stock of unsold goods declines, it will be negative. Investment in inventories normally is an early indicator of the state of the economy. If the stock of unsold items increases unexpectedly – because people stop buying - the economy may be entering a recession; but if the stock of unsold items falls - and goods "go flying off the shelves" - businesses normally try to replace those stocks, and the economy is likely to accelerate. exports of goods and services consist of sales, barter, gifts, or grants of goods and services from residents to nonresidents. imports of goods and services consist of purchases, barter, or receipts of gifts, or grants of goods and services by residents from nonresidents. Exports are treated as a positive item, while imports are treated as a negative item. In a purely accounting sense, imports have no direct impact on GDP, which only measures output of the domestic economy. Imports are entered as a negative item to offset the fact that the expenditure figures for consumption, investment, government, and exports also include expenditures on imports. These imports contribute directly to foreign GDP but only indirectly to domestic GDP. Because of this negative offset for imports of goods and services, the sum of the other five items, excluding imports, will always total more than 100 percent of GDP. A surplus of exports of goods and services over imports indicates an economy is investing abroad, while a deficit indicates an economy is borrowing from abroad. Topic: Afghanistanhousehold consumption: 81.6% (2016 est.) government consumption: 12% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.2% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 30% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 6.7% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Albaniahousehold consumption: 78.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Algeriahousehold consumption: 42.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 38.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 11.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 23.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -35.8% (2017 est.) Topic: American Samoahousehold consumption: 66.4% (2016 est.) government consumption: 49.7% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 7.3% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 5.1% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 65% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -93.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Angolahousehold consumption: 80.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 25.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Anguillahousehold consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudahousehold consumption: 53.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 73.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Argentinahousehold consumption: 65.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -13.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Armeniahousehold consumption: 76.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -50.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Arubahousehold consumption: 60.3% (2014 est.) government consumption: 25.3% (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.3% (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2015 est.) exports of goods and services: 70.5% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -76.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Australiahousehold consumption: 56.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -21% (2017 est.) Topic: Austriahousehold consumption: 52.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -50.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanhousehold consumption: 57.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42% (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thehousehold consumption: 68% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrainhousehold consumption: 45.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 80.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladeshhousehold consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 15% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Barbadoshousehold consumption: 84.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.) Topic: Belarushousehold consumption: 54.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 5.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 67% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67% (2017 est.) Topic: Belgiumhousehold consumption: 51.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 85.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -84.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Belizehousehold consumption: 75.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -63.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Beninhousehold consumption: 70.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43% (2017 est.) Topic: Bermudahousehold consumption: 51.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutanhousehold consumption: 58% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 47.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -48% (2017 est.) Topic: Boliviahousehold consumption: 67.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -31.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinahousehold consumption: 77.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Botswanahousehold consumption: 48.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 39.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Brazilhousehold consumption: 63.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 12.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -11.6% (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandshousehold consumption: 25.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 7.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 20.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 94.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -69.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Bruneihousehold consumption: 25% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 8.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 45.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -36.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgariahousehold consumption: 61.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 66.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasohousehold consumption: 56.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Burmahousehold consumption: 59.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Burundihousehold consumption: 83% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 5.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdehousehold consumption: 50.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 48.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodiahousehold consumption: 76% (2017 est.) government consumption: 5.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -73% (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroonhousehold consumption: 66.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Canadahousehold consumption: 57.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandshousehold consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 65.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republichousehold consumption: 95.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 12% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Chadhousehold consumption: 75.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 4.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 35.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Chilehousehold consumption: 62.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27% (2017 est.) Topic: Chinahousehold consumption: 39.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -18.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Colombiahousehold consumption: 68.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 14.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -19.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Comoroshousehold consumption: 92.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -3.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thehousehold consumption: 78.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 25.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thehousehold consumption: 47.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 62.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -62.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Costa Ricahousehold consumption: 64.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirehousehold consumption: 61.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -30.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Croatiahousehold consumption: 57.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 51.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -48.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Cubahousehold consumption: 57% (2017 est.) government consumption: 31.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 9.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 14.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -12.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Curacaohousehold consumption: 66.9% (2016 est.) government consumption: 33.6% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Cyprushousehold consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 63.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Czechiahousehold consumption: 47.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 79.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -72.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Denmarkhousehold consumption: 48% (2017 est.) government consumption: 25.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Djiboutihousehold consumption: 56.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 29.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 41.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Dominicahousehold consumption: 60.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -62.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republichousehold consumption: 69.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 24.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuadorhousehold consumption: 60.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -21.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Egypthousehold consumption: 86.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.5% (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvadorhousehold consumption: 84.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineahousehold consumption: 50% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 56.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39% (2017 est.) Topic: Eritreahousehold consumption: 80.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 6.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 10.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Estoniahousehold consumption: 50.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 77.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -74% (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatinihousehold consumption: 64% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopiahousehold consumption: 69.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 43.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 8.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -31.2% (2017 est.) Topic: European Unionhousehold consumption: 54.4% (2016 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.8% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.9% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Faroe Islandshousehold consumption: 52% (2013) government consumption: 29.6% (2013) investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2013) Topic: Fijihousehold consumption: 81.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 29% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Finlandhousehold consumption: 54.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 22.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -38.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Francehousehold consumption: 54.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32% (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesiahousehold consumption: 66.9% (2014 est.) government consumption: 33.6% (2014 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2014 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2014 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.5% (2014 est.) Topic: Gabonhousehold consumption: 37.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.6% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thehousehold consumption: 90.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -2.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -40% (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Striphousehold consumption: 88.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.6% (2017 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Topic: Georgiahousehold consumption: 62.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 50.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -62.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Germanyhousehold consumption: 53.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Ghanahousehold consumption: 80.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Greecehousehold consumption: 69.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 12.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Greenlandhousehold consumption: 68.1% (2015 est.) government consumption: 28% (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.3% (2015 est.) investment in inventories: -13.9% (2015 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Grenadahousehold consumption: 63% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 60% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55% (2017 est.) Topic: Guamhousehold consumption: 56.2% (2016 est.) government consumption: 55% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 19.4% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Guatemalahousehold consumption: 86.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 12.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Guineahousehold consumption: 80.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 6.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 9.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 18.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -36.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissauhousehold consumption: 83.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 4.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Guyanahousehold consumption: 71.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -63% (2017 est.) Topic: Haitihousehold consumption: 99.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -60.3% (2017 est.) note: figure for household consumption also includes government consumption Topic: Hondurashousehold consumption: 77.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -58.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Konghousehold consumption: 67% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 188% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -187.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Hungaryhousehold consumption: 49.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 90.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -82.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Icelandhousehold consumption: 50.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Indiahousehold consumption: 59.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 19.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22% (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesiahousehold consumption: 57.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -19.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Iranhousehold consumption: 49.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 14.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -24.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Iraqhousehold consumption: 50.4% (2013 est.) government consumption: 22.9% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 32.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Irelandhousehold consumption: 34% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 119.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -89.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Israelhousehold consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Italyhousehold consumption: 61% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaicahousehold consumption: 81.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Japanhousehold consumption: 55.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -16.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Jordanhousehold consumption: 80.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 34.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -58% (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanhousehold consumption: 53.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 35.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Kenyahousehold consumption: 79.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 13.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, Northhousehold consumption: (2014 est.) NA government consumption: (2014 est.) NA investment in fixed capital: (2014 est.) NA investment in inventories: (2014 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 5.9% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -11.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Korea, Southhousehold consumption: 48.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 31.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovohousehold consumption: 84.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -53.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwaithousehold consumption: 43.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47% (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanhousehold consumption: 85.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 39.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -79% (2017 est.) Topic: Laoshousehold consumption: 63.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 34.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Latviahousehold consumption: 61.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 60.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanonhousehold consumption: 87.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 23.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Lesothohousehold consumption: 69.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 31.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -13.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 40.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -54.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Liberiahousehold consumption: 128.8% (2016 est.) government consumption: 16.7% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 6.7% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -89.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Libyahousehold consumption: 71.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 2.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Lithuaniahousehold consumption: 63.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 81.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -79.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourghousehold consumption: 30.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 230% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -194% (2017 est.) Topic: Macauhousehold consumption: 24.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 79.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32% (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascarhousehold consumption: 67.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 8.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Malawihousehold consumption: 84.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysiahousehold consumption: 55.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Maldiveshousehold consumption: (2016 est.) NA government consumption: (2016 est.) NA investment in fixed capital: (2016 est.) NA investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 93.6% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: 89% (2016 est.) Topic: Malihousehold consumption: 82.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Maltahousehold consumption: 45.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 136.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -117.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsgovernment consumption: 50% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.8% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 52.9% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -102.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Mauritaniahousehold consumption: 64.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 56.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -3.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 39% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -78.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritiushousehold consumption: 81% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 42.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Mexicohousehold consumption: 67% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 37.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofhousehold consumption: 83.5% (2013 est.) government consumption: 48.4% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 1.9% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 27.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -77% (2016 est.) Topic: Moldovahousehold consumption: 85.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -70.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Mongoliahousehold consumption: 49.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 12.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 59.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -57.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegrohousehold consumption: 76.8% (2016 est.) government consumption: 19.6% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 2.9% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 40.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -63% (2016 est.) Topic: Montserrathousehold consumption: 90.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 50.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 29.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -88.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Moroccohousehold consumption: 58% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 37.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambiquehousehold consumption: 69.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 27.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 13.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -70.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Namibiahousehold consumption: 68.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 36.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -47.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Nauruhousehold consumption: 98% (2016 est.) government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Nepalhousehold consumption: 78% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 8.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 9.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42% (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlandshousehold consumption: 44.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 83% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -72.3% (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledoniahousehold consumption: 64.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 38.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -45.5% (2017 est.) Topic: New Zealandhousehold consumption: 57.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -26.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaraguahousehold consumption: 69.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Nigerhousehold consumption: 70.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 9.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 38.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeriahousehold consumption: 80% (2017 est.) government consumption: 5.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 11.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -13.2% (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedoniahousehold consumption: 65.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 20.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -69% (2017 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandshousehold consumption: 43.1% (2016 est.) government consumption: 28.9% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 73.6% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -71.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Norwayhousehold consumption: 44.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 35.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Omanhousehold consumption: 36.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 51.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistanhousehold consumption: 82% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 8.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -17.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Palauhousehold consumption: 60.5% (2016 est.) government consumption: 27.2% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.7% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 1.9% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 55.2% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -67.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Panamahousehold consumption: 45.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineahousehold consumption: 43.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguayhousehold consumption: 66.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 46.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Peruhousehold consumption: 64.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 24% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22% (2017 est.) Topic: Philippineshousehold consumption: 73.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 31% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Polandhousehold consumption: 58.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -49.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Portugalhousehold consumption: 65.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricohousehold consumption: 87.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 117.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -129.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Qatarhousehold consumption: 24.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 43.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 51% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Romaniahousehold consumption: 70% (2017 est.) government consumption: 7.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.9% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 41.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Russiahousehold consumption: 52.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Rwandahousehold consumption: 75.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevishousehold consumption: 41.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 25.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 62.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -60.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Luciahousehold consumption: 66.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -56.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshousehold consumption: 87.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 37.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Samoahousehold consumption: NA government consumption: NA investment in fixed capital: NA investment in inventories: NA exports of goods and services: 27.2% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -50.5% (2015 est.) Topic: San Marinohousehold consumption: (2011 est.) NA government consumption: (2011 est.) NA investment in fixed capital: (2011 est.) NA investment in inventories: (2011 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 176.6% (2011) imports of goods and services: -153.3% (2011) Topic: Sao Tome and Principehousehold consumption: 81.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 33.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 7.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiahousehold consumption: 41.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 34.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Senegalhousehold consumption: 71.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Serbiahousehold consumption: 78.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 52.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Seychelleshousehold consumption: 52.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 34.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 79.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -93.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonehousehold consumption: 97.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Singaporehousehold consumption: 35.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 173.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -149.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakiahousehold consumption: 54.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 96.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -92.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Sloveniahousehold consumption: 52.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 82.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -72.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandshousehold consumption: NA government consumption: NA investment in fixed capital: NA investment in inventories: NA exports of goods and services: 25.8% (2011 est.) imports of goods and services: -49.6% (2011 est.) Topic: Somaliahousehold consumption: 72.6% (2015 est.) government consumption: 8.7% (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20% (2015 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 0.3% (2015 est.) imports of goods and services: -1.6% (2015 est.) Topic: South Africahousehold consumption: 59.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 29.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.4% (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudanhousehold consumption: 34.9% (2011 est.) government consumption: 17.1% (2011 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.4% (2011 est.) exports of goods and services: 64.9% (2011 est.) imports of goods and services: -27.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Spainhousehold consumption: 57.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 34.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -31.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lankahousehold consumption: 62% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 10.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Sudanhousehold consumption: 77.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 5.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 9.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -11.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Surinamehousehold consumption: 27.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 52.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 26.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 68.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -60.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Swedenhousehold consumption: 44.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 45.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerlandhousehold consumption: 53.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 65.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -54% (2017 est.) Topic: Syriahousehold consumption: 73.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 12.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Taiwanhousehold consumption: 53% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 65.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -52.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistanhousehold consumption: 98.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 13.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 11.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 10.7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -36.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzaniahousehold consumption: 62.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 36.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -8.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Thailandhousehold consumption: 48.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 68.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -54.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestehousehold consumption: 33% (2017 est.) government consumption: 30% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 78.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -52% (2017 est.) Topic: Togohousehold consumption: 84.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 11.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61% (2017 est.) Topic: Tongahousehold consumption: 99.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -68.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagohousehold consumption: 78.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 8.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 45.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -48.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisiahousehold consumption: 71.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)household consumption: 59.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 24.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanhousehold consumption: 50% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -14.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandshousehold consumption: 49% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 69.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -56.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Tuvalugovernment consumption: 87% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 43.7% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Ugandahousehold consumption: 74.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Ukrainehousehold consumption: 66.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 47.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.6% (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirateshousehold consumption: 34.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 100.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -72.4% (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdomhousehold consumption: 65.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -31.5% (2017 est.) Topic: United Stateshousehold consumption: 68.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 12.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -15% (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguayhousehold consumption: 66.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 14.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -18.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanhousehold consumption: 59.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 19% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -20% (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuatuhousehold consumption: 59.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -48.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuelahousehold consumption: 68.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 7% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -10.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnamhousehold consumption: 66.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 6.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.8% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 100% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -101% (2017 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandshousehold consumption: 68.2% (2016 est.) government consumption: 26.8% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunahousehold consumption: 26% (2005) government consumption: 54% (2005) Topic: West Bankhousehold consumption: 91.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 26.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 20% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -61% (2017 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Topic: Worldhousehold consumption: 56.4% (2017 est.) government consumption: 16.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.7% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 28.8% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Yemenhousehold consumption: 116.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 2.2% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 7.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Zambiahousehold consumption: 52.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 21% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 43% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -44.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwehousehold consumption: 77.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 12.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 25.6% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -39.9% (2017 est.)

20220901

countries-estonia-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union.After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940, it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Topic: Geography Area: total: 45,228 sq km land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Natural resources: oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Topic: People and Society Population: 1,211,524 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.) Languages: Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Religions: Orthodox 16.2%, Lutheran 9.9%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: -0.71% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tallinn Executive branch: chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS (since 26 January 2021) Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: advanced service-based EU and OECD economy; regional trade and telecommunications leader; recently rejected Baltic sea rail tunnel from Tallinn to Helsinki; flat income taxation; substantial welfare system; balanced budget culture; business-friendly climateadvanced service-based EU and OECD economy; regional trade and telecommunications leader; recently rejected Baltic sea rail tunnel from Tallinn to Helsinki; flat income taxation; substantial welfare system; balanced budget culture; business-friendly climate Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $47.44 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $35,600 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale Industries: food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications Exports: $21.69 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: Finland 13%, Sweden 9%, Latvia 8%, Russia 8%, United States 7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, prefabricated buildings (2019) Imports: $21.73 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Lithuania 7%, Latvia 7%, Sweden 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022