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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

countries-united-arab-emirates

Topic: Photos of United Arab Emirates Topic: Introduction Background: The 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 83,600 sq km land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than South Carolina; slightly smaller than Maine Land boundaries: total: 1,066 km border countries (2): Oman 609 km; Saudi Arabia 457 km Coastline: 1,318 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: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east Elevation: highest point: Jabal Bil 'Ays 1,905 m note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong location of the high elevation lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m mean elevation: 149 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 4.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.6% (2018 est.) forest: 3.8% (2018 est.) other: 91.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 923 sq km (2012) Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Map description: United Arab Emirates map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.  United Arab Emirates map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.  Topic: People and Society Population: 9,915,803 (2022 est.) note: the UN estimated the country's total population was 10,082,000 as of 2022; immigrants make up 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data (2020) Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati Ethnic groups: Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.) note: data represent the total population; as of 2019, immigrants make up about 87.9% of the total population, according to UN data Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian 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) 76%, Christian 9%, other (primarily Hindu and Buddhist, less than 5% of the population consists of Parsi, Baha'i, Druze, Sikh, Ahmadi, Ismaili, Dawoodi Bohra Muslim, and Jewish) 15% (2005 est.) note: data represent the total population; as of 2020, immigrants make up about 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 19.2 youth dependency ratio: 17.7 elderly dependency ratio: 1.5 potential support ratio: 66.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 38.4 years male: 40.4 years female: 31.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.58% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 10.81 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 1.56 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population Urbanization: urban population: 87.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.964 million Dubai, 1.786 million Sharjah, 1.540 million ABU DHABI (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 3.32 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 5.41 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.86 male(s)/female total population: 2.21 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.56 years male: 78.21 years female: 80.99 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.64 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: 4.3% (2019) Physicians density: 2.6 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1.4 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: 0.1% (2020) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020) <1,000 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 100 (2020) <100 Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout UAE; as of 18 August 2022, UAE has reported a total of 1,007,039 cases of COVID-19 or 10,181.98 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 2,340 cumulative deaths or a rate of 23.65 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 31.7% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.6% male: 98% female: 96.9% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2% male: 4.9% female: 15% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution; rapid population growth and high energy demand contribute to water scarcity; lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; land degradation and desertification; waste generation, beach pollution from oil spills 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 Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 39.44 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 206.32 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 56.55 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Land use: agricultural land: 4.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.6% (2018 est.) forest: 3.8% (2018 est.) other: 91.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.5% 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.) Major infectious diseases: note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout UAE; as of 18 August 2022, UAE has reported a total of 1,007,039 cases of COVID-19 or 10,181.98 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 2,340 cumulative deaths or a rate of 23.65 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 5,413,453 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,082,691 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 617 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.312 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 150 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: United Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE etymology: self-descriptive country name; the name "Arabia" can be traced back many centuries B.C., the ancient Egyptians referred to the region as "Ar Rabi"; "emirates" derives from "amir" the Arabic word for "commander," "lord," or "prince" Government type: federation of monarchies Capital: name: Abu Dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: in Arabic, "abu" means "father" and "dhabi" refers to "gazelle"; the name may derive from an abundance of gazelles that used to live in the area, as well as a folk tale involving the "Father of the Gazelle," Shakhbut bin Dhiyab al Nahyan, whose hunting party tracked a gazelle to a spring on the island where Abu Dhabi was founded Administrative divisions: 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn Independence: 2 December 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 2 December (1971) Constitution: history: previous 1971 (provisional); latest drafted in 1979, became permanent May 1996 amendments: proposed by the Supreme Council and submitted to the Federal National Council; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote of Federal National Council members present and approval of the Supreme Council president; amended 2009 Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic (sharia) law and civil 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: the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years Suffrage: limited; note - rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens Executive branch: chief of state: President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (since 14 May 2022); Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); note - MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan elected president by the Federal Supreme Council following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan on 13 May head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SAIF bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan, MANSUR bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (both since 11 May 2009), and MAKTOUM bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum (since 25 September 2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and approved by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the Federal Supreme Council - composed of the rulers of the 7 emirates - for a 5-year term (no term limits); unscheduled election held on 14 May 2022, following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan (next election NA); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: MUHAMMAD bin Zayid Al-Nuhayan elected president; Federal Supreme Council vote NA note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the 7 emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets 4 times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 4 judges; jurisdiction limited to federal cases) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the federal president following approval by the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative authority consisting of the 7 emirate rulers; judges serve until retirement age or the expiry of their appointment terms subordinate courts: Federal Court of Cassation (determines the constitutionality of laws promulgated at the federal and emirate level; federal level courts of first instance and appeals courts); the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ra's al Khaymah have parallel court systems; the other 4 emirates have incorporated their courts into the federal system; note - the Abu Dhabi Global Market Courts and the Dubai International Financial Center Courts, the country’s two largest financial free zones, both adjudicate civil and commercial disputes. Political parties and leaders: none; political parties are banned International organization participation: ABEDA, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yousif Mana Saeed Ahmed ALOTAIBA (since 28 July 2008) chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 email address and website: info@uaeembassy-usa.org https://www.uae-embassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sean MURPHY (since January 2021) embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: 6010 Abu Dhabi Place, Washington DC 20521-6010 telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2241 email address and website: abudhabiacs@state.gov https://ae.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Dubai Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side; the flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification National symbol(s): golden falcon; national colors: green, white, black, red National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud, and Oases Areas) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%.   Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors.   The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014.   The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014. The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $655.79 billion (2019 est.) $644.97 billion (2018 est.) $637.384 billion (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 0.8% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) 5.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $67,100 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $67,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $67,184 (2017 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $421.077 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.9% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2020) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2007) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.9% (2017 est.) industry: 49.8% (2017 est.) services: 49.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: dates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk Industries: petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizer, commercial ship repair, construction materials, handicrafts, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 5.344 million (2017 est.) note: expatriates account for about 85% of the workforce Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7% industry: 15% services: 78% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.6% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2% male: 4.9% female: 15% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 19.5% (2003 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.5 (2014 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 110.2 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 111.1 billion (2017 est.) note: the UAE federal budget does not account for emirate-level spending in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 19.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 28.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $26.47 billion (2017 est.) $13.23 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $308.5 billion (2017 est.) $298.6 billion (2016 est.) Exports - partners: India 11%, Japan 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Switzerland 6%, China 6%, Iraq 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, jewelry, broadcasting equipment (2019) Imports: $229.2 billion (2017 est.) $226.5 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: China 15%, India 12%, Untied States 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: gold, broadcasting equipment, jewelry, refined petroleum, diamonds (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $95.37 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $85.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $237.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $218.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.67315 (2020 est.) 3.67315 (2019 est.) 3.67315 (2018 est.) 3.673 (2014 est.) 3.673 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 35.173 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 122.386 billion kWh (2019 est.) exports: 257 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 245 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7.011 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3% 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: 2.563 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.565 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 3,769,100 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 863,700 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,427,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 172,900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 97.8 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 943,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 817,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 392,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 62,889,064,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 73,750,936,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 7,673,768,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 20,041,951,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 6,090,887,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 276.236 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 471.788 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,380,866 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 19,602,800 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 200.63 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the UAE has a strong mobile market, dominated by Etisalat and du; both are majority-owned by the government; in a bid to attract additional foreign investment, it was resolved in early 2021 that the stake held by foreigners in the two companies could be increased; Etisalat and du have deployed LTE networks providing national coverage, while the 5G penetration rate is the second highest globally after China; this has underpinned growth in the mobile broadband sector, and has enabled the strong development in the take-up of rich content and applications, as well as m-commerce; to help increase the capacity of 5G networks in coming years, and so keep up with data demand, the government has allowed for the GSM networks to be closed down and for spectrum and other assets to be re-purposed for 5G by the end of 2022; the fixed-broadband network in the UAE is dominated by fiber, with DSL having a minor and declining presence; this focus on a fully fiber infrastructure has also facilitated growth in e-commerce, and has supported the government’s long-term aim of transitioning the economy from its dependence on oil to being knowledge-based and supported by digital services; the country stands to benefit from having signed the Abraham Accord Declaration with Israel, which aims to normalize relations between the two countries; such benefits can be seen in the agreement to enable local ISPs to access Bezeq International’s submarine cable infrastructure, and so improve direct connectivity to Europe, South East Asia, and Africa; the UAE’s ISPs can also access Bezeq International’s data center in Tel Aviv, improving internet services. (2022) domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber-optic and coaxial cable; fixed-line roughly 24 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 186 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 971; landing points for the FLAG, SEA-ME-WE-3 ,-4 & -5, Qater UAE Submarine Cable System, FALCON, FOG, Tat TGN-Gulf, OMRAN/EPEG Cable System, AAE-1, BBG, EIG, FEA, GBICS/MENA, IMEWE, Orient Express, TEAMS, TW1 and the UAE-Iran submarine cables, linking to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian) (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 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: except 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) Internet country code: .ae Internet users: total: 9,890,400 (2020 est.) percent of population: 100% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,245,123 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 10 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 497 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 95,533,069 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 15,962,900,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A6 Airports: total: 43 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 25 over 3,047 m: 12 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Heliports: 5 (2021) Pipelines: 533 km condensate, 3,277 km gas, 300 km liquid petroleum gas, 3287 km oil, 24 km oil/gas/water, 218 km refined products, 99 km water (2013) Roadways: total: 4,080 km (2008) paved: 4,080 km (2008) (includes 253 km of expressways) Merchant marine: total: 623 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 3, general cargo 117, oil tanker 19, other 483 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy Forces, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces); Ministry of Interior: Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Patrol Agency (CICPA) (2022) note: each emirate maintains a local police force called a general directorate, which is officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior; all emirate-level general directorates of police enforce their respective emirate’s laws autonomously; they also enforce federal laws within their emirate in coordination with one another under the federal ministry Military expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 5.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $29 billion) 5.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $28.7 billion) 5.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $26.9 billion) 6% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $30 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 65,000 active personnel (45,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force; 12,000 Presidential Guard) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the UAE Armed Forces inventory is comprised of wide variety of mostly modern imported equipment; since 2010, the UAE has acquired military equipment from more than 20 countries with France, Russia, and the US as the leading suppliers; in recent years, the UAE has tried to boost its domestic defense industry (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for men (compulsory service initiated in 2014); 17 years of age for male volunteers with parental approval; males can volunteer up to age 40; 24-month general service obligation, 16 months for secondary school graduates; women can volunteer to serve for 9 months regardless of education (2022) note: compulsory service may be completed in the uniformed military, the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service, or other institutions designated by the military leadership Military deployments: estimates vary; reportedly a few hundred remain in Yemen; maintains military bases in Eritrea and Somalia (2022) Military - note: the UAE hosts a multi-service French military base, which includes the French naval command for the Indian Ocean (ALINDIEN); the UAE has a defense cooperation agreement with the US and hosted about 3,500 US troops, mostly air and naval personnel in 2015, UAE intervened militarily in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition in support of the Republic of Yemen Government with an estimated 3,500 troops, as well as supporting air and naval forces; UAE withdrew its main military force from Yemen in 2019, but has retained a small military presence while working with proxies in southern Yemen, most notably the Southern Transitional Council (STC) the UAE's military traces its origins to the establishment of the Trucial Oman Scouts in 1951, a joint UK-Abu Dhabi organization modeled after Jordan’s Arab Legion, which became the Abu Dhabi Defense Force in 1965; the modern Emirati armed forces were formed in 1976 (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: UAE-Oman: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published UAE-Iran: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has occupied since 1971 UAE-Saudi Arabia: the UAE has differences with Saudi Arabia over their border and the sharing of a major oilfield there, although the issue is seldom mentioned publicallyUAE-Oman: boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been publishedUAE-Iran: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island near the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has occupied since 1971UAE-Saudi Arabia: the UAE has differences with Saudi Arabia over their border and the sharing of a major oilfield there, although the issue is seldom mentioned publically Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 5 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: a transshipment point for illegal narcotics and a pass-through for drug proceeds; numerous exchange houses and general trading companies increase potential for money; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

20220901

countries-saint-barthelemy

Topic: Photos of Saint Barthelemy Topic: Introduction Background: Discovered 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands Geographic coordinates: 17 90 N, 62 85 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 25 sq km land: 25 sq km water: negligible Area - comparative: less than one-eighth the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Climate: tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid) Terrain: hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches Elevation: highest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m Natural resources: few natural resources; beaches foster tourism Population distribution: most of the populace concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island periphery Geography - note: a 1,200-hectare marine nature reserve, the Reserve Naturelle, is made up of five zones around the island that form a network to protect the island's coral reefs, seagrass, and endangered marine species Map description: Saint Barthelemy map showing the islands of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Barthelemy map showing the islands of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 7,103 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: French, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean Languages: French (primary), English 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, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 45.6 years male: 45.5 years female: 45.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.16% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9.29 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the populace concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island periphery Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.58 years male: 77.48 years female: 83.81 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) Current Health Expenditure: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020) 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: land-based pollution; urbanization; with no natural rivers or streams, fresh water is in short supply, especially in summer, and is provided by the desalination of sea water, the collection of rain water, or imported via water tanker; overfishing Climate: tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Barthelemy conventional short form: Saint Barthelemy local long form: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Barthelemy local short form: Saint-Barthelemy abbreviation: Saint-Barth (French); St. Barts or St. Barths (English) etymology: explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island in honor of his brother Bartolomeo's namesake saint in 1493 Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France Capital: name: Gustavia geographic coordinates: 17 53 N, 62 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named in honor of King Gustav III (1746-1792) of Sweden during whose reign the island was obtained from France in 1784; the name was retained when in 1878 the island was sold back to France Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France) National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572) Constitution: history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) amendments: amendment procedures of France's constitution 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 Prefect Vincent BERTON (since 28 March 2022) head of government: President of Territorial Council Xavier LEDEE (since 3 April 2022) cabinet: Executive Council elected by the Territorial Council; note - there is also an advisory, economic, social, and cultural council elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prefect appointed by the French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; president of Territorial Council indirectly elected by its members for a 5-year term; election last held on 27 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: Xavier LEDEE (Saint Barth United) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 13 votes for, 6 blank votes Legislative branch: description: 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 Political parties and leaders: All for Saint Barth (Tous pour Saint-Barth) [Bettina COINTRE] Saint Barth Action Equilibre [Marie-Helene BERNIER] Saint Barth First! (Saint-Barth d'Abord!) or SBA [Romaric MAGRAS] (affiliated with France's Republican party, Les Republicans) Saint Barth United (Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy) [Xavier LEDEE] International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas collectivity of France)none (overseas collectivity of France) Flag description: the flag of France is used National symbol(s): pelican National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: The economy of Saint Barthelemy is based upon high-end tourism and duty-free luxury commerce, serving visitors primarily from North America. The luxury hotels and villas host 70,000 visitors each year with another 130,000 arriving by boat. The relative isolation and high cost of living inhibits mass tourism. The construction and public sectors also enjoy significant investment in support of tourism. With limited fresh water resources, all food must be imported, as must all energy resources and most manufactured goods. The tourism sector creates a strong employment demand and attracts labor from Brazil and Portugal. The country’s currency is the euro. Exports - partners: France 60%, Germany 27% (2019) Exports - commodities: beauty products, broadcasting equipment, sunflower seed oil, plastics, cars (2019) Imports - partners: France 78%, Switzerland 7%, Italy 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: furniture, wine, refined petroleum, jewelry, food preparation materials (2019) Exchange rates: 0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Communications Telecommunication systems: general assessment: fully integrated access; 4G and LTE services (2019) domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems, 3 FM channels, no broadcasting (2018) international: country code - 590; landing points for the SSCS and the Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing voice and data connectivity to numerous Caribbean 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 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: 2 local TV broadcasters; 5 FM radio channels (2021) Internet country code: .bl; note - .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, might also be encountered Internet users: total: 7,128 (2020 est.) percent of population: 72% (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 40 km Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Gustavia Transportation - note: nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on Sint Maarten Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identified

20220901

countries-bermuda

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20220901

countries-united-states

Topic: Photos of United States Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico Geographic coordinates: 38 00 N, 97 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,833,517 sq km land: 9,147,593 sq km water: 685,924 sq km note: includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia, no overseas territories Area - comparative: about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 19,924 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified 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 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.   Terrain: vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Elevation: highest point: Denali 6,190 m (Mount McKinley) (highest point in North America) lowest point: Death Valley (lowest point in North America) -86 m mean elevation: 760 m note: Denali is one of the most striking features on the entire planet; at 20,310 feet, it is the crowning peak of the Alaska Range and the highest mountain on North America; it towers three and one-half vertical miles above its base, making it a mile taller from base to summit than Mt. Everest; Denali's base sits at about 2,000 feet above sea level and rises over three and one-half miles to its 20,310 foot summit; Everest begins on a 14,000-foot high plain, then summits at 29,028 feet. note: the peak of Mauna Kea (4,207 m above sea level) on the island of Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; by this measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher than Mount Everest (8,850 m), which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sea level Natural resources: coal, copper, lead, molybdenum, phosphates, rare earth elements, uranium, bauxite, gold, iron, mercury, nickel, potash, silver, tungsten, zinc, petroleum, natural gas, timber, arable land; note 1: the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total note 2: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources: Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details Land use: agricultural land: 44.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.4% (2018 est.) forest: 33.3% (2018 est.) other: 22.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 264,000 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Michigan – 57,750 sq km; Superior* – 53,348 sq km; Huron* – 23,597 sq km; Erie* – 12,890 sq km; Ontario* – 9,220 sq km; Lake of the Woods – 4,350 sq km; Iliamna – 2,590 sq km; Okeechobee – 1,810 sq km; Belcharof – 1,190 sq km; Red – 1,170 sq km; Saint Clair – 1,113 sq km; Champlain – 1,100 sq km note - Great Lakes* area shown as US waters Salt water lake(s): Great Salt – 4,360 sq km; Pontchartrain – 1,620 sq km;  Selawik – 1,400 sq km; Salton Sea – 950 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthMissouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of Mexico) Mississippi* (3,202,185 sq km); Rio Grande (607,965 sq km); (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km total, US only 505,000 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, US only 23,820 sq km); Colorado (703,148 sq km); Columbia* (657,501 sq km, US only 554,501 sq km) note - watersheds shared with Canada shown with * Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer, Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer System, Californian Central Valley Aquifer System, Ogallala Aquifer (High Plains), Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains Aquifer Population distribution: large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western tier states; mountainous areas, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prarie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu Natural hazards: tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to developmentvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in Hawaii: Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood; see note 2 under "Geography - note"tsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to developmentvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Hawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in the Northern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (4,170 m) in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (4,392 m) in Washington have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pavlof (2,519 m) is the most active volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat to air travel since the area constitutes a major flight path between North America and East Asia; St. Helens (2,549 m), famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today; numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostly concentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: in Alaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna, Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell, Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in Hawaii: Haleakala, Kilauea, Loihi; in the Northern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest: Mount Baker, Mount Hood; see note 2 under "Geography - note" Geography - note: note 1: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point (6,190 m) in North America and Death Valley the lowest point (-86 m) on the continent note 2: the western coast of the United States and southern coast of Alaska lie along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire note 3: the Aleutian Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that divide the Bering Sea (north) from the main Pacific Ocean (south); they extend about 1,800 km westward from the Alaskan Peninsula; the archipelago consists of 14 larger islands, 55 smaller islands, and hundreds of islets; there are 41 active volcanoes on the islands, which together form a large northern section of the Ring of Fire note 4: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 miles) of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, the Sac Actun underwater cave in Mexico - the world's longest underwater cave system (see "Geography - note" under Mexico); note 5: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep note 6: Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave; it is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals note 7: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources - Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details note 8: three food crops are generally acknowledged to be native to areas of what is now the United States: cranberries, pecans, and sunflowersnote 1: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point (6,190 m) in North America and Death Valley the lowest point (-86 m) on the continentnote 2: the western coast of the United States and southern coast of Alaska lie along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Firenote 3: the Aleutian Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that divide the Bering Sea (north) from the main Pacific Ocean (south); they extend about 1,800 km westward from the Alaskan Peninsula; the archipelago consists of 14 larger islands, 55 smaller islands, and hundreds of islets; there are 41 active volcanoes on the islands, which together form a large northern section of the Ring of Fire note 4: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 miles) of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, the Sac Actun underwater cave in Mexico - the world's longest underwater cave system (see "Geography - note" under Mexico); note 5: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep note 6: Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave; it is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals note 7: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources - Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details note 8: three food crops are generally acknowledged to be native to areas of what is now the United States: cranberries, pecans, and sunflowers Map description: United States map showing the United States – including Alaska and Hawaii – within northern North America. Most major US cities are indicated.United States map showing the United States – including Alaska and Hawaii – within northern North America. Most major US cities are indicated. Topic: People and Society Population: 337,341,954 (2022 est.) note: the US Census Bureau's 2020 census results show the US population as 331,449,281 as of 1 April 2020 Nationality: noun: American(s) adjective: American Ethnic groups: White 61.6%, Black or African American 12.4%, Asian 6%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.1%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.2%, other 8.4%, two or more races 10.2% (2020 est.) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (White, Black, Asian, etc.); an estimated 18.7% of the total US population is Hispanic as of 2020 Languages: English only 78.2%, Spanish 13.4%, Chinese 1.1%, other 7.3% (2017 est.) note: data represent the language spoken at home; the US has no official national language, but English has acquired official status in 32 of the 50 states; Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii, and 20 indigenous languages are official in Alaska Religions: Protestant 46.5%, Roman Catholic 20.8%, Jewish 1.9%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.6%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 0.9%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, Buddhist 0.7%, Hindu 0.7%, other 1.8%, unaffiliated 22.8%, don't know/refused 0.6% (2014 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.9 youth dependency ratio: 28.3 elderly dependency ratio: 25.6 potential support ratio: 3.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 38.5 years male: 37.2 years female: 39.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.69% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western tier states; mountainous areas, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prarie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu Urbanization: urban population: 83.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 18.867 million New York-Newark, 12.488 million Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, 8.901 million Chicago, 6.603 million Houston, 6.488 million Dallas-Fort Worth, 5.434 million WASHINGTON, D.C. (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female NA 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 27 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.59 years male: 78.36 years female: 82.79 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.84 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 73.9% (2017/19) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 16.8% (2019) Physicians density: 2.61 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 36.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 23% (2020 est.) male: 28.4% (2020 est.) female: 17.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.4% (2017/18) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2014 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9% male: 15% female: 14.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution; large emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels; water pollution from runoff of pesticides and fertilizers; limited natural freshwater resources in much of the western part of the country require careful management; deforestation; mining; desertification; species conservation; invasive species (the Hawaiian Islands are particularly vulnerable) Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Protocol Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5,006.3 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 685.74 megatons (2020 est.) 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 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.   Land use: agricultural land: 44.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.4% (2018 est.) forest: 33.3% (2018 est.) other: 22.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 83.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.96% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.04% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 258 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 89.268 million tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34.6% (2014 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Michigan – 57,750 sq km; Superior* – 53,348 sq km; Huron* – 23,597 sq km; Erie* – 12,890 sq km; Ontario* – 9,220 sq km; Lake of the Woods – 4,350 sq km; Iliamna – 2,590 sq km; Okeechobee – 1,810 sq km; Belcharof – 1,190 sq km; Red – 1,170 sq km; Saint Clair – 1,113 sq km; Champlain – 1,100 sq km note - Great Lakes* area shown as US waters Salt water lake(s): Great Salt – 4,360 sq km; Pontchartrain – 1,620 sq km;  Selawik – 1,400 sq km; Salton Sea – 950 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Missouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthMissouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of Mexico) Mississippi* (3,202,185 sq km); Rio Grande (607,965 sq km); (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km total, US only 505,000 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, US only 23,820 sq km); Colorado (703,148 sq km); Columbia* (657,501 sq km, US only 554,501 sq km) note - watersheds shared with Canada shown with * Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer, Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer System, Californian Central Valley Aquifer System, Ogallala Aquifer (High Plains), Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains Aquifer Total water withdrawal: municipal: 58.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 209.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 176.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 3.069 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: United States of America conventional short form: United States abbreviation: US or USA etymology: the name America is derived from that of Amerigo VESPUCCI (1454-1512) - Italian explorer, navigator, and cartographer - using the Latin form of his name, Americus, feminized to America Government type: constitutional federal republic Capital: name: Washington, DC geographic coordinates: 38 53 N, 77 02 W time difference: UTC-5 (during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November time zone note: the 50 United States cover six time zones etymology: named after George Washington (1732-1799), the first president of the United States Administrative divisions: 50 states and 1 district*; Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia*, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Dependent areas: American Samoa, Baker Island, Guam, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Navassa Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Wake Island note: from 18 July 1947 until 1 October 1994, the US administered the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; it entered into a political relationship with all four political entities: the Northern Mariana Islands is a commonwealth in political union with the US (effective 3 November 1986); the Republic of the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 21 October 1986); the Federated States of Micronesia signed a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 3 November 1986); Palau concluded a Compact of Free Association with the US (effective 1 October 1994) Independence: 4 July 1776 (declared independence from Great Britain); 3 September 1783 (recognized by Great Britain) National holiday: Independence Day, 4 July (1776) Constitution: history: previous 1781 (Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union); latest drafted July - September 1787, submitted to the Congress of the Confederation 20 September 1787, submitted for states' ratification 28 September 1787, ratification completed by nine of the 13 states 21 June 1788, effective 4 March 1789 amendments: proposed as a "joint resolution" by Congress, which requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by at least two thirds of the state legislatures; passage requires ratification by three fourths of the state legislatures or passage in state-held constitutional conventions as specified by Congress; the US president has no role in the constitutional amendment process; amended many times, last in 1992 Legal system: common law system based on English common law at the federal level; state legal systems based on common law, except Louisiana, where state law is based on Napoleonic civil code; judicial review of legislative acts International law organization participation: withdrew acceptance of compulsory ICJ jurisdiction in 2005; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: no, but the US government acknowledges such situtations exist; US citizens are not encouraged to seek dual citizenship since it limits protection by the US residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, approved by the Senate elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by the Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held on 5 November 2024) election results: 2020: Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. elected president; electoral vote - Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 306, Donald J. TRUMP (Republican Party) 232; percent of direct popular vote - Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. 51.3%, Donald J. TRUMP 46.9%, other 1.8% 2016: Donald J. TRUMP elected president; electoral vote - Donald J. TRUMP (Republican Party) 304, Hillary D. CLINTON (Democratic Party) 227, other 7; percent of direct popular vote - Hillary D. CLINTON 48.2%, Donald J. TRUMP 46.1%, other 5.7% Legislative branch: description: 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) Judicial branch: highest courts: US Supreme Court (consists of 9 justices - the chief justice and 8 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: president nominates and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoints Supreme Court justices; justices serve for life subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (includes the US Court of Appeal for the Federal District and 12 regional appeals courts); 94 federal district courts in 50 states and territories note: the US court system consists of the federal court system and the state court systems; although each court system is responsible for hearing certain types of cases, neither is completely independent of the other, and the systems often interact Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Jaime HARRISON] Green Party [collective leadership] Libertarian Party [Nicholas SARWARK] Republican Party [Ronna Romney MCDANIEL] International organization participation: ADB (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 Flag description: 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of five stars; the 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies; blue stands for loyalty, devotion, truth, justice, and friendship, red symbolizes courage, zeal, and fervency, while white denotes purity and rectitude of conduct; commonly referred to by its nickname of Old Glory note: the design and colors have been the basis for a number of other flags, including Chile, Liberia, Malaysia, and Puerto Rico National symbol(s): bald eagle; national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 24 (11 cultural, 12 natural, 1 mixed); note - includes one site in Puerto Rico selected World Heritage Site locales: Yellowstone National Park (n); Grand Canyon National Park (n); Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (c); Independence Hall (c); Statue of Liberty (c); Yosemite National Park (n); Papahānaumokuākea (m); Monumental Earthworks of Poverty Point (c); The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright (c); Mesa Verde National Park (c); Mammoth Cave National Park (n); Monticello (c); Olympic National Park (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The US has the most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $59,500. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment; however, their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. Based on a comparison of GDP measured at purchasing power parity conversion rates, the US economy in 2014, having stood as the largest in the world for more than a century, slipped into second place behind China, which has more than tripled the US growth rate for each year of the past four decades. In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits. The onrush of technology has been a driving factor in the gradual development of a "two-tier" labor market in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. But the globalization of trade, and especially the rise of low-wage producers such as China, has put additional downward pressure on wages and upward pressure on the return to capital. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income. Imported oil accounts for more than 50% of US consumption and oil has a major impact on the overall health of the economy. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. Because the US economy is energy-intensive, falling oil prices since 2013 have alleviated many of the problems the earlier increases had created. The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the US into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009, Congress passed and former President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through FY 2018, the direct costs of the wars will have totaled more than $1.9 trillion, according to US Government figures. In March 2010, former President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million Americans by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on healthcare - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010. In July 2010, the former president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight. The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) announced plans in December 2012 to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short-term rates near zero until unemployment dropped below 6.5% or inflation rose above 2.5%. The Fed ended its purchases during the summer of 2014, after the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, inflation stood at 1.7%, and public debt fell below 74% of GDP. In December 2015, the Fed raised its target for the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25%, the first increase since the recession began. With continued low growth, the Fed opted to raise rates several times since then, and in December 2017, the target rate stood at 1.5%. In December 2017, Congress passed and former President Donald TRUMP signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among its various provisions, reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; lowers the individual tax rate for those with the highest incomes from 39.6% to 37%, and by lesser percentages for those at lower income levels; changes many deductions and credits used to calculate taxable income; and eliminates in 2019 the penalty imposed on taxpayers who do not obtain the minimum amount of health insurance required under the ACA. The new taxes took effect on 1 January 2018; the tax cut for corporations are permanent, but those for individuals are scheduled to expire after 2025. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) under the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new law will reduce tax revenues and increase the federal deficit by about $1.45 trillion over the 2018-2027 period. This amount would decline if economic growth were to exceed the JCT’s estimate.The US has the most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $59,500. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment; however, their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. Based on a comparison of GDP measured at purchasing power parity conversion rates, the US economy in 2014, having stood as the largest in the world for more than a century, slipped into second place behind China, which has more than tripled the US growth rate for each year of the past four decades.In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets.Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits.The onrush of technology has been a driving factor in the gradual development of a "two-tier" labor market in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. But the globalization of trade, and especially the rise of low-wage producers such as China, has put additional downward pressure on wages and upward pressure on the return to capital. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income.Imported oil accounts for more than 50% of US consumption and oil has a major impact on the overall health of the economy. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. Because the US economy is energy-intensive, falling oil prices since 2013 have alleviated many of the problems the earlier increases had created.The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the US into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009, Congress passed and former President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries.Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through FY 2018, the direct costs of the wars will have totaled more than $1.9 trillion, according to US Government figures.In March 2010, former President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million Americans by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on healthcare - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010.In July 2010, the former president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) announced plans in December 2012 to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short-term rates near zero until unemployment dropped below 6.5% or inflation rose above 2.5%. The Fed ended its purchases during the summer of 2014, after the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, inflation stood at 1.7%, and public debt fell below 74% of GDP. In December 2015, the Fed raised its target for the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25%, the first increase since the recession began. With continued low growth, the Fed opted to raise rates several times since then, and in December 2017, the target rate stood at 1.5%.In December 2017, Congress passed and former President Donald TRUMP signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among its various provisions, reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; lowers the individual tax rate for those with the highest incomes from 39.6% to 37%, and by lesser percentages for those at lower income levels; changes many deductions and credits used to calculate taxable income; and eliminates in 2019 the penalty imposed on taxpayers who do not obtain the minimum amount of health insurance required under the ACA. The new taxes took effect on 1 January 2018; the tax cut for corporations are permanent, but those for individuals are scheduled to expire after 2025. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) under the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new law will reduce tax revenues and increase the federal deficit by about $1.45 trillion over the 2018-2027 period. This amount would decline if economic growth were to exceed the JCT’s estimate. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $19,846,720,000,000 (2020 est.) $20,563,590,000,000 (2019 est.) $20,128,580,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.16% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 2.33% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $60,200 (2020 est.) $62,600 (2019 est.) $61,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $21,433,228,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2019 est.) 2.4% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1949) Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2011) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.9% (2017 est.) industry: 19.1% (2017 est.) services: 80% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: maize, milk, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, sugar beet, poultry, potatoes, cotton, pork Industries: highly diversified, world leading, high-technology innovator, second-largest industrial output in the world; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining Industrial production growth rate: 2.3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 146.128 million (2020 est.) note: includes unemployed Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.7% (2009) industry: 20.3% (2009) services: 37.3% (2009) industry and services: 24.2% (2009) manufacturing: 17.6% (2009) farming, forestry, and fishing: 0.7% (2009) manufacturing, extraction, transportation, and crafts: 20.3% (2009) managerial, professional, and technical: 37.3% (2009) sales and office: 24.2% (2009) other services: 17.6% (2009) note: figures exclude the unemployed Unemployment rate: 3.89% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9% male: 15% female: 14.8% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.1% (2010 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.1 (2016 est.) 40.8 (1997) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: 3.315 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.981 trillion (2017 est.) note: revenues exclude social contributions of approximately $1.0 trillion; expenditures exclude social benefits of approximately $2.3 trillion Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 78.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover only what the United States Treasury denotes as "Debt Held by the Public," which includes all debt instruments issued by the Treasury that are owned by non-US Government entities; the data include Treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by individual US states, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of Treasury borrowings from surpluses in the trusts for Federal Social Security, Federal Employees, Hospital and Supplemental Medical Insurance (Medicare), Disability and Unemployment, and several other smaller trusts; if data for intragovernment debt were added, "gross debt" would increase by about one-third of GDP Taxes and other revenues: 17% (of GDP) (2017 est.) note: excludes contributions for social security and other programs; if social contributions were added, taxes and other revenues would amount to approximately 22% of GDP Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Current account balance: -$480.225 billion (2019 est.) -$449.694 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $2,127,250,000,000 (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2,528,270,000,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2,539,380,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Canada 17%, Mexico 16%, China 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, aircraft (2019) Imports: $2,808,960,000,000 (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3,105,130,000,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3,119,320,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 18%, Mexico 15%, Canada 13%, Japan 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, crude petroleum, computers, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $123.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $117.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $20,275,951,000,000 (2019 est.) $19,452,478,000,000 (2018 est.) note: approximately 4/5ths of US external debt is denominated in US dollars; foreign lenders have been willing to hold US dollar denominated debt instruments because they view the dollar as the world's reserve currency Exchange rates: British pounds per US dollar: 0.7836 (2017 est.), 0.738 (2016 est.), 0.738 (2015 est.), 0.607 (2014 est), 0.6391 (2013 est.) Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1, 1.308 (2017 est.), 1.3256 (2016 est.), 1.3256 (2015 est.), 1.2788 (2014 est.), 1.0298 (2013 est.) Chinese yuan per US dollar: 1, 6.7588 (2017 est.), 6.6445 (2016 est.), 6.2275 (2015 est.), 6.1434 (2014 est.), 6.1958 (2013 est.) euros per US dollar: 0.885 (2017 est.), 0.903 (2016 est.), 0.9214(2015 est.), 0.885 (2014 est.), 0.7634 (2013 est.) Japanese yen per US dollar: 111.10 (2017 est.), 108.76 (2016 est.), 108.76 (2015 est.), 121.02 (2014 est.), 97.44 (2013 est.) note 1: the following countries and territories use the US dollar officially as their legal tender: British Virgin Islands, Ecuador, El Salvador, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Timor Leste, Turks and Caicos, and islands of the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba) note 2: the following countries and territories use the US dollar as official legal tender alongside local currency: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama note 3: the following countries and territories widely accept the US dollar as a dominant currency but have yet to declare it as legal tender: Bermuda, Burma, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Somalia Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1,143,266,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 3,897,886,551,000 kWh (2020 est.) exports: 14,134,679,000 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 61,448,863,000 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 198,085,480,000 kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 59.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 19.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 8.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 495.13 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 441.968 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 63.276 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 4.808 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 228.662 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 17,924,200 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 20,542,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,048,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 7,768,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 47.107 billion barrels (2020 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 20.3 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 5.218 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 2.175 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 967,144,362,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 857,542,658,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 188,401,779,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 79,512,470,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 13,178,780,000,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 5,144,361,000 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 304.414 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 101.526 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 442.457 million (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134.46 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the US telecom sector adapted well to the particular demands of the pandemic, which has led to strong growth in the number of mobile, mobile broadband, and fixed broadband subscribers since 2020; the level of growth is expected to taper off from late 2022 as the demand for working and schooling from home subsides; the pandemic also encouraged the Federal government to increase its investment in broadband infrastructure; of particular note was the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of November 2021, which provided $65 billion to a range of programs aimed at delivering broadband to unserved areas, providing fiber-based broadband to upgrade existing service areas, and subsidizing the cost of services to low income households; alongside these fiscal efforts have been the several spectrum auctions undertaken during the last two years, which have greatly assisted the main licensees to improve the reach and quality of their offers based on LTE and 5G; some of this spectrum, auctioned during 2021, was only made available to licensees from February 2022; the widening availability of 5G from the main providers AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile US has resulted in a dramatic increase in mobile data traffic; in tandem with the focus on 5G, operators have closed down their GSM and CDMA networks, and have either closed down 3G networks (as AT&T did in January 2022), or plan to in coming months; given the size of the US broadband market, and the growing demand for data on both fixed and mobile networks, there is continuous pressure for operators to invest in fiber networks, and to push connectivity closer to consumers; in recent years the US has seen increased activity from regional players as well as the major telcos and cablecos; although there has been considerable investment in DOCSIS4.0, some of the cablecos are looking to ditch HFC in preference for fiber broadband; the process of migrating from copper (HFC and DSL) to fiber is ongoing, but given the scale of the work involved it will take some years; some operators have investment strategies in place through to 2025, which will see the vast majority of their fixed networks being entirely on fiber; service offerings of up to 2Gb/s are becoming more widely available as the process continues. (2022) domestic: a large system of fiber-optic cable, microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, and domestic satellites carries every form of telephone traffic; a rapidly growing cellular system carries mobile telephone traffic throughout the country; fixed-line just over 31 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 134 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 1; landing points for the Quintillion Subsea Cable Network, TERRA SW, AU-Aleutian, KKFL, AKORN, Alaska United -West, & -East & -Southeast, North Star, Lynn Canal Fiber, KetchCar 1, PC-1, SCCN, Tat TGN-Pacific & -Atlantic, Jupiter, Hawaiki, NCP, FASTER, HKA, JUS, AAG, BtoBE, Currie, Southern Cross NEXT, SxS, PLCN, Utility EAC-Pacific, SEA-US, Paniolo Cable Network, HICS, HIFN, ASH, Telstra Endeavor, Honotua, AURORA, ARCOS, AMX-1, Americas -I & -II, Columbus IIb & -III, Maya-1, MAC, GTMO-1, BICS, CFX-1, GlobeNet, Monet, SAm-1, Bahamas 2, PCCS, BRUSA, Dunant, MAREA, SAE x1, TAT 14, Apollo, Gemini Bermuda, Havfrue/AEC-2, Seabras-1, WALL-LI, NYNJ-1, FLAG Atalantic-1, Yellow, Atlantic Crossing-1, AE Connect -1, sea2shore, Challenger Bermuda-1, and GTT Atlantic submarine cable systems providing international connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific, & Atlantic, and Indian Ocean Islands, Central and South America, Caribbean, Canada and US; satellite earth stations - 61 Intelsat (45 Atlantic Ocean and 16 Pacific Ocean), 5 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region), and 4 Inmarsat (Pacific and Atlantic Ocean regions) (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 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: 4 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) Internet country code: .us Internet users: total: 301,665,983 (2020 est.) percent of population: 91% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 121.176 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Communications - note: note 1: The Library of Congress, Washington DC, USA, claims to be the largest library in the world with more than 167 million items (as of 2018); its collections are universal, not limited by subject, format, or national boundary, and include materials from all parts of the world and in over 450 languages; collections include: books, newspapers, magazines, sheet music, sound and video recordings, photographic images, artwork, architectural drawings, and copyright data note 2: Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Ascension (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tistan da Cunha), Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory), and at Kwajalein (Marshall Islands) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 99 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 7,249 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 889.022 million (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 42,985,300,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: N Airports: total: 13,513 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5,054 over 3,047 m: 189 2,438 to 3,047 m: 235 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1,478 914 to 1,523 m: 2,249 under 914 m: 903 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 8,459 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 140 914 to 1,523 m: 1,552 under 914 m: 6,760 (2021) Heliports: 5,287 (2021) Pipelines: 1,984,321 km natural gas, 240,711 km petroleum products (2013) Railways: total: 293,564.2 km (2014) standard gauge: 293,564.2 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 6,586,610 km (2012) paved: 4,304,715 km (2012) (includes 76,334 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,281,895 km (2012) Waterways: 41,009 km (2012) (19,312 km used for commerce; Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, is shared with Canada) Merchant marine: total: 3,627 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 60, general cargo 103, oil tanker 69, other 3,391 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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): Calcasieu Pass (LA), 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: United States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Space Force; US Coast Guard (administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy); National Guard (Army National Guard and Air National Guard) (2022) note: the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and operate in part under state authority Military expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2020) 3.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $730 billion) 3.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $685 billion) 3.3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $671 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: the US Armed Forces have approximately 1.39 million active duty personnel (475,000 Army; 345,000 Navy; 335,000 Air Force (includes about 8,000 Space Force); 180,000 Marine Corps; 40,000 Coast Guard); 335,000 Army National Guard; 105,000 Air National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the US military's inventory is comprised almost entirely of domestically-produced weapons systems (some assembled with foreign components) along with a smaller mix of imported equipment from a variety of Western countries; since 2010, Germany and the UK are the leading suppliers of military hardware; the US defense industry is capable of designing, developing, maintaining, and producing the full spectrum of weapons systems; the US is the world's leading arms exporter (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; no conscription  (currently inactive, but males aged 18-25 must register with Selective Service in case conscription is reinstated in the future); maximum enlistment age 34 (Army), 39 (Air Force), 39 (Navy), 28 (Marines), 31 (Coast Guard); 8-year service obligation, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard); all military occupations and positions open to women (2021) note: in 2020, women comprised 17.2 % of the total US military (16.9% of enlisted; 18.9% officers; highest was Air Force with women comprising 21.1% of its total personnel); a small number of American women were involved in combat during the Revolutionary (1775-1783), Mexican (1846-1848), and Civil (1861-1865) Wars, but they had to disguise themselves as men and enlist under aliases; the first official US military organization for women was the US Army Nurse Corps, established in 1901; during World War I, the US Navy and Marine Corps allowed women to enlist; nearly 350,000 women served in the US military during World War II; the 1991 Gulf War was the first war where women served with men in integrated units within a war zone; in 2015, female service members were allowed to serve in direct combat roles Military deployments: 5,000 Africa (mostly in Djibouti, with approximately 700-1,000 in other countries of East Africa and about 700 in West Africa); 1,700 Australia; 250 Diego Garcia; 150 Canada; 650 Cuba (Guatanamo Bay); 290 Egypt (MFO); approximately 100,000 Europe (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK); 150 Greenland; 6,200 Guam; 370 Honduras; 56,000 Japan; approximately 15,000 Middle East (Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates); 125 Philippines; 28,000 South Korea; 200 Singapore; 100 Thailand (2022) note: US military rotational policies affect deployment numbers; the US deploys ground and air units to select countries for 6-12 month rotational assignments on a continuous basis; in South Korea, for example, the US continuously rotates combat brigades (approximately 3,000 personnel) for 9 months at a time; contingencies also affect US troop deployments; in 2019-2020, the US deployed more than 15,000 additional military personnel to the Middle East for an extended period of time and in 2022, it sent more than 30,000 reinforcements to Europe in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; in addition, some overseas US naval bases, such as the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) in Manama, Bahrain, are frequented by the crews of US ships on 6-9 month deployments; a US carrier strike group with an air wing and supporting ships typically includes over 6-7,000 personnel Military - note: the US is a member of NATO and was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949 the US military has 11 regional- or functionally-based joint service "combatant" commands: Africa Command; Central Command, Cyber Command, European Command, Indo-Pacific Command, Northern Command, Southern Command, Space Command, Special Operations Command, Strategic Command, and Transportation Command Congress officially created the US military in September 1789; the US Army was established in June 1775 as the Continental Army; after the declaration of independence in July 1776, the Continental Army and the militia in the service of Congress became known collectively as the Army of the United States; when Congress ordered the Continental Army to disband in 1784, it retained a small number of personnel that would form the nucleus of the 1st American Regiment for national service formed later that year; both the US Navy and the US Marines were also established in 1775, but the Navy fell into disuse after the Revolutionary War, and was reestablished by Congress in 1794; the first US military unit devoted exclusively to aviation began operations in 1913 as part of the US Army; the Army Air Corps (AAC) was the US military service dedicated to aerial warfare between 1926 and 1941; the AAC became the US Army Air Forces in 1941 and remained as a combat arm of the Army until the establishment of the US Air Force in 1947 Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Hizballah; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa'ida; Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT)  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: US-Antarctica: the US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other states US-Bahamas: the Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; the two countries have met several times to define their maritime boundary US-Canada: Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; because of the dispute over Machias Seal Island and adjoining North Rock, the terminus of the land boundary beyond Canada's Grand Manon Island and the US state of Maine is not defined US-Canada-Mexico: the US has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international borders US-Cuba: the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the lease US-Haiti: Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; the dispute dates to 1857, when the US claimed the Navassa Island under the 1856 Guano Act; Haiti claims it has had ownership over Navassa Island continuously since its 1801 constitution laid claim to “adjacent lands” US-Marshall Islands: in May 2016, the Marshall Islands filed a declaration of authority with the UN over Wake Island, which is currently a US territory, reaffirming that it considers Wake Island part of its territory; control over Wake Island would drastically increase the Marshall Islands’ exclusive economic zone; the US State Department is assembling a group of experts from both countries to discuss the maritime boundary US-Russia: 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratification US-Tokelau: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution; Swains Island has been administered by American Samoa since 1925; the 1980 Treaty of Tokehega delineates the maritime boundary between American Samoa and Tokelau; while not specifically mentioning Swains Island, the treaty notes in its preamble that New Zealand does not claim as part of Tokelau any island administered as part of American SamoaUS-Antarctica: the US has made no territorial claim in Antarctica (but has reserved the right to do so) and does not recognize the claims of any other statesUS-Bahamas: the Bahamas and US have not been able to agree on a maritime boundary; the two countries have met several times to define their maritime boundaryUS-Canada: Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; because of the dispute over Machias Seal Island and adjoining North Rock, the terminus of the land boundary beyond Canada's Grand Manon Island and the US state of Maine is not definedUS-Canada-Mexico: the US has intensified domestic security measures and is collaborating closely with its neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to monitor and control legal and illegal personnel, transport, and commodities across the international bordersUS-Cuba: the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is leased from Cuba and only mutual agreement or US abandonment of the area can terminate the leaseUS-Haiti: Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island; the dispute dates to 1857, when the US claimed the Navassa Island under the 1856 Guano Act; Haiti claims it has had ownership over Navassa Island continuously since its 1801 constitution laid claim to “adjacent lands”US-Marshall Islands: in May 2016, the Marshall Islands filed a declaration of authority with the UN over Wake Island, which is currently a US territory, reaffirming that it considers Wake Island part of its territory; control over Wake Island would drastically increase the Marshall Islands’ exclusive economic zone; the US State Department is assembling a group of experts from both countries to discuss the maritime boundaryUS-Russia: 1990 Maritime Boundary Agreement in the Bering Sea still awaits Russian Duma ratificationUS-Tokelau: Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island among the islands listed in its 2006 draft constitution; Swains Island has been administered by American Samoa since 1925; the 1980 Treaty of Tokehega delineates the maritime boundary between American Samoa and Tokelau; while not specifically mentioning Swains Island, the treaty notes in its preamble that New Zealand does not claim as part of Tokelau any island administered as part of American Samoa Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): the US admitted 11,411 refugees during FY2021 including: 4,891 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 1,246 (Syria), 872 (Afghanistan), 803 (Ukraine), 772 (Burma), 513 (Sudan) stateless persons: 47 (mid-year 2021) note: 72,722 Venezuelans have claimed asylum since 2014 because of the economic and political crisis (2018) Illicit drugs: world's largest consumer of cocaine (mostly from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; major consumer of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids sourced from Mexico and China, often mixed with other drugs; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering centerworld's largest consumer of cocaine (mostly from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; major consumer of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids sourced from Mexico and China, often mixed with other drugs; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center

20220901

countries-peru

Topic: Photos of Peru Topic: Introduction Background: Ancient 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,285,216 sq km land: 1,279,996 sq km water: 5,220 sq km Area - comparative: almost twice the size of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 2,414 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Elevation: highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,746 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,555 m Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 18.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 14.6% (2018 est.) forest: 53% (2018 est.) other: 28.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 25,800 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Bolivia) - 8,030 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Population distribution: approximately one-third of the population resides along the desert coastal belt in the west, with a strong focus on the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, which is strongly identified with the country's Amerindian population, contains roughly half of the overall population; the eastern slopes of the Andes, and adjoining rainforest, are sparsely populated Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activityvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (5,672 m), which last erupted in 2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane; see note 2 under "Geography - note"earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activityvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (5,672 m), which last erupted in 2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane; see note 2 under "Geography - note" Geography - note: note 1: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River note 2: Peru is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire note 3: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes erupted in the largest volcanic explosion in South America in historical times; intermittent eruptions lasted until 5 March 1600 and pumped an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and affecting weather worldwide; over the next two and a half years, millions died around the globe in famines from bitterly cold winters, cool summers, and the loss of crops and animals note 4: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato note 1: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon Rivernote 2: Peru is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire note 3: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes erupted in the largest volcanic explosion in South America in historical times; intermittent eruptions lasted until 5 March 1600 and pumped an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and affecting weather worldwide; over the next two and a half years, millions died around the globe in famines from bitterly cold winters, cool summers, and the loss of crops and animals note 4: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato Map description: Peru map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean.Peru map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 32,275,736 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Peruvian(s) adjective: Peruvian Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 60.2%, Amerindian 25.8%, White 5.9%, African descent 3.6%, other (includes Chinese and Japanese descent) 1.2%, unspecified 3.3% (2017 est.) Languages: Spanish (official) 82.9%, Quechua (official) 13.6%, Aymara (official) 1.6%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages) 0.8%, other (includes foreign languages and sign language) 0.2%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.7% (2017 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 60%, Christian 14.6% (includes Evangelical 11.1%, other 3.5%), other 0.3%, none 4%, unspecified 21.1% (2017 est.) Demographic profile: Peru's urban and coastal communities have benefited much more from recent economic growth than rural, Afro-Peruvian, indigenous, and poor populations of the Amazon and mountain regions. The poverty rate has dropped substantially during the last decade but remains stubbornly high at about 30% (more than 55% in rural areas). After remaining almost static for about a decade, Peru's malnutrition rate began falling in 2005, when the government introduced a coordinated strategy focusing on hygiene, sanitation, and clean water. School enrollment has improved, but achievement scores reflect ongoing problems with educational quality. Many poor children temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families. About a quarter to a third of Peruvian children aged 6 to 14 work, often putting in long hours at hazardous mining or construction sites.Peru was a country of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has become a country of emigration in the last few decades. Beginning in the 19th century, Peru brought in Asian contract laborers mainly to work on coastal plantations. Populations of Chinese and Japanese descent - among the largest in Latin America - are economically and culturally influential in Peru today. Peruvian emigration began rising in the 1980s due to an economic crisis and a violent internal conflict, but outflows have stabilized in the last few years as economic conditions have improved. Nonetheless, more than 2 million Peruvians have emigrated in the last decade, principally to the US, Spain, and Argentina.Peru's urban and coastal communities have benefited much more from recent economic growth than rural, Afro-Peruvian, indigenous, and poor populations of the Amazon and mountain regions. The poverty rate has dropped substantially during the last decade but remains stubbornly high at about 30% (more than 55% in rural areas). After remaining almost static for about a decade, Peru's malnutrition rate began falling in 2005, when the government introduced a coordinated strategy focusing on hygiene, sanitation, and clean water. School enrollment has improved, but achievement scores reflect ongoing problems with educational quality. Many poor children temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families. About a quarter to a third of Peruvian children aged 6 to 14 work, often putting in long hours at hazardous mining or construction sites.Peru was a country of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has become a country of emigration in the last few decades. Beginning in the 19th century, Peru brought in Asian contract laborers mainly to work on coastal plantations. Populations of Chinese and Japanese descent - among the largest in Latin America - are economically and culturally influential in Peru today. Peruvian emigration began rising in the 1980s due to an economic crisis and a violent internal conflict, but outflows have stabilized in the last few years as economic conditions have improved. Nonetheless, more than 2 million Peruvians have emigrated in the last decade, principally to the US, Spain, and Argentina. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.2 youth dependency ratio: 37.1 elderly dependency ratio: 13.1 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.3 years female: 29.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.51% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 17.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 11.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately one-third of the population resides along the desert coastal belt in the west, with a strong focus on the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, which is strongly identified with the country's Amerindian population, contains roughly half of the overall population; the eastern slopes of the Andes, and adjoining rainforest, are sparsely populated Urbanization: urban population: 78.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 11.045 million LIMA (capital), 947,000 Arequipa, 891,000 Trujillo (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.9 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 88 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.94 years male: 65.38 years female: 72.67 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 76.3% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 5.2% (2019) Physicians density: 1.37 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 91,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1000 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Bartonellosis (Oroya fever) note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Peru; as of 6 June 2022, Peru has reported a total of 3,581,524 cases of COVID-19 or 10,862.4 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 213,205 cumulative deaths or a rate of 646.6 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 88.04% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 19.7% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.1% (2020 est.) male: 13.2% (2020 est.) female: 3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.4% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2.5% women married by age 18: 17.4% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.5% male: 97% female: 92% (2020) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.6% male: 13% female: 12.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation (some the result of illegal logging); overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes; overfishing 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, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, 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: 24.27 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 57.41 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 30.17 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west; temperate to frigid in Andes Land use: agricultural land: 18.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 14.6% (2018 est.) forest: 53% (2018 est.) other: 28.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.12% 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, malaria, and Bartonellosis (Oroya fever) note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Peru; as of 6 June 2022, Peru has reported a total of 3,581,524 cases of COVID-19 or 10,862.4 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 213,205 cumulative deaths or a rate of 646.6 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 88.04% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 8,356,711 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 334,268 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2012 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Bolivia) - 8,030 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 2.797 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 206.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 13.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1,879,800,000,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Peru conventional short form: Peru local long form: Republica del Peru local short form: Peru etymology: exact meaning is obscure, but the name may derive from a native word "biru" meaning "river" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Lima geographic coordinates: 12 03 S, 77 03 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the word "Lima" derives from the Spanish pronunciation of "Limaq," the native name for the valley in which the city was founded in 1535; "limaq" means "talker" in coastal Quechua and referred to an oracle that was situated in the valley but which was eventually destroyed by the Spanish and replaced with a church Administrative divisions: 25 regions (regiones, singular - region) and 1 province* (provincia); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali note: Callao, the largest port in Peru, is also referred to as a constitutional province, the only province of the Callao region Independence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 28-29 July (1821) Constitution: history: several previous; latest promulgated 29 December 1993, enacted 31 December 1993 amendments: proposed by Congress, by the president of the republic with the approval of the Council of Ministers or by petition of at least 0.3% of voters; passage requires absolute majority approval by the Congress membership, followed by approval in a referendum; a referendum is not required if Congress approves the amendment by greater than two-thirds majority vote in each of two successive sessions; amended many times, last in 2021 Legal system: civil law system 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: 2 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70 Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (since 28 July 2021); First Vice President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra (since 28 July 2021); Second Vice President (vacant); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (since 28 July 2021); First Vice President Dina Ercilia BOLUARTE Zegarra (since 28 July 2021); Second Vice President (vacant) 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 nonconsecutive terms); election last held on 11 April 2021 with a runoff on 6 June 2021 (next to be held in April 2026) election results: 2021: Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (Free Peru) 18.9%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi (Popular Force) 13.4%, Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA Cazorla (Popular Renewal) 11.8%, Hernando DE SOTO Polar (Social Integration Party) 11.6%, Yonhy LESCANO Ancieta (Popular Action) 9.1%, Veronika MENDOZA Frisch (JP) 7.9%, Cesar ACUNA Peralta (APP) 6%, George FORSYTH Sommer (National Victory) 5.7%, Daniel Belizario URRESTI Elera (We Can Peru) 5.6%, other 10%; percent of vote second round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (Free Peru) 50.1%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi (Popular Force) 49.9% 2016: Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi (Popular Force) 39.9%, Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard (PPK) 21.1%, Veronika MENDOZA (Broad Front) 18.7%, Alfredo BARNECHEA (Popular Action) 7%, Alan GARCIA (APRA) 5.8%, other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard 50.1%, Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi 49.9% note: President Martin Alberto VIZCARRA Cornejo assumed office after President Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard resigned from office on 21 March 2018; after VIZCARRA was impeached on 9 November 2020, the constitutional line of succession led to the inauguration of the President of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel Arturo MERINO, as President of Peru on 10 November 2020; following his resignation only days later on 15 November 2020, Francisco Rafael SAGASTI Hochhausler - who had been elected by the legislature to be the new President of Congress on 16 November 2020 - was then sworn in as President of Peru on 17 November 2020 by line of succession and remained president until the inauguration of Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones, winner of the 2021 presidential election note: Prime Minister Anibal TORRES Vasquez (since 8 February 2022) does not exercise executive power; this power rests with the president Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 16 judges and divided into civil, criminal, and constitutional-social sectors) judge selection and term of office: justices proposed by the National Board of Justice (a 7-member independent body), nominated by the president, and confirmed by the Congress; justices can serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Constitutional Guarantees; Superior Courts or Cortes Superiores; specialized civil, criminal, and mixed courts; 2 types of peace courts in which professional judges and selected members of the local communities preside Political parties and leaders: Advance the Nation (Avanza Pais) [Aldo BORRERO Zeta] Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP [Cesar ACUNA Peralta] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Marco ARANA] Free Peru (Peru Libre) [Vladimir CERRON Rojas] Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza) [Fernando OLIVERA Vega] National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN [George FORSYTH Sommer] Popular Action (Accion Popular) or AP [Mesias GUEVARA Amasifuen] Popular Force (Fuerza Popular or FP) [Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi] Popular Renewal (Renovacion Popular) [Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA] Purple Party (Partido Morado) [Luis DURAN Rojo] Social Integration Party (Avanza Pais - Partido de Integracion Social) [Aldo BORRERO] Together For Peru (Juntos por el Peru) or JP [Robert SANCHEZ Palomino] We Are Peru (Somos Peru) [Patricia LI] We Can Peru (Podemos Peru) [Jose Leon LUNA Galvez]Advance the Nation (Avanza Pais) [Aldo BORRERO Zeta] Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP [Cesar ACUNA Peralta] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Marco ARANA] Free Peru (Peru Libre) [Vladimir CERRON Rojas] Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza) [Fernando OLIVERA Vega] National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN [George FORSYTH Sommer] Popular Action (Accion Popular) or AP [Mesias GUEVARA Amasifuen] Popular Force (Fuerza Popular or FP) [Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi] Popular Renewal (Renovacion Popular) [Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA] Purple Party (Partido Morado) [Luis DURAN Rojo] Social Integration Party (Avanza Pais - Partido de Integracion Social) [Aldo BORRERO] Together For Peru (Juntos por el Peru) or JP [Robert SANCHEZ Palomino] We Are Peru (Somos Peru) [Patricia LI] We Can Peru (Podemos Peru) [Jose Leon LUNA Galvez] International organization participation: APEC, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Oswaldo DE RIVERO Barreto (since 17 November 2021) chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 email address and website: Webadmin@embassyofperu.us consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (NJ), San Francisco, Washington DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Suzanne KENNA (since 18 March 2021) embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17 s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: 3230 Lima Place, Washington DC  20521-3230 telephone: [51] (1) 618-2000 FAX: [51] (1) 618-2724 email address and website: LimaACS@state.gov https://pe.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a vicuna (representing fauna), a cinchona tree (the source of quinine, signifying flora), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out coins (denoting mineral wealth); red recalls blood shed for independence, white symbolizes peace National symbol(s): vicuna (a camelid related to the llama); national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 13 (9 cultural, 2 natural, 2 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Cuzco (c); Machu Picchu (m); Chavin (c); Historic Lima (c); Huascarán National Park (n); Chan Chan (c); Manú National Park (n); Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca (c); Rio Abiseo National Park (m); Historic Arequipa (c); Sacred City of Caral-Supe (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Peru's economy reflects its varied topography - an arid lowland coastal region, the central high sierra of the Andes, and the dense forest of the Amazon. A wide range of important mineral resources are found in the mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Peru is the world's second largest producer of silver and copper.   The Peruvian economy grew by an average of 5.6% per year from 2009-13 with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. This growth was due partly to high international prices for Peru's metals and minerals exports, which account for 55% of the country's total exports. Growth slipped from 2014 to 2017, due to weaker world prices for these resources. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, dependence on minerals and metals exports and imported foodstuffs makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices.   Peru's rapid expansion coupled with cash transfers and other programs have helped to reduce the national poverty rate by over 35 percentage points since 2004, but inequality persists and continued to pose a challenge for the Ollanta HUMALA administration, which championed a policy of social inclusion and a more equitable distribution of income. Poor infrastructure hinders the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. The HUMALA administration passed several economic stimulus packages in 2014 to bolster growth, including reforms to environmental regulations in order to spur investment in Peru’s lucrative mining sector, a move that was opposed by some environmental groups. However, in 2015, mining investment fell as global commodity prices remained low and social conflicts plagued the sector.   Peru's free trade policy continued under the HUMALA administration; since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the US, Canada, Singapore, China, Korea, Mexico, Japan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Chile, Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Honduras, concluded negotiations with Guatemala and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and begun trade talks with El Salvador, India, and Turkey. Peru also has signed a trade pact with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, called the Pacific Alliance, that seeks integration of services, capital, investment and movement of people. Since the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in February 2009, total trade between Peru and the US has doubled. President Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI succeeded HUMALA in July 2016 and is focusing on economic reforms and free market policies aimed at boosting investment in Peru. Mining output increased significantly in 2016-17, which helped Peru attain one of the highest GDP growth rates in Latin America, and Peru should maintain strong growth in 2018. However, economic performance was depressed by delays in infrastructure mega-projects and the start of a corruption scandal associated with a Brazilian firm. Massive flooding in early 2017 also was a drag on growth, offset somewhat by additional public spending aimed at recovery efforts.Peru's economy reflects its varied topography - an arid lowland coastal region, the central high sierra of the Andes, and the dense forest of the Amazon. A wide range of important mineral resources are found in the mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Peru is the world's second largest producer of silver and copper. The Peruvian economy grew by an average of 5.6% per year from 2009-13 with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. This growth was due partly to high international prices for Peru's metals and minerals exports, which account for 55% of the country's total exports. Growth slipped from 2014 to 2017, due to weaker world prices for these resources. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, dependence on minerals and metals exports and imported foodstuffs makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Peru's rapid expansion coupled with cash transfers and other programs have helped to reduce the national poverty rate by over 35 percentage points since 2004, but inequality persists and continued to pose a challenge for the Ollanta HUMALA administration, which championed a policy of social inclusion and a more equitable distribution of income. Poor infrastructure hinders the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. The HUMALA administration passed several economic stimulus packages in 2014 to bolster growth, including reforms to environmental regulations in order to spur investment in Peru’s lucrative mining sector, a move that was opposed by some environmental groups. However, in 2015, mining investment fell as global commodity prices remained low and social conflicts plagued the sector. Peru's free trade policy continued under the HUMALA administration; since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the US, Canada, Singapore, China, Korea, Mexico, Japan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Chile, Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Honduras, concluded negotiations with Guatemala and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and begun trade talks with El Salvador, India, and Turkey. Peru also has signed a trade pact with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, called the Pacific Alliance, that seeks integration of services, capital, investment and movement of people. Since the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in February 2009, total trade between Peru and the US has doubled. President Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI succeeded HUMALA in July 2016 and is focusing on economic reforms and free market policies aimed at boosting investment in Peru. Mining output increased significantly in 2016-17, which helped Peru attain one of the highest GDP growth rates in Latin America, and Peru should maintain strong growth in 2018. However, economic performance was depressed by delays in infrastructure mega-projects and the start of a corruption scandal associated with a Brazilian firm. Massive flooding in early 2017 also was a drag on growth, offset somewhat by additional public spending aimed at recovery efforts. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $371.29 billion (2020 est.) $417.88 billion (2019 est.) $408.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.18% (2019 est.) 3.97% (2018 est.) 2.48% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,300 (2020 est.) $12,900 (2019 est.) $12,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $230.707 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) note: data are for metropolitan Lima, annual average Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB+ (2013) Moody's rating: A3 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2013) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.6% (2017 est.) industry: 32.7% (2017 est.) services: 59.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, potatoes, rice, plantains, milk, poultry, maize, cassava, oil palm fruit, grapes Industries: mining and refining of minerals; steel, metal fabrication; petroleum extraction and refining, natural gas and natural gas liquefaction; fishing and fish processing, cement, glass, textiles, clothing, food processing, beer, soft drinks, rubber, machinery, electrical machinery, chemicals, furniture Industrial production growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 3.421 million (2020 est.) note: individuals older than 14 years of age Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 25.8% industry: 17.4% services: 56.8% (2011) Unemployment rate: 6.58% (2019 est.) 6.73% (2018 est.) note: data are for metropolitan Lima; widespread underemployment Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.6% male: 13% female: 12.1% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 20.2% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.8 (2018 est.) 51 (2005) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.4% highest 10%: 36.1% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 58.06 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.81 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 25.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data exclude treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities Taxes and other revenues: 27.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$3.531 billion (2019 est.) -$3.821 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $54.88 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $55.84 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $53.823 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: China 29%, United States 12%, Canada 5%, South Korea 5%, Switzerland 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper, gold, refined petroleum, zinc, fishmeal, tropical fruits, lead, iron, molybdenum (2019) Imports: $51.38 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $51.41 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $46.15 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 24%, United States 22%, Brazil 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $63.83 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $61.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $81.333 billion (2019 est.) $75.467 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 3.599 (2020 est.) 3.3799 (2019 est.) 3.366 (2018 est.) 3.185 (2014 est.) 2.8383 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 15.34 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 49,121,370,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 60 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.408 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 38.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 55.4% 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: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 696,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 396,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 252,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 262,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 102 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 122,500 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 265,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 6,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 112,900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 858.9 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 166,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 62,640 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 65,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 12,079,211,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 8,278,048,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 5.446 billion cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 300.158 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 54.996 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 36.465 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2.47 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 44 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: after suffering a sharp retraction in the number of subscriptions and revenue during 2020 due to the pandemic, Peru’s telecom sector managed to stage a small recovery in the first half of 2021; it will likely be two to three years before penetration rates return to the peak levels last seen in 2018; this is especially true given the overwhelming influence of mobile on Peru’s telecommunications market, which now commands almost 95% of all connections; Peru’s fixed-line teledensity continued its slow dropping below 7% at the end of 2021; investment in network infrastructure is mainly focused on rolling out fiber cable for fixed broadband services in (mainly) urban areas; fixed broadband services inched higher to reach 8.4% at the end of 2020, a positive result that reflected the shift to working from home during enforced lock downs at the start of the year; yet Peru has a relatively low level of computer use, and prices for fixed broadband services are among the highest in Latin America; the overwhelmingly preferred internet access platform will remain the smartphone, with a further 8.6% growth in the number of mobile broadband subscriptions expected in 2021; one drawback to success in the mobile broadband market was the decision in January 2021 by Google’s parent company Alphabet to shut down Project Loon; this global endeavor involved the use of high-altitude balloons to provide internet access to remote, under served areas around the world; in Peru, Loon had signed a deal with Telefónica to provide internet services in areas of the Amazon rain forest as part of the Telefónica/Facebook ‘Internet para Todos’ (IPT) project launched in 2018; Alphabet was unable to make the venture financially sustainable. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is nearly 10 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity, spurred by competition among multiple providers, now nearly 124 telephones per 100 persons; nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations (2019) international: country code - 51; landing points for the SAM-1, IGW, American Movil-Telxius, SAC and PAN-AM submarine cable systems that provide links to parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth stations - 2 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: 10 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) Internet country code: .pe Internet users: total: 21,431,700 (2020 est.) percent of population: 65% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3.044 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 62 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,758,527 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 313.26 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OB Airports: total: 191 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 59 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 21 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 132 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 30 under 914 m: 82 (2021) Heliports: 5 (2021) Pipelines: 786 km extra heavy crude, 1,526 km gas, 679 km liquid petroleum gas, 1,106 km oil, 15 km refined products (2022) Railways: total: 1,854.4 km (2017) standard gauge: 1,730.4 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (34 km electrified) narrow gauge: 124 km (2014) 0.914-m gauge Roadways: total: 18,699 km (2018) paved: 18,699 km note: includes 27,109 km of national roads (21,434 km paved), 247,505 km of departmental roads (3,623 km paved), and 113,857 km of local roads (1,858 km paved) Waterways: 8,808 km (2011) (8,600 km of navigable tributaries on the Amazon River system and 208 km on Lago Titicaca) Merchant marine: total: 98 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 8, other 89 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Joint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru (CCFFAA): Peruvian Army (Ejercito del Peru), Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP, includes naval infantry and Coast Guard), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP); Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior): Peruvian National Police (Policía Nacional del Perú, PNP) (2022) Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $3.87 billion) 1.2% of GDP (2018) (approximately $3.83 billion) 1.2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.86 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 95,000 active duty personnel (60,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 4,000 naval infantry and 1,000 Coast Guard; 10,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Peruvian military's inventory is a mix of mostly older equipment from a wide variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Europe, the former Soviet Union, and the US; since 2010, Peru has received military equipment from more than a dozen countries, led by Russia and South Korea (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-50 years of age for male and 18-45 years of age for female voluntary military service (12 months); no conscription (abolished in 1999) (2022) note: as of 2019, women made up about 10% of the active duty military Military deployments: 215 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022) Military - note: the Peruvian security forces continued to conduct operations against remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group (aka Sendero Luminoso; see Appendix T), particularly in the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro River Valleys (VRAEM) of eastern Peru; the military had approximately 8,000-10,000 troops in the VRAEM under a combined Special Command comprised of air, ground, naval, police, and special forces units (2022) Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Peru are a risk for armed robbery against ships; in 2021, 18 attacks against commercial vessels were reported, a more than 50% increase over the eight attacks in 2020; all of these occurred in the main port of Callao while ships were berthed or at anchor Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) 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: Peru-Bolivia: Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian border Peru-Brazil: none identified Peru-Chile: Bolivia continues to press for a sovereign corridor to the Pacific Ocean; any concession Chile makes to Bolivia to grant them a sovereign corridor requires approval by Peru under the terms of their treaty; in January 2018, the International Court of Justice ruled that Chile is not legally obligated to negotiate a sovereign corridor to the Pacific Ocean with Bolivia Peru-Chile-Ecuador: Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines out to 200 nautical miles, which would give Peru 37,900 square kilometers of water Peru-Colombia: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; problems also include crossborder illegal migration, human trafficking, and contraband smuggling Peru-Ecuador: in 1999, Tiwinza memorial park wasvcreated on lands that remains sovereign Peruvian territory, but Ecuador has the right to maintain and administer it in perpetuityPeru-Bolivia: Peru rejects Bolivia's claim to restore maritime access through a sovereign corridor through Chile along the Peruvian borderPeru-Brazil: none identifiedPeru-Chile: Bolivia continues to press for a sovereign corridor to the Pacific Ocean; any concession Chile makes to Bolivia to grant them a sovereign corridor requires approval by Peru under the terms of their treaty; in January 2018, the International Court of Justice ruled that Chile is not legally obligated to negotiate a sovereign corridor to the Pacific Ocean with BoliviaPeru-Chile-Ecuador: Chile and Ecuador rejected Peru's November 2005 unilateral legislation to shift the axis of their joint treaty-defined maritime boundaries along the parallels of latitude to equidistance lines out to 200 nautical miles, which would give Peru 37,900 square kilometers of waterPeru-Colombia: organized illegal narcotics operations in Colombia have penetrated Peru's shared border; problems also include crossborder illegal migration, human trafficking, and contraband smugglingPeru-Ecuador: in 1999, Tiwinza memorial park wasvcreated on lands that remains sovereign Peruvian territory, but Ecuador has the right to maintain and administer it in perpetuity Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,286,434 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions; as of 2011, no new information on the situation of these IDPs) (2021) Illicit drugs: world’s second-largest producer of cocaine, with an estimated 88,200 hectares under coca cultivation in 2020; cocaine is trafficked throughout South America for shipment to Europe, East Asia, Mexico, and the United States; major importer of precursor chemicals for cocaine production

20220901

field-carbon-dioxide-emissions-country-comparison

20220901

countries-slovenia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Slovenia. 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 the stay is less than 90 days in each 180-day period. US Embassy/Consulate: +(386) (1) 200-5500; EMER: +(386) (1) 200-5556; US Embassy Ljubljana, Prešernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; LjubljanaACS@state.gov; https://si.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 386 Local Emergency Phone: 112 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east Currency (Code): Euros (EUR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Slovenian, Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Hungarian Major Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 0.9% 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 Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Lake Bled; Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle; Piran; Ljubljana; Royal Lipizzaner Horses from Lipica; Triglav National Park & So?a River Major Sports: Soccer, athletics (track and field), basketball, boxing, handball Cultural Practices: It is proper to bring gifts when invited into a household. Chocolates and wine are always appreciated. Tipping Guidelines: In larger cities and major tourist areas, it is customary to leave about 10% of the bill; if you receive exceptional service, leave 15%. Souvenirs: Handmade lace; dragon-, carnation-, folklore-, and beehive-themed ceramic and wood decorative items; replica boats; crystal; gold jewelry; woven baskets; liquor and wine; Soviet-era money, stamps, and military paraphernalia Traditional Cuisine: Štruklji — rolls of filo dough filled with savory or sweet fillings including meat, cottage cheese, apple, or walnuts; the dumplings can be boiled, steamed, or fried and served as a side dish to meat or as a dessertPlease 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-sex-ratio

This entry includes the number of males for each female in five age groups - at birth, under 15 years, 15-64 years, 65 years and over, and for the total population. Sex ratio at birth has recently emerged as an indicator of certain kinds of sex discrimination in some countries. For instance, high sex ratios at birth in some Asian countries are now attributed to sex-selective abortion and infanticide due to a strong preference for sons. This will affect future marriage patterns and fertility patterns. Eventually, it could cause unrest among young adult males who are unable to find partners. Topic: Afghanistanat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Albaniaat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Algeriaat 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Andorraat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Angolaat 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: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Anguillaat 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.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Argentinaat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Armeniaat birth: 1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Arubaat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Australiaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Austriaat 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: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Theat 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.) Topic: Bahrainat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.29 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.61 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladeshat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Barbadosat 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.) Topic: Belarusat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.35 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Belgiumat 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: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Belizeat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Beninat 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.) Topic: Bermudaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutanat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Boliviaat 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.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Botswanaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Brazilat 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandsat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Bruneiat 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.) Topic: Bulgariaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasoat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.75 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Burmaat 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: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Burundiat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdeat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodiaat 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.) Topic: Cameroonat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Canadaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 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: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandsat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republicat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Chadat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Chileat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.56 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Chinaat birth: 1.1 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Colombiaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Comorosat 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.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theat 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: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islandsat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Ricaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 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: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoireat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Croatiaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cubaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Curacaoat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprusat 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: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Czechiaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Denmarkat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Djiboutiat 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.) Topic: Dominicaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicat 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.) Topic: Ecuadorat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Egyptat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvadorat 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.) Topic: Equatorial Guineaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.21 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.21 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.15 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Eritreaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Estoniaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatiniat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.73 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopiaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: European Unionat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2016 est.) note: sex ratio is somewhat skewed by the high proportion of males at the Royal Air Force station, Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA); excluding MPA, the sex ratio of the total population would be 1.04 Topic: Faroe Islandsat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Fijiat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Finlandat 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Franceat 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.) Topic: French Polynesiaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Gabonat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, Theat 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: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Georgiaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Germanyat 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Ghanaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltarat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Greeceat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Greenlandat 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: 1.08 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Grenadaat birth: 1.1 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guamat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemalaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guernseyat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guineaat 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 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissauat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Guyanaat 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: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Haitiat birth: 1.01 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Hondurasat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kongat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Hungaryat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Icelandat 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Indiaat birth: 1.1 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesiaat 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: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Iranat 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Iraqat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Irelandat 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: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Manat birth: 1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Israelat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Italyat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaicaat 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: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Japanat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Jerseyat 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.) Topic: Jordanat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanat birth: 0.94 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.35 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Kenyaat 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.) Topic: Kiribatiat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Northat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Southat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovoat birth: 1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwaitat 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.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Laosat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Latviaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.36 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanonat birth: 1.05 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: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Lesothoat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.74 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Liberiaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Libyaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinat birth: 1.25 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.24 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuaniaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.45 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourgat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Macauat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.83 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascarat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Malawiat 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.) Topic: Malaysiaat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Maldivesat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Maliat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Maltaat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsat 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritaniaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritiusat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Mexicoat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Moldovaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Monacoat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Mongoliaat 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: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegroat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Montserratat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.92 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Moroccoat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiqueat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Namibiaat 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: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Nauruat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Nepalat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlandsat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledoniaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealandat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaraguaat 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: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Nigerat 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: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeriaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: NiueNA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedoniaat birth: 1.07 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: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsat birth: 1.17 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.13 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Norwayat 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: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Omanat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.32 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.17 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistanat 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.) Topic: Palauat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.66 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.64 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.27 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Panamaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Paraguayat 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.) Topic: Peruat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Philippinesat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Polandat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Portugalat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricoat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Qatarat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 2.26 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 5.45 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 3.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 3.36 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Romaniaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Russiaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.36 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Rwandaat 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: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemyat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.18 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Luciaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martinat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Samoaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: San Marinoat birth: 1.09 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principeat 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: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiaat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.54 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.3 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Senegalat 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.) Topic: Serbiaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Seychellesat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leoneat 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.) Topic: Singaporeat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maartenat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakiaat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sloveniaat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandsat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Somaliaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: South Africaat birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: South Sudanat 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.28 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Spainat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lankaat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Sudanat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Surinameat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Swedenat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerlandat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Syriaat 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.) Topic: Taiwanat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistanat 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzaniaat 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: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Thailandat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Lesteat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Togoat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tongaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisiaat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Turkeyat 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: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanat 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: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvaluat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.73 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.53 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Ugandaat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Ukraineat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratesat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.2 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 3.32 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 5.41 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.86 male(s)/female total population: 2.21 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdomat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: United Statesat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female NA 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguayat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatuat birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuelaat 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: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnamat birth: 1.11 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.5 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunaat 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.) Topic: West Bankat 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.) Topic: Worldat birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.) Topic: Yemenat 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Topic: Zambiaat 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.) Topic: Zimbabweat birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.62 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

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

countries-cabo-verde

Topic: Photos of Cabo Verde Topic: Introduction Background: The 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 4,033 sq km land: 4,033 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 965 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm measured from claimed archipelagic baselines Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic Terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Elevation: highest point: Mt. Fogo (a volcano on Fogo Island) 2,829 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: salt, basalt rock, limestone, kaolin, fish, clay, gypsum Land use: agricultural land: 18.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 21% (2018 est.) other: 60.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 35 sq km (2012) Population distribution: among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically activevolcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcanoprolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically activevolcanism: Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano Geography - note: strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal) Map description: Cabo Verde map showing the many islands that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.Cabo Verde map showing the many islands that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 596,707 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Cabo Verdean(s) adjective: Cabo Verdean Ethnic groups: Creole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Languages: Portuguese (official), Krioulo (a Portuguese-based Creole language with two main dialects spoken in Cabo Verde and in the Cabo Verdean diaspora worldwide) Religions: Roman Catholic 77.3%, Protestant 4.6% (includes Church of the Nazarene 1.7%, Adventist 1.5%, Assembly of God 0.9%, Universal Kingdom of God 0.4%, and God and Love 0.1%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Christian Rationalism 1.9%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, and New Apostolic 0.5%), Muslim 1.8%, other 1.3%, none 10.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.) Demographic profile: 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, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe.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, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49 youth dependency ratio: 41.8 elderly dependency ratio: 7.1 potential support ratio: 14 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 26.8 years male: 25.9 years female: 27.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.21% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 18.49 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 67.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 168,000 PRAIA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.52 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 58 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 23.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.75 years male: 71.41 years female: 76.15 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.13 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 55.8% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.9% (2019) Physicians density: 0.83 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 2.1 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 2,400 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 11.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 11.4% (2020 est.) male: 17.3% (2020 est.) female: 5.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.8% male: 91.7% female: 82% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 50.4% male: 41.4% female: 65.3% (2019) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation due to demand for firewood; water shortages; prolonged droughts and improper use of land (overgrazing, crop cultivation on hillsides lead to desertification and erosion); environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles; illegal beach sand extraction; overfishing 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 31.99 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.54 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.13 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic Land use: agricultural land: 18.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 11.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 21% (2018 est.) other: 60.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 67.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.83% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.38% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 132,555 tons (2012 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cabo Verde conventional short form: Cabo Verde local long form: Republica de Cabo Verde local short form: Cabo Verde etymology: the name derives from Cap-Vert (Green Cape) on the Senegalese coast, the westernmost point of Africa and the nearest mainland to the islands Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Praia geographic coordinates: 14 55 N, 23 31 W time difference: UTC-1 (4 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the earlier Portuguese name was Villa de Praia ("Village of the Beach"); it became just Praia in 1974 (prior to full independence in 1975) Administrative divisions: 22 municipalities (concelhos, singular - concelho); Boa Vista, Brava, Maio, Mosteiros, Paul, Porto Novo, Praia, Ribeira Brava, Ribeira Grande, Ribeira Grande de Santiago, Sal, Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina do Fogo, Santa Cruz, Sao Domingos, Sao Filipe, Sao Lourenco dos Orgaos, Sao Miguel, Sao Salvador do Mundo, Sao Vicente, Tarrafal, Tarrafal de Sao Nicolau Independence: 5 July 1975 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1975) Constitution: history: previous 1981; latest effective 25 September 1992 amendments: proposals require support of at least four fifths of the active National Assembly membership; amendment drafts require sponsorship of at least one third of the active Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; constitutional sections, including those on national independence, form of government, political pluralism, suffrage, and human rights and liberties, cannot be amended; revised 1995, 1999, 2010 Legal system: civil law system of Portugal 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 Cabo Verde dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Maria NEVES (since 9 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Ulisses CORREIA E. SILVA (since 22 April 2016) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation 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 17 October 2021 (next to be held on 17 October 2026); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly and appointed by the president (2021) election results: Jose Maria NEVES elected president; percent of vote - Jose Maria NEVES (APICV) 51.73%, Carlos VEIGA (MFD) 42.37%, Casimiro DE PINA (Independent) 1.81%, Fernando Rocha DELGADO (Independent) 1.36%, Helio SANCHES (Independent) 1.14%, Gilson ALVES (Independent)  0.84%, Joaquim MONTEIRO (Independent) 3.4% Jorge Carlos FONSECA reelected president; percent of vote - Jorge Carlos FONSECA (MPD) 74.1%, Albertino GRACA (independent) 22.5%, other 3% (2021) African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde (APICV) Movement for Democracy (MFD) Legislative branch: description: 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) (2021) 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% (2021) Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and at least 7 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and administrative sections) judge selection and term of office: judge appointments - 1 by the president of the republic, 1 elected by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Superior Judicial Council (SJC), a 16-member independent body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general, 8 private citizens, 2 judges, 2 prosecutors, the senior legal inspector of the Attorney General's office, and a representative of the Ministry of Justice; chief justice appointed by the president of the republic from among peers of the Supreme Court of Justice and in consultation with the SJC; judges appointed for life subordinate courts: appeals courts, first instance (municipal) courts; audit, military, and fiscal and customs courts Political parties and leaders: African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV [Janira Hopffer ALMADA] Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID [João DOS SANTOS LUIS] Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES] Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO] Movement for Democracy or MPD [Ulisses CORREIA E SILVA] Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis do Livramento MONTEIRO ALVES DE BRITO (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 email address and website: embassy@caboverdeus.net https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/ consulate(s) general: Boston Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John "Jeff" DAIGLE (since 10 September 2019) embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia mailing address: 2460 Praia Place, Washington DC  20521-2460 telephone: [238] 260-8900 FAX: [238] 261-1355 email address and website: PraiaConsular@state.gov https://cv.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: five unequal horizontal bands; the top-most band of blue - equal to one half the width of the flag - is followed by three bands of white, red, and white, each equal to 1/12 of the width, and a bottom stripe of blue equal to one quarter of the flag width; a circle of 10 yellow, five-pointed stars is centered on the red stripe and positioned 3/8 of the length of the flag from the hoist side; blue stands for the sea and the sky, the circle of stars represents the 10 major islands united into a nation, the stripes symbolize the road to formation of the country through peace (white) and effort (red) National symbol(s): ten, five-pointed, yellow stars; national colors: blue, white, red, yellow National anthem: name: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom) lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA note: adopted 1996 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Cidade Velha; Historic Center of Ribeira Grande Topic: Economy Economic overview: Cabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited.   Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls.Cabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.36 billion (2020 est.) $3.94 billion (2019 est.) $3.73 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2017 est.) 4.7% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,000 (2020 est.) $7,200 (2019 est.) $6,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.971 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2019 est.) 1.2% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2013) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 8.9% (2017 est.) industry: 17.5% (2017 est.) services: 73.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, coconuts, cassava, pulses nes, vegetables, milk, goat milk Industries: food and beverages, fish processing, shoes and garments, salt mining, ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 2.9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 196,100 (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (2017 est.) 9% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 50.4% male: 41.4% female: 65.3% (2019) Population below poverty line: 35% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.4 (2015 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 40.6% (2000) Budget: revenues: 493.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 546.7 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 125.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 127.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 27.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$109 million (2017 est.) -$40 million (2016 est.) Exports: $420 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $960 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Spain 65%, Portugal 14%, Italy 8% (2019) Exports - commodities: processed and frozen fish, mollusks, clothing, scrap iron (2019) Imports: $1.02 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.29 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.34 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Portugal 36%, Netherlands 16%, Spain 11%, China 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, delivery trucks, coal tar oil, cars, rice (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $617.4 million (31 December 2017 est.) $572.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.713 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.688 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Cabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 101.8 (2017 est.) 99.688 (2016 est.) 99.688 (2015 est.) 99.426 (2014 est.) 83.114 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 96% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 89% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 205,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 436.854 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 32.146 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 80.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 17.8% 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: 6,500 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: 5,607 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: 1.002 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 26.539 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 57,668 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 544,729 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: LTE reaches almost 40% of the population; regulator awards commercial 4G licenses and starts 5G pilot; govt. extends USD 25 million for submarine fiber-optic cable project linking Africa to Portugal and Brazil; major service provider is Cabo Verde Telecom (CVT) (2020) domestic: a little over 10 per 100 fixed-line teledensity and nearly 98 per 100 mobile-cellular; fiber-optic ring, completed in 2001, links all islands providing Internet access and ISDN services; cellular service introduced in 1998; broadband services launched early in the decade (2020) international: country code - 238; landing points for the Atlantis-2, EllaLink, Cabo Verde Telecom Domestic Submarine Cable Phase 1, 2, 3 and WACS fiber-optic transatlantic telephone cable that provides links to South America, Africa, and Europe; HF radiotelephone to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau; 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 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) Internet country code: .cv Internet users: total: 361,392 (2020 est.) percent of population: 65% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 24,839 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 140,429 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,728,152 (2015) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: D4 Airports: total: 9 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 9 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Roadways: total: 1,350 km (2013) paved: 932 km (2013) unpaved: 418 km (2013) Merchant marine: total: 46 by type: general cargo 16, oil tanker 3, other 27 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Porto Grande Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Cabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV): Army (also called the National Guard, GN; includes a small air component), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV); Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police (2022) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $20 million) 0.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $20 million) 0.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $20 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,200 personnel including about 100 in the Coast Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FACV has a limited amount of mostly dated and second-hand equipment, largely from China, some European countries, and the former Soviet Union (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; 2-years conscript service obligation; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent) (2022) Military - note: as of 2022, the FACV/National Guard was mostly a ground force with 2 infantry battalions and a small air component with a maritime patrol squadron; the Coast Guard had a few coastal patrol craft and patrol boats Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 115 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: Cabo Verde is a transit hub for cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs trafficked from Latin America to Europe; marijuana, cocaine, hashish, heroin, and methamphetamine are the most frequently consumed drugs in Cabo Verde

20220901

field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight

This entry gives the percent of children under five considered to be underweight. Underweight means weight-for-age is less than minus two standard deviations from the median of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards among children under 5 years of age. This statistic is an indicator of the nutritional status of a community. Children who suffer from growth retardation as a result of poor diets and/or recurrent infections tend to have a greater risk of suffering illness and death. Topic: Afghanistan19.1% (2018) Topic: AkrotiriNA Topic: Albania1.5% (2017/18) Topic: Algeria2.7% (2018/19) Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: AndorraNA Topic: Angola19% (2015/16) Topic: AnguillaNA Topic: Antigua and BarbudaNA Topic: Argentina1.7% (2018/19) Topic: Armenia2.6% (2015/16) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA Topic: AustraliaNA Topic: AustriaNA Topic: Azerbaijan4.9% (2013) Topic: Bahamas, TheNA Topic: BahrainNA Topic: Bangladesh22.6% (2019) Topic: Barbados3.5% (2012) Topic: BelarusNA Topic: Belgium1% (2014/15) Topic: Belize4.6% (2015/16) Topic: Benin16.8% (2017/18) Topic: BermudaNA Topic: BhutanNA Topic: Bolivia3.4% (2016) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina1.6% (2012) Topic: BotswanaNA Topic: Bouvet IslandNA Topic: BrazilNA Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: BruneiNA Topic: Bulgaria1.9% (2014) Topic: Burkina Faso16.4% (2019) Topic: Burma19.1% (2017/18) Topic: Burundi27% (2018/19) Topic: Cabo VerdeNA Topic: Cambodia24.1% (2014) Topic: Cameroon11% (2018/19) Topic: CanadaNA Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic20.5% (2019) Topic: Chad29.2% (2019) Topic: Chile0.5% (2014) Topic: China2.4% (2013) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Clipperton IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia3.7% (2015/16) Topic: Comoros16.9% (2012) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the23.1% (2017/18) Topic: Congo, Republic of the12.3% (2014/15) Topic: Cook IslandsNA Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica2.9% (2018) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire12.8% (2016) Topic: CroatiaNA Topic: Cuba2.4% (2019) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: CyprusNA Topic: CzechiaNA Topic: DenmarkNA Topic: DhekeliaNA Topic: Djibouti29.9% (2012) Topic: DominicaNA Topic: Dominican Republic4% (2013) Topic: Ecuador5.2% (2018/19) Topic: Egypt7% (2014) Topic: El Salvador5% (2014) Topic: Equatorial Guinea5.6% (2011) Topic: EritreaNA Topic: Estonia0.4% (2013/15) Topic: Eswatini5.8% (2014) Topic: Ethiopia21.1% (2019) Topic: European UnionNA Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe IslandsNA Topic: FijiNA Topic: FinlandNA Topic: FranceNA Topic: French PolynesiaNA Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA Topic: Gabon6.4% (2012) Topic: Gambia, The11.6% (2019/20) Topic: Gaza Strip2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgia2.1% (2018) Topic: Germany0.5% (2014/17) Topic: Ghana12.6% (2017/18) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: GreeceNA Topic: GreenlandNA Topic: GrenadaNA Topic: GuamNA Topic: Guatemala12.4% (2014/15) Topic: GuernseyNA Topic: Guinea16.3% (2018) Topic: Guinea-Bissau18.8% (2019) Topic: Guyana8.2% (2014) Topic: Haiti9.5% (2016/17) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras7.1% (2011/12) Topic: Hong KongNA Topic: HungaryNA Topic: IcelandNA Topic: India33.4% (2016/18) Topic: Indonesia17.7% (2018) Topic: Iran4.1% (2010/11) Topic: Iraq3.9% (2018) Topic: IrelandNA Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: IsraelNA Topic: ItalyNA Topic: Jamaica4.4% (2016) Topic: Jan MayenNA Topic: JapanNA Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan3% (2012) Topic: Kazakhstan2% (2015) Topic: Kenya11.2% (2014) Topic: Kiribati6.9% (2018/19) Topic: Korea, North9.3% (2017) Topic: Korea, SouthNA Topic: KosovoNA Topic: Kuwait3% (2014) Topic: Kyrgyzstan1.8% (2018) Topic: Laos21.1% (2017) Topic: LatviaNA Topic: LebanonNA Topic: Lesotho10.5% (2018) Topic: Liberia10.9% (2019/20) Topic: Libya11.7% (2014) Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: LithuaniaNA Topic: LuxembourgNA Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar26.4% (2018) Topic: Malawi9% (2019) Topic: Malaysia14.1% (2019) Topic: Maldives14.8% (2016/17) Topic: Mali18.1% (2019) Topic: MaltaNA Topic: Marshall Islands11.9% (2017) Topic: Mauritania19.2% (2018) Topic: MauritiusNA Topic: Mexico4.7% (2018/19) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA Topic: Moldova2.2% (2012) Topic: MonacoNA Topic: Mongolia1.8% (2018) Topic: Montenegro3.7% (2018/19) Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco2.6% (2017/18) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique15.6% (2014/15) Topic: Namibia13.2% (2013) Topic: NauruNA Topic: Navassa IslandNA Topic: Nepal24.4% (2019) Topic: NetherlandsNA Topic: New CaledoniaNA Topic: New ZealandNA Topic: Nicaragua4.6% (2011/12) Topic: Niger31.3% (2019) Topic: Nigeria18.4% (2019/20) Topic: NiueNA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia0.9% (2018/19) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: NorwayNA Topic: Oman11.2% (2016/17) Topic: Pakistan23.1% (2017/18) Topic: PalauNA Topic: Panama3% (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinea27.8% (2009/11) Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguay1.3% (2016) Topic: Peru2.4% (2019) Topic: Philippines19.1% (2018) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland0.7% (2010/12) Topic: Portugal0.4% (2015/16) Topic: Puerto RicoNA Topic: QatarNA Topic: RomaniaNA Topic: RussiaNA Topic: Rwanda7.7% (2019/20) Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisNA Topic: Saint Lucia2.8% (2012) Topic: Saint MartinNA Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNA Topic: Samoa3.4% (2019/20) Topic: San MarinoNA Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5.4% (2019) Topic: Saudi ArabiaNA Topic: Senegal14.4% (2019) Topic: Serbia1% (2019) Topic: Seychelles3.6% (2012) Topic: Sierra Leone13.5% (2019) Topic: SingaporeNA Topic: Sint MaartenNA Topic: SlovakiaNA Topic: SloveniaNA Topic: Solomon Islands16.2% (2015) Topic: Somalia23% (2009) Topic: South Africa5.5% (2017) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South SudanNA Topic: SpainNA Topic: Spratly IslandsNA Topic: Sri Lanka20.5% (2016) Topic: Sudan33% (2014) Topic: Suriname6.7% (2018) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: SwedenNA Topic: SwitzerlandNA Topic: SyriaNA Topic: TaiwanNA Topic: Tajikistan7.6% (2017) Topic: Tanzania14.6% (2018) Topic: Thailand7.7% (2019) Topic: Timor-Leste37.5% (2013) Topic: Togo15.2% (2017) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tonga0.8% (2019) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago4.9% (2011) Topic: Tunisia1.6% (2018) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)1.5% (2018/19) Topic: Turkmenistan3.1% (2019) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: TuvaluNA Topic: Uganda10.4% (2016) Topic: UkraineNA Topic: United Arab EmiratesNA Topic: United KingdomNA Topic: United States0.4% (2017/18) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA Topic: Uruguay1.8% (2018) Topic: Uzbekistan2.9% (2017) Topic: Vanuatu11.7% (2013) Topic: VenezuelaNA Topic: Vietnam13.4% (2017) Topic: Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Wake IslandNA Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West Bank2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Yemen39.9% (2013) Topic: Zambia11.8% (2018/19) Topic: Zimbabwe9.7% (2019)

20220901

countries-madagascar

Topic: Photos of Madagascar Topic: Introduction Background: Madagascar 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 587,041 sq km land: 581,540 sq km water: 5,501 sq km Area - comparative: almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of Arizona Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 4,828 km Maritime claims: territorial 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 Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Elevation: highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 615 m Natural resources: graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, rare earth elements, salt, quartz, tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 71.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 64.1% (2018 est.) forest: 21.5% (2018 est.) other: 7.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 10,860 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestationvolcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical timesperiodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestationvolcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times Geography - note: world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else Map description: Madagascar map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean.Madagascar map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 28,172,462 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Malagasy (singular and plural) adjective: Malagasy Ethnic groups: Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Languages: Malagasy (official) 99.9%, French (official) 23.6%, English 8.2%, other 0.6% (2018 est.) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Religions: Christian, indigenous, Muslim Demographic profile: Madagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies.Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage.Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people.Madagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies.Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage.Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 75.9 youth dependency ratio: 70.5 elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 potential support ratio: 18.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 20.3 years male: 20.1 years female: 20.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.27% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 28.68 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 39.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.700 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.5 years (2008/09 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 335 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 39.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.17 years male: 66.8 years female: 69.57 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 44.4% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 0.2 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 42,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,800 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial 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; Madagascar 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: 5.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 27.8% (2020 est.) male: 42.7% (2020 est.) female: 12.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 26.4% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 12.7% women married by age 18: 40.3% men married by age 18: 11.8% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 2.9% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 76.7% male: 78.4% female: 75.1% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 10 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.4% male: 3.9% female: 3% (2015 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: erosion and soil degredation results from deforestation and overgrazing; desertification; agricultural fires; surface water contaminated with raw sewage and other organic wastes; wildlife preservation (endangered species of flora and fauna unique to the island) 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 Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.44 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 3.91 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.14 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south Land use: agricultural land: 71.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 64.1% (2018 est.) forest: 21.5% (2018 est.) other: 7.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 39.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.34% 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: 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; Madagascar 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 the effects of extreme weather events - cyclones and tropical storms in early 2022 have affected a large number of people, particularly in eastern regions, and the number of food insecure people is expected to increase later in 2022; moreover, drought conditions continue to affect households in the south, which is likely to result in an increase in the severity and prevalence of food insecurity in these areas (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,768,759 tons (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 395 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 161.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 13 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 337 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Madagascar conventional short form: Madagascar local long form: Republique de Madagascar/Repoblikan'i Madagasikara local short form: Madagascar/Madagasikara former: Malagasy Republic etymology: the name "Madageiscar" was first used by the 13th-century Venetian explorer Marco POLO, as a corrupted transliteration of Mogadishu, the Somali port with which POLO confused the island Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Antananarivo geographic coordinates: 18 55 S, 47 31 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name, which means "City of the Thousand," was bestowed by 17th century King Adrianjakaking to honor the soldiers assigned to guard the city Administrative divisions: 6 provinces (faritany); Antananarivo, Antsiranana, Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara Independence: 26 June 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 June (1960) Constitution: history: previous 1992; latest passed by referendum 17 November 2010, promulgated 11 December 2010 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic in consultation with the cabinet or supported by a least two thirds of both the Senate and National Assembly membership; passage requires at least three-fourths approval of both the Senate and National Assembly and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles, including the form and powers of government, the sovereignty of the state, and the autonomy of Madagascar’s collectivities, cannot be amended Legal system: civil law system based on the old French civil code and customary law in matters of marriage, family, and obligation International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: unknown Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Andry RAJOELINA (since 21 January 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Christian NTSAY (since 6 June 2018) 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held on 7 November and 19 December 2018 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister nominated by the National Assembly, appointed by the president election results: 2018: Andry RAJOELINA elected President in second round; percent of vote in first round - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 39.2%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 35.4%, other 25.4%; percent of vote in second round - Andry RAJOELINA (TGV) 55.7%, Marc RAVALOMANANA (TIM) 44.3% 2013: Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (HVM) 15.9%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 21.1%, other 63%; percent of vote in second round - Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA (HVM) 53.5%, Jean Louis ROBINSON (AVANA) 46.5% Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Antenimieran-Doholona (18 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by an electoral college of municipal, communal, regional, and provincial leaders and 6 appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms) 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 on 11 December 2020 (next to be held in  December 2025) National Assembly - last held on 27 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) election results: 2020: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; elected seats by party - Irmar 10, Malagasy Miara Miainga 2; composition - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11% 2019: National Assembly - percent of vote by party -Independent Pro-HVM 18%, MAPAR 17%, MAPAR pro-HVM 16%, TIM 13%' VPM-MMM 10%, GPS/ARD 7%, HIARAKA ISIKA 3%, LEADER FANILO 3%, VERTS 3%, TAMBATRA 1%, independent 9%; composition - men 123, women 28, percent of women 18.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 17.8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 11 members; addresses judicial administration issues only); High Constitutional Court or Haute Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 9 members); note - the judiciary includes a High Court of Justice responsible for adjudicating crimes and misdemeanors by government officials, including the president judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court heads elected by the president and judiciary officials to serve 3-year, single renewable terms; High Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 each by the president, by both legislative bodies, and by the Council of Magistrates; members serve single, 7-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance Political parties and leaders: Economic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY] FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA] Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL] Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Irmar Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy Miara Miainga Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana] Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA] Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA]Economic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY] FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA] Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL] Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Irmar Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy Miara Miainga Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana] Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA] Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Amielle Pelenne NIRINIAVISOA MARCEDA (since 31 October 2019) chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 email address and website: contact@us-madagascar-embassy.org https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tobias H. GLUCKSMAN embassy: Lot 207A, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo mailing address: 2040 Antananarivo Place, Washington  DC 20521-2040 telephone: [261] 20-23-480-00 FAX: [261] 20-23-480-35 email address and website: antanACS@state.gov https://mg.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a vertical white band of the same width on hoist side; by tradition, red stands for sovereignty, green for hope, white for purity National symbol(s): traveller's palm, zebu; national colors: red, green, white National anthem: name: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland) lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA note: adopted 1959 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve (n); Ambohimanga Royal Hill (c); Atsinanana Rainforests  (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy.   After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%.   Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity.Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy. After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%. Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $41.82 billion (2020 est.) $43.65 billion (2019 est.) $41.81 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.) 4.2% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,500 (2020 est.) $1,600 (2019 est.) $1,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $13.964 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.6% (2019 est.) 8.6% (2018 est.) 8.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24% (2017 est.) industry: 19.5% (2017 est.) services: 56.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: rice, sugar cane, cassava, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, bananas, mangoes/guavas, tropical fruit, potatoes Industries: meat processing, seafood, soap, beer, leather, sugar, textiles, glassware, cement, automobile assembly plant, paper, petroleum, tourism, mining Industrial production growth rate: 5.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 13.4 million (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 1.8% (2017 est.) 1.8% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.4% male: 3.9% female: 3% (2015 est.) Population below poverty line: 70.7% (2012 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.6 (2012 est.) 42.7 (2010) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.828 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.136 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 36% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$35 million (2017 est.) $57 million (2016 est.) Exports: $4.09 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.41 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.839 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: United States 19%, France 18%, United Arab Emirates 7%, China 6%, Japan 6%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: vanilla, nickel, gold, clothing and apparel, gemstones (2019) Imports: $4.7 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.82 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.796 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 24%, France 11%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, South Africa 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, rice, cars, packaged medicines, clothing and apparel (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.076 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $3.085 billion (2019 est.) $4.107 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Malagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 3,116.1 (2017 est.) 3,176.5 (2016 est.) 3,176.5 (2015 est.) 2,933.5 (2014 est.) 2,414.8 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 39% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 64% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 587,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,720,140,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 131 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 59.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 38.2% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 107,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 21,100 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: 18,880 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: 4.218 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 2.307 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 69,000 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 15.869 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 57 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Telecom services in Madagascar have benefited from intensifying competition between the main operators, including Orange Madagascar, Airtel, and the incumbent telco Telma; there have been positive developments with the country’s link to international submarine cables, particularly the METISS cable connecting to South Africa and Mauritius; in addition, the country’s connection to the Africa-1 cable, expected in late 2023, will provide it with links to Kenya, Djibouti, countries in north and south Africa, as well Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and France; a national fiber backbone has been implemented connecting the major cities; Telma has progressively expanded the network to reach smaller towns; in addition, the government has progressed with its five-year plan to develop a digital platform running to 2024; various schemes within the program have been managed by a unit within the President’s office; penetration rates in all market sectors remain below the average for the African region, and so there remains considerable growth potential; much progress was made in 2020, stimulated by the particular conditions related to the pandemic, which encouraged greater use of voice and data services. (2022) domestic: less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity about 34 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 261; landing points for the EASSy, METISS, and LION fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting to numerous Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa, and Eastern African countries; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic 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: state-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) Internet country code: .mg Internet users: total: 2,696,931 (2019 est.) percent of population: 10% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 32,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 18 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 541,290 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.25 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5R Airports: total: 83 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 57 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 18 (2021) Railways: total: 836 km (2018) narrow gauge: 836 km (2018) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 31,640 km (2018) Waterways: 600 km (2011) (432 km navigable) Merchant marine: total: 27 by type: general cargo 14, oil tanker 2, other 11 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), Mahajanga, Toamasina, Toliara (Tulear) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: People's Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force; National Gendarmerie (operates under the Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Public Security: National Police (2022) note: the National Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining law and order in rural areas at the village level, protecting government facilities, and operating a maritime police contingent; the National Police is responsible for maintaining law and order in urban areas Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $130 million) 0.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $130 million) 0.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $120 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 13,000 personnel (12,000 Army; 500 Navy; 500 Air Force); estimated 10,000 Gendarmerie (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the PAF's inventory consists mostly of aging Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of second-hand equipment from France, South Africa, and UAE (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for males; service obligation 18 months; no conscription; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2022) Military - note: one of the military’s duties is assisting the gendarmerie with maintaining law and order in rural areas, particularly in areas affected by banditry, cattle rustling (cattle thieves are known as dahalo), and criminal groups (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Madagascar-France: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France); the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claim of France Madagascar-Comoros: the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claim of the ComorosMadagascar-France: claims Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, and Juan de Nova Island (all administered by France); the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claim of FranceMadagascar-Comoros: the vegetated drying cays of Banc du Geyser, which were claimed by Madagascar in 1976, also fall within the EEZ claim of the Comoros Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin

20220901

field-energy-consumption-per-capita-country-comparison

20220901

south-america

20220901

countries-guatemala

Topic: Photos of Guatemala Topic: Introduction Background: The 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize Geographic coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 108,889 sq km land: 107,159 sq km water: 1,730 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania Land boundaries: total: 1,667 km border countries (4): Belize 266 km; El Salvador 199 km; Honduras 244 km; Mexico 958 km Coastline: 400 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Terrain: two east-west trending mountain chains divide the country into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of mountains, and the vast northern Peten lowlands Elevation: highest point: Volcan Tajumulco (highest point in Central America) 4,220 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 759 m Natural resources: petroleum, nickel, rare woods, fish, chicle, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 41.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 8.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.2% (2018 est.) forest: 33.6% (2018 est.) other: 25.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,375 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago de Izabal - 590 sq km Population distribution: the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas Natural hazards: numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical stormsvolcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under "Geography - note"numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical stormsvolcanism: significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under "Geography - note" Geography - note: note 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coast note 2: Guatemala is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Firenote 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coastnote 2: Guatemala is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire Map description: Guatemala map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.Guatemala map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 17,703,190 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Guatemalan(s) adjective: Guatemalan Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Maya 41.7%, Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) 1.8%, African descent 0.2%, Garifuna (mixed West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) 0.1%, foreign 0.2% (2018 est.) Languages: Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna); note - the 2003 Law of National Languages officially recognized 23 indigenous languages, including 21 Maya languages, Xinca, and Garifuna (2018 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 41.7%, Evangelical 38.8%, other 2.7%, atheist 0.1%, none 13.8%, unspecified 2.9% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Guatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more close to three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations.Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues.Guatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more close to three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations.Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 62.3 youth dependency ratio: 54.1 elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 potential support ratio: 12.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.2 years male: 22.6 years female: 23.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.58% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.34 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas Urbanization: urban population: 52.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.036 million GUATEMALA CITY (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.6 years (2014/15 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: 26.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.91 years male: 70.88 years female: 75.04 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 60.6% (2014/15) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.2% (2019) Physicians density: 1.24 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 33,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1,000 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 10.9% (2020 est.) male: 20.1% (2020 est.) female: 1.6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12.4% (2014/15) Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 80.8% male: 85.3% female: 76.7% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 10 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 4.6% male: 4% female: 5.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation in the Peten rainforest; soil erosion; water pollution Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, 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, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 23.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 16.78 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 10.7 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands Land use: agricultural land: 41.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 8.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 18.2% (2018 est.) forest: 33.6% (2018 est.) other: 25.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 52.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.78% 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 and malaria Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,756,741 tons (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago de Izabal - 590 sq km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 835 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 603.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.886 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 127.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Guatemala conventional short form: Guatemala local long form: Republica de Guatemala local short form: Guatemala etymology: the Spanish conquistadors used many native Americans as allies in their conquest of Guatemala; the site of their first capital (established in 1524), a former Maya settlement, was called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of trees" or "forested land", but which the Spanish pronounced "Guatemala"; the Spanish applied that name to a re-founded capital city three years later and eventually it became the name of the country Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Guatemala City geographic coordinates: 14 37 N, 90 31 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Spanish conquistadors used many native Americans as allies in their conquest of Guatemala; the site of their first capital (established in 1524), a former Maya settlement, was called "Quauhtemallan" by their Nahuatl-speaking Mexican allies, a name that means "land of trees" or "forested land", but which the Spanish pronounced "Guatemala"; the Spanish applied that name to a re-founded capital city three years later and eventually it became the name of the country Administrative divisions: 22 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Chiquimula, El Progreso, Escuintla, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, Izabal, Jalapa, Jutiapa, Peten, Quetzaltenango, Quiche, Retalhuleu, Sacatepequez, San Marcos, Santa Rosa, Solola, Suchitepequez, Totonicapan, Zacapa Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 31 May 1985, effective 14 January 1986; suspended and reinstated in 1994 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by agreement of 10 or more deputies of Congress, by the Constitutional Court, or by public petition of at least 5,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Congress membership and approval by public referendum, referred to as "popular consultation"; constitutional articles such as national sovereignty, the republican form of government, limitations on those seeking the presidency, or presidential tenure cannot be amended; amended 1993 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts 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: 5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day Executive branch: chief of state: President Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (since 14 January 2020); Vice President Cesar Guillermo CASTILLO Reyes (since 14 January 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (since 14 January 2020); Vice President Cesar Guillermo CASTILLO Reyes (since 14 January 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed 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 4-year term (not eligible for consecutive terms); election last held on 16 June 2019 with a runoff on 11 August 2019 (next to be held in June 2023) election results: 2019: Alejandro GIAMMATTEI elected president; percent of vote in first round - Sandra TORRES (UNE) 25.54%, Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (VAMOS) 13.95%, Edmond MULET (PHG) 11.21%, Thelma CABRERA (MLP) 10.37%, Roberto ARZU (PAN-PODEMOS) 6.08%; percent of vote in second round - Alejandro GIAMMATTEI (VAMOS) 58%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 42% 2015: Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera (FNC) 23.9%, Sandra TORRES (UNE) 19.8%, Manuel BALDIZON (LIDER) 19.6%, other 36.7%; percent of vote in second round - Jimmy Ernesto MORALES Cabrera 67.4%, Sandra TORRES 32.6% Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 13 magistrates, including the court president and organized into 3 chambers); note - the court president also supervises trial judges countrywide; note - the Constitutional Court or Corte de Constitucionalidad of Guatemala resides outside the country's judicial system; its sole purpose is the interpretation of the constitution and to see that the laws and regulations are not superior to the constitution (consists of 5 titular magistrates and 5 substitute magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court magistrates elected by the Congress of the Republic from candidates proposed by the Postulation Committee, an independent body of deans of the country's university law schools, representatives of the country's law associations, and representatives of the Courts of Appeal; magistrates elected for concurrent, renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges - 1 elected by the Congress of the Republic, 1 by the Supreme Court, 1 by the president of the republic, 1 by the (public) University of San Carlos, and 1 by the Assembly of the College of Attorneys and Notaries; judges elected for renewable, consecutive 5-year terms; the presidency of the court rotates among the magistrates for a single 1-year term subordinate courts: Appellate Courts of Accounts, Contentious Administrative Tribunal, courts of appeal, first instance courts, child and adolescence courts, minor or peace courts Political parties and leaders: Bienestar Nacional or BIEN [Fidel REYES LEE] Citizen Prosperity or PC [Hernan MEJIA and Jorge GARCIA SILVA] Commitment, Renewal, and Order or CREO [Rodolfo NEUTZE] Everyone Together for Guatemala or TODOS [Felipe ALEJOS] Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG-MAIZ or URNG [Walter FELIX] Humanist Party of Guatemala or PHG [Rudio MERIDA] Movement for the Liberation of Peoples or MLP [Thelma CABRERA and Vincenta JERONIMO] Movimiento Semilla or SEMILLA [Cesar AREVALO DE LEON and Samuel PEREZ] National Advancement Party or PAN [Manuel CONDE] National Convergence Front or FCN-NACION [Javier HERNANDEZ] National Unity for Hope or UNE [Sandra TORRES and Jorge VARGAS] Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Carlos ROJAS and Sofia HERNANDEZ] PODEMOS [Jose LEON] Political Movement Winaq or Winaq [Sonia GUTIERREZ Raguay] Value or VALOR [Zury RIOS and Lucrecia MARROQUIN] Vamos por una Guatemala Diferente or VAMOS [Alejandro GIAMMATTEI] Victory or VICTORIA [Abraham RIVERA and his four sons  Amilcar, Juan, Manuel and Edgar] Vision with Values or VIVA [Armando Damian CASTILLO Alvarado] International organization participation: BCIE, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alfonso Jose QUINONEZ LEMUS (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4953 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 email address and website: infoembaguateeuu@minex.gob.gt consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Del Rio (TX), Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence (RI), Raleigh (NC), San Bernardino (CA), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Lake Worth (FL), Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador William W. POPP (since 13 August 2020) embassy: Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: 3190 Guatemala Place, Washington DC  20521-3190 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654 email address and website: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov https://gt.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of light blue (hoist side), white, and light blue, with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms includes a green and red quetzal (the national bird) representing liberty and a scroll bearing the inscription LIBERTAD 15 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1821 (the original date of independence from Spain) all superimposed on a pair of crossed rifles signifying Guatemala's willingness to defend itself and a pair of crossed swords representing honor and framed by a laurel wreath symbolizing victory; the blue bands represent the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea; the white band denotes peace and purity note: one of only two national flags featuring a firearm, the other is Mozambique National symbol(s): quetzal (bird); national colors: blue, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Antigua Guatemala (c); Tikal National Park (m); Archaeological Park and Ruins of Quirigua (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP.   The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment.   The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world.Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP. The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $141.5 billion (2020 est.) $143.68 billion (2019 est.) $138.33 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) 4.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $8,400 (2020 est.) $8,700 (2019 est.) $8,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $76.678 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2019 est.) 3.7% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2010) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.3% (2017 est.) industry: 23.4% (2017 est.) services: 63.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, bananas, oil palm fruit, maize, melons, potatoes, milk, plantains, pineapples, rubber Industries: sugar, textiles and clothing, furniture, chemicals, petroleum, metals, rubber, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6.664 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31.4% industry: 12.8% services: 55.8% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.3% (2017 est.) 2.4% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 4.6% male: 4% female: 5.7% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 59.3% (2014 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 48.3 (2014 est.) 56 (2011) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6% highest 10%: 38.4% (2014) Budget: revenues: 8.164 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.156 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 24.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $1.134 billion (2017 est.) $1.023 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $13.12 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.6 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $13.35 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 33%, El Salvador 12%, Honduras 8%, Mexico 5%, Nicaragua 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: bananas, raw sugar, coffee, cardamom, palm oil (2019) Imports: $19.3 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.17 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 36%, China 12%, Mexico 11%, El Salvador 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, cars, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $11.77 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $9.156 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $22.92 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $21.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: quetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.323 (2017 est.) 7.5999 (2016 est.) 7.5999 (2015 est.) 7.6548 (2014 est.) 7.7322 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 85% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.185 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 10,793,650,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 2.19 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 1.141 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.587 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 39.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 38% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 17% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 2.28 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.376 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 10,300 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 112,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 6,700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 86.1 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 1,162 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 10,810 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 97,900 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: 19.041 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 19.411 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,272,467 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 20,390,671 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Guatemala’s telecom infrastructure has suffered from years of under investment from state and provincial government; the poor state of fixed-line infrastructure has led to Guatemala having one of the lowest fixed-line teledensities in the region; in many rural regions of the country there is no fixed-line access available, and so mobile services are adopted by necessity; private investment has been supported by government and regulatory efforts, resulting in a steady growth in the number of fixed lines which has supported growth in the fixed broadband segment; delays in launching LTE services left the country lagging behind in the development of mobile broadband and the benefits which it can bring to the country's social and economic growth; two new submarine cables are due for completion by 2022; improved international connectivity should drive further uptake of both fixed and mobile broadband services; key players including Millicom (operating as Tigo Guatemala) and América Móvil are regional and global powerhouses which can tap into expertise and financial resources to bolster their Guatemalan businesses; the acquisition of Telefónica’s Guatemala business by América Móvil in 2019 created a strong competitor to Millicom, which dominates the mobile sector; intense competition among the networks has helped to improve services and lower prices for end-users; given the commercial impetus of networks, insufficient government financial investment has resulted in many regional areas remaining with poor or non-existent services; the country benefits from one of the most open regulatory frameworks, with all telecom sectors having been open to competition since 1996; América Móvil controls about 85.1% of the fixed-lines market through its subsidiaries Claro and Movistar; mobile telephony is the most developed telecom market sector in Guatemala, accounting for 90% of connections in the country; mobile subscriptions are on par with the regional average, though the slower growth in the mobile subscriber base suggests a level of market saturation, with the emphasis among networks being on generating revenue via mobile data services. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 13 per 100 persons; fixed-line investments are concentrating on improving rural connectivity; mobile-cellular teledensity about 114 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 502; landing points for the ARCOS, AMX-1, American Movil-Texius West Coast Cable and the SAm-1 fiber-optic submarine cable system that, together, provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; 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: 4 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) Internet country code: .gt Internet users: total: 8,429,167 (2020 est.) percent of population: 50% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 612,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 145,795 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 110,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TG Airports: total: 291 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 4 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 275 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 77 under 914 m: 195 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 480 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 800 km (2018) narrow gauge: 800 km (2018) 0.914-m gauge note: despite the existence of a railway network, all rail service was suspended in 2007 and no passenger or freight train currently runs in the country (2018) Roadways: total: 17,440 km (2020) paved: 7,458 km (2020) unpaved: 9,982 km (2020) (includes 4,548 km of rural roads) Waterways: 990 km (2012) (260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season) Merchant marine: total: 9 by type: oil tanker 1, other 8 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Puerto Quetzal, Santo Tomas de Castilla Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Army of Guatemala (Ejercito de Guatemala): Land Forces (Fuerzas de Tierra), Naval Forces (Fuerza de Mar), and Air Force (Fuerza de Aire); Ministry of Interior: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil; includes paramilitary units) (2022) Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020) 0.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $530 million) 0.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $470 million) 0.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $460 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 20,000 active military personnel (18,000 Land Forces; 1,000 Naval Forces; 1,000 Air Forces); approximately 30,000 National Civil Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Guatemalan military inventory is small and mostly comprised of older US equipment; since 2010, Guatemala has received small amounts of equipment from several countries, including the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are eligible for military service; in practice, most of the force is volunteer, however, a selective draft system is employed, resulting in a small portion of 17-21 year-olds conscripted; conscript service obligation varies from 1 to 2 years; women may volunteer (2022) note: as of 2017, women made up an approximately 5-10% of the active military Military deployments: 155 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Military - note: since the 2000s, the Guatemalan Government has used the Army to support the National Civil Police (PNC; under the Ministry of Government) in internal security operations (as permitted by the constitution) to combat organized crime, gang violence, and narco-trafficking  the military held power during most of the country’s 36-year civil war (1960-1996) and conducted a campaign of widespread violence and repression, particularly against the country’s majority indigenous population; more than 200,000 people were estimated to have been killed or disappeared during the conflict (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: annual ministerial meetings under the Organization of American States-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the USannual ministerial meetings under the Organization of American States-initiated Agreement on the Framework for Negotiations and Confidence Building Measures continue to address Guatemalan land and maritime claims in Belize and the Caribbean Sea; Guatemala persists in its territorial claim to half of Belize, but agrees to Line of Adjacency to keep Guatemalan squatters out of Belize's forested interior; both countries agreed in April 2012 to hold simultaneous referenda, scheduled for 6 October 2013, to decide whether to refer the dispute to the ICJ for binding resolution, but this vote was suspended indefinitely; Mexico must deal with thousands of impoverished Guatemalans and other Central Americans who cross the porous border looking for work in Mexico and the US Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 243,000 (more than three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996 displaced mainly the indigenous Maya population and rural peasants; ongoing drug cartel and gang violence) (2021) Illicit drugs: a major transit country for illegal drugs destined for the United States with increasing cultivation originating from Guatemala; farmers  cultivate opium poppy and cannabis

20220901

field-net-migration-rate

This entry includes the figure for the difference between the number of persons entering and leaving a country during the year per 1,000 persons (based on midyear population). An excess of persons entering the country is referred to as net immigration (e.g., 3.56 migrants/1,000 population); an excess of persons leaving the country as net emigration (e.g., -9.26 migrants/1,000 population). The net migration rate indicates the contribution of migration to the overall level of population change. The net migration rate does not distinguish between economic migrants, refugees, and other types of migrants nor does it distinguish between lawful migrants and undocumented migrants. Topic: Afghanistan-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Albania-3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Algeria-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoa-29.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Andorra0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Angola-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Anguilla10.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Argentina-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Armenia-5.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Aruba8.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Australia6.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Austria3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bahrain-0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladesh-2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Barbados-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belarus0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belgium4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belize-0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Benin0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bermuda1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutan0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bolivia-0.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina-0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Botswana2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Brazil-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands13.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Brunei2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bulgaria-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burma-1.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burundi7.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodia-2.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cameroon-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Canada5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands12.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: major destination for Cubans trying to migrate to the US Topic: Central African Republic-3.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Chad-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Chile0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: China-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Comoros-2.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islands-27.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Rica0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Croatia-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cuba-2.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Curacao-1.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprus6.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Czechia2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Denmark2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Djibouti4.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Dominica-5.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic-2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ecuador0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Egypt-0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvador-6.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea13.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Eritrea-10.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Estonia-2.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatini-6.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopia-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: European Union-2.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe Islands0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Fiji-5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Finland2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: France1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: French Polynesia-0.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gabon3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, The-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip-4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Georgia0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Germany1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ghana-0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltar-3.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Greece1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Greenland-5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Grenada-2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guam-10.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemala-1.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guernsey1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau-3.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guyana-7.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Haiti-1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Honduras-1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kong1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Hungary1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iceland2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: India0.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesia-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iran-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iraq-0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ireland3.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Man4.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Israel2.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Italy3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaica-7.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Japan0.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jersey1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jordan-11.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kenya-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kiribati-2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, North-0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, South2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovo-1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwait-3.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan-4.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Laos-1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Latvia-5.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanon-0.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lesotho-4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Liberia-2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Libya-1.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein4.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuania-4.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourg12.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Macau3.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascar0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malawi0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malaysia1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Maldives-12.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mali-3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malta5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands-4.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritania-0.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritius0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mexico-0.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of-20.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Moldova-8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Monaco10.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mongolia-0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegro-4.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrat0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Morocco-1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique-1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Namibia0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nauru-10.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nepal-4.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlands1.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledonia3.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia Topic: New Zealand5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaragua-2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Niger-0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeria-0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: North Macedonia0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands-13.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Norway3.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Oman-0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistan-0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Palau0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Panama3.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Paracel Islands-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) Topic: Paraguay-0.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Peru-0.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Philippines0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Poland-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Portugal0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico-11.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Qatar2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Romania-4.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Russia1.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Rwanda-3.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemy-1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia-1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martin-6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon-7.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Samoa-7.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: San Marino6.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe-7.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia5.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Senegal-0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Serbia0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Seychelles0.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Singapore4.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakia0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Slovenia1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands-1.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Somalia-2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: South Africa0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population Topic: South Sudan20.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Spain4.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka-1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sudan-1.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Suriname2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Svalbard-5.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) Topic: Sweden3.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerland4.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Syria40.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) NA Topic: Taiwan0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistan-1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzania-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Thailand-0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste-3.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Togo-1.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tokelau-3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) Topic: Tonga-18.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-1.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisia-1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)-1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan-1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvalu-6.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Uganda-3.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ukraine-0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates-3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdom3.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United States3.02 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguay-0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan-1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatu-1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuela13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnam-0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands-7.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna-3.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia Topic: West Bank-4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Yemen-0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Zambia0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe-4.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

20220901

countries

Topic: Afghanistan Topic: Akrotiri Topic: Albania Topic: Algeria Topic: American Samoa Topic: Andorra Topic: Angola Topic: Anguilla Topic: Antarctica Topic: Antigua and Barbuda Topic: Argentina Topic: Armenia

20220901

countries-south-sudan

Topic: Photos of South Sudan Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 644,329 sq km land: NA water: NA Area - comparative: more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: hot 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 Terrain: plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country Elevation: highest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m lowest point: White Nile 381 m Natural resources: hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver Land use: agricultural land: 45% (2018) arable land: 4.4% (2018) permanent pasture: 40.7% (2018) forest: 11.3% (2018) other: 43.5% (2018) Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Population distribution: clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map Geography - note: landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile, its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands Map description: South Sudan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.South Sudan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 11,544,905 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: South Sudanese (singular and plural) adjective: South Sudanese Ethnic groups: Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.) note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) Religions: Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Demographic profile: South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; more than 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications.Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Less than a third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement.Almost 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 1.96 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of August 2017. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 240,000 people have fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan.South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; more than 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications.Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Less than a third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement.Almost 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 1.96 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of August 2017. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 240,000 people have fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 80.8 youth dependency ratio: 74.7 elderly dependency ratio: 6.1 potential support ratio: 16.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 18.6 years male: 18.9 years female: 18.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 4.91% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 37.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.52 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 20.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 20.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 440,000 JUBA (capital) (2022) 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: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.28 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 1,150 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 63.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 57 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 59.16 years male: 57.43 years female: 60.97 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.32 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 6% (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 180,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 8,900 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness) 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; South Sudan 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: 6.6% (2014) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 34.5% male: 40.3% female: 28.9% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 38.6% male: 39.5% female: 37.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; wildlife conservation and loss of biodiversity; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; periodic drought Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 41.12 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.73 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 7.61 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: hot 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 Land use: agricultural land: 45% (2018) arable land: 4.4% (2018) permanent pasture: 40.7% (2018) forest: 11.3% (2018) other: 43.5% (2018) Urbanization: urban population: 20.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.12% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.65% of GDP (2015 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness) 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; South Sudan 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 economic downturn, civil insecurity, lingering impact of floods and prolonged conflict - despite sustained humanitarian assistance, food insecurity still affects large segments of the population, driven by insufficient food supplies, an economic downturn, high food prices and the lingering impact of widespread floods in 2020; particular concern exists for households in Jonglei, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Warrap states, and in neighbouring Pibor Administrative Area, where 60-85% of the population were estimated to be severely food insecure (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,680,681 tons (2013 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 193 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 225 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 49.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Sudan conventional short form: South Sudan etymology: self-descriptive name from the country's former position within Sudan prior to independence; the name "Sudan" derives from the Arabic "bilad-as-sudan" meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Juba geographic coordinates: 04 51 N, 31 37 E time difference: UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from Djouba, another name for the Bari people of South Sudan Administrative divisions: 10 states; Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria; note - in 2015, the creation of 28 new states was announced and in 2017 four additional states; following the February 2020 peace agreement, the country was reportedly again reorganized into the 10 original states, plus 2 administrative areas, Pibor and Ruweng, and 1 special administrative status area, Abyei (which is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan); this latest administrative revision has not yet been vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names Independence: 9 July 2011 (from Sudan) National holiday: Independence Day, 9 July (2011) Constitution: history: previous 2005 (preindependence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011); note - new constitution pending establishment under the 2018 peace agreement amendments: proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president; amended 2013, 2015, 2018 Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents TABAN Deng Gai, Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (since 22 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; TABAN served as First Vice President from 23 July 2016 to February 2020 head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents TABAN Deng Gai, Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (since 22 February 2020); note - TABAN served as First Vice President from 23 July 2016 to February 2020 cabinet: National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11-15 April 2010 (next election scheduled for 2015 but postponed to 2018, then 2021, and again to 2023) election results: 2010: Salva KIIR Mayardit elected leader of then-Southern Sudan in 2010; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7% Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of South Sudan - pending formation (will likely consist of a chief and deputy chief justices as well as 9 other justices) judge selection and term of office: justices will be appointed by the president upon proposal of the pending Judicial Service Council, likely consisting of a 9-member judicial and administrative body; justice tenure to be set by the National Legislature subordinate courts: national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals Political parties and leaders: Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR Mayardit] Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO [Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon] Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Former Detainees [Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior] South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA [Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii] (2021) International organization participation: AU, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Philip Jada NATANA (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 600-2238 FAX: [1] (202) 644-9910 email address and website: info.ssdembassy@gmail.com https://www.southsudanembassyusa.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William FLENS (since 4 June 2022) embassy: Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba mailing address: 4420 Juba Place, Washington DC  20521-4420 telephone: [211] 912-105-188 email address and website: ACSJuba@state.gov https://ss.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green; the red band is edged in white; a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side contains a gold, five-pointed star; black represents the people of South Sudan, red the blood shed in the struggle for freedom, green the verdant land, and blue the waters of the Nile; the gold star represents the unity of the states making up South Sudan note: resembles the flag of Kenya; one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Africa's National symbol(s): African fish eagle; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy. The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized.   South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity. About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors.   Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence. South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil. Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017. Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day.   Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict. With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households. Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture.   South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption. Economic mismanagement is prevalent. Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry. South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU. Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017. The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral. The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market.   Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment.Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy. The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized. South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity. About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence. South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil. Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017. Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day. Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict. With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households. Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture. South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption. Economic mismanagement is prevalent. Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry. South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU. Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017. The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral. The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market. Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.01 billion (2017 est.) $21.1 billion (2016 est.) $24.52 billion (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -5.2% (2017 est.) -13.9% (2016 est.) -0.2% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2017 est.) $1,700 (2016 est.) $2,100 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.06 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 187.9% (2017 est.) 379.8% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: milk, sorghum, vegetables, cassava, goat milk, fruit, beef, sesame seed, sheep milk, mutton Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 38.6% male: 39.5% female: 37.4% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 76.4% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 46 (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 259.6 million (FY2017/18 est.) expenditures: 298.6 million (FY2017/18 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.3% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.) Public debt: 62.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 86.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 8.5% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.) Current account balance: -$154 million (2017 est.) $39 million (2016 est.) Exports: $3.01 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.09 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 88%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, gold, forage crops, lumber, insect resins (2019) Imports: $3.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.57 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 37%, Kenya 18%, China 18% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, foodstuffs, clothing and apparel (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $73 million (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: South Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar - 0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 28.2% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 46.8% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 23.6% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 121,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 531.66 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 26 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.8% 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: 157,100 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 12,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 126,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 7,160 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: 1.778 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 2.404 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,221,970 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20.09 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Following a referendum, oil-rich South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 and became an independent nation; having been deprived of investment for decades, it inherited one of the least developed telecom markets in the world; there was once investment activity among mobile network operators who sought to expand their networks in some areas of the country, but by late 2016 both Zain South Sudan and MTN South Sudan had cut back their work forces in a bid to save on operating costs, while their falling subscriber bases have strained revenue; Zain South Sudan in particular recorded considerable financial losses in 2015 and 2016; operators in the telecom sector placed themselves in survival mode and are hoping for a political settlement and a return to some degree of social stability; MTN as reported its financial data on the basis of South Sudan’s economy having been hyper inflationary since 2016; although MTN and Zain reported a significant fall in the number of mobile subscribers in 2017, with a consequent severe decline in revenue, both saw subscriber bases increase in 2018 as they absorbed customers which had migrated from VivaCell after that company was closed down for failing to pay back taxes; MTN South Sudan reported a 26.5% increase in the number of mobile subscribers in the year to September 2021; South Sudan has one of the lowest mobile penetration rates in Africa; growth in the sector in coming years is premised on a resolution to the political crisis and a recovery of the country’s economy; the virtually untapped internet and broadband market also depends to a large extent on the country gaining access to international fiber cables and on a national backbone network being in place; sophisticated infrastructure solutions are needed to reach the 80% of the population that live outside of the main urban centers; with a negligible rate of bank account ownership, mobile payment and banking solutions also have a strong potential once a reliable mobile infrastructure is built; some improvement has followed from the cable link completed by Liquid Telecom in February 2020 which connects Juba directly to the company’s submarine landing station at Mombasa; the cable was South Sudan’s first direct international fiber link, and has helped drive down the price of retail internet services for residential and business customers; a second cable linking to the border with Kenya was completed in December 2021. (2022) domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 subscriptions, mobile-cellular roughly 20 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 211 (2017) 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 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 Internet country code: .ss Internet users: total: 783,561 (2020 est.) percent of population: 7% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 200 (2019 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 2 annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: Z8 Airports: total: 89 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 84 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 38 under 914 m: 33 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Railways: total: 248 km (2018) note: a narrow gauge, single-track railroad between Babonosa (Sudan) and Wau, the only existing rail system, was repaired in 2010 with $250 million in UN funds, but is not currently operational Roadways: total: 90,200 km (2019) paved: 300 km (2019) unpaved: 89,900 km (2019) note: most of the road network is unpaved and much of it is in disrepair; the Juba-Nimule highway connecting Juba to the border with Uganda is the main paved road in South Sudan  Waterways: see entry for Sudan Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF): Ground Force (includes Presidential Guard, aka Tiger Division), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; National Unified Forces (pending formation) (2022) note: numerous irregular forces operate in the country with official knowledge, including militias operated by the National Security Service (an internal security force under the Ministry of National Security) and proxy forces Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.62 billion) 3.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.54 billion) 2.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $660 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 150-200,000 active personnel, mostly ground forces with small contingents of air and riverine forces (2022) note: some active SSPDF personnel may be militia; the National Unified Forces will have about 80,000 troops from the SSPDF and armed opposition groups when it is formed Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SSPDF inventory is primarily of Soviet origin; from 2010 to 2015, Russia and the United Arab Emirates were the leading suppliers of arms and equipment; South Sudan has been under a UN arms embargo since 2018 (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; 12-24 months service (2022) note: in 2019, women made up less than 10% of the active military Military - note: the South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF), formerly the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), was founded as a guerrilla movement against the Sudanese Government in 1983 and participated in the Second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005); the Juba Declaration that followed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 unified the SPLA and the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF), the second-largest rebel militia remaining from the civil war, under the SPLA name; in 2017, the SPLA was renamed the South Sudan Defense Forces (SSDF) and in September 2018 was renamed again as the SSPDF under the September 2018 peace agreement, all armed groups in South Sudan were to assemble at designated sites where fighters could be either disarmed and demobilized, or integrated into unified military and police forces; the unified forces were then to be retrained and deployed prior to the formation of a national unity government; all fighters were ordered to these sites in July 2019; some progress toward merging the various armed forces into a national army has been made; for example, in 2020, South Sudan announced that it was graduating some unified forces at various training centers across the country, and that same year the SSPDF incorporated some senior officers from the main opposition force, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army - in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) into its rank structure; nevertheless, overall progress has limited, and as of early 2022, formation of the National Unified Forces was still pending; in 2022, armed clashes also continued to occur between government forces and armed militant groups, including the SPLM the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has operated in the country since 2011 with the objectives of consolidating peace and security and helping establish conditions for the successful economic and political development of South Sudan; UNMISS had about 15,300 personnel deployed in the country as of February 2022 United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has operated in the disputed Abyei region along the border between Sudan and South Sudan since 2011; UNISFA's mission includes ensuring security, protecting civilians, strengthening the capacity of the Abyei Police Service, de-mining, monitoring/verifying the redeployment of armed forces from the area, and facilitating the flow of humanitarian aid; as of February 2022, UNISFA had approximately 3,300 personnel deployed Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: South Sudan- Central African Republic: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rights South Sudan-Democratic Republic of the Congo: none identified South Sudan-Ethiopia: the unresolved demarcation of the boundary and lack of clear limitation create substantial room for territorial conflict both locally among the border populations and between the two capitals; besides a large number of indigenous farmers, the border region supports refugees and various rebel groups opposed to the governments in Khartoum and Addis Ababa South Sudan-Kenya: the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the Ilemi Triangle has been unclear since British colonial times; Kenya has administered the area since colonial times South Sudan-Sudan: present boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment, which clearly placed the Kafia Kingi area (adjacent to Central African Republic) within South Sudan as shown on US maps although it is mostly occupied by Sudan; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; the final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan; clashes continue in the oil-rich Abyei region; the United Nations interim security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has been deployed since 2011, when South Sudan became independent, Sudan accuses South Sudan of supporting Sudanese rebel groups South Sudan-Uganda: Lord’s Resistance Army operations in western Equatorial State displace and drive out local populations and steal grain storesSouth Sudan- Central African Republic: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rights South Sudan-Democratic Republic of the Congo: none identified South Sudan-Ethiopia: the unresolved demarcation of the boundary and lack of clear limitation create substantial room for territorial conflict both locally among the border populations and between the two capitals; besides a large number of indigenous farmers, the border region supports refugees and various rebel groups opposed to the governments in Khartoum and Addis Ababa South Sudan-Kenya: the boundary that separates Kenya and South Sudan's sovereignty is unclear in the Ilemi Triangle has been unclear since British colonial times; Kenya has administered the area since colonial timesSouth Sudan-Sudan: present boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment, which clearly placed the Kafia Kingi area (adjacent to Central African Republic) within South Sudan as shown on US maps although it is mostly occupied by Sudan; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; the final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan; clashes continue in the oil-rich Abyei region; the United Nations interim security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) has been deployed since 2011, when South Sudan became independent, Sudan accuses South Sudan of supporting Sudanese rebel groupsSouth Sudan-Uganda: Lord’s Resistance Army operations in western Equatorial State displace and drive out local populations and steal grain stores Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 311,819 (Sudan), 19,312 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2022) IDPs: 2,017,236 (alleged coup attempt and ethnic conflict beginning in December 2013; information is lacking on those displaced in earlier years by: fighting in Abyei between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in May 2011; clashes between the SPLA and dissident militia groups in South Sudan; inter-ethnic conflicts over resources and cattle; attacks from the Lord's Resistance Army; floods and drought) (2022) stateless persons: 10,000 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current 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)

20220901

field-major-watersheds-area-sq-km

This entry lists the major watersheds or catchment areas of major rivers in a country in terms of their area in sq km. Most of the watersheds listed have an area of at least 500,000 sq km, although some smaller but significant watersheds are also included.  Most watersheds ultimately drain to some portion of the World Ocean. However, some watersheds, known as endorheic basins, drain internally with no external flow to the ocean. An example of an endorheic basin is the Caspian Sea, the World’s largest lake. Given the size of the largest watersheds, they frequently occur across more than one country. Topic: AfghanistanIndian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Amu Darya (534,739 sq km); Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km) Topic: AlbaniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: AlgeriaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: AngolaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km) Topic: ArgentinaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Topic: AustraliaIndian Ocean drainage: (Great Australian Bight) Murray-Darling (1,050,116 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Eyre (1,212,198 sq km) Topic: AustriaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: BangladeshIndian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km) Topic: BelarusAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Dnieper (533,966 sq km) Topic: BelgiumAtlantic Ocean drainage: Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Topic: BeninAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: BoliviaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: BotswanaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km) Topic: BrazilAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km) Topic: BulgariaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: Burkina FasoAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: BurmaIndian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Topic: BurundiAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: CambodiaPacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Topic: CameroonAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: CanadaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of Mexico) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km) Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km) note - watersheds shared with the US shown with * Topic: Central African RepublicAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: ChadAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: ChinaPacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km), Huang He (944,970 sq km), Mekong (805,604 sq km), Yangtze (1,722,193 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km) Arctic Ocean drainage: Ob (2,972,493 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km) Topic: ColombiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Topic: Congo, Republic of theAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Topic: Cote d'IvoireAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: CroatiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: CzechiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: EcuadorAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Topic: EgyptAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: EthiopiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: FranceAtlantic 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) Topic: GabonAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Topic: GermanyAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: GhanaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: GuineaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km) Topic: GuyanaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Topic: HungaryAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: IndiaIndian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km) Topic: IranIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: IraqIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: ItalyAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km) Topic: JordanIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: KazakhstanInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km) Topic: KenyaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: KosovoAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: KuwaitIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: KyrgyzstanInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km) Topic: LaosPacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Topic: LesothoAtlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Topic: LibyaInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: LiechtensteinAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Topic: LuxembourgAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Topic: MalawiAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Topic: MaliAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: MauritaniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km) Topic: MexicoAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of Mexico) Rio Grande/Bravo (607,965 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: (Gulf of California) Colorado (703,148 sq km) Topic: MoldovaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: MontenegroAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: MozambiqueIndian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Topic: NamibiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km) Topic: NepalIndian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km) Topic: NetherlandsAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Topic: NigerAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: NigeriaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: North MacedoniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: PakistanIndian 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) Topic: ParaguayAtlantic Ocean drainage: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km) Topic: PeruAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Topic: PolandAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: RomaniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: RussiaArctic Ocean drainage: Kolyma (679,934 sq km), Lena (2,306,743 sq km), Ob (2,972,493 sq km), Pechora (289,532 sq km), Yenisei (2,554,388 sq km) Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Caspian Sea basin) Volga (1,410,951 sq km) Topic: RwandaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: Saudi ArabiaIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: SenegalAtlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km) Topic: SerbiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: Sierra LeoneAtlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km) Topic: SlovakiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: SloveniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Topic: South AfricaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Topic: South SudanAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: SudanAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km) Topic: SurinameAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Topic: SwitzerlandAtlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km) Topic: SyriaIndian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: TajikistanInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea Basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km) Topic: TanzaniaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Topic: ThailandIndian Ocean drainage: Salween (271,914 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Topic: TogoAtlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Topic: TurkmenistanInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km) Topic: UgandaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Topic: UkraineAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km) Topic: United StatesAtlantic Ocean drainage: (Gulf of Mexico) Mississippi* (3,202,185 sq km); Rio Grande (607,965 sq km); (Gulf of Saint Lawrence) Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km total, US only 505,000 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, US only 23,820 sq km); Colorado (703,148 sq km); Columbia* (657,501 sq km, US only 554,501 sq km) note - watersheds shared with Canada shown with * Topic: UzbekistanInternal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km) Topic: VenezuelaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Topic: VietnamPacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) Topic: Worldsummary statement: a watershed is a drainage basin on an area of land where precipitation collects and drains off into a common outlet, such as into a river, bay, or other body of water; oceans ultimately take in the drainage from 83% of all land area; the remaining 17% of the land drains into internal (endorheic) basins, e.g., the Caspian Sea; The World Factbook lists 51 different watersheds across 102 countries; of these, 18 are in Asia, 9 in Europe, 9 in Africa, 8 in North and Central America, 5 in South America, and 2 in Australia; all watersheds with an area of at least 500,000 sq km have been included along with a number of smaller, regionally significant watersheds; together, these watersheds represent the surface hydrology water flows that are the World's primary sources of fresh water for individual consumption, industry, and agriculture Topic: ZambiaAtlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Topic: ZimbabweIndian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

20220901

field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us

This entry includes the chief of mission, chancery address, telephone, FAX, email and website addresses, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. The use of the annotated title Appointed Ambassador refers to a new ambassador who has presented his/her credentials to the secretary of state but not the US president. Such ambassadors fulfill all diplomatic functions except meeting with or appearing at functions attended by the president until such time as they formally present their credentials at a White House ceremony. Topic: Afghanistanchief of mission: the Afghan Embassy closed in March 2022 chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-6410 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6488 email address and website: info@afghanembassy.us https://www.afghanembassy.us/ Topic: Akrotirinone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Albaniachief of mission: Ambassador Floreta LULI-FABER (since 18 May 2015) chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942 FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342 email address and website: embassy.washington@mfa.gov.al http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/usa/en consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Algeriachief of mission: Ambassador Ahmed BOUTACHE (since 26 October 2021) chancery: 2118 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2800 FAX: [1] (202) 986-5906 email address and website: mail@algerianembassy.org https://www.algerianembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: American Samoanone (territory of the US) Topic: Andorrachief of mission: Ambassador Elisenda VIVES BALMANA (since 2 March 2016) chancery: 2 United Nations Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 750-8064; [1] (212) 750-8065 FAX: [1] (212) 750-6630 email address and website: contact@andorraun.org Topic: Angolachief of mission: Ambassador Joaquim do Espirito SANTO (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2100-2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 822-9049 email address and website: info@angola.org https://angola.org/ consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Topic: Anguillanone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Antigua and Barbudachief of mission: Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015) chancery: 3234 Prospect Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 email address and website: embantbar@aol.com consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Topic: Argentinachief of mission: Ambassador Jorge Martin Arturo ARGUELLO (since 6 February 2020) chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171 email address and website: eeeuu@mrecic.gov.ar https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC Topic: Armeniachief of mission: Ambassador Lilit MAKUNTS (since 2 August 2021) chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 email address and website: armembassyusa@mfa.am https://usa.mfa.am/en/ consulate(s) general: Glendale (CA) Topic: Arubachief of mission: none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands); note - Guillfred BESARIL (since 20 November 2017) is Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, seated with his cabinet in the Aruba House (Arubahuis) in The Hague none (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) note - there is a Minister Plenipotentiary for Aruba, Rendolf "Andy" LEE,  at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Australiachief of mission: Ambassador Arthur SINODINOS (since 6 February 2020) chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 email address and website: https://usa.embassy.gov.au/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Topic: Austriachief of mission: Ambassador Martin WEISS (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 3524 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008-3035 telephone: [1] (202) 895-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 895-6750 email address and website: washington-ka@bmeia.gv.at https://www.austria.org/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York, Washington consulate(s): Chicago Topic: Azerbaijanchief of mission: Ambassador Kahzar IBRAHIM (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911 email address and website: azerbaijan@azembassy.us; consul@azembassy.us https://washington.mfa.gov.az/en consulate(s) general: Los Angeles Topic: Bahamas, Thechief 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 Topic: Bahrainchief of mission: Ambassador Abdulla bin Rashid AL KHALIFA (since 21 July 2017) chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 email address and website: ambsecretary@bahrainembassy.org mofa.gov.bh consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Bangladeshchief of mission: Ambassador M Shahidul ISLAM (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183 FAX: [1] (202) 244-2771; [1] (202) 244 7830 email address and website: mission.washington@mofa.gov.bd http://www.bdembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Barbadoschief 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 Topic: Belaruschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant; recalled by Belarus in 2008); Charge d'Affaires Dmitry BASIK (since 9 July 2019) chancery: 1619 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-1606 FAX: [1] (202) 986-1805 email address and website: usa@mfa.gov.by Topic: Belgiumchief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Arthur REGIBEAU (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 1430 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 338-4960 email address and website: Washington@diplobel.fed.be https://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Belizechief of mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 email address and website: reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York (consular services temporarily suspended beginning 18 December 2020) consulate(s): Miami Topic: Beninchief 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/ Topic: Bermudanone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Bhutanchief of mission: none; the Permanent Mission to the UN for Bhutan has consular jurisdiction in the US; the permanent representative to the UN is Doma TSHERING (since 13 September 2017); address: 343 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017; telephone [1] (212) 682-2268; FAX [1] (212) 661-0551; email consulate.pmbny@mfa.gov.bt consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Boliviachief 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 note: in September 2008, the US expelled the Bolivian ambassador to the US in reciprocity for Bolivia expelling the US ambassador to Bolivia; in November 2019, the interim Bolivian government named Oscar SERRATE Cuellar as its temporary special representative to the US Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinachief of mission: Ambassador Bojan VUJIC (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2109 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 337-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 337-1502 email address and website: consularaffairs@bhembassy; info@bhembassy.org http://www.bhembassy.org/index.html consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Topic: Botswanachief of mission: Ambassador Onkokame Kitso MOKAILA (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990 FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164 email address and website: info@botswanaembassy.org http://www.botswanaembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta Topic: Brazilchief of mission: Ambassador Nestor Jose FORSTER, Jr. (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 email address and website: http://washington.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/Main.xml consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorynone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: British Virgin Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Bruneichief 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 Topic: Bulgariachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stefka Ivanova YOVCHEVA, Counselor chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174; [1] (202) 299-0273, [1] (202) 483-1386 FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973 email address and website: office@bulgaria-embassy.org; Embassy.Washington@mfa.bg https://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/homepage/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Burkina Fasochief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Boulmonli Leonard LOMBO (since 15 April 2022) chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577 FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882 email address and website: contact@burkina-usa.org https://burkina-usa.org/ Topic: Burmachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); HTWE Hteik Tin Lwin (Charge d'Affaires) chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344; [1] (202) 332-4250 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351 email address and website: pyi.thayar@verizon.net; washington-embassy@mofa.gov.mm http://www.mewashingtondc.com/wordpress/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Burundichief of mission: Ambassador Jean de Dieu NDIKUMANA (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2574 FAX: [1] (202) 342-2578 email address and website: burundiembusadc@gmail.com https://burundiembassy-usa.com/index.php Topic: Cabo Verdechief of mission: Ambassador Jose Luis do Livramento MONTEIRO ALVES DE BRITO (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 3415 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 965-6820 FAX: [1] (202) 965-1207 email address and website: embassy@caboverdeus.net https://www.embcv-usa.gov.cv/ consulate(s) general: Boston Topic: Cambodiachief of mission: Ambassador CHUM SOUNRY (since 17 September 2018) 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/ Topic: Cameroonchief of mission: Ambassador Henri ETOUNDI ESSOMBA (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 2349 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-8790 FAX: [1] (202) 387-3826 email address and website: cs@cameroonembassyusa.org https://www.cameroonembassyusa.org/mainFolder/index.html Topic: Canadachief of mission: Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (844) 880-6519 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7738 email address and website: ccs.scc@international.gc.ca https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Seattle trade office(s): Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General Topic: Cayman Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Central African Republicchief of mission: Ambassador Martial NDOUBOU (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893 email address and website: pc@usrcaembassy.org https://www.usrcaembassy.org/ Topic: Chadchief of mission: Ambassador NGOTE GALI Koutou (since 22 June 2018) chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 652-1312 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937 email address and website: info@chadembassy.us https://chadembassy.us/ Topic: Chilechief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Beatriz DE LA FUENTE FUENTES (since 8 March 2022) chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746 FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579 email address and website: echile.eeuu@minrel.gob.cl https://chile.gob.cl/estados-unidos/en/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: Chinachief of mission: Ambassador QIN Gangas (since 29 July 2021) chancery: 3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 495-2266 FAX: [1] (202) 495-2138 email address and website: chinaemppress_us@mfa.gov.cn http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco; note - the US ordered closure of the Houston consulate in late July 2020 Topic: Christmas Islandnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Colombiachief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos PINZON Bueno (since August 2021) chancery: 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 email address and website: eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.co https://www.colombiaemb.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco Topic: Comoroschief 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/ Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thechief of mission: Ambassador Francois Nkuna BALUMUENE (since 17 September 2015) chancery: 1100 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690; [1] (202) 234-7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 email address and website: https://www.ambardcusa.org/ representative office: New York Topic: Congo, Republic of thechief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001) chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860 email address and website: info@ambacongo-us.org http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx consulate(s): New Orleans Topic: Cook Islandsnone (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Topic: Coral Sea Islandsnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Costa Ricachief of mission: Ambassador Fernando LLORCA Castro (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 499-2984 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795 email address and website: embcr-us@rree.go.cr http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/21 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC honorary consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico), Saint Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirechief of mission: Ambassador Mamadou HAIDARA (since 28 March 2018) chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300 FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444 email address and website: info@ambacidc.org https://ambaciusa.org/# Topic: Croatiachief of mission: Ambassador Pjer SIMUNOVIC (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 2343 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-5899 FAX: [1] (202) 588-8936; [1] (202) 588-8937 email address and website: washington@mvep.hr http://us.mvep.hr/en/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle (WA), Washington, DC consulate(s): Anchorage (AL), Houston, Kansas City (MO), New Orleans, Pittsburgh (PA) Topic: Cubachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lianys TORRES RIVERA (since 14 January 2021) chancery: 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-8515 through 8518 FAX: [1] (202) 797-8521 email address and website: recepcion@usadc.embacuba.cu http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/en/usa Topic: Curacaonone (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Topic: Cypruschief of mission: Ambassador Marios LYSIOTIS (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2211 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-5772 FAX: [1] (202) 483-6710 email address and website: info@cyprusembassy.net https://www.cyprusembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: New York honorary consulate(s): Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Kirkland (WA), Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco note: representative of the Turkish Cypriot community in the US is Mustafa LAKADAMYALI; office at 1667 K Street NW, Washington, DC; telephone [1] (202) 887-6198 Topic: Czechiachief of mission: Ambassador Hynek KMONICEK (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Lane NW, Washington, DC 20008-3803 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 email address and website: washington@embassy.mzv.cz https://www.mzv.cz/washington/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Denmarkchief of mission: Ambassador Lone Dencker WISBORG (since 8 April 2019) chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 email address and website: wasamb@um.dk https://usa.um.dk/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, New York, Silicon Valley (CA) Topic: Dhekelianone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Djiboutichief 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/ Topic: Dominicachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judith-Anne ROLLE (since 16 December 2021) chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6781 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6791 email address and website: mail.embdomdc@gmail.com consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Dominican Republicchief 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 Topic: Ecuadorchief of mission: Ambassador Ivonne Leila Juez De A-BAKI (since 6 February 2020) chancery: 2535 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7200 FAX: [1] (202) 333-2893 email address and website: embassy@ecuador.org http://www.ecuador.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Haven (CT), New Orleans, New York, Newark (NJ), Phoenix, San Francisco Topic: Egyptchief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400; [1] (202) 895-5408 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5131 email address and website: consulate@egyptembassy.net https://www.egyptembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Topic: El Salvadorchief 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), Chicago, Dallas, Doral (FL), Doraville (GA), Houston, Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), New York, Nogales (AZ), San Francisco, Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ), Washington, DC, Woodbridge (VA) consulate(s): Elizabeth (NJ), Newark (NJ), Seattle, Woodbridge (VA) Topic: Equatorial Guineachief of mission: Ambassador Miguel Ntutumu EVUNA ANDEME (since 23 February 2015) chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252 email address and website: info@egembassydc.com https://www.egembassydc.com/ consulate(s) general: Houston Topic: Eritreachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Berhane Gebrehiwet SOLOMON (since 15 March 2011) chancery: 1708 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1991 FAX: [1] (202) 319-1304 email address and website: embassyeritrea@embassyeritrea.org https://us.embassyeritrea.org/ Topic: Estoniachief of mission: Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 email address and website: Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee https://washington.mfa.ee/ consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Topic: Eswatinichief of mission: Ambassador Njabuliso Busisiwe Sikhulile GWEBU (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 1712 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5002 FAX: [1] (202) 234-8254 email address and website: embassy@swaziland-usa.com; swaziland@compuserve.com Topic: Ethiopiachief of mission: Ambassador FITSUM Arega Gebrekidan (since 9 April 2019) chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 587-0195 email address and website: ethiopia@ethiopianembassy.org https://ethiopianembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Topic: European Unionchief of mission: Ambassador Stavros LAMBRINIDIS (since 1 March 2019)  chancery: 2175 K Street, NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 862-9500 FAX: [1] (202) 429-1766 Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Faroe Islandsnone (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Topic: Fijichief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akuila VUIRA chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325 email address and website: info@FijiEmbassyDC.com https://www.fijiembassydc.com/ Topic: Finlandchief of mission: Ambassador Mikko Tapani HAUTALA (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800 FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030 email address and website: sanomat.was@formin.fi https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/mission consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Francechief 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 Topic: French Polynesianone (overseas lands of France) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsnone (overseas territory of France) Topic: Gabonchief of mission: Charge D'Affaires Rod Ciangillan REMBENDAMBYA, Counselor (17 March 2021) chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000 FAX: [1] (301) 332-0668 email address and website: info@gaboneembassyusa.org https://gabonembassyusa.org/en/ Topic: Gambia, Thechief of mission: Ambassador Dawda D. FADERA (since 24 January 2018) chancery: 5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1399; [1] (202) 785-1428 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1430 email address and website: info@gambiaembassy.us https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home Topic: Georgiachief of mission: Ambassador David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017) chancery: 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864 email address and website: embgeo.usa@mfa.gov.ge https://georgiaembassyusa.org/contact/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Germanychief of mission: Ambassador Emily Margarethe HABER (since 22 June 2018) chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4261 email address and website: info@washington.diplo.de https://www.germany.info/us-en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: Ghanachief of mission: Ambassador Alima MAHAMA (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 email address and website: info@ghanaembassydc.org https://ghanaembassydc.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Gibraltarnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Greecechief of mission: Ambassador Alexandra PAPADOPOULOU (since 6 February 2021) chancery: 2217 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-1300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-1324 email address and website: gremb.was@mfa.gr https://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/the-embassy/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Tampa (FL), San Francisco consulate(s): Atlanta, Houston Topic: Greenlandchief of mission: Kenneth HOEGH, Head of Representation; note - Greenland also has offices in the Danish consulates in Chicago and New York chancery: Greenland Representation 3200 Whitehaven Street, NW Washington, DC  20008 telephone: 202-797-5392 email address and website: washington@nanoq.gl https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Groenlands-repraesentation-Washington Topic: Grenadachief of mission: Ambassador Yolande Yvonne SMITH (since 8 April 2019) chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561 FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468 email address and website: embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org https://grenadaembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Topic: Guamnone (territory of the US) Topic: Guatemalachief of mission: Ambassador Alfonso Jose QUINONEZ LEMUS (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2220 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-4953 FAX: [1] (202) 745-1908 email address and website: infoembaguateeuu@minex.gob.gt consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Del Rio (TX), Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, McAllen (TX), Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence (RI), Raleigh (NC), San Bernardino (CA), San Francisco, Seattle consulate(s): Lake Worth (FL), Silver Spring (MD), Tucson (AZ) Topic: Guernseynone (British crown dependency) Topic: Guineachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) Chargé d’Affaires (vacant)     chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800 email address and website: http://guineaembassyusa.org/en/welcome-to-the-embassy-of-guinea-washington-usa/  Topic: Guinea-Bissauchief of mission: none; note - Guinea-Bissau does not have official representation in Washington, DC Topic: Guyanachief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 email address and website: guyanaembassydc@verizon.net http://www.guyanaembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Haitichief of mission: Ambassador Bocchit EDMOND (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090 FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215 email address and website: amb.washington@diplomatie.ht https://www.haiti.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando (FL), New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsnone (territory of Australia) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe PIERRE (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 email address and website: nuntiususa@nuntiususa.org http://www.nuntiususa.org/ Topic: Honduraschief of mission: Ambassador Luis Fernando SUAZO BARAHONA (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 1220 19th Street NW, Suite #320, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702 FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751 email address and website: https://hondurasembusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Dallas, McAllen (TX) Topic: Hong Kongchief of mission: none (Special Administrative Region of China); Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) carries out normal liaison activities and communication with the US Government and other US entities; Eddie MAK, JP (since 3 July 2018) is the Hong Kong Commissioner to the US Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; address: 1520 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: [1] 202 331-8947; FAX: [1] 202 331-8958; hketo@hketowashington.gov.hk HKETO offices: New York, San Francisco Topic: Hungarychief of mission: Ambassador Szabolcs Ferenc TAKACS (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 3910 Shoemaker Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 362-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8135 email address and website: info@mfa.gov.hu https://washington.mfa.gov.hu/eng consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Icelandchief of mission: Ambassador Bergdis ELLERTSDOTTIR (since 16 September 2019) chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, #509, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653 FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656 email address and website: washington@mfa.is https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-washington-d.c/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Indiachief of mission: Ambassador Taranjit Singh SANDHU (since 6 February 2020) chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; Consular Wing located at 2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-7000 FAX: [1] (202) 265-4351 email address and website: minca@washington@mea.gov.in (community affairs) https://www.indianembassyusa.gov.in/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Francisco Topic: Indonesiachief of mission: Ambassador Rosan ROESLANI (since 25 October 2021) chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365 email address and website: http://www.embassyofindonesia.org/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Topic: Iranchief of mission: none; Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Embassy of Pakistan, 1250 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073; info@daftar.org Topic: Iraqchief of mission: Ambassador Fareed Mustafa Kamil YASSEEN (since 18 January 2017) chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129 email address and website: http://www.iraqiembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: Detroit, Los Angeles Topic: Irelandchief of mission: Ambassador Daniel Gerard MULHALL (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 email address and website: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/usa/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco Topic: Isle of Mannone (British crown dependency) Topic: Israelchief of mission: Ambassador Michael HERZOG (since 5 September 2021) chancery: 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-5500 FAX: [1] (202) 364-5607 email address and website: consular@washington.mfa.gov.il https://embassies.gov.il/washington/Pages/default.aspx consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: Italychief of mission: Ambassador Mariangela ZAPPIA (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2154 email address and website: amb.washington@cert.esteri.it https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulate(s): Charlotte (NC), Cleveland (OH), Detroit (MI), Hattiesburg (MS), Honolulu (HI), New Orleans, Newark (NJ), Norfolk (VA), Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Seattle Topic: Jamaicachief of mission: Ambassador Audrey Patrice MARKS (since 18 January 2017) chancery: 1520 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0660 FAX: [1] (202) 452-0036 email address and website: firstsec@jamaicaembassy.org http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/ consulate(s) general: Miami, New York consulate(s): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Concord (MA), Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Richmond (VA), San Francisco, Seattle Topic: Japanchief of mission: Ambassador TOMITA Koji (since 17 February 2021) (2018) chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 email address and website: https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Seattle (WA) Topic: Jerseychief of mission: none (British Crown dependency) none (British Crown dependency) Topic: Jordanchief of mission: Ambassador Dina Khalil Tawfiq KAWAR (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 email address and website: hkjconsular@jordanembassyus.org http://www.jordanembassyus.org/ Topic: Kazakhstanchief of mission: Ambassador Yerzhan ASHIKBAYEV (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 1401 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5488 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5845 email address and website: washington@mfa.kz https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-washington?lang=en consulate(s) general: New YorkAmbassador Yerzhan ASHIKBAYEV (since 7 July 2021) Topic: Kenyachief 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 Topic: Kiribatichief of mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018) chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310 FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320 email address and website: Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki note - the Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassyAmbassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018) Topic: Korea, Northchief of mission: none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Topic: Korea, Southchief of mission: Ambassador LEE Soo-hyuck (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595 email address and website: generalusa@mofa.go.kr https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas (TX), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC Topic: Kosovochief of mission: Ambassador Ilir DUGOLLI (since 13 January 2022) chancery: 2175 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 450-2130 FAX: [1] (202) 735-0609 email address and website: https://www.ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,1 consulate(s) general: New York consulate(s): Des Moines (IA) Topic: Kuwaitchief of mission: Ambassador SALEM Abdallah al-Jaber al-Sabah SALEM Abdallah al-Jaber al-Sabah (since 10 October 2001) 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 Topic: Kyrgyzstanchief of mission: Ambassador Baktybek AMANBAYEV (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822 FAX: [1] (202) 449-8275 email address and website: kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kg; kgconsulate.washington@mfa.gov.kg https://mfa.gov.kg/en/dm/-Embassy-of-the-Kyrgyz-Republic-in-the-USA-and-Canada honorary consulate(s): Maple Valley (WA) Topic: Laoschief of mission: Ambassador KHAMPHAN Anlavan (since 21 July 2019) chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-9148; [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 email address and website: embasslao@gmail.com; laoemb@verizon.net https://laoembassy.com/ consulate(s): New York Topic: Latviachief of mission: Ambassador Maris SELGA (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-2840 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2860 email address and website: embassy.usa@mfa.gov.lv https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa Topic: Lebanonchief of mission: Ambassador Ambassador Gabriel ISSA (since late January 2018) chancery: 2560 28th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6300 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6324 email address and website: info@lebanonembassyus.org http://www.lebanonembassyus.org/ consulate(s) general: Detroit, New York, Los Angeles Topic: Lesothochief of mission: Ambassador Sankatana Gabriel MAJA, Counselor (28 May 2021) chancery: 2511 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 797-5533 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6815 email address and website: lesothoembassy@verizon.net https://www.gov.ls/ Topic: Liberiachief of mission: Ambassador George S.W. PATTEN, Sr. (since 11 January 2019) chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 email address and website: info@liberiaemb.org http://www.liberianembassyus.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Libyachief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Khaled DAIEF (since October 2021) chancery: 1460 Dahlia Street NW, Washington, DC 20012 telephone: [1] (202) 944-9601 FAX: [1] (202) 944-9606 email address and website: info@embassyoflibyadc.com https://www.embassyoflibyadc.org/1460 Dahlia Street NW, Washington, DC 20012 Topic: Liechtensteinchief of mission: Ambassador Kurt JAEGER (since 16 September 2016) chancery: 2900 K Street NW, Suite 602B, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 331-0590 FAX: [1] (202) 331-3221 email address and website: info@embassyli.org https://www.liechtensteinusa.org/ Topic: Lithuaniachief of mission: Ambassador Audra PLEPYTE (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5860 FAX: [1] (202) 328-0466 email address and website: info@usa.mfa.lt https://usa.mfa.lt/usa/en/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Luxembourgchief of mission: Ambassador Nicole BINTNER-BAKSHIAN (since 19 August 2021) chancery: 2200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-4171 FAX: [1] (202) 328-8270 email address and website: washington.amb@mae.etat.lu https://washington.mae.lu/en.html consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Topic: Macaunone (Special Administrative Region of China) Topic: Madagascarchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Amielle Pelenne NIRINIAVISOA MARCEDA (since 31 October 2019) chancery: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-5525 FAX: [1] (202) 265-3034 email address and website: contact@us-madagascar-embassy.org https://us-madagascar-embassy.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Malawichief of mission: Ambassador Edward Yakobe SAWERENGERA (since 16 September 2016) 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/ Topic: Malaysiachief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Fairuz Adli Mohd ROZALI (since August 2021) chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 email address and website: mwwashington@kln.gov.my https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Maldiveschief of mission: Maldives has no embassy in the US, but its Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, THILMEEZA Hussain (since 8 July 2019), is accredited to the US and serves as ambassador (2020) chancery: 801 Second Avenue, Suite 202E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194; [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405 email address and website: info@maldivesmission.com http://www.maldivesmission.com/Maldives has no embassy in the US, but its Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, THILMEEZA Hussain (since 8 July 2019), is accredited to the US and serves as ambassador Topic: Malichief of mission: Ambassador (designate) Sékou BERTHE (since April 2022) chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 email address and website: infos@mali.embassy.us https://www.maliembassy.us/ Topic: Maltachief of mission: Ambassador Keith AZZOPARDI (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611; [1] (202) 462-3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 email address and website: maltaembassy.washington@gov.mt https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Embassies/ME_United_States/Pages/ME_United_States.aspx Topic: Marshall Islandschief of mission: Ambassador Gerald M. ZACKIOS (since 16 September 2016) chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 email address and website: info@rmiembassyus.org https://www.rmiembassyus.org/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Springdale (AR) Topic: Mauritaniachief of mission: Ambassador BOIDE Cisse (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 2129 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2623 email address and website: office@mauritaniaembassyus.com http://mauritaniaembassyus.com/ Topic: Mauritiuschief of mission: Ambassador Purmanund JHUGROO (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; administrative offices at 3201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491; [1] (202) 244-1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 email address and website: mauritius.embassy@verizon.net; washingtonemb@govmu.org https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx Topic: Mexicochief of mission: Ambassador Esteban MOCTEZUMA Barragan (since 20 April 2021) chancery: 1911 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 728-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 728-1698 email address and website: mexembussa@sre.gob.mx https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/eua/index.php/en/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Boston (MA), Chicago (IL), Dallas (TX), Denver (GA), El Paso (TX), Houston (TX), Laredo (TX), Miami (FL), New York (NY), Nogales (AZ), Phoenix (AZ), Raleigh (NC), Sacramento (CA), San Antonio (TX), San Diego (CA), San Francisco (CA), San Jose (CA), San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Albuquerque (NM), Boise (ID), Brownsville (TX), Calexico (CA), Del Rio (TX), Detroit (MI), Douglas (AZ), Eagle Pass (TX), Fresno (CA), Indianapolis (IN), Kansas City (MO), Las Vegas (NV), Little Rock (AR), Los Angeles (CA), McAllen (TX), Milwaukee (WI), New Orleans (LA), Omaha (NE), Orlando (FL), Oxnard (CA), Philadelphia (PA), Portland (OR), Presidio (TX), Salt Lake City (UT), San Bernardino (CA), Santa Ana (CA), Seattle (WA), St. Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ), Yuma (AZ)   Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofchief of mission: Ambassador Akillino Harris SUSAIA (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 email address and website: dcmission@fsmembassy.fm https://fsmembassy.fm/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam) Topic: Moldovachief of mission: Ambassador Eugen CARAS (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.md https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en Topic: Monacochief of mission: Ambassador Maguy MACCARIO-DOYLE (since 3 December 2013) chancery: 888 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 234-1530 FAX: [1] (202) 244-7656 email address and website: info@monacodc.org https://monacodc.org/index.html consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Mongoliachief of mission: Ambassador Ulziidelger BATBAYAR (since 8 November 2021) chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.mn http://mongolianembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Topic: Montenegrochief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marija STJEPCEVIC (since 4 February 2021) chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108 FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109 email address and website: usa@mfa.gov.me consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Montserratnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Moroccochief of mission: Ambassador Lalla Joumala ALAOUI (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 462-7643 email address and website: Washingtonembbmorocco@maec.gov.ma https://www.embassyofmorocco.us/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Mozambiquechief of mission: Ambassador Carlos DOS SANTOS (since 28 January 2016) chancery: 1525 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 293-7147 FAX: [1] (202) 835-0245 email address and website: washington.dc@embamoc.gov.mz https://usa.embamoc.gov.mz/ Topic: Namibiachief of mission: Ambassador Margaret Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021) chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540 FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443 email address and website: info@namibiaembassyusa.org https://namibiaembassyusa.org/ Topic: Nauruchief of mission: Ambassador Margo DEIYE (since 1 December 2021) chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074 FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079 email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org https://www.un.int/nauru/ Topic: Nepalchief of mission: Ambassador Shreedhar KHATRI (since 25 April 2022) chancery: 2730 34th Place NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 667-4550 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5534 email address and website: info@nepalembassyusa.org https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Topic: Netherlandschief of mission: Ambassador Andre HASPELS (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 email address and website: https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/united-states/about-us/embassy-in-washington-dc consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: New Caledonianone (overseas territory of France) Topic: New Zealandchief of mission: Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 11 January 2019) chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5277 email address and website: wshinfo@mfat.govt.nz https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Nicaraguachief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker (since 28 June 2010) chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570; [1] (202) 939-6573 FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: Nigerchief of mission: Ambassador Mamadou Kiari LIMAN-TINGUIRI (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 FAX: [1] (202) 483-3169 email address and website: communication@embassyofniger.org http://www.embassyofniger.org/ Topic: Nigeriachief of mission: Ambassador Uzoma Elizabeth EMENIKE (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 3519 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 800-7201 (ext. 100) FAX: [1] (202) 362-6541 email address and website: info@nigeriaembassyusa.org https://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, New York Topic: Niuenone (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Topic: Norfolk Islandnone (territory of Australia) Topic: North Macedoniachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vilma PETKOVSKA, Minister Counselor (since 16 March 2020) chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.mk consulate(s) general: Chicago, Detroit, New York Topic: Norwaychief of mission: Ambassador Anniken Ramberg KRUTNES (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 469-3990 email address and website: emb.washington@mfa.no https://www.norway.no/en/usa/ consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco Topic: Omanchief of mission: Ambassador Moosa Hamdan Moosa AL TAI (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933 email address and website: washington@fm.gov.om https://www.culturaloffice.info/aboutomaniembassy Topic: Pakistanchief of mission: Ambassador Sadar 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 Topic: Palauchief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997) chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 349-8598 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 email address and website: info@palauembassy.org https://www.palauembassy.org/ consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) Topic: Panamachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Laura CASTRO Grimaldo (since December 2021) chancery: 2862 McGill Terrace NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 483-1407 FAX: [1] (202) 483-8413 email address and website: info@embassyofpanama.org https://www.embassyofpanama.org/ consulate(s) general: Houston, Miami, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa, Washington DC Topic: Papua New Guineachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge D’Affaires Cephas KAYO, Minister (since 31 January 2018) chancery: 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 email address and website: info@pngembassy.org http://www.pngembassy.org/ Topic: Paraguaychief 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 Topic: Peruchief of mission: Ambassador Oswaldo DE RIVERO Barreto (since 17 November 2021) chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 833-9860 through 9869 FAX: [1] (202) 659-8124 email address and website: Webadmin@embassyofperu.us consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (NJ), San Francisco, Washington DC Topic: Philippineschief of mission: Ambassador Jose Manuel del Gallego ROMUALDEZ (since 29 November 2017) chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 email address and website: washington.pe@dfa.gov.ph; consular@phembassy-us.org consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Polandchief of mission: Ambassador Piotr Mark MAGIEROWSKI (since 23 November 2021) chancery: 2640 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 499-1700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2152 email address and website: washington.amb.sekretariat@msz.gov.pl https://www.gov.pl/web/usa-en/embassy-washington consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Portugalchief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Duarte LOPES (since May 2022) chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400; [1] (202) 332-3007 FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726; [1] (202) 387-2768 email address and website: info.washington@mne.pt; sconsular.washington@mne.pt https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI) Topic: Puerto Riconone (territory of the US) Topic: Qatarchief of mission: Ambassador MISHAL bin Hamad bin Muhammad Al Thani (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0682 email address and website: info.dc@mofa.gov.qa https://washington.embassy.qa/en consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles Topic: Romaniachief of mission: Ambassador Andrei MURARU (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 1607 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-4829; [1] (202) 332-4846 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4748 email address and website: washington@mae.ro (chancery) contact@informatiiconsulare.ro (consular section) https://washington.mae.ro/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Topic: Russiachief of mission: Ambassador Anatoliy Ivanovich ANTONOV (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 298-5735 email address and website: rusembusa@mid.ru https://washington.mid.ru/en/ consulate(s) general: Houston, New York Topic: Rwandachief of mission: Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013) chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW,  Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 email address and website: info@rwandaembassy.org https://rwandaembassy.org/ Topic: Saint Barthelemynone (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhanone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevischief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Thelma Patricia PHILLIP-BROWNE (since 28 January 2016) chancery: 1203 19th St. NW, 5th Floor, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 686-2636 FAX: [1] (202) 686-5740 email address and website: info@embskn.com consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Saint Luciachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Shirnaya V. STEPHEN (since 1 January 2022) chancery: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723 email address and website: embassydc@gosl.gov.lc https://www.embassyofstlucia.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Saint Martinnone (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonnone (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineschief of mission: Ambassador Lou-Anne Gaylene GILCHRIST (since 18 January 2017) chancery: 1627 K Street, NW, Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730 FAX: [1] (202) 364-6730 email address and website: mail@embsvg.com http://wa.embassy.gov.vc/washington/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Samoachief of mission: Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 email address and website: samoanymission@outlook.com https://www.un.int/samoa/samoa/embassy-independent-state-samoa-united-states-america consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa) Topic: San Marinochief of mission: Ambassador Damiano BELEFFI (since 21 July 2017) chancery: 327 E 50th Street, New York, NY 10022 Embassy address:      1711 North Street, NW (2nd Floor)       Washington, DC 22036 telephone: [1] (212) 751-1234 [1] (202) 223-24l8 [1] (202) 751-1436 FAX: [1] (212) 751-1436 email address and website: sanmarinoun@gmail.com Topic: Sao Tome and Principechief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Filomeno Azevedo Agostinho das NEVES (since 3 December 2013) chancery: 675 Third Avenue, Suite 1807, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 651-8116 FAX: [1] (212) 651-8117 email address and website: rdstppmun@gmail.com Topic: Saudi Arabiachief of mission: Ambassador Princess REEMA bint Bandar Al Saud (since 8 July 2019) chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 FAX: [1] (202) 295-3625 email address and website: info@saudiembassy.net https://www.saudiembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Senegalchief 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 Topic: Serbiachief of mission: Ambassador Marko DJURIC (since 18 January 2021) chancery: 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 332-0333 FAX: [1] (202) 332-3933 email address and website: info@serbiaembusa.org http://www.washington.mfa.gov.rs/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York Topic: Seychelleschief of mission: Ambassador Ian MADELEINE (since 1 December 2021) chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1107, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 972-1785 FAX: [1] (212) 972-1786 email address and website: seychelles@un.int consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Sierra Leonechief 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/ Topic: Singaporechief of mission: Ambassador Ashok KUMAR Mirpuri (since 30 July 2012) chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 email address and website: singemb_was@mfa.sg https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York Topic: Sint Maartennone (represented by the Kingdom of the Netherlands) Topic: Slovakiachief of mission: Ambassador Radovan JAVORCIK (since 18 January 2021) chancery: 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1054 FAX: [1] (202) 237-6438 email address and website: emb.washington@mzv.sk https://www.mzv.sk/web/washington-en consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Sloveniachief of mission: Ambassador Tone KAJZER (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 2410 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601 FAX: [1] (202) 386-6633 email address and website: vwa@gov.si http://www.washington.embassy.si/index.php?id=51&L=1 consulate(s) general: Cleveland (OH) Topic: Solomon Islandschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Janice Mose KEMAKEZA chancery: 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192; [1] (212) 599-6193 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 email address and website: simun@solomons.com Topic: Somaliachief of mission: Ambassador Ali Sharif AHMED (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 1609 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 853-9164 email address and website: info@somaliembassydc.net https://somaliembassydc.net/ Topic: South Africachief of mission: Ambassador Nomaindiya MFEKETO (since 8 April 2020) chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607; [1] (202) 387-9854 email address and website: https://www.saembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Topic: South Sudanchief of mission: Ambassador Philip Jada NATANA (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 600-2238 FAX: [1] (202) 644-9910 email address and website: info.ssdembassy@gmail.com https://www.southsudanembassyusa.org/ Topic: Spainchief of mission: Ambassador Santiago CABANAS Ansorena (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 452-0100 FAX: [1] (202) 833-5670 email address and website: emb.washington@maec.es http://www.exteriores.gob.es/embajadas/washington/en/pages/inicio2.aspx consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Topic: Sri Lankachief of mission: Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 1 December 2021) chancery: 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028 FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181 email address and website: slembassy@slembassyusa.org https://slembassyusa.org/new/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Topic: Sudanchief of mission: Charge D’Affaires Ismat Kamil GABBANI (since 14 January 2022) chancery: 2210 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 338-8565 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2406 email address and website: consular@sudanembassy.org https://www.sudanembassy.org/ Topic: Surinamechief of mission: Ambassador Jan Marten Willem SCHALKWIJK (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 629-4302 FAX: [1] (202) 629-4769 email address and website: amb.vs@gov.sr https://www.surinameembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Miami Topic: Swedenchief of mission: Ambassador Karin Ulrika OLOFSDOTTER (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 2900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 467-2600 FAX: [1] (202) 467-2699 email address and website: ambassaden.washington@gov.se https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/usa-washington/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Switzerlandchief of mission: Ambassador Jacques PITTELOUD (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007-4105 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 email address and website: washington@eda.admin.ch https://www.eda.admin.ch/washington consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Boston Topic: Syriachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); note – embassy closed in March 2014 chancery: 2215 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6313 FAX: [1] (202) 234-9548 note: Embassy ceased operations and closed on 18 March 2014 Topic: Taiwanchief of mission: none; commercial and cultural relations with its citizens in the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts, represented by HSIAO Bi-khim (since 20 July 2020); office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016; telephone: [1] (202) 895-1800 Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Topic: Tajikistanchief of mission: Ambassador Farrukh HAMRALIZODA (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090; [1] (202) 223-2666 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 email address and website: tajemus@mfa.tj; tajikistan@verizon.net https://mfa.tj/en/washington Topic: Tanzaniachief of mission: Ambassador Elsie Sia KANZA (since August 2021) chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 884-1080, [1] (202) 939-6125, [1] (202) 939-6127 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 email address and website: ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/ Topic: Thailandchief of mission: Ambassador MANATSAWI Sisodaphon (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 email address and website: https://thaiembdc.org consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Topic: Timor-Lestechief of mission: Ambassador Isilio Antonio De Fatima COELHO DA SILVA (since 6 January 2020) chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 email address and website: info@timorlesteembassy.org http://www.timorlesteembassy.org/ Topic: Togochief of mission: Ambassador Frederic Edem HEGBE (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190 email address and website: embassyoftogo@hotmail.com https://embassyoftogousa.com/ Topic: Tokelaunone (territory of New Zealand) Topic: Tongachief of mission: Ambassador Viliami Va’inga TONE (since 20 April 2021) chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 email address and website: tongaunmission@aol.com consulate(s) general: San Francisco Topic: Trinidad and Tobagochief of mission: Ambassador Anthony Wayne Jerome PHILLIPS-SPENCER, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 1708 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036-1975 telephone: [1] (202) 467-6490 FAX: [1] (202) 785-3130 email address and website: embdcinfo@foreign.gov.tt https://foreign.gov.tt/missions-consuls/tt-missions-abroad/diplomatic-missions/embassy-washington-dc-us/ consulate(s) general: Miami, New York Topic: Tunisiachief of mission: Ambassador Hanene Tajouri BESSASSI (since 4 October 2021) chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 email address and website: AT.Washington@Tunisiaembassy.org https://www.tunisianembassy.org/ Topic: Turkeychief of mission: Ambassador Hasan MURAT MERCAN (since 20 April 2021) chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700; [1] (202) 612-6701 FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744 email address and website: embassy.washingtondc@mfa.gov.tr http://washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Topic: Turkmenistanchief of mission: Ambassador Meret ORAZOW (since 14 February 2001) chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-1500 email address and website: turkmenembassyus@verizon.net https://usa.tmembassy.gov.tm/en Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Tuvaluchief of mission: none; the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy; it is headed by Samuelu LALONIU (since 21 July 2017); address: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017; telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534; FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975; email: tuvalumission.un@gmail.com Topic: Ugandachief of mission: Ambassador Mull Ssebujja KATENDE (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 5911 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 726-1727 email address and website: washington@mofa.go.ug; info@ugandaembassysus.org; ambauganda@aol.com https://washington.mofa.go.ug/ Topic: Ukrainechief of mission: Ambassador Oksana Serhiyivna MARKAROVA (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 349-2963 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 email address and website: emb_us@mfa.gov.ua; consul_us@mfa.gov.ua https://usa.mfa.gov.ua/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco Topic: United Arab Emirateschief of mission: Ambassador Yousif Mana Saeed Ahmed ALOTAIBA (since 28 July 2008) chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 email address and website: info@uaeembassy-usa.org https://www.uae-embassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Los Angeles, New York Topic: United Kingdomchief of mission: Ambassador Karen Elizabeth PIERCE (since 8 April 2020) chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870 email address and website: britishembassyenquiries@gmail.com https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-washington consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Orlando (FL), San Juan (Puerto Rico) Topic: Uruguaychief of mission: Ambassador Andres Augusto DURAN HAREAU (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313 FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142 email address and website: urueeuu@mrree.gub.uy consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, San Francisco Topic: Uzbekistanchief of mission: Ambassador Javlon VAHOBOV (since 29 November 2017) chancery: 1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 293-6804 email address and website: info.washington@mfa.uz https://www.uzbekistan.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Topic: Vanuatuchief of mission: none; the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy; it is headed by Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017); address: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017; telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303; FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427; email: vanunmis@aol.com Topic: Venezuelachief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alfredo VECCHIO (since 8 April 2019) chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214 FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820 email address and website: despacho.embveus@mppre.gob.ve Topic: Vietnamchief of mission: Ambassador NGUYEN Quoc Dzung (since February 2022) chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 email address and website: vanphong@vietnamembassy.us http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/ consulate(s) general: Houston, San Francisco consulate(s): New York Topic: Virgin Islandsnone (territory of the US) Topic: Wallis and Futunanone (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Yemenchief of mission: ambassador (vacant); note - on 18 December 2020, former Ambassador Ahmad Awadh BIN MUBARAK (since 3 August 2015) was appointed Yemen's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates chancery: 2319 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 965-4760 FAX: [1] (202) 337-2017 email address and website: Information@yemenembassy.org https://www.yemenembassy.org/ Topic: Zambiachief 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/ Topic: Zimbabwechief of mission: Ambassador Tadeous Tafirenyika CHIFAMBA (since 7 July 2021); chancery: 1608 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 332-7100 FAX: [1] (202) 483-9326 email address and website: general@zimembassydc.org https://zimembassydc.org/

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

countries-congo-democratic-republic-of-the

Topic: Photos of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Topic: Introduction Background: 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 elections 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, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, 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 elections 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, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, 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. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,344,858 sq km land: 2,267,048 sq km water: 77,810 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 37 km Maritime claims: territorial 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 Climate: tropical; 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) Terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Elevation: highest point: Pic Marguerite on Mont Ngaliema (Mount Stanley) 5,110 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 726 m Natural resources: cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber Land use: agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8% (2018 est.) forest: 67.9% (2018 est.) other: 20.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 110 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Zambia) - 4,350 sq km; Lac Mai-Ndombe - 2,300 sq km; Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) - 2,220 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Uganda) - 2,150 sq km; Lac Tumba - 500 sq km; Lac Upemba - 530 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Major aquifers: Congo Basin Population distribution: urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valleyvolcanism: Nyiragongo (3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km /hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcanoperiodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valleyvolcanism: Nyiragongo (3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km /hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano Geography - note: note 1: second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Ocean note 2: because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world; estimates of its greatest depth vary between 220 and 250 metersnote 1: second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Oceannote 2: because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world; estimates of its greatest depth vary between 220 and 250 meters Map description: Democratic Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.  Democratic Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.  Topic: People and Society Population: 108,407,721 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural) adjective: Congolese or Congo Ethnic groups: more than 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) - make up about 45% of the population Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba major-language sample(s): Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, other Christian 36.5%, Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2014 est.) Demographic profile: Despite a wealth of fertile soil, hydroelectric power potential, and mineral resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with many socioeconomic problems, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, poor vaccination coverage, lack of access to improved water sources and sanitation, and frequent and early fertility. Ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of investment have resulted in food insecurity; almost 30 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. The overall coverage of basic public services – education, health, sanitation, and potable water – is very limited and piecemeal, with substantial regional and rural/urban disparities. Fertility remains high at almost 5 children per woman and is likely to remain high because of the low use of contraception and the cultural preference for larger families.The DRC is a source and host country for refugees. Between 2012 and 2014, more than 119,000 Congolese refugees returned from the Republic of Congo to the relative stability of northwest DRC, but more than 540,000 Congolese refugees remained abroad as of year-end 2015. In addition, an estimated 3.9 million Congolese were internally displaced as of October 2017, the vast majority fleeing violence between rebel group and Congolese armed forces. Thousands of refugees have come to the DRC from neighboring countries, including Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi.Despite a wealth of fertile soil, hydroelectric power potential, and mineral resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with many socioeconomic problems, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, poor vaccination coverage, lack of access to improved water sources and sanitation, and frequent and early fertility. Ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of investment have resulted in food insecurity; almost 30 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. The overall coverage of basic public services – education, health, sanitation, and potable water – is very limited and piecemeal, with substantial regional and rural/urban disparities. Fertility remains high at almost 5 children per woman and is likely to remain high because of the low use of contraception and the cultural preference for larger families.The DRC is a source and host country for refugees. Between 2012 and 2014, more than 119,000 Congolese refugees returned from the Republic of Congo to the relative stability of northwest DRC, but more than 540,000 Congolese refugees remained abroad as of year-end 2015. In addition, an estimated 3.9 million Congolese were internally displaced as of October 2017, the vast majority fleeing violence between rebel group and Congolese armed forces. Thousands of refugees have come to the DRC from neighboring countries, including Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 95.4 youth dependency ratio: 89.5 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 16.7 years male: 16.5 years female: 16.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 3.14% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 40.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 46.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 15.628 million KINSHASA (capital), 2.765 million Mbuji-Mayi, 2.695 million Lubumbashi, 1.593 million Kananga, 1.366 million Kisangani, 1.190 million Bukavu (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.9 years (2013/14 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 473 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 60.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 61.83 years male: 60.03 years female: 63.69 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.63 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 28.1% (2017/18) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.5% (2019) Physicians density: 0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 510,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 17,000 (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 trypanosomiasis-gambiense (African sleeping sickness) 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; the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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: 6.7% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 12.8% (2020 est.) male: 22.7% (2020 est.) female: 2.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 23.1% (2017/18) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0% women married by age 18: 0.1% men married by age 18: 0% (2017 est.) Education expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2017 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write French, Lingala, Kingwana, or Tshiluba total population: 77% male: 88.5% female: 66.5% (2016) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2013) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.7% male: 11.3% female: 6.8% (2012 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation (forests endangered by fires set to clean the land for agricultural purposes; forests also used as a source of fuel); soil erosion; mining (diamonds, gold, coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors for electronic devices) causing environmental damage 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 37.62 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.02 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 61.24 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; 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) Land use: agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8% (2018 est.) forest: 67.9% (2018 est.) other: 20.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 46.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 8.72% 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 trypanosomiasis-gambiense (African sleeping sickness) 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; the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 internal conflict in eastern regions and economic downturn - according to a November 2021 analysis, 26 million people are projected to be severely food insecure, in "Crisis" or above, between January and June 2022; this is due to persisting conflict in eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, which continues to cause displacements, coupled with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 14,385,226 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 704,876 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.9% (2005 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Zambia) - 4,350 sq km; Lac Mai-Ndombe - 2,300 sq km; Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) - 2,220 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Uganda) - 2,150 sq km; Lac Tumba - 500 sq km; Lac Upemba - 530 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Congo river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Major aquifers: Congo Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 464.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 146.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 71.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 1.283 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Republic of the Congo conventional short form: DRC local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo local short form: RDC former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville, Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire abbreviation: DRC (or DROC) etymology: named for the Congo River, most of which lies within the DRC; the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom that occupied its mouth at the time of Portuguese discovery in the late 15th century and whose name stems from its people the Bakongo, meaning "hunters" Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Kinshasa geographic coordinates: 4 19 S, 15 18 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: the DRC has two time zones etymology: founded as a trading post in 1881 and named Leopoldville in honor of King Leopold II of the Belgians, who controlled the Congo Free State, the vast central African territory that became the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960; in 1966, Leopoldville was renamed Kinshasa, after a village of that name that once stood near the site Administrative divisions: 26 provinces (provinces, singular - province); Bas-Uele (Lower Uele), Equateur, Haut-Katanga (Upper Katanga), Haut-Lomami (Upper Lomami), Haut-Uele (Upper Uele), Ituri, Kasai, Kasai-Central, Kasai-Oriental (East Kasai), Kinshasa, Kongo Central, Kwango, Kwilu, Lomami, Lualaba, Mai-Ndombe, Maniema, Mongala, Nord-Kivu (North Kivu), Nord-Ubangi (North Ubangi), Sankuru, Sud-Kivu (South Kivu), Sud-Ubangi (South Ubangi), Tanganyika, Tshopo, Tshuapa Independence: 30 June 1960 (from Belgium) National holiday: Independence Day, 30 June (1960) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 13 May 2005, approved by referendum 18-19 December 2005, promulgated 18 February 2006 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by either house of Parliament, or by public petition; agreement on the substance of a proposed bill requires absolute majority vote in both houses; passage requires a referendum only if both houses in joint meeting fail to achieve three-fifths majority vote; constitutional articles, including the form of government, universal suffrage, judicial independence, political pluralism, and personal freedoms, cannot be amended; amended 2011 Legal system: civil law system primarily based on Belgian law, but also customary and tribal 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 the Democratic Republic of the Congo dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Felix TSHISEKEDI (since 24 January 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet MAKOSSO (since 12 May 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Jose MAKILA, Leonard She OKITUNDU, Henri MOVA Sankanyi (since February 2018) cabinet: Ministers of State appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 December 2018 (next to be held in December 2023); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Felix TSHISEKEDI elected president; percent of vote - Felix TSHISEKEDI (UDPS) 38.6%, Martin FAYULU (Lamuka coalition) 34.8%, Emmanuel Ramazani SHADARY (PPRD) 23.9%, other 2.7%; note - election marred by serious voting irregularities (2018) Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (consists of 26 justices and organized into legislative and judiciary sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Judicial Service Council, an independent body of public prosecutors and selected judges of the lower courts; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by the president, 3 by the Judicial Service Council, and 3 by the legislature; judges appointed by the president to serve 9-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: State Security Court; Court of Appeals (organized into administrative and judiciary sections); Tribunal de Grande; magistrates' courts; customary courts Political parties and leaders: Christian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO] Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA] Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC Engagement for Citizenship and Development or ECiDe [Martin FAYULU] Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI] Lamuka coalition [Martin FAYULU] (includes ECiDe, MLC, Together for Change, CNB, and, Nouvel Elan) Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA] Nouvel Elan [Adolphe MUZITO] Our Congo or CNB ("Congo Na Biso") [Freddy MATUNGULU] People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Henri MOVA Sakanyi] Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI] Together for Change ("Ensemble") [Moise KATUMBI] Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU Union for the Congolese Nation or UNC [Vital KAMERHE] Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Felix TSHISEKEDI] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marie-Hélène MATHEY-BOO (since 6 June 2022) chancery: 1100 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690; [1] (202) 234-7691 FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 email address and website: https://www.ambardcusa.org/ representative office: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. HAMMER (since 22 December 2018) embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa, Gombe mailing address: 2220 Kinshasa Place, Washington DC  20521-2220 telephone: [243] 081 556-0151 FAX: [243] 81 556-0175 email address and website: ACSKinshasa@state.gov https://cd.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: sky blue field divided diagonally from the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in the upper hoist corner; blue represents peace and hope, red the blood of the country's martyrs, and yellow the country's wealth and prosperity; the star symbolizes unity and the brilliant future for the country National symbol(s): leopard; national colors: sky blue, red, yellow National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Garamba National Park; Kahuzi-Biega National Park; Okapi Wildlife Reserve; Salonga National Park; Virunga National Park Topic: Economy Economic overview: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast natural resource wealth - continues to perform poorly. Systemic corruption since independence in 1960, combined with countrywide instability and intermittent conflict that began in the early-90s, has reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt. With the installation of a transitional government in 2003 after peace accords, economic conditions slowly began to improve as the government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms. Progress on implementing substantive economic reforms remains slow because of political instability, bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, and patronage, which also dampen international investment prospects.   Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth until 2015, but low commodity prices have led to slower growth, volatile inflation, currency depreciation, and a growing fiscal deficit. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems for the large mining sector and for the economy as a whole. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data.   Poverty remains widespread in DRC, and the country failed to meet any Millennium Development Goals by 2015. DRC also concluded its program with the IMF in 2015. The price of copper – the DRC’s primary export - plummeted in 2015 and remained at record lows during 2016-17, reducing government revenues, expenditures, and foreign exchange reserves, while inflation reached nearly 50% in mid-2017 – its highest level since the early 2000s.The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast natural resource wealth - continues to perform poorly. Systemic corruption since independence in 1960, combined with countrywide instability and intermittent conflict that began in the early-90s, has reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt. With the installation of a transitional government in 2003 after peace accords, economic conditions slowly began to improve as the government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms. Progress on implementing substantive economic reforms remains slow because of political instability, bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, and patronage, which also dampen international investment prospects. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth until 2015, but low commodity prices have led to slower growth, volatile inflation, currency depreciation, and a growing fiscal deficit. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems for the large mining sector and for the economy as a whole. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data. Poverty remains widespread in DRC, and the country failed to meet any Millennium Development Goals by 2015. DRC also concluded its program with the IMF in 2015. The price of copper – the DRC’s primary export - plummeted in 2015 and remained at record lows during 2016-17, reducing government revenues, expenditures, and foreign exchange reserves, while inflation reached nearly 50% in mid-2017 – its highest level since the early 2000s. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $96.03 billion (2020 est.) $95.29 billion (2019 est.) $91.29 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.4% (2017 est.) 2.4% (2016 est.) 6.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,100 (2020 est.) $1,100 (2019 est.) $1,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $47.16 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 41.5% (2017 est.) 18.2% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Caa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 19.7% (2017 est.) industry: 43.6% (2017 est.) services: 36.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: cassava, plantains, sugar cane, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, roots/tubers nes, bananas, sweet potatoes, groundnuts Industries: mining (copper, cobalt, gold, diamonds, coltan, zinc, tin, tungsten), mineral processing, consumer products (textiles, plastics, footwear, cigarettes), metal products, processed foods and beverages, timber, cement, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 1.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 20.692 million (2012 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA Unemployment rate: NANA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.7% male: 11.3% female: 6.8% (2012 est.) Population below poverty line: 63% (2014 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 42.1 (2012 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 34.7% (2006) Budget: revenues: 4.634 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.009 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 18.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 11.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$200 million (2017 est.) -$1.215 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $13.93 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $15.17 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $16.08 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 53%, United Arab Emirates 11%, Saudi Arabia 6%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper, cobalt, crude petroleum, diamonds (2019) Imports: $14.56 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $16.89 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $17.77 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 29%, South Africa 15%, Zambia 12%, Rwanda 5%, Belgium 5%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: packaged medicines, refined petroleum, sulfuric acid, stone processing machines, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $457.5 million (31 December 2017 est.) $708.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $4.963 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $5.35 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Congolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - 1,546.8 (2017 est.) 1,010.3 (2016 est.) 1,010.3 (2015 est.) 925.99 (2014 est.) 925.23 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 9% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 19% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 0.4% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.919 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 7,181,700,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 248 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 385 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.142 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0.1% 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: 99.6% 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: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 88 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 22,000 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 17,900 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 21,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 180 million 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: 21,140 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 368,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 368,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 991 million cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.653 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 1.371 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 40,798,396 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom system remains one of the least developed in the region; the government can only loosely regulate the sector, and since the national telco SCPT has little capital to invest, much of the investment made in infrastructure is derived from donor countries or from the efforts of foreign (particularly Chinese) companies and banks; efforts have been made to improve the regulation of the telecom sector; the limited fixed-line infrastructure has become the principal providers of basic telecom services; the development of the DRC’s internet and broadband market has been held back by the poorly developed national and international infrastructure; the country was finally connected to international bandwidth through the WACS submarine cable in 2013, while SCPT continues to roll out a fiber national backbone network with support from China; breakages in the WACS cable have exposed the vulnerability of international bandwidth, which is still limited; Liquid Intelligence Technologies has built a landing station for the Equiano submarine cable, and has also completed a 5,000km cable running through the DRC to link to cable systems landing in countries facing the Atlantic and Indian Oceans; the first commercial LTE networks were launched in May 2018 soon after LTE licenses were issued; mobile operators are keen to develop mobile data services, capitalizing on the growth of smartphones usage; there has been some progress with updating technologies, with Vodacom DRC having upgraded much of its GSM network to 3G by late 2021. (2022) domestic: inadequate fixed-line infrastructure with fixed-line connections less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscriptions over 45 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 243; ACE and WACS submarine cables to West and South Africa 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: state-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 Internet country code: .cd Internet users: total: 12,538,597 (2020 est.) percent of population: 14% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 31,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.03 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 13 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 932,043 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 890,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9Q Airports: total: 198 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 172 1,524 to 2,437 m: 20 914 to 1,523 m: 87 under 914 m: 65 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 62 km gas, 77 km oil, 756 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 4,007 km (2014) narrow gauge: 3,882 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (858 km electrified) 125 1.000-mm gauge Roadways: total: 152,373 km (2015) paved: 3,047 km (2015) unpaved: 149,326 km (2015) urban: 7,400 km (2015) non-urban: 144,973 km Waterways: 15,000 km (2011) (including the Congo River, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes) Merchant marine: total: 22 by type: general cargo 4, oil tanker 2, other 16 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard; Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police, Directorate General for Migration (2022) note: the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $570 million) 0.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $520 million) 0.9% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $550 million) 1.3% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $650 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: limited and widely varied information; approximately 100,000 active troops (mostly Army, but includes several thousand Navy and Air Force personnel, as well as about 10,000 Republican Guard; note -  Navy personnel includes naval infantry) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FARDC is equipped mostly with a mix of second-hand Russian and Soviet-era weapons acquired from former Warsaw Pact nations; most equipment was acquired between 1970 and 2000; in recent years, Ukraine is the largest supplier of arms to the FARDC (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-45 years of age for voluntary (men and women) and compulsory (men only) military service; unclear how much conscription is used (2021) Military - note: the modern FARDC was created out of the armed factions of the two Congo wars of 1996-1997 and 1998-2003; as part of the peace accords that ended the last war, the largest rebel groups were incorporated into the FARDC; many armed groups, however, continue to fight (note - there are over 100 illegal armed groups in the country by some estimates); as of 2022, the FARDC was actively engaged in combat operations against numerous armed groups inside the country, particularly in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, although violence also continues in Maniema, Kasai, Kasai Central, and Tanganyika provinces; the military is widely assessed as being unable to provide adequate security throughout the country due to insufficient training, poor morale and leadership, ill-discipline and corruption, low equipment readiness, a fractious ethnic makeup, and the sheer size of the country and diversity of armed rebel groups MONUSCO, the United Nations peacekeeping and stabilization force in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has operated in the central and eastern parts of the country since 1999; as of February 2022, MONUSCO had around 15,000 personnel; MONUSCO includes a Force Intervention Brigade (FIB; 3 infantry battalions, plus artillery and special forces), the first ever UN peacekeeping force specifically tasked to carry out targeted offensive operations to neutralize and disarm groups considered a threat to state authority and civilian securitythe modern FARDC was created out of the armed factions of the two Congo wars of 1996-1997 and 1998-2003; as part of the peace accords that ended the last war, the largest rebel groups were incorporated into the FARDC; many armed groups, however, continue to fight (note - there are over 100 illegal armed groups in the country by some estimates); as of 2022, the FARDC was actively engaged in combat operations against numerous armed groups inside the country, particularly in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, although violence also continues in Maniema, Kasai, Kasai Central, and Tanganyika provinces; the military is widely assessed as being unable to provide adequate security throughout the country due to insufficient training, poor morale and leadership, ill-discipline and corruption, low equipment readiness, a fractious ethnic makeup, and the sheer size of the country and diversity of armed rebel groups Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Democratic Republic of the Congo (ISIS-DRC) 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: heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Republic of the Congo: the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Uganda: Uganda rejects the DRC claim to Margherita Peak in the Rwenzori mountains and considers it a boundary divide; there is tension and violence on Lake Albert over prospective oil reserves at the mouth of the Semliki River Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Zambia: 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 Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Angola: DRC accuses Angola of shifting monumentsheads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Republic of the Congo: the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Uganda: Uganda rejects the DRC claim to Margherita Peak in the Rwenzori mountains and considers it a boundary divide; there is tension and violence on Lake Albert over prospective oil reserves at the mouth of the Semliki River Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Zambia: 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 Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC)-Angola: DRC accuses Angola of shifting monuments Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 210,067 (Rwanda), 207,118 (Central African Republic), 56,303 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 40,798 (Burundi) (2022) IDPs: 5.61 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; conflict in Kasai region since 2016) (2021) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: country of origin of methamphetamine destined for overseas markets

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-italy-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Do not travel to Italy due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution 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 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: (+39) 06-4674-1; US Embassy Rome, via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma, Italy; uscitizenrome@state.gov; https://it.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 39 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 112, 118; Fire: 112, 115; Police: 112, 113; Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Currency (Code): Euros (EUR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F, L Major Languages: Italian, German, French, Slovene Major Religions: Christian 80.8% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9% 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 Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Rome (includes Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, Roman Forum); Venice Canals; Pompeii; Leaning Tower of Pisa; Lake Como; Florence (includes Ponte Vecchio, Cathedral, Uffizi Gallery); Sicily; Mount Vesuvius; Amalfi Coast; Hadrian's Villa; Milan (includes Cathedral, La Scala) Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, rugby, cycling, water polo Cultural Practices: Chrysanthemums are used at funerals, red flowers indicate secrecy, and yellow flowers indicate jealousy. All make poor gifts. Tipping Guidelines: A service charge, ranging from 1-3 euros, is sometimes added to a restaurant bill, but you can round up for good service. Tip a bartender 1 euro for a round of drinks. Tipping in hotels is not required, but always appreciated. It is appropriate to tip a porter 5 euros, the concierge 1-2 euros (if they provided a service), and housekeeping between 75 cents to 1.5 euros per day. Round up taxi fares.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

static-059c90673c12d96c082b8543d067aa19-US_148_large.jpeg

20220901

countries-guyana

Topic: Photos of Guyana Topic: Introduction Background: Originally 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Suriname and Venezuela Geographic coordinates: 5 00 N, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 214,969 sq km land: 196,849 sq km water: 18,120 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Idaho; almost twice the size of Tennessee Land boundaries: total: 2,933 km border countries (3): Brazil 1,308 km; Suriname 836 km; Venezuela 789 km Coastline: 459 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the outer edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Terrain: mostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Elevation: highest point: Laberintos del Norte on Mount Roraima 2,775 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 207 m Natural resources: bauxite, gold, diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp, fish Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 77.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,430 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Natural hazards: flash flood threat during rainy seasons Geography - note: the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent Map description: Guyana map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.  Guyana map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.  Topic: People and Society Population: 789,683 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Guyanese (singular and plural) adjective: Guyanese Ethnic groups: East Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.) Languages: English (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.) Religions: Protestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.) Demographic profile: Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.2 youth dependency ratio: 42.5 elderly dependency ratio: 10.7 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 27.5 years male: 27.2 years female: 27.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.24% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.72 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -7.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Urbanization: urban population: 27% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018) 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: 1.11 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.8 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 667 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.87 years male: 70.03 years female: 73.8 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.06 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 33.9% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.9% (2019) Physicians density: 1.42 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.7 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 12.1% (2020 est.) male: 21.7% (2020 est.) female: 2.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 8.2% (2014) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has ever attended school total population: 88.5% male: 87.2% female: 89.8% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 12 years (2012) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.5% male: 20.7% female: 34.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution from sewage and agricultural and industrial chemicals; 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 Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 20.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.38 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 1.81 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; two rainy seasons (May to August, November to January) Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 6.2% (2018 est.) forest: 77.4% (2018 est.) other: 14.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 27% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.56% 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 Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 179,252 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 968 tons (2010 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2010 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 61.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 20.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1.363 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 271 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Cooperative Republic of Guyana conventional short form: Guyana former: British Guiana etymology: the name is derived from Guiana, the original name for the region that included British Guiana, Dutch Guiana, and French Guiana; ultimately the word is derived from an indigenous Amerindian language and means "Land of Many Waters" (referring to the area's multitude of rivers and streams) Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Georgetown geographic coordinates: 6 48 N, 58 09 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: when the British took possession of the town from the Dutch in 1812, they renamed it Georgetown in honor of King George III (1738-1820) Administrative divisions: 10 regions; Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, Demerara-Mahaica, East Berbice-Corentyne, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, Mahaica-Berbice, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Potaro-Siparuni, Upper Demerara-Berbice, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Independence: 26 May 1966 (from the UK) National holiday: Republic Day, 23 February (1970) Constitution: history: several previous; latest promulgated 6 October 1980 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, such as national sovereignty, government structure and powers, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum, and assent of the president; other amendments only require Assembly approval; amended many times, last in 2016 Legal system: common law system, based on the English model, with some Roman-Dutch civil law influence 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: no residency requirement for naturalization: na Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020); Prime Minister Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohammed Irfaan ALI (since 2 August 2020); First Vice President Mark PHILLIPS (since 2 August 2020); Vice President Bharrat JAGDEO (since 2 August 2020) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, responsible to the National Assembly elections/appointments: the predesignated candidate of the winning party in the last National Assembly election becomes president for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 2 March 2020 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2020: Mohammed Irfaan ALI (PPP/C) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly 2015: David GRANGER (APNU-AFC) designated president by the majority party in the National Assembly Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with a chief justice and 3 justices, and the High Court with a chief justice and 10 justices organized into 3- or 5-judge panels); note - in 2009, Guyana acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal in civil and criminal cases, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president; other judges of both courts appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a body appointed by the president; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Land Court; magistrates' courts Political parties and leaders: A New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN] A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON] Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN] Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA] Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN] National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR] People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO] The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON] The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR] United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Samuel Archibald HINDS (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2490 Tracy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 265-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 232-1297 email address and website: guyanaembassydc@verizon.net http://www.guyanaembassyusa.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019) embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 email address and website: acsgeorge@state.gov https://gy.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: green with a red isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a long, yellow arrowhead; there is a narrow, black border between the red and yellow, and a narrow, white border between the yellow and the green; green represents forest and foliage; yellow stands for mineral resources and a bright future; white symbolizes Guyana's rivers; red signifies zeal and the sacrifice of the people; black indicates perseverance; also referred to by its nickname The Golden Arrowhead National symbol(s): Canje pheasant (hoatzin), jaguar, Victoria Regia water lily; national colors: red, yellow, green, black, white National anthem: name: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains" lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER note: adopted 1966 Topic: Economy Economic overview: The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020.   Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.69 billion (2020 est.) $10.24 billion (2019 est.) $9.72 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.1% (2017 est.) 3.4% (2016 est.) 3.1% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $18,700 (2020 est.) $13,100 (2019 est.) $12,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.561 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2017 est.) 0.8% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 15.4% (2017 est.) industry: 15.3% (2017 est.) services: 69.3% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: rice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry Industries: bauxite, sugar, rice milling, timber, textiles, gold mining Industrial production growth rate: -5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 313,800 (2013 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: NA services: NA Unemployment rate: 11.1% (2013) 11.3% (2012) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.5% male: 20.7% female: 34.6% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 35% (2006 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 44.6 (2007) 43.2 (1999) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 33.8% (1999) Budget: revenues: 1.002 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.164 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 52.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$237 million (2017 est.) $13 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.8 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.58 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Trinidad and Tobago 31%, Canada 11%, Portugal 11%, Ghana 8%, Norway 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: ships, gold, shipping containers, excavation machinery, aluminum ores, rice (2019) Imports: $4 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 26%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Singapore 18%, Liberia 11%, China 5%, Norway 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, shipping containers, aircraft (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $565.4 million (31 December 2017 est.) $581 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.69 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.542 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Guyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 207 (2017 est.) 206.5 (2016 est.) 206.5 (2015 est.) 206.5 (2014 est.) 206.45 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 91.8% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 96.9% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 90% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 380,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 905.4 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 247 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 97.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.6% 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: 0.9% 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: 110,200 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 18,100 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: 13,720 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: 2.743 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 48.608 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 125,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 856,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: After many years of delays and legal challenges, the 2016 Telecommunications Act was brought into force in October 2020 by the newly elected government of the People’s Party Progressive (PPP); the end of the 31-year monopoly held by the fixed-line incumbent Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) occurred just two months after the PPP took power from the APNU+AFC coalition, which had signed a non-binding agreement with GTT in 2019 to liberalise Guyana’s telecoms market but failed to take any concrete action to make it happen; the Telecommunications Act sets out a framework for enabling competition across all segments of the telecommunications sector in Guyana; the mobile market has been open to competition since 2001, but only one operator, Digicel Guyana, has successfully launched competing GSM and 3G services; while Digicel quickly built a small lead in the mobile market, it remains a duopoly, and subscription levels are well below those of other countries in the region; the Telecommunications Act presents the country with the potential to benefit from a more level playing field that may attract new players, but nevertheless Guyana’s relatively small size and low GDP may restrict it from reaching its full potential for some more years to come. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 18 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity about 83 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 592; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable to Suriname, and the Caribbean; 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: government-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 Internet country code: .gy Internet users: total: 289,627 (2019 est.) percent of population: 37% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 95,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 8R Airports: total: 117 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 106 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 89 (2021) Roadways: total: 3,995 km (2019) paved: 799 km (2019) unpaved: 3,196 km (2019) Waterways: 330 km (2012) (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively) Merchant marine: total: 56 by type: general cargo 26, oil tanker 7, other 23 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Georgetown Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: the Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as a militia (Guyana People's Militia) (2022) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $95 million) 1.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $85 million) 1.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $80 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 4,000 active duty military personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Guyana Defense Force's limited inventory is mostly comprised of second-hand platforms from a variety of foreign suppliers, including Brazil, China, the former Soviet Union, the UK, and the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022) Military - note: the Guyana Defense Force was established in 1965; its primary missions are defense of the country, assisting civil authorities with law and order as needed, and contributing to the economic development of the country; the GDF’s ground force officers are trained at the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, while coast guard officers receive training the British Royal Naval College (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: all of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari Rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyneall of the area west of the Essequibo River is claimed by Venezuela preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; Suriname claims a triangle of land between the New and Kutari/Koetari Rivers in a historic dispute over the headwaters of the Courantyne Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 24,500 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic drug consumption problemtransshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic drug consumption problem

20220901

countries-mali

Topic: Photos of Mali Topic: Introduction Background: 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, the Economic Community of West African States (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, the Economic Community of West African States (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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger Geographic coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,240,192 sq km land: 1,220,190 sq km water: 20,002 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Elevation: highest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m lowest point: Senegal River 23 m mean elevation: 343 m Natural resources: gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower, note, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited Land use: agricultural land: 34.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 28.4% (2018 est.) forest: 10.2% (2018 est.) other: 55.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,780 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lac Faguibine - 590 sq km note - the Niger River is the only source of water for the lake; in recent years the lake is dry Major rivers (by length in km): Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Major aquifers: Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Taodeni-Tanezrouft Basin Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with greater density along the border with Burkina Faso as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding Geography - note: landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan Map description: Mali map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Mali map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 20,741,769 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Malian(s) adjective: Malian Ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) Languages: French (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to its official language Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) Demographic profile: Mali’s total population is expected to double by 2035; its capital Bamako is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. A young age structure, a declining mortality rate, and a sustained high total fertility rate of 6 children per woman – the third highest in the world – ensure continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future. Significant outmigration only marginally tempers this growth. Despite decreases, Mali’s infant, child, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa because of limited access to and adoption of family planning, early childbearing, short birth intervals, the prevalence of female genital cutting, infrequent use of skilled birth attendants, and a lack of emergency obstetrical and neonatal care.Mali’s high total fertility rate has been virtually unchanged for decades, as a result of the ongoing preference for large families, early childbearing, the lack of female education and empowerment, poverty, and extremely low contraceptive use. Slowing Mali’s population growth by lowering its birth rate will be essential for poverty reduction, improving food security, and developing human capital and the economy.Mali has a long history of seasonal migration and emigration driven by poverty, conflict, demographic pressure, unemployment, food insecurity, and droughts. Many Malians from rural areas migrate during the dry period to nearby villages and towns to do odd jobs or to adjoining countries to work in agriculture or mining. Pastoralists and nomads move seasonally to southern Mali or nearby coastal states. Others migrate long term to Mali’s urban areas, Cote d’Ivoire, other neighboring countries, and in smaller numbers to France, Mali’s former colonial ruler. Since the early 1990s, Mali’s role has grown as a transit country for regional migration flows and illegal migration to Europe. Human smugglers and traffickers exploit the same regional routes used for moving contraband drugs, arms, and cigarettes.Between early 2012 and 2013, renewed fighting in northern Mali between government forces and Tuareg secessionists and their Islamist allies, a French-led international military intervention, as well as chronic food shortages, caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malians. Most of those displaced domestically sought shelter in urban areas of southern Mali, except for pastoralist and nomadic groups, who abandoned their traditional routes, gave away or sold their livestock, and dispersed into the deserts of northern Mali or crossed into neighboring countries. Almost all Malians who took refuge abroad (mostly Tuareg and Maure pastoralists) stayed in the region, largely in Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso.Mali’s total population is expected to double by 2035; its capital Bamako is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. A young age structure, a declining mortality rate, and a sustained high total fertility rate of 6 children per woman – the third highest in the world – ensure continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future. Significant outmigration only marginally tempers this growth. Despite decreases, Mali’s infant, child, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa because of limited access to and adoption of family planning, early childbearing, short birth intervals, the prevalence of female genital cutting, infrequent use of skilled birth attendants, and a lack of emergency obstetrical and neonatal care.Mali’s high total fertility rate has been virtually unchanged for decades, as a result of the ongoing preference for large families, early childbearing, the lack of female education and empowerment, poverty, and extremely low contraceptive use. Slowing Mali’s population growth by lowering its birth rate will be essential for poverty reduction, improving food security, and developing human capital and the economy.Mali has a long history of seasonal migration and emigration driven by poverty, conflict, demographic pressure, unemployment, food insecurity, and droughts. Many Malians from rural areas migrate during the dry period to nearby villages and towns to do odd jobs or to adjoining countries to work in agriculture or mining. Pastoralists and nomads move seasonally to southern Mali or nearby coastal states. Others migrate long term to Mali’s urban areas, Cote d’Ivoire, other neighboring countries, and in smaller numbers to France, Mali’s former colonial ruler. Since the early 1990s, Mali’s role has grown as a transit country for regional migration flows and illegal migration to Europe. Human smugglers and traffickers exploit the same regional routes used for moving contraband drugs, arms, and cigarettes.Between early 2012 and 2013, renewed fighting in northern Mali between government forces and Tuareg secessionists and their Islamist allies, a French-led international military intervention, as well as chronic food shortages, caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malians. Most of those displaced domestically sought shelter in urban areas of southern Mali, except for pastoralist and nomadic groups, who abandoned their traditional routes, gave away or sold their livestock, and dispersed into the deserts of northern Mali or crossed into neighboring countries. Almost all Malians who took refuge abroad (mostly Tuareg and Maure pastoralists) stayed in the region, largely in Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 98 youth dependency ratio: 93.1 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 16 years male: 15.3 years female: 16.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.95% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 41.07 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.53 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with greater density along the border with Burkina Faso as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 45.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.817 million BAMAKO (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 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: 562 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 60.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.41 years male: 60.19 years female: 64.7 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.54 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 17.2% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.9% (2019) Physicians density: 0.13 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 0.1 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,600 (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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.3% (2020 est.) male: 15.6% (2020 est.) female: 1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 18.1% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 15.9% women married by age 18: 53.7% men married by age 18: 2.1% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.5% male: 46.2% female: 25.7% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 7 years (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.4% male: 2.6% female: 2.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; loss of pasture land; inadequate supplies of potable water 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 31.17 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 3.18 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 19.16 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February) Land use: agricultural land: 34.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 28.4% (2018 est.) forest: 10.2% (2018 est.) other: 55.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 45.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.02% 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 Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity and shortfall in staple food production - between June and August 2022, 1.84 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity, driven in part by a shortfall in staple food production in 2021; sanctions imposed on the country, following the postponement of elections by the transitional military government, are likely to slow down economic activity and further weigh on households’ economic capacity to access food (2022)due to civil insecurity and shortfall in staple food production - between June and August 2022, 1.84 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity, driven in part by a shortfall in staple food production in 2021; sanctions imposed on the country, following the postponement of elections by the transitional military government, are likely to slow down economic activity and further weigh on households’ economic capacity to access food Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,937,354 tons (2012 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lac Faguibine - 590 sq km note - the Niger River is the only source of water for the lake; in recent years the lake is dry Major rivers (by length in km): Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km) Major aquifers: Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Taodeni-Tanezrouft Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 107 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 5.075 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 120 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mali conventional short form: Mali local long form: Republique de Mali local short form: Mali former: French Sudan, Sudanese Republic, Mali Federation etymology: name derives from the West African Mali Empire of the 13th to 16th centuries A.D. Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Bamako geographic coordinates: 12 39 N, 8 00 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name in the Bambara language can mean either "crocodile tail" or "crocodile river" and three crocodiles appear on the city seal Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regions, singular - region), 1 district*; District de Bamako*, Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Koulikoro, Menaka, Mopti, Segou, Sikasso, Taoudenni, Tombouctou (Timbuktu); note - Menaka and Taoudenni were legislated in 2016, but implementation has not been confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names Independence: 22 September 1960 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 22 September (1960) Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted August 1991, approved by referendum 12 January 1992, effective 25 February 1992, suspended briefly in 2012 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by members of the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and approval in a referendum; constitutional sections on the integrity of the state, its republican and secular form of government, and its multiparty system cannot be amended; note - the transition government in June 2022 announced the formation of a commission which will draft a new constitution by August Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil law model and influenced by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Constitutional Court 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 Mali dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021); note - an August 2020 coup d'etat deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA; on 21 September 2020, a group of 17 electors chosen by the Malian military junta, known as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) and led by Colonel Assimi GOITA, selected Bah NDAW as transition president; GOITA served as vice president of the transitional government which was inaugurated on 25 September 2020; Vice President GOITA seized power on 25 May 2021; NDAW resigned on 26 May 2021; on 6 June 2022, GOITA's government announced a transition period of 24 months with a return to civilian rule effective March 2024 head of government: Transition Prime Minister Choguel MAIGA (appointed by Transitional President Assimi GOITA on 7 June 2021) note: former transition Prime Minister Moctar OUANE was arrested and detained by the military on 24 May 2021 and resigned on 26 May 2021 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 (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 July 2018 with runoff on 12 August 2018; prime minister appointed by the president; note - on 21 February 2022, the transition government adopted a charter allowing transition authorities to rule for up to 5 years; thereafter transition President GOITA is barred from being a candidate in presidential elections. election results: 2018: Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 41.7%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 17.8%, other 40.5%; percent of vote in second round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 67.2%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 32.8% 2013: Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 39.8%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 19.7%, other 40.5%; percent of vote in second round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 77.6%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 22.4% Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 19 judges organized into judicial, administrative, and accounting sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Ministry of Justice to serve 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges selected - 3 each by the president, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; members serve single renewable 7-year terms subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court of Justice (jurisdiction limited to cases of high treason or criminal offenses by the president or ministers while in office); administrative courts (first instance and appeal); commercial courts; magistrate courts; labor courts; juvenile courts; special court of state security Political parties and leaders: African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO] Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity, and Justice or ADEMA-PASJ [Tiemoko SANGARE] Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-Maliba [Amadou THIAM] Alliance for the Solidarity of Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces or ASMA-CFP [Amadou CISSE] (vice-president, acting) Alternative Forces for Renewal and Emergence or FARE [Modibo SIDIBE] Convergence for the Development of Mali or CODEM [Housseyni Amion GUINDO] Democratic Alliance for Peace or ADP-Maliba [Aliou Boubacar DIALLO] Economic and Social Development Party or PDES [Jamille BITTAR] Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (coalition of smaller opposition parties) National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL] Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME] Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel Kokalla MAIGA] Rally for Mali or RPM [Boucary TRETA] Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Younoussi TOURE] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (designate) Sékou BERTHE (since April 2022) chancery: 2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-2249 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6603 email address and website: infos@mali.embassy.us https://www.maliembassy.us/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis B. HANKINS (since 15 March 2019) embassy: ACI 2000, Rue 243, (located off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge west of the Bamako central district), Porte 297, Bamako mailing address: 2050 Bamako Place, Washington DC  20521-2050 telephone: [223] 20-70-23-00 FAX: [223] 20-70-24-79 email address and website: ACSBamako@state.gov https://ml.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), yellow, and red note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the same as those of neighboring Senegal (which has an additional green central star) and the reverse of those on the flag of neighboring Guinea National symbol(s): Great Mosque of Djenne; national colors: green, yellow, red National anthem: name: "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) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (3 cultural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Old Towns of Djenné (c); Timbuktu (c); Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) (m); Tomb of Askia (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, landlocked Mali depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest; cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid.   Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River; about 65% of Mali’s land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government subsidizes the production of cereals to decrease the country’s dependence on imported foodstuffs and to reduce its vulnerability to food price shocks.   Mali is developing its iron ore extraction industry to diversify foreign exchange earnings away from gold, but the pace will depend on global price trends. Although the political coup in 2012 slowed Mali’s growth, the economy has since bounced back, with GDP growth above 5% in 2014-17, although physical insecurity, high population growth, corruption, weak infrastructure, and low levels of human capital continue to constrain economic development. Higher rainfall helped to boost cotton output in 2017, and the country’s 2017 budget increased spending more than 10%, much of which was devoted to infrastructure and agriculture. Corruption and political turmoil are strong downside risks in 2018 and beyond.Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, landlocked Mali depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest; cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River; about 65% of Mali’s land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government subsidizes the production of cereals to decrease the country’s dependence on imported foodstuffs and to reduce its vulnerability to food price shocks. Mali is developing its iron ore extraction industry to diversify foreign exchange earnings away from gold, but the pace will depend on global price trends. Although the political coup in 2012 slowed Mali’s growth, the economy has since bounced back, with GDP growth above 5% in 2014-17, although physical insecurity, high population growth, corruption, weak infrastructure, and low levels of human capital continue to constrain economic development. Higher rainfall helped to boost cotton output in 2017, and the country’s 2017 budget increased spending more than 10%, much of which was devoted to infrastructure and agriculture. Corruption and political turmoil are strong downside risks in 2018 and beyond. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $44.89 billion (2020 est.) $45.64 billion (2019 est.) $43.57 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5.4% (2017 est.) 5.8% (2016 est.) 6.2% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,200 (2020 est.) $2,300 (2019 est.) $2,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $17.508 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.8% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Caa1 (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 41.8% (2017 est.) industry: 18.1% (2017 est.) services: 40.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: maize, rice, millet, sorghum, mangoes/guavas, cotton, watermelons, green onions/shallots, okra, sugar cane Industries: food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining Industrial production growth rate: 6.3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 6.447 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2005 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.9% (2017 est.) 7.8% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.4% male: 2.6% female: 2.3% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 42.1% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.1 (2001) 50.5 (1994) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 25.8% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 3.075 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.513 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 35.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 36% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 20% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$886 million (2017 est.) -$1.015 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $4.18 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.803 billion (2016 est.) Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 66%, Switzerland 26% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, cotton, sesame seeds, lumber, vegetable oils/residues (2019) Imports: $6.08 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.403 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: Senegal 23%, Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 11%, France 9% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, cement, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $647.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $395.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $4.192 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.981 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: 50% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 78% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 28% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 890,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 2,620,980,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 550 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 200 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 346 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 67.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 29.7% 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: 1.9% 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: 37,600 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: 20,610 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: 5.679 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 4.396 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 281,638 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 25,315,598 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 125 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Mali’s telecom systems are challenged by recent conflict, geography, areas of low population, poverty, security issues, and high illiteracy; telecom infrastructure is barely adequate in urban areas and not available in most of the country with underinvestment in fixed-line networks; high mobile penetration and potential for mobile broadband service; local plans for IXP; dependent on neighboring countries for international bandwidth and access to submarine cables; there are Chinese investment agreements for infrastructure; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2022) domestic: fixed-line subscribership is over 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has increased sharply to 125 per 100 persons; increasing use of local radio loops to extend network coverage to remote areas (2020) international: country code - 223; satellite communications center and fiber-optic links to neighboring countries; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 1 Indian Ocean) (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 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 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) Internet country code: .ml Internet users: total: 5,467,725 (2020 est.) percent of population: 27% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 243,806 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 0 (2020) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TZ, TT Airports: total: 25 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Heliports: 2 (2021) Railways: total: 593 km (2014) narrow gauge: 593 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 139,107 km (2018) Waterways: 1,800 km (2011) (downstream of Koulikoro; low water levels on the River Niger cause problems in dry years; in the months before the rainy season the river is not navigable by commercial vessels) Ports and terminals: river port(s): Koulikoro (Niger) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Malian Armed Forces (FAMa): Army (Armee de Terre; includes a riverine patrol force), Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM); National Gendarmerie; National Guard (Garde National du Mali) (2022) note 1: the Gendarmerie and the National Guard are under the authority of the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Ministere De La Defense Et Des Anciens Combattants, MDAC), but operational control is shared between the MDAC and the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection note 2: the Gendarmerie's primary mission is internal security and public order; its duties also include territorial defense, humanitarian operations, intelligence gathering, and protecting private property, mainly in rural areas; as of 2021, the Gendarmerie was comprised of approximately 8 paramilitary companies and a mobile intervention unit note 3: the National Guard is a military force responsible for providing security to government facilities and institutions, prison service, public order, humanitarian operations, some border security, and intelligence gathering; as of 2021, it had approximately 8 companies of troops, including a camel corps for patrolling the deserts and borders of northern Mali note 4: there are also pro-government militias operating in Mali, such as the Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA) Military expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $630 million) 3.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $600 million) 3.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $600 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 20,000 active FAMa personnel (includes up to 2,000 Air Force); approximately 5,000 Gendarmerie; approximately 10,000 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAMa's inventory consists primarily of Soviet-era equipment, although in recent years it has received limited quantities of mostly second-hand armaments from more than a dozen countries, including Russia (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service (men and women); 2-year conscript service obligation (2022) Military deployments: note: until announcing its withdrawal in May of 2022, Mali was part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; Mali had committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force Military - note: prior to the coup in August 2020 and military takeover in May 2021, the Malian military had intervened in the political arena at least five times since the country gained independence in 1960; two attempts failed (1976 and 1978), while three succeeded in overturning civilian rule (1968, 1991, and 2012); the military collapsed in 2012 during the fighting against Tuareg rebels and Islamic militants; it has been since rebuilt, but continues to have limited capabilities and is heavily reliant on external assistance as of 2022, Malian security forces were actively conducting operations against several separatist insurgent and terrorist groups, particularly in the central and northern regions of the country where the government was reportedly in control of only an estimated 10-20% of the territory the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has operated in the country since 2013; the Mission's responsibilities include providing security, rebuilding Malian security forces, protecting civilians, supporting national political dialogue, and assisting in the reestablishment of Malian government authority; as of mid-2022, MINUSMA had around 15,000 personnel deployed; in June 2022, the UN extended its mission another 12 months the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-M) and the French military (under a separate, bi-lateral mission) have also operated in the country since 2013; the EUTM-M provides advice and training to the Malian Armed Forces and military assistance to the G5 Sahel Joint Force; as of May 2022, the mission included about 1,100 personnel from more than 20 European countries; in April of 2022, the EU said it would suspend its training program in Mali, citing issues with the ruling military government, including human rights abuses and the presence of Russian private military contractors; in August 2022, France completed withdrawing the last of its forces from Mali, also citing obstructions from the military government; prior to the withdrawal, more than 2,000 French troops had provided military assistance and conducted counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations in December 2021, the Malian military government contracted with a Russian private military company to provide training for local armed forces and security to senior Malian officials; as of mid-2022, there were an estimated 1,000 Russian military contractors in Mali (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Ansar al-Dine; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun) 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: Mali-Burkina Faso: demarcation is underway with Burkina Faso  Mali-Burkina Faso: demarcation is underway with Burkina Faso  Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 22,051 (Burkina Faso) (refugees and asylum seekers), 14,950 (Mauritania) (refugees and asylum seekers), 13,585 (Niger) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 370,548 (Tuareg rebellion since 2012) (2022) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: a transit point for illicit drugs trafficked to Europe; trafficking controlled by armed groups, criminal organizations, terrorist groups and government officials that facilitate, protect and profit from the activitya transit point for illicit drugs trafficked to Europe; trafficking controlled by armed groups, criminal organizations, terrorist groups and government officials that facilitate, protect and profit from the activity

20220901

countries-senegal-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in in Senegal. 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 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 that will be required. A visa is required, but US citizen travelers may obtain the visa upon entering the country. US Embassy/Consulate: +(221) 33-879-4000; EMER: +(221) 33-879-4444; US Embassy Dakar, Route des Almadies, Dakar, Senegal; DakarACS@state.gov; https://sn.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 221 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; Senegal 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: Tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind Currency (Code): Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, E, F Major Languages: French, Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke Major Religions: Muslim 95.9% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 4.1% (mostly Roman Catholic) 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: Goree Island; Dakar; Pink Lake; Cap Skirring; Petite Cote; Saloum Delta National Park Major Sports: Soccer, wrestling, basketball, motor sports (off-road rally) Cultural Practices: It is considered rude to let the bottom of one's foot or shoe point at someone. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is uncommon in restaurants and taxi cabs. For exceptional service, a tip 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: Tuesday, April 05, 2022

20220901

countries-armenia

Topic: Photos of Armenia Topic: Introduction Background: 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 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 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. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan; note - Armenia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 45 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 29,743 sq km land: 28,203 sq km water: 1,540 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,570 km border countries (4): Azerbaijan 996 km; Georgia 219 km; Iran 44 km; Turkey 311 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Terrain: Armenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Elevation: highest point: Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m lowest point: Debed River 400 m mean elevation: 1,792 m Natural resources: small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite Land use: agricultural land: 59.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42% (2018 est.) forest: 9.1% (2018 est.) other: 31.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,740 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Sevan - 1,360 sq km Population distribution: most of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country Natural hazards: occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts Geography - note: landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range Map description: Armenia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Armenia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,000,756 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Armenian(s) adjective: Armenian Ethnic groups: Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.2%, other 0.7% (2011 est.) Languages: Armenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1%; note - Russian is widely spoken (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Աշխարհի Փաստագիրք, Անփոխարինելի Աղբյւր Հիմնական Տեղեկատվւթյան. (Armenian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Armenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 48.4 youth dependency ratio: 30.9 elderly dependency ratio: 17.5 potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 36.6 years male: 35.1 years female: 38.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.38% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 11.1 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -5.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country Urbanization: urban population: 63.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.092 million YEREVAN (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.2 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.13 years male: 72.86 years female: 79.68 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.65 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.1% (2015/16) 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: 11.3% (2019) Physicians density: 4.4 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 4.2 beds/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,800 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 25.5% (2020 est.) male: 49.4% (2020 est.) female: 1.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.6% (2015/16) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0% women married by age 18: 5.3% men married by age 18: 0.4% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 2.7% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2020) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 32.6% male: 31.2% female: 34.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; deforestation; pollution of Hrazdan and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 30.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.16 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.91 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: highland continental, hot summers, cold winters Land use: agricultural land: 59.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42% (2018 est.) forest: 9.1% (2018 est.) other: 31.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 63.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.28% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 492,800 tons (2014 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Sevan - 1,360 sq km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 616.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 122.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.127 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 7.769 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Armenia conventional short form: Armenia local long form: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun local short form: Hayastan former: Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic etymology: the etymology of the country's name remains obscure; according to tradition, the country is named after Hayk, the legendary patriarch of the Armenians and the great-great-grandson of Noah; Hayk's descendant, Aram, purportedly is the source of the name Armenia Government type: parliamentary democracy; note - constitutional changes adopted in December 2015 transformed the government to a parliamentary system Capital: name: Yerevan geographic coordinates: 40 10 N, 44 30 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name likely derives from the ancient Urartian fortress of Erebuni established on the current site of Yerevan in 782 B.C. and whose impressive ruins still survive Administrative divisions: 11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan Independence: 21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: 321 B.C. (Kingdom of Armenia established under the Orontid Dynasty), A.D. 884 (Armenian Kingdom reestablished under the Bagratid Dynasty); 1198 (Cilician Kingdom established); 28 May 1918 (Democratic Republic of Armenia declared) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1991) Constitution: history: previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; passage requires approval by the president, by the National Assembly, and by a referendum with at least 25% registered voter participation and more than 50% of votes; constitutional articles on the form of government and democratic procedures are not amendable; amended 2005, 2015, last in 2020; note - a constitutional referendum originally scheduled for 4 May 2020 was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020, the Nagorno-Karabakh war in the fall of 2020, and the postwar political crisis of early 2021 Legal system: civil law system 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 Armenia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Vahagn KHACHATURYAN (since 13 March 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN (since 10 September 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Mher GRIGORYAN (since 3 August 2021) and Hambardzum MATEVOSYAN (since 25 November 2021); note - Prime Minister Nikol PASHINYAN resigned on 25 April 2021; he was reappointed by the president on 2 August 2021 and sworn in on 10 September 2021 cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly in 3 rounds if needed for a single 7-year term; election last held on 2-3 March 2022; prime minister elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed by the National Assembly; election last held 2 August 2021; the next parliamentary elections are expected to be held in Armenia by 2026 election results:   2022: Vahagn KHACHATURYAN elected president in second round; note - Vahagn KHACHATURYAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 71-0 2018: Armen SARKISSIAN elected president in first round; note - Armen SARKISSIAN ran unopposed and won the Assembly vote 90-10 note: Nikol PASHINYAN was first elected prime minister on 8 May 2018 and reelected on January 2019; in response to a political crisis that followed Armenia's defeat in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in late 2020, PASHINYAN called an early legislative election for June 2021; his party won the election and PASHINYAN was elected to the prime ministership for a third time; his election was confirmed by the president on 2 August 2021, and he was sworn in on 10 September 2021 Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation (consists of the Criminal Chamber with a chairman and 5 judges and the Civil and Administrative Chamber with a chairman and 10 judges – with both civil and administrative specializations); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, a 10-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; judges can serve until age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by the National Assembly; judges can serve until age 70 subordinate courts: criminal and civil appellate courts; administrative appellate court; first instance courts; specialized administrative and bankruptcy courts Political parties and leaders: the below parties received 1% or more of the vote: 5165 National Conservative Movement Party [Karin TONOYAN] Alliance of Democrats [Arman BABAJANYAN] Armenia Alliance or HD [Robert KOCHARYAN] (alliance of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Reborn Armenia Party) Armenian National Congress or ANC [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN] (bloc of independent and opposition parties) Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN] Civil Contract or KP [Nikol PASHINYAN] Homeland of Armenians [Artak GALSTYAN] Homeland Party [Artur VANETSYAN] I Have Honor Alliance (alliance of the RPA and the Homeland Party, co-led by the two allied parties' leaders) Liberal Party [Samvel BABAYAN] National Democratic Party [Vahe GASPARYAN] Prosperous Armenia or BHK [Gagik TSARUKYAN] Republic Party (Hanrapetutyun Party) [Aram SARGSYAN] Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN] International organization participation: ADB, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lilit MAKUNTS (since 15 September 2021) chancery: 2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 319-1976 FAX: [1] (202) 319-2982 email address and website: armembassyusa@mfa.am https://usa.mfa.am/en/ consulate(s) general: Glendale (CA) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lynne M. TRACEY (since 5 March 2019) embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC  20521-7020 telephone: [374] (10) 464-700 FAX: [374] (10) 464-742 email address and website: acsyerevan@state.gov https://am.usembassy.gov/1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it National symbol(s): Mount Ararat, eagle, lion; national colors: red, blue, orange National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (3 cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; Monastery of Geghard and the Upper Azat Valley; Cathedral and Churches of Echmiatsin Topic: Economy Economic overview: Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.   Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan.   Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation.Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan. Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.31 billion (2020 est.) $40.38 billion (2019 est.) $37.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 7.5% (2017 est.) 0.3% (2016 est.) 3.3% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,600 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $12,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $13.694 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2019 est.) 2.5% (2018 est.) 0.9% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2020) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 16.7% (2017 est.) industry: 28.2% (2017 est.) services: 54.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley Industries: brandy, mining, diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.507 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 36.3% industry: 17% services: 46.7% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 18.9% (2017 est.) 18.8% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 32.6% male: 31.2% female: 34.4% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 26.4% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.4 (2018 est.) 31.5 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.5% highest 10%: 25.7% (2014) Budget: revenues: 2.644 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.192 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 53.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$328 million (2017 est.) -$238 million (2016 est.) Exports: $3.82 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.64 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $4.91 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Russia 22%, Switzerland 20%, China 7%, Bulgaria 6%, Iraq 5%, Serbia 5%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper ore, gold, tobacco, liquors, iron alloys (2019) Imports: $5 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $7.47 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $6.61 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Russia 29%, China 10%, Georgia 8%, Iran 6%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: natural gas, cars, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, diamonds (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.204 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $11.637 billion (2019 est.) $10.785 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: drams (AMD) per US dollar - 487.9 (2017 est.) 480.49 (2016 est.) 480.49 (2015 est.) 477.92 (2014 est.) 415.92 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.633 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 5,758,470,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 1.251 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 320 million kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 548 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 40.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 34.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 24.3% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 163 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 10,900 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: 7,145 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 2,537,497,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 2,514,220,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.354 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 53.019 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 427,539 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,488,797 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector was still able to post modest gains at least in the mobile and broadband segments; the fixed-line penetration continues to slide downwards, only buttressed by the rollout of fiber networks which have encouraged the take up of bundled services; the fixed broadband market remains undeveloped, being somewhat hamstrung by the lack of underlying infrastructure outside the main cities; the one bright spot for the sector is mobile broadband, which is expected reach 130% subscriptions rate by 2026, at a CAGR of more than 8.6%, this is subject to the country managing to avoid conflict. (2021) domestic: roughly 14 per 100 fixed-line and 118 per 100 mobile-cellular; reliable fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan and in major cities and towns; mobile-cellular coverage available in most rural areas (2020) international: country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic cable through Georgia and Iran to Europe; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (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: 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 (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 Internet country code: .am Internet users: total: 2,281,690 (2020 est.) percent of population: 77% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 430,407 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EK Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 3,838 km gas (high and medium pressure) (2017) Railways: total: 780 km (2014) broad gauge: 780 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (780 km electrified) note: 726 km operational Roadways: total: 7,700 km (2019) urban: 3,780 km non-urban: 3,920 km Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armenian Armed Forces: Armenian Army (includes land, air, air defense forces) (2022) Military expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 5% of GDP (2020 est.) 5.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.82 billion) 4.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately 1.6 billion) 4.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.43 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 45,000 active troops (42,000 ground; 3,000 air/defense) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Armenian Armed Forces includes mostly Russian and Soviet-era equipment (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary (men and women) or compulsory (men only) military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, which can be served as an officer upon deferment for university studies if enrolled in officer-producing program; 17-year-olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel; citizens aged 27 to 50 are registered in the military reserve and may be called to serve if mobilization is declared (2021) note: as of 2021, conscripts comprised about half of the military's active personnel; as of 2018, women made up about 13% of the active duty military Military - note: since November 2020, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the area in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; fighting erupted between the two countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September of 2020; Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces (the "Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army") backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994; six weeks of fighting resulted in about 6,500 deaths and ended after Armenia ceded swathes of Nagorno-Karabakh territory; tensions remained high into 2022, and both sides have accused the other of provocations since the fighting ended; Armenia has accused Azerbaijani forces of a series of border intrusions and of seizing pockets of territory  Armenia has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders Armenia-Azerbaijan: The dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability. Residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia-Georgia: Georgians restrict Armenian access into Samtse-Javakheti ethnic Armenian areas. Armenia has made no claims to the region. Armenia-Iran: None identified Armenia-Turkey: In 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered, in part due to resistance from Azerbaijan. The border has been closed since 1993, and no diplomatic relations established after Armenian independence. In 2022, Turkey and Armenia have agreed to move forward with efforts to normalize relations. Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the ruins of Ani, an ancient city on the high ridge overlooking the Arpaçay valley on the opposite shore. local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders Armenia-Azerbaijan: The dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability. Residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia-Georgia: Georgians restrict Armenian access into Samtse-Javakheti ethnic Armenian areas. Armenia has made no claims to the region. Armenia-Iran: None identified Armenia-Turkey: In 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered, in part due to resistance from Azerbaijan. The border has been closed since 1993, and no diplomatic relations established after Armenian independence. In 2022, Turkey and Armenia have agreed to move forward with efforts to normalize relations. Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the ruins of Ani, an ancient city on the high ridge overlooking the Arpaçay valley on the opposite shore.  Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 38,774 (Azerbaijan), 5,205 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 892 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: a transit country for illicit drugs with its location between source countries Afghanistan and Iran and the markets of Europe and Russiaa transit country for illicit drugs with its location between source countries Afghanistan and Iran and the markets of Europe and Russia

20220901

countries-suriname

Topic: Photos of Suriname Topic: Introduction Background: First 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between French Guiana and Guyana Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 56 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 163,820 sq km land: 156,000 sq km water: 7,820 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,907 km border countries (3): Brazil 515 km; French Guiana 556 km; Guyana 836 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Elevation: highest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m lowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 m mean elevation: 246 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, fish, kaolin, shrimp, bauxite, gold, and small amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, iron ore Land use: agricultural land: 0.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.1% (2018 est.) forest: 94.6% (2018 est.) other: 4.9% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 570 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Population distribution: population concentrated along the nothern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Natural hazards: flooding Geography - note: smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast Map description: Suriname map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.Suriname map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 632,638 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Surinamer(s) adjective: Surinamese Ethnic groups: Hindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 27.4%, Maroon (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 21.7%, Creole (mixed White and Black) 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, mixed 13.4%, other 7.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2012 est.) Languages: Dutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) Religions: Protestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed .7%, Lutheran .5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.) Demographic profile: Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots.Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.1 youth dependency ratio: 40.3 elderly dependency ratio: 10.8 potential support ratio: 9.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 31 years male: 30.6 years female: 31.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.13% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 15.38 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population concentrated along the nothern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Urbanization: urban population: 66.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 239,000 PARAMARIBO (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 120 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.42 years male: 68.81 years female: 76.27 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 39.1% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 9.7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.82 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 5,200 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 26.4% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 6.7% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.8% women married by age 18: 36% men married by age 18: 19.6% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 7.2% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.4% male: 96.1% female: 92.7% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.5% male: 18.7% female: 39.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation as timber is cut for export; pollution of inland waterways by small-scale mining activities 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, 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: 23.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.74 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.28 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds Land use: agricultural land: 0.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.1% (2018 est.) forest: 94.6% (2018 est.) other: 4.9% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 66.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.36% 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 Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 78,620 tons (2010 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 49.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 135.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 431.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 99 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Suriname conventional short form: Suriname local long form: Republiek Suriname local short form: Suriname former: Netherlands Guiana, Dutch Guiana etymology: name may derive from the indigenous "Surinen" people who inhabited the area at the time of European contact Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Paramaribo geographic coordinates: 5 50 N, 55 10 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name may be the corruption of a Carib (Kalina) village or tribe named Parmirbo Administrative divisions: 10 districts (distrikten, singular - distrikt); Brokopondo, Commewijne, Coronie, Marowijne, Nickerie, Para, Paramaribo, Saramacca, Sipaliwini, Wanica Independence: 25 November 1975 (from the Netherlands) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 November (1975) Constitution: history: previous 1975; latest ratified 30 September 1987, effective 30 October 1987 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership; amended 1992 Legal system: civil law system influenced by Dutch civil law; note - a new criminal code was enacted in 2017 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 Suriname dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie BRUNSWIJK (since 16 July 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI (since 16 July 2020); Vice President Ronnie BRUNSWIJK (since 16 July 2020) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly; president and vice president serve a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 13 July 2020 (next to be held in May 2025) election results: Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI elected president unopposed; National Assembly vote - NA Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court of Justice of Suriname (consists of the court president, vice president, and 4 judges); note - appeals beyond the High Court are referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice; human rights violations can be appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights with judgments issued by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights judge selection and term of office: court judges appointed by the national president in consultation with the National Assembly, the State Advisory Council, and the Order of Private Attorneys; judges serve for life subordinate courts: cantonal courts Political parties and leaders: Alternative Combination or A-Com (coalition includes ABOP, KTPI, Party for Democracy and Development) Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Ronnie ASABINA] Democratic Alternative '91 or DA91 [Angelique DEL CASTILLO] General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK} National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire Delano BOUTERSE] National Party of Suriname or NPS [Gregory RUSLAND] Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Carl BREEVELD] Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA] People's Alliance (Pertjaja Luhur) or PL [Paul SOMOHARDJO] Progressive Workers' and Farmers' Union or PALU [Jim HOK] Progressive Reform Party or VHP [Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI] Reform and Renewal Movement or HVB [Raymond SAPOEN] Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Guno CASTELEN] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jan Marten Willem SCHALKWIJK (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 4301 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 629-4302 FAX: [1] (202) 629-4769 email address and website: amb.vs@gov.sr https://www.surinameembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Karen Lynn WILLIAMS (since 20 November 2018) embassy: 165 Kristalstraat, Paramaribo mailing address: 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC  20521-3390 telephone: [597] 556-700 FAX: [597] 551-524 email address and website: caparamar@state.gov https://sr.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: five horizontal bands of green (top, double width), white, red (quadruple width), white, and green (double width); a large, yellow, five-pointed star is centered in the red band; red stands for progress and love, green symbolizes hope and fertility, white signifies peace, justice, and freedom; the star represents the unity of all ethnic groups; from its yellow light the nation draws strength to bear sacrifices patiently while working toward a golden future National symbol(s): royal palm, faya lobi (flower); national colors: green, white, red, yellow National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Central Suriname Nature Reserve (n); Historic Inner City of Paramaribo (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Suriname’s economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil and gold accounting for approximately 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. The worldwide drop in international commodity prices and the cessation of alumina mining in Suriname significantly reduced government revenue and national income during the past few years. In November 2015, a major US aluminum company discontinued its mining activities in Suriname after 99 years of operation. Public sector revenues fell, together with exports, international reserves, employment, and private sector investment.   Economic growth declined annually from just under 5% in 2012 to -10.4% in 2016. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. Suriname began instituting macro adjustments between September 2015 and 2016; these included another 20% currency devaluation in November 2015 and foreign currency interventions by the Central Bank until March 2016, after which time the Bank allowed the Surinamese dollar (SRD) to float. By December 2016, the SRD had lost 46% of its value against the dollar. Depreciation of the Surinamese dollar and increases in tariffs on electricity caused domestic prices in Suriname to rise 22.0% year-over-year by December 2017.   Suriname's economic prospects for the medium-term will depend on its commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and on the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's over-reliance on revenue from the extractive sector colors Suriname's economic outlook. Following two years of recession, the Fitch Credit Bureau reported a positive growth of 1.2% in 2017 and the World Bank predicted 2.2% growth in 2018. Inflation declined to 9%, down from 55% in 2016 , and increased gold production helped lift exports. Yet continued budget imbalances and a heavy debt and interest burden resulted in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83% in September 2017. Purchasing power has fallen rapidly due to the devalued local currency. The government has announced its intention to pass legislation to introduce a new value-added tax in 2018. Without this and other measures to strengthen the country’s fiscal position, the government may face liquidity pressures.Suriname’s economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil and gold accounting for approximately 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. The worldwide drop in international commodity prices and the cessation of alumina mining in Suriname significantly reduced government revenue and national income during the past few years. In November 2015, a major US aluminum company discontinued its mining activities in Suriname after 99 years of operation. Public sector revenues fell, together with exports, international reserves, employment, and private sector investment. Economic growth declined annually from just under 5% in 2012 to -10.4% in 2016. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. Suriname began instituting macro adjustments between September 2015 and 2016; these included another 20% currency devaluation in November 2015 and foreign currency interventions by the Central Bank until March 2016, after which time the Bank allowed the Surinamese dollar (SRD) to float. By December 2016, the SRD had lost 46% of its value against the dollar. Depreciation of the Surinamese dollar and increases in tariffs on electricity caused domestic prices in Suriname to rise 22.0% year-over-year by December 2017. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium-term will depend on its commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and on the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's over-reliance on revenue from the extractive sector colors Suriname's economic outlook. Following two years of recession, the Fitch Credit Bureau reported a positive growth of 1.2% in 2017 and the World Bank predicted 2.2% growth in 2018. Inflation declined to 9%, down from 55% in 2016 , and increased gold production helped lift exports. Yet continued budget imbalances and a heavy debt and interest burden resulted in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83% in September 2017. Purchasing power has fallen rapidly due to the devalued local currency. The government has announced its intention to pass legislation to introduce a new value-added tax in 2018. Without this and other measures to strengthen the country’s fiscal position, the government may face liquidity pressures. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.46 billion (2020 est.) $11.07 billion (2019 est.) $10.95 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.9% (2017 est.) -5.1% (2016 est.) -2.6% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $16,100 (2020 est.) $19,000 (2019 est.) $19,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.419 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 22% (2017 est.) 55.5% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: C (2020) Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: SD (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.6% (2017 est.) industry: 31.1% (2017 est.) services: 57.4% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: rice, sugar cane, bananas, oranges, vegetables, plantains, coconuts, poultry, cassava, eggs Industries: gold mining, oil, lumber, food processing, fishing Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 144,000 (2014 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11.2% industry: 19.5% services: 69.3% (2010) Unemployment rate: 8.9% (2017 est.) 9.7% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.5% male: 18.7% female: 39.9% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: 70% (2002 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 560.7 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 827.8 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 69.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 75.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$2 million (2017 est.) -$169 million (2016 est.) Exports: $2.29 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.24 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Switzerland 39%, United Arab Emirates 31%, Belgium 10% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, lumber, refined petroleum, fish, cigarettes (2019) Imports: $2.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.07 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 22%, Netherlands 14%, China 13%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Antigua and Barbuda 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, delivery trucks, excavation machinery, cars, construction vehicles (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $424.4 million (31 December 2017 est.) $381.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.436 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Surinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 7.53 (2017 est.) 6.229 (2016 est.) 6.229 (2015 est.) 3.4167 (2014 est.) 3.3 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 97.4% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 542,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 2,938,391,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 808 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 234 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 40.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 58.8% 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: 0.3% 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: 14,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 15,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 89 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 7,571 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 14,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,700 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.372 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 82.356 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 103,240 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 813,844 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 139.99 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Suriname is the smallest nation on the South American continent, with about 580,000 inhabitants; the only Dutch-speaking nation in South America, it has close affinities with the Caribbean, and is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM); the state-owned incumbent telco, Telesur, is the only provider of fixed-line and fixed broadband services in Suriname; the country’s fixed-line infrastructure is reasonably reliable in the more populated coastal region, though poor in the interior; Telesur started building out a fiber network in Paramaribo 2013, and in June 2018, the company started with the rollout of the National Broadband Project (TNBP), which was completed in 2019; fixed teledensity and broadband penetration are slightly lower than average for Latin America and the Caribbean, while mobile penetration is significantly above the regional average and much higher than would be expected given the country’s relatively low GDP per capita; many Surinamese have up to three mobile lines with different providers, which has pushed up penetration figures although the number of subscribers has fallen in recent years as consumers have responded to economic pressures; the mobile market supports only two players: Telesur (trading as TeleG), and Digicel (part of Digicel Group, a significant operator across the Caribbean). In early 2015 Digicel acquired the only other operator, Uniqa, which only had about 5,000 subscribers; in January 2017 Digicel signed a deal to host the MVNO Transatel, which operates in a number of markets across the Caribbean and Latin America; through a refinancing measure, Digicel in May 2020 reduced its debts by more than 20%. (2021) domestic: fixed-line nearly 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity over 153 telephones per 100 persons; microwave radio relay network is in place (2020) international: country code - 597; landing point for the SG-SCS submarine cable linking South America with the Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 2 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 servicesSuriname is the smallest nation on the South American continent, with about 580,000 inhabitants; the only Dutch-speaking nation in South America, it has close affinities with the Caribbean, and is a member of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM); the state-owned incumbent telco, Telesur, is the only provider of fixed-line and fixed broadband services in Suriname; the country’s fixed-line infrastructure is reasonably reliable in the more populated coastal region, though poor in the interior; Telesur started building out a fiber network in Paramaribo 2013, and in June 2018, the company started with the rollout of the National Broadband Project (TNBP), which was completed in 2019; fixed teledensity and broadband penetration are slightly lower than average for Latin America and the Caribbean, while mobile penetration is significantly above the regional average and much higher than would be expected given the country’s relatively low GDP per capita; many Surinamese have up to three mobile lines with different providers, which has pushed up penetration figures although the number of subscribers has fallen in recent years as consumers have responded to economic pressures; the mobile market supports only two players: Telesur (trading as TeleG), and Digicel (part of Digicel Group, a significant operator across the Caribbean). In early 2015 Digicel acquired the only other operator, Uniqa, which only had about 5,000 subscribers; in January 2017 Digicel signed a deal to host the MVNO Transatel, which operates in a number of markets across the Caribbean and Latin America; through a refinancing measure, Digicel in May 2020 reduced its debts by more than 20%. Broadcast media: 2 state-owned TV stations; 1 state-owned radio station; multiple private radio and TV stations (2019) Internet country code: .sr Internet users: total: 410,644 (2020 est.) percent of population: 70% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 92,270 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 20 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 272,347 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 33.2 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: PZ Airports: total: 55 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 49 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 45 (2021) Pipelines: 50 km oil (2013) Roadways: total: 4,304 km (2003) paved: 1,119 km (2003) unpaved: 3,185 km (2003) Waterways: 1,200 km (2011) (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m) Merchant marine: total: 10 by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 3, other 2 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Paramaribo, Wageningen Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Suriname Army (National Leger, NL): Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Police (2022) Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $100 million) 1.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $95 million) 1.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $95 million) 1.2% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $85 million) 1.4% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $110 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 total personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Suriname Army has a limited inventory comprised of a mix of older, foreign-supplied equipment; since 2010, Suriname has received small quantities of military hardware from several countries, including the US (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022) Military - note: key missions for the National Leger include border control and supporting domestic security; the military police has direct responsibility for immigration control at the country’s ports of entry; in addition, the military assists the police in combating crime, particularly narco-trafficking, including joint military and police patrols, as well as joint special security teams (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Suriname-Brazil: none identified Suriname-France (French Guiana): in March 2021, Suriname and France signed an agreement to  establish their border along the Maroni River and its tributary the Lawa River and to cooperate in combatting illegal gold mining; however, the area further south between the Litani and Marouini Rivers is still disputed, with Suriname claiming the border is along the Marouini to the east and France arguing it is along the Litani River to the west Suriname-Guyana: the two countries dispute the territory between two rivers, known as the New River Triangle, with Suriname contending that the New River (also called the Upper Corentyne) to the west marks their common border, while Guyana asserts that the Kutari River to the east forms the border; each side claims that their river is the source of the Corentyne River that forms a border further north between the two countries; the Permanent Court of Arbitration settled the maritime boundary between Suriname and Guyana in 2007 in an area with potentially substantial oil reserves  Suriname-Brazil: none identifiedSuriname-France (French Guiana): in March 2021, Suriname and France signed an agreement to  establish their border along the Maroni River and its tributary the Lawa River and to cooperate in combatting illegal gold mining; however, the area further south between the Litani and Marouini Rivers is still disputed, with Suriname claiming the border is along the Marouini to the east and France arguing it is along the Litani River to the westSuriname-Guyana: the two countries dispute the territory between two rivers, known as the New River Triangle, with Suriname contending that the New River (also called the Upper Corentyne) to the west marks their common border, while Guyana asserts that the Kutari River to the east forms the border; each side claims that their river is the source of the Corentyne River that forms a border further north between the two countries; the Permanent Court of Arbitration settled the maritime boundary between Suriname and Guyana in 2007 in an area with potentially substantial oil reserves  Illicit drugs: a transit country for South American cocaine en route to Europe, the United States and Africa; marijuana is the primary drug consumed locally

20220901

countries-algeria-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Algeria due to terrorism and kidnapping. 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 and or visa that will be required. A visa is required, unless entering via cruise ship. 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, if not entering via cruise ship. US Embassy/Consulate: [213] (0) 770-08-2000; US Embassy in Algiers, 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16030, Alger, Algeria; https://dz.usembassy.gov/; ACSAlgiers@state.gov Telephone Code: 213 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 21606666; Fire: 14; Police: 17 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 to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Currency (Code): Dinars (DZD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); Berber dialects include Kabyle, Shawiya, Mzab, and Tuareg Major Religions: Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99% Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Algiers, particularly the Casbah; Hoggar Mts. and Atakor Volcanic Field; Oran City; Constantine Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, judo Cultural Practices: It is best for men to allow the woman to extend her hand or offer her cheek first. If the hand is not extended, a man may make a slight bow or nod as a polite acknowledgement. Tipping Guidelines: Waiters and bartenders should be tipped 10% of the total bill. Taxi fares are usually pre-negotiated, but a tip of 5-10 dinars is appreciated. Hotel maids should be tipped 90-100 dinars a night. Souvenirs: Kandura tunics, leather items, rugs, copper and brassware, coral jewelryPlease 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-cuba-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959 and his authoritarian regime continues to rule.The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959 and his authoritarian regime continues to rule. Topic: Geography Area: total: 110,860 sq km land: 109,820 sq km water: 1,040 sq km Climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Natural resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 11,008,112 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: White 64.1%, Mulatto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3% (2012 est.) Languages: Spanish (official) Religions: Christian 58.9%, folk religion 17.6%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, Muslim <1%, other <1%, none 23.2% (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.21% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: communist state Capital: name: Havana Executive branch: chief of state: President Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez (since 19 April 2018); Vice President Salvador Antonio VALDES Mesa (since 10 October 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Manuel MARRERO Cruz (since 21 December 2019); Deputy Prime Ministers Ramiro VALDES Menendez, Ines Maria CHAPMAN Waugh, Jorge Luis TAPIA Fonseca, Alejandro GIL Fernandez, Ricardo CABRISAS Ruiz (since 21 December 2019), and Jorge Luis PERDOMO DI-LELLA (since 20 April 2021) Legislative branch: description: 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 Topic: Economy Economic overview: still largely state-run planned economy, although privatization increasing under new constitution; widespread protests due to lack of basic necessities and electricity; massive foreign investment increases recently; known tobacco exporter; unique oil-for-doctors relationship with Venezuela; widespread corruptionstill largely state-run planned economy, although privatization increasing under new constitution; widespread protests due to lack of basic necessities and electricity; massive foreign investment increases recently; known tobacco exporter; unique oil-for-doctors relationship with Venezuela; widespread corruption Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $137 billion (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2016 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, vegetables, plantains, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, milk, pumpkins, mangoes/guavas, rice Industries: petroleum, nickel, cobalt, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, construction, steel, cement, agricultural machinery, sugar Exports: $2.63 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: China 38%, Spain 11%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cigars, raw sugar, nickel products, rum, zinc (2019) Imports: $11.06 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: Spain 19%, China 15%, Italy 6%, Canada 5%, Russia 5%, United States 5%, Brazil 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: poultry meat, wheat, soybean products, corn, concentrated milk (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

countries-thailand-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: A unified Thai Kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.A unified Thai Kingdom was established in the mid-14th century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932 led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. Topic: Geography Area: total: 513,120 sq km land: 510,890 sq km water: 2,230 sq km 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 Natural resources: tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 69,648,117 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified <.1% (2015 est.) Languages: Thai (official) only 90.7%, Thai and other languages 6.4%, only other languages 2.9% (includes Malay, Burmese); note - data represent population by language(s) spoken at home; English is a secondary language of the elite (2010 est.) Religions: Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, other <0.1%, none <0.1% (2015 est.) Population growth rate: 0.23% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Bangkok Executive branch: chief of state: King WACHIRALONGKON, also spelled Vajiralongkorn, (since 1 December 2016) head of government: Prime Minister PRAYUT Chan-ocha (since 11 June 2019) Legislative branch: description: 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; substantial infrastructure; major electronics, food, and automobile parts exporter; globally used currency; extremely low unemployment, even amid COVID-19; ongoing Thailand 4.0 economic developmentupper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; substantial infrastructure; major electronics, food, and automobile parts exporter; globally used currency; extremely low unemployment, even amid COVID-19; ongoing Thailand 4.0 economic development Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,206,620,000,000 (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $17,300 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, rice, oil palm fruit, rubber, maize, tropical fruit, poultry, pineapples, mangoes/guavas Industries: tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts, agricultural machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration, ceramics, aluminum, chemical, environmental management, glass, granite and marble, leather, machinery and metal work, petrochemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, printing, pulp and paper, rubber, sugar, rice, fishing, cassava, world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer Exports: $258.42 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 13%, China 12%, Japan 10%, Vietnam 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: office machinery/parts, cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, delivery trucks, gold (2019) Imports: $233.75 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: China 22%, Japan 14%, United States 7%, Malaysia 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, vehicle parts, gold (2019) Exchange rates: baht per US dollar -Page last updated: Monday, Jul 25, 2022

20220901

countries-austria-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Austria. 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 89 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [43] (1) 31339-0; US Embassy in Austria, Boltzmanngasse 16, 1090 Vienna, Austria; https://at.usembassy.gov/; ConsulateVienna@state.gov Telephone Code: 43 Local Emergency Phone: 112, 122 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers Currency (Code): Euro (EUR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: German, Turkish, Serbian, Croatian Major Religions: Catholic 57%, Eastern Orthodox 8.7%, Muslim 7.9%, Evangelical Christian 3.3% 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 Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Vienna Hofburg; Salzburg Altstadt; Innsbruck's Hofburg and Hofkirche; Melk Benedictine Abbey; Austrian National Library; Karlskirche (St. Charles Borromeo Church); UN Office in Vienna; Shoenbrunn Palace; Salzkammergut (includes Hallstatt and Dachstein); Skiing at Kitzbuehel and Kitzbueheler Horn; prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps Major Sports: Soccer, alpine skiing, ice hockey Cultural Practices: While some Austrian men will kiss the hand of a female as a greeting, it would be improper for a foreigner to kiss the hands of Austrian females. Tipping Guidelines: It is customary to round up and leave the change at restaurants for the server. Taxi drivers usually receive an extra 10% over the meter fare. Porters or bellhops should receive up to 1 euro per bag. Souvenirs: Handbags, crystal, porcelain, winter sports equipment, bronze and Hummel figurines, carved Nativity scenes featuring Alpine villagesPlease 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-telephones-mobile-cellular-country-comparison

20220901

references-definitions-and-notes

Topic: Abbreviations Topic: Acronyms Topic: Administrative divisions Topic: Age structure Topic: Agricultural products Topic: Air pollutantsThis entry refers to specified gases and particulates released by various sources of animals, plants, goods, and processes that can contribute to global warming, poor air quality, pollution, and climate change. particulate matter emissions - This entry provides the modeled annual mean concentration of particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5) measured in micrograms per cubic meter of air. Exposure to PM2.5 pollutants should not exceed an annual mean concentration of 10 micrograms per cubic meter, according to World Health Organization guidelines. Particulate matter are inhalable and respirable particles composed of sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust, and water. Fine particles less than 2.5 microns pose the greatest health risks because they can penetrate the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Sources include combustion engines, solid-fuel combustion, and other industrial activities. Exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter is associated with increased mortality and morbidity, although even low concentrations of particulate matter can impact health. By reducing air pollution levels, countries can decrease the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma. carbon dioxide emissions - This entry provides the annual quantity of carbon dioxide emissions for a country, as measured in megatons.  Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas emitted through human-influenced and natural processes. Human-influenced sources include the burning of fossil fuels (including coal, natural gas, and oil), solid waste, trees, and other biological materials, as well as certain chemical processes, such as cement production. Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release, and respiration. Carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate warming, air quality, global warming, and pollution. methane emissions - This entry provides the annual quantity of methane emissions for a country, as measured in megatons. Methane is a greenhouse gas emitted from the breakdown of organic material from human-influenced and natural processes. Human-influenced sources include the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil; the decay of organic waste in landfills; agricultural activities; stationary and mobile combustion; waste water treatment; and certain industrial processes. Natural sources include the decay of plant material in wetlands, the seepage of gas from underground deposits, and the digestion of food by ruminants. Methane emissions cause poor air quality, health issues for animals and humans, and reduced crop yields, and are a contributor to climate change. Topic: Airports Topic: Airports - with paved runways Topic: Airports - with unpaved runways Topic: Appendixes Topic: Area Topic: Area - comparative

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

references-country-summaries

Topic: Afghanistan Topic: Albania Topic: Algeria Topic: American Samoa Topic: Andorra Topic: Angola Topic: Anguilla Topic: Antigua and Barbuda Topic: Argentina Topic: Armenia Topic: Aruba Topic: Australia

20220901

countries-algeria-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Algeria 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 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. Topic: Geography Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: arid 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 Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Topic: People and Society Population: 44,178,884 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq) Religions: Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ibadi  Muslims) <1% (2012 est.) Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Algiers Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (since 12 December 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Ayman BENABDERRAHMANE (since 7 July 2021); note - President TEBBOUNE appointed BENABDERRAHMANE as prime minister following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdelaziz DJERAD on 24 June 2021     Abdelaziz DJERAD (since 28 December 2019) Legislative branch: description: 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 Topic: Economy Economic overview: suffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reformssuffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reforms Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $468.4 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $10,700 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: potatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Exports: $38.32 billion (2019 est.) Exports - partners: Italy 13%, France 13%, Spain 12%, United States 7%, United Kingdom 7%, India 5%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilizers, ammonia (2019) Imports: $54.26 billion (2019 est.) Imports - partners: China 18%, France 14%, Italy 8%, Spain 8%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies, milk, vehicle parts (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022

20220901

countries-qatar

Topic: Photos of Qatar Topic: Introduction Background: 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. 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 Gulf Cooperation Council 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. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, peninsula bordering the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia Geographic coordinates: 25 30 N, 51 15 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 11,586 sq km land: 11,586 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: almost twice the size of Delaware; slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 87 km border countries (1): Saudi Arabia 87 km Coastline: 563 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: as determined by bilateral agreements or the median line Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Terrain: mostly flat and barren desert Elevation: highest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m mean elevation: 28 m Natural resources: petroleum, fish, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 5.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 94.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 130 sq km (2012) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula Natural hazards: haze, dust storms, sandstorms common Geography - note: the peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits Map description: Qatar map showing major population centers and neighboring countries of this peninsular country that extends into the Persian Gulf.Qatar map showing major population centers and neighboring countries of this peninsular country that extends into the Persian Gulf. Topic: People and Society Population: 2,508,182 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Qatari(s) adjective: Qatari Ethnic groups: non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.) Languages: Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language 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 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 18.1 youth dependency ratio: 16.1 elderly dependency ratio: 2 potential support ratio: 50.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 33.7 years male: 35 years female: 28.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9.33 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 1.42 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula Urbanization: urban population: 99.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.66% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: Ar-Rayyan 779,000, 652,000 DOHA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 2.26 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 5.45 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 3.42 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 3.36 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.81 years male: 77.7 years female: 81.96 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 37.5% (2012) Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 2.9% (2019) Physicians density: 2.49 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 1.3 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: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020 est.) <200 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 35.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 11.8% (2020 est.) male: 21.7% (2020 est.) female: 1.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.5% male: 92.4% female: 94.7% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 12 years female: 15 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 0.4% male: 0.2% female: 1.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air, land, and water pollution are significant environmental issues; limited natural freshwater resources are increasing dependence on large-scale desalination facilities; other issues include conservation of oil supplies and preservation of the natural wildlife heritage Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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: 90.35 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 103.26 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 8.34 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers Land use: agricultural land: 5.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 94.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 99.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.66% 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: 1,000,990 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 30,030 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2014 est.) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 477.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 143.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 291.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 58 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: State of Qatar conventional short form: Qatar local long form: Dawlat Qatar local short form: Qatar etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but it dates back at least 2,000 years since a term "Catharrei" was used to describe the inhabitants of the peninsula by Pliny the Elder (1st century A.D.), and a "Catara" peninsula is depicted on a map by Ptolemy (2nd century A.D.) note: closest approximation of the native pronunciation is gat-tar or cot-tar Government type: absolute monarchy Capital: name: Doha geographic coordinates: 25 17 N, 51 32 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: derives from the Arabic term "dohat," meaning "roundness," and refers to the small rounded bays along the area's coastline Administrative divisions: 8 municipalities (baladiyat, singular - baladiyah); Ad Dawhah, Al Khawr wa adh Dhakhirah, Al Wakrah, Ar Rayyan, Ash Shamal, Ash Shihaniyah, Az Za'ayin, Umm Salal Independence: 3 September 1971 (from the UK) National holiday: National Day, 18 December (1878), anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne; Independence Day, 3 September (1971) Constitution: history: previous 1972 (provisional); latest drafted 2 July 2002, approved by referendum 29 April 2003, endorsed 8 June 2004, effective 9 June 2005 amendments: proposed by the Amir or by one third of Advisory Council members; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Advisory Council members and approval and promulgation by the emir; articles pertaining to the rule of state and its inheritance, functions of the emir, and citizen rights and liberties cannot be amended Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law and Islamic (sharia) law (in family and personal matters) 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: the father must be a citizen of Qatar dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) head of government: Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh KHALID bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani (since 28 January 2020);  Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs KHALID bin Mohamed AL Attiyah (since 14 November 2017); Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs MOHAMED bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (since 14 November 2017) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the amir elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the amir Legislative branch: description: 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 elections: first election held for 30 elected members on 2 October 2021 (next to be held in 2025); date of appointed members - 14 October 2021 (next appointments - NA) election results: 30 nonpartisan members elected; composition - men 30, women 0 15 appointed members; composition men 13, women 2, percent of women 13.3% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of the court president and several judges); Supreme Constitutional Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council, a 9-member independent body consisting of judiciary heads appointed by the Amir; judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms; Supreme Constitutional Court members nominated by the Supreme Judiciary Council and appointed by the monarch; term of appointment NA subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Administrative Court; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; Courts of Justice; Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Center, established in 2009, provides dispute resolution services for institutions and bodies in Qatar, as well as internationally Political parties and leaders: political parties are banned International organization participation: ABEDA, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador MISHAL bin Hamad bin Muhammad Al Thani (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 2555 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 274-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 237-0682 email address and website: info.dc@mofa.gov.qa https://washington.embassy.qa/en consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Evyenia SIDEREAS embassy: 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, P.O. Box 2399, Doha mailing address: 6130 Doha Place, Washington DC  20521-6130 telephone: [974] 4496-6000 FAX: [974] 4488-4298 email address and website: PasDoha@state.gov https://qa.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: maroon with a broad white serrated band (nine white points) on the hoist side; maroon represents the blood shed in Qatari wars, white stands for peace; the nine-pointed serrated edge signifies Qatar as the ninth member of the "reconciled emirates" in the wake of the Qatari-British treaty of 1916 note: the other eight emirates are the seven that compose the UAE and Bahrain; according to some sources, the dominant color was formerly red, but this darkened to maroon upon exposure to the sun and the new shade was eventually adopted National symbol(s): a maroon field surmounted by a white serrated band with nine white points; national colors: maroon, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Al Zubarah Archaeological Site Topic: Economy Economic overview: Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit.   Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total.   Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports.Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit. Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total. Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $245.66 billion (2020 est.) $255.01 billion (2019 est.) $253.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.6% (2017 est.) 2.1% (2016 est.) 3.7% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $85,300 (2020 est.) $90,000 (2019 est.) $91,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $191.29 billion (2018 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.6% (2019 est.) 0.2% (2018 est.) 0.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2017) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.2% (2017 est.) industry: 50.3% (2017 est.) services: 49.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: tomatoes, dates, camel milk, sheep milk, goat milk, pumpkins/gourds, mutton, poultry, milk, eggplants Industries: liquefied natural gas, crude oil production and refining, ammonia, fertilizer, petrochemicals, steel reinforcing bars, cement, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.953 million (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.9% (2017 est.) 11.1% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 0.4% male: 0.2% female: 1.5% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.1 (2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.3% highest 10%: 35.9% (2007) Budget: revenues: 44.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 53.82 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 53.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 46.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $6.426 billion (2017 est.) -$8.27 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $70.93 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $92.05 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $102.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Japan 17%, South Korea 16%, India 14%, China 13%, Singapore 7% (2019) Exports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, ethylene polymers, fertilizers (2019) Imports: $59.06 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $66.77 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $65.81 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 15%, France 13%, United Kingdom 9%, China 9%, Germany 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: aircraft, gas turbines, cars, jewelry, iron piping (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.01 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $31.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $167.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $157.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Qatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.641 (2020 est.) 3.641 (2019 est.) 3.641 (2018 est.) 3.64 (2014 est.) 3.64 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 10.633 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 44,116,984,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.772 billion 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: 1,815,100 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 293,800 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,264,400 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 273,800 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 485,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 12,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 167,460,996,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 37,701,809,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 126,749,621,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 23,860,500,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 111.922 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 723.582 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 454,701 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,798,514 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Qatar had developed a mature telecom sector which has been able to absorb the additional data demands made on it during the pandemic; mobile services based on LTE are universally available, and this has helped the two operators Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar to migrate to 5G; in combination with a strong fiber rollout, the country is aiming to provide gigabit services nationally; 5G services are largely based on 3.5GHz spectrum made available following an auction in early 2019. (2022) domestic: fixed-line nearly 16 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership nearly 132 telephones per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 974; landing points for the Qatar-UAE Submarine Cable System, AAE-1, FOG, GBICS/East North Africa MENA and the FALCON submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia and the UAE; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; retains full ownership of two commercial satellites, Es'hailSat 1 and 2 (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: TV 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) Internet country code: .qa Internet users: total: 2,881,060 (2020 est.) percent of population: 100% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 296,126 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 251 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 29,178,923 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 12,666,710,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A7 Airports: total: 6 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 288 km condensate, 221 km condensate/gas, 2,383 km gas, 90 km liquid petroleum gas, 745 km oil, 103 km refined products (2013) Roadways: total: 7,039 km (2016) Merchant marine: total: 129 by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 4, general cargo 4, oil tanker 5, other 107 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Doha, Musay'id, Ra's Laffan LNG terminal(s) (export): Ras Laffan Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Qatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF); Internal Security Forces: Mobile Gendarmerie (2022) Military expenditures: 4% of GDP (2021 est.) 4% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $8.44 billion) 3.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $8.23 billion) 3.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $8.22 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 15,000 active duty personnel (10,000 Land Force, including Emiri Guard; 3,000 Navy; 2,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Qatari military's inventory includes a broad mix of older and modern weapons systems, mostly from the US and Europe; in the 2010s, Qatar embarked on an extensive military expansion and modernization program with large air, ground, and naval equipment purchases; since 2010, France and the US are the top suppliers (2022) Military service age and obligation: conscription for males aged 18-35 introduced in 2013; compulsory service times range from 4-12 months, depending on the cadets educational and professional circumstances; since 2018, women have been permitted to serve in the armed forces, including as uniformed officers and pilots (2022) note: as of 2020, the military incorporated about 2,000 conscripts annually Military - note: Qatar hosts more than 8,000 US military forces and the regional headquarters for the US Central Command (CENTCOM; established 1983) at various military facilities, including the large Al Udeid Air Base; Qatar also hosts as many as 5,000 Turkish military forces at two bases established in 2014 and 2019 Qatar 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: none identifiednone identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 1,200 (mid-year 2021)

20220901

countries-japan-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. 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.Japan opened its ports in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power. 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. Topic: Geography Area: total: 377,915 sq km land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km Climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north Natural resources: negligible mineral resources, fish; note - with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is the world's largest importer of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as the second largest importer of oil Topic: People and Society Population: 124,214,766 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Japanese 97.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Korean 0.4%, other 1.1% (includes Vietnamese, Filipino, and Brazilian) (2017 est.) Languages: Japanese Religions: Shintoism 70.5%, Buddhism 67.2%, Christianity 1.5%, other 5.9% (2019 est.) Population growth rate: -0.39% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Tokyo Executive branch: chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019); note - succeeds his father who abdicated on 30 April 2019 head of government: Prime Minister Fumio KISHIDA (since 4 October 2021 ) Legislative branch: description: 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: third-largest, trade-oriented, and diversified economy; most indebted country; recent infrastructure spending, significant currency devaluations, consumption tax hikes; declining labor force; recent government stimulus largely offset COVID-19 downturnthird-largest, trade-oriented, and diversified economy; most indebted country; recent infrastructure spending, significant currency devaluations, consumption tax hikes; declining labor force; recent government stimulus largely offset COVID-19 downturn Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $5,224,850,000,000 (2019 est.) Real GDP per capita: $41,400 (2019 est.) Agricultural products: rice, milk, sugar beet, vegetables, eggs, poultry, potatoes, cabbages, onions, pork Industries: among world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods Exports: $793.32 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 19%, China 18%, South Korea 6%, Taiwan 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, personal appliances, ships (2019) Imports: $799.52 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: China 23%, United States 11%, Australia 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2019) Exchange rates: yen (JPY) per US dollar -Page last updated: Tuesday, May 31, 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-terrain

This entry contains a brief description of the topography. Topic: Afghanistanmostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest Topic: Albaniamostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast Topic: Algeriamostly high plateau and desert; Atlas Mountains in the far north and Hoggar Mountains in the south; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Topic: American Samoafive volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Atoll, Swains Island) Topic: Andorrarugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys Topic: Angolanarrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Topic: Anguillaflat and low-lying island of coral and limestone Topic: Antarcticaabout 99% thick continental ice sheet and 1% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 m; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 m; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Topic: Antigua and Barbudamostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas Topic: Arctic Oceancentral surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 m thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) major surface currents: two major, slow-moving, wind-driven currents (drift streams) dominate: a clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyre in the western part of the Arctic Ocean and a nearly straight line Transpolar Drift Stream that moves eastward across the ocean from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to the Fram Strait (between Greenland and Svalbard); sea ice that lies close to the center of the gyre can complete a 360 degree circle in about 2 years, while ice on the gyre periphery will complete the same circle in about 7-8 years; sea ice in the Transpolar Drift crosses the ocean in about 3 yearscentral surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 m thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)major surface currents: two major, slow-moving, wind-driven currents (drift streams) dominate: a clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyre in the western part of the Arctic Ocean and a nearly straight line Transpolar Drift Stream that moves eastward across the ocean from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to the Fram Strait (between Greenland and Svalbard); sea ice that lies close to the center of the gyre can complete a 360 degree circle in about 2 years, while ice on the gyre periphery will complete the same circle in about 7-8 years; sea ice in the Transpolar Drift crosses the ocean in about 3 years Topic: Argentinarich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border Topic: ArmeniaArmenian Highland with mountains; little forest land; fast flowing rivers; good soil in Aras River valley Topic: Arubaflat with a few hills; scant vegetation Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandslow with sand and coral Topic: Atlantic Oceansurface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; surface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Atlantic and another in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basin major surface currents: clockwise North Atlantic Gyre consists of the northward flowing, warm Gulf Stream in the west, the eastward flowing North Atlantic Current in the north, the southward flowing cold Canary Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Atlantic Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm Brazil Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Atlantic Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Benguela Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the northsurface usually covered with sea ice in Labrador Sea, Denmark Strait, and coastal portions of the Baltic Sea from October to June; surface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Atlantic and another in the southern Atlantic; the ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rugged north-south centerline for the entire Atlantic basinmajor surface currents: clockwise North Atlantic Gyre consists of the northward flowing, warm Gulf Stream in the west, the eastward flowing North Atlantic Current in the north, the southward flowing cold Canary Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Atlantic Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm Brazil Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Atlantic Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Benguela Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north Topic: Australiamostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Topic: Austriamostly mountains (Alps) in the west and south; mostly flat or gently sloping along the eastern and northern margins Topic: Azerbaijanlarge, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland, much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) to the west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea Topic: Bahamas, Thelong, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills Topic: Bahrainmostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment Topic: Bangladeshmostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast Topic: Barbadosrelatively flat; rises gently to central highland region Topic: Belarusgenerally flat with much marshland Topic: Belgiumflat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Topic: Belizeflat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Topic: Beninmostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains Topic: Bermudalow hills separated by fertile depressions Topic: Bhutanmostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna Topic: Boliviarugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinamountains and valleys Topic: Botswanapredominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest Topic: Bouvet Islandvolcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible Topic: Brazilmostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryflat and low (most areas do not exceed two m in elevation) Topic: British Virgin Islandscoral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Topic: Bruneiflat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west Topic: Bulgariamostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast Topic: Burkina FasoMostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast.  Occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south. (2019) Topic: Burmacentral lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands Topic: Burundihilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains Topic: Cabo Verdesteep, rugged, rocky, volcanic Topic: Cambodiamostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north Topic: Cameroondiverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north Topic: Canadamostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast Topic: Cayman Islandslow-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs Topic: Central African Republicvast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Topic: Chadbroad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south Topic: Chilelow coastal mountains, fertile central valley, rugged Andes in east Topic: Chinamostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east Topic: Christmas Islandsteep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau Topic: Clipperton Islandcoral atoll Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsflat, low-lying coral atolls Topic: Colombiaflat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos) Topic: Comorosvolcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thevast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east Topic: Congo, Republic of thecoastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin Topic: Cook Islandslow coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Topic: Coral Sea Islandssand and coral reefs and islands (cays) Topic: Costa Ricacoastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes Topic: Cote d'Ivoiremostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest Topic: Croatiageographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands Topic: Cubamostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast Topic: Curacaogenerally low, hilly terraingenerally low, hilly terrain Topic: Cypruscentral plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast Topic: CzechiaBohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Topic: Denmarklow and flat to gently rolling plains Topic: Djibouticoastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains Topic: Dominicarugged mountains of volcanic origin Topic: Dominican Republicrugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys Topic: Ecuadorcoastal plain (costa), inter-Andean central highlands (sierra), and flat to rolling eastern jungle (oriente) Topic: Egyptvast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Topic: El Salvadormostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau Topic: Equatorial Guineacoastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic Topic: Eritreadominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains Topic: Estoniamarshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Topic: Eswatinimostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains Topic: Ethiopiahigh plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Topic: European Unionfairly flat along Baltic and Atlantic coasts; mountainous in the central and southern areas Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Topic: Faroe Islandsrugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast Topic: Fijimostly mountains of volcanic origin Topic: Finlandmostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills Topic: Francemetropolitan 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 Topic: French Polynesiamixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs; Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands; Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with peninsulas stretching off its coasts; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon; Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamountIle Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau; Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs; Iles Crozet: a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands; Iles Kerguelen: the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with peninsulas stretching off its coasts; Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon; Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island: low, flat, and sandy; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount Topic: Gabonnarrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south Topic: Gambia, Theflood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills Topic: Gaza Stripflat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain Topic: Georgialargely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; fertile soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Topic: Germanylowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Topic: Ghanamostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area Topic: Gibraltara narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar Topic: Greecemountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands Topic: Greenlandflat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast Topic: Grenadavolcanic in origin with central mountains Topic: Guamvolcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south Topic: Guatemalatwo east-west trending mountain chains divide the country into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of mountains, and the vast northern Peten lowlands Topic: Guernseymostly flat with low hills in southwest Topic: Guineagenerally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior Topic: Guinea-Bissaumostly low-lying coastal plain with a deeply indented estuarine coastline rising to savanna in east; numerous off-shore islands including the Arquipelago Dos Bijagos consisting of 18 main islands and many small islets Topic: Guyanamostly rolling highlands; low coastal plain; savanna in south Topic: Haitimostly rough and mountainous Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsHeard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)urban; low hill Topic: Hondurasmostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains Topic: Hong Konghilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north Topic: Hungarymostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border Topic: Icelandmostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords Topic: Indiaupland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north Topic: Indian Oceansurface dominated by a major gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean and a unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridge major surface currents: the counterclockwise Indian Ocean Gyre comprised of the southward flowing warm Agulhas and East Madagascar Currents in the west, the eastward flowing South Indian Current in the south, the northward flowing cold West Australian Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north; a distinctive annual reversal of surface currents occurs in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and clockwise currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and counterclockwise currentssurface dominated by a major gyre (broad, circular system of currents) in the southern Indian Ocean and a unique reversal of surface currents in the northern Indian Ocean; ocean floor is dominated by the Mid-Indian Ocean Ridge and subdivided by the Southeast Indian Ocean Ridge, Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge, and Ninetyeast Ridgemajor surface currents: the counterclockwise Indian Ocean Gyre comprised of the southward flowing warm Agulhas and East Madagascar Currents in the west, the eastward flowing South Indian Current in the south, the northward flowing cold West Australian Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north; a distinctive annual reversal of surface currents occurs in the northern Indian Ocean; low atmospheric pressure over southwest Asia from hot, rising, summer air results in the southwest monsoon and southwest-to-northeast winds and clockwise currents, while high pressure over northern Asia from cold, falling, winter air results in the northeast monsoon and northeast-to-southwest winds and counterclockwise currents Topic: Indonesiamostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains Topic: Iranrugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Topic: Iraqmostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Topic: Irelandmostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Topic: Isle of Manhills in north and south bisected by central valley Topic: IsraelNegev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Topic: Italymostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands Topic: Jamaicamostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain Topic: Jan Mayenvolcanic island, partly covered by glaciers Topic: Japanmostly rugged and mountainous Topic: Jerseygently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast Topic: Jordanmostly arid desert plateau; a great north-south geological rift along the west of the country is the dominant topographical feature and includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands Topic: Kazakhstanvast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south Topic: Kenyalow plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west Topic: Kiribatimostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Topic: Korea, Northmostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east Topic: Korea, Southmostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south Topic: Kosovoflat fluvial basin at an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m Topic: Kuwaitflat to slightly undulating desert plain Topic: Kyrgyzstanpeaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country Topic: Laosmostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Topic: Latvialow plain Topic: Lebanonnarrow coastal plain; El Beqaa (Bekaa Valley) separates Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon Mountains Topic: Lesothomostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains Topic: Liberiamostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Topic: Libyamostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions Topic: Liechtensteinmostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third Topic: Lithuanialowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil Topic: Luxembourgmostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast Topic: Macaugenerally flat Topic: Madagascarnarrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center Topic: Malawinarrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains Topic: Malaysiacoastal plains rising to hills and mountains Topic: Maldivesflat, with white sandy beaches Topic: Malimostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast Topic: Maltamostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Topic: Marshall Islandslow coral limestone and sand islands Topic: Mauritaniamostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills Topic: Mauritiussmall coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Topic: Mexicohigh, rugged mountains; low coastal plains; high plateaus; desert Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofislands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk Topic: Moldovarolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Topic: Monacohilly, rugged, rocky Topic: Mongoliavast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central Topic: Montenegrohighly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus Topic: Montserratvolcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland Topic: Moroccomountainous northern coast (Rif Mountains) and interior (Atlas Mountains) bordered by large plateaus with intermontane valleys, and fertile coastal plains; the south is mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces  Topic: Mozambiquemostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west Topic: Namibiamostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east Topic: Naurusandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Topic: Navassa Islandraised flat to undulating coral and limestone plateau; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high) Topic: NepalTarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south; central hill region with rugged Himalayas in north Topic: Netherlandsmostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Topic: New Caledoniacoastal plains with interior mountains Topic: New Zealandpredominately mountainous with large coastal plains Topic: Nicaraguaextensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes Topic: Nigerpredominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north Topic: Nigeriasouthern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Topic: Niuesteep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau Topic: Norfolk Islandvolcanic island with mostly rolling plains Topic: North Macedoniamountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsthe southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands Topic: Norwayglaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken by fertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indented by fjords; arctic tundra in north Topic: Omancentral desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south Topic: Pacific Oceansurface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Pacific and another in the southern Pacific; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest at 10,924 m major surface currents: clockwise North Pacific Gyre formed by the warm northward flowing Kuroshio Current in the west, the eastward flowing North Pacific Current in the north, the southward flowing cold California Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Pacific Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm East Australian Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Pacific Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Peru (Humbolt) Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the northsurface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Pacific and another in the southern Pacific; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest at 10,924 mmajor surface currents: clockwise North Pacific Gyre formed by the warm northward flowing Kuroshio Current in the west, the eastward flowing North Pacific Current in the north, the southward flowing cold California Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Pacific Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm East Australian Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Pacific Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Peru (Humbolt) Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north Topic: Pakistandivided 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 Topic: Palauvarying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs Topic: Panamainterior mostly steep, rugged mountains with dissected, upland plains; coastal plains with rolling hills Topic: Papua New Guineamostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills Topic: Paracel Islandsmostly low and flat Topic: Paraguaygrassy 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 Topic: Peruwestern coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva) Topic: Philippinesmostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands Topic: Pitcairn Islandsrugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs Topic: Polandmostly flat plain; mountains along southern border Topic: Portugalthe west-flowing Tagus River divides the country: the north is mountainous toward the interior, while the south is characterized by rolling plains Topic: Puerto Ricomostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas Topic: Qatarmostly flat and barren desert Topic: Romaniacentral Transylvanian Basin is separated from the Moldavian Plateau on the east by the Eastern Carpathian Mountains and separated from the Walachian Plain on the south by the Transylvanian Alps Topic: Russiabroad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions Topic: Rwandamostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east Topic: Saint Barthelemyhilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhathe islands of this group are of volcanic origin associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean RidgeSaint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains; Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; terrain rises to the east; Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffsthe islands of this group are of volcanic origin associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean RidgeSaint Helena: rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains; Ascension: surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; terrain rises to the east; Tristan da Cunha: sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisvolcanic with mountainous interiors Topic: Saint Luciavolcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonmostly barren rock Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesvolcanic, mountainous Topic: Samoatwo main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior Topic: San Marinorugged mountains Topic: Sao Tome and Principevolcanic, mountainous Topic: Saudi Arabiamostly sandy desert Topic: Senegalgenerally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast Topic: Serbiaextremely varied; to the north, rich fertile plains; to the east, limestone ranges and basins; to the southeast, ancient mountains and hills Topic: SeychellesMahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs Topic: Sierra Leonecoastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east Topic: Singaporelowlying, gently undulating central plateau Topic: Sint Maartenlow, hilly terrain, volcanic originlow, hilly terrain, volcanic origin Topic: Slovakiarugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south Topic: Sloveniaa short southwestern coastal strip of Karst topography on the Adriatic; an alpine mountain region lies adjacent to Italy and Austria in the north; mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east Topic: Solomon Islandsmostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Topic: Somaliamostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Topic: South Africavast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsmost of the islands are rugged and mountainous rising steeply from the sea; South Georgia is largely barren with steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Topic: South Sudanplains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country Topic: Southern Oceanthe Southern Ocean is 4,000 to 5,000-m deep over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 m (the global mean is 133 m); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million sq km in March to about 18.8 million sq km in September, better than a sixfold increase in area major surface currents: the cold, clockwise-flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current (West Wind Drift; 21,000 km long) moves perpetually eastward around the continent and is the world's largest and strongest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers; it is also the only current that flows all the way around the planet and connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; the cold Antarctic Coastal Current (East Wind Drift) is the southernmost current in the world, flowing westward and parallel to the Antarctic coastlinethe Southern Ocean is 4,000 to 5,000-m deep over most of its extent with only limited areas of shallow water; the Antarctic continental shelf is generally narrow and unusually deep, its edge lying at depths of 400 to 800 m (the global mean is 133 m); the Antarctic icepack grows from an average minimum of 2.6 million sq km in March to about 18.8 million sq km in September, better than a sixfold increase in areamajor surface currents: the cold, clockwise-flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current (West Wind Drift; 21,000 km long) moves perpetually eastward around the continent and is the world's largest and strongest ocean current, transporting 130 million cubic meters of water per second - 100 times the flow of all the world's rivers; it is also the only current that flows all the way around the planet and connects the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans; the cold Antarctic Coastal Current (East Wind Drift) is the southernmost current in the world, flowing westward and parallel to the Antarctic coastline Topic: Spainlarge, flat to dissected plateau surrounded by rugged hills; Pyrenees Mountains in north Topic: Spratly Islandssmall, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs Topic: Sri Lankamostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior Topic: Sudangenerally flat, featureless plain; desert dominates the north Topic: Surinamemostly rolling hills; narrow coastal plain with swamps Topic: Svalbardrugged mountains; much of the upland areas are ice covered; west coast clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts Topic: Swedenmostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west Topic: Switzerlandmostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes Topic: Syriaprimarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west Topic: Taiwaneastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Topic: Tajikistanmountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofirnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Topic: Tanzaniaplains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Topic: Thailandcentral plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere Topic: Timor-Lestemountainous Topic: Togogently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes Topic: Tokelaulow-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons Topic: Tongamostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock Topic: Trinidad and Tobagomostly plains with some hills and low mountains Topic: Tunisiamountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges Topic: Turkmenistanflat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandslow, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps Topic: Tuvalulow-lying and narrow coral atolls Topic: Ugandamostly plateau with rim of mountains Topic: Ukrainemostly fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, with mountains found only in the west (the Carpathians) or in the extreme south of the Crimean Peninsula Topic: United Arab Emiratesflat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert; mountains in east Topic: United Kingdommostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast Topic: United Statesvast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugeslow and nearly flat sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor Topic: Uruguaymostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland Topic: Uzbekistanmostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zaravshan; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west Topic: Vanuatumostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains Topic: VenezuelaAndes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast Topic: Vietnamlow, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest Topic: Virgin Islandsmostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land Topic: Wake Islandatoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim Topic: Wallis and Futunavolcanic origin; low hills Topic: West Bankmostly rugged, dissected upland in west, flat plains descending to Jordan River Valley to the east Topic: Worldtremendous variation of terrain on each of the continents; check the World 'Elevation' entry for a compilation of terrain extremes; the world's ocean floors are marked by mid-ocean ridges while the ocean surfaces form a dynamic, continuously changing environment; check the "Terrain" field and its 'major surface currents' and 'ocean zones' subfields under each of the five ocean (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern) entries for further information on oceanic environs Ten Cave Superlatives: compiled from "Geography - note(s)" under various country entries where more details may be found largest cave: Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Vietnam is the world's largest cave (greatest cross sectional area) and is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume; it currently measures a total of 38.5 million cu m (about 1.35 billion cu ft); it connects to Thung cave (but not yet officially); when recognized, it will add an additional 1.6 million cu m in volume largest ice cave: the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Giants World) inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen, Austria is the world's largest and longest ice cave system at 42 km (26 mi) longest cave: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 mi) of surveyed passageways longest salt cave: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom in Israel is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase longest underwater cave: the Sac Actun cave system in Mexico at 348 km (216 mi) is the longest underwater cave in the world and the second longest cave worldwide longest lava tube cave: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep deepest cave: Veryovkina Cave in the Caucasus country of Georgia is the world's deepest cave, plunging down 2,212 m (7,257 ft) deepest underwater cave: the Hranice Abyss in Czechia is the world's deepest surveyed underwater cave at 404 m (1,325 ft); its survey is not complete and it could end up being some 800-1,200 m deep largest cave chamber: the Miao Room in the Gebihe cave system at China's Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park encloses some 10.78 million cu m (380.7 million cu ft) of volume largest bat cave: Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave; it is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals Topic: Yemennarrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula Topic: Zambiamostly high plateau with some hills and mountains Topic: Zimbabwemostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

20220901

field-waste-and-recycling

This entry provides the amount of municipal solid waste a country produces annually and the amount of that waste that is recycled. Municipal solid waste consists of everyday items that are used and thrown away, including product packaging, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, grass clippings, appliances, paint, and batteries. Municipal solid waste - often referred to as trash or garbage - comes from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling benefits both communities and the environment. This entry includes three subfields: annual amount of municipal solid waste generated (tons), annual amount of municipal solid waste recycled (tons), and percent of municipal solid waste recycled.This entry provides the amount of municipal solid waste a country produces annually and the amount of that waste that is recycled. Municipal solid waste consists of everyday items that are used and thrown away, including product packaging, furniture, clothing, bottles, food scraps, newspapers, grass clippings, appliances, paint, and batteries. Municipal solid waste - often referred to as trash or garbage - comes from homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses. Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products. Recycling benefits both communities and the environment.This entry includes three subfields: annual amount of municipal solid waste generated (tons), annual amount of municipal solid waste recycled (tons), and percent of municipal solid waste recycled. Topic: Afghanistanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,628,525 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Albaniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,142,964 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Algeriamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 12,378,740 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 990,299 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2013 est.) Topic: American Samoamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 18,989 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Andorramunicipal solid waste generated annually: 43,000 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Angolamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,213,644 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 30,585 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Argentinamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 17,910,550 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,074,633 tons (2010 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6% (2010 est.) Topic: Armeniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 492,800 tons (2014 est.) Topic: Arubamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 88,132 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 9,695 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 11% (2013 est.) Topic: Australiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 13.345 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,618,245 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 42.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Austriamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.836 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,240,918 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,930,349 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Themunicipal solid waste generated annually: 264,000 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Bahrainmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 951,943 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 76,155 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2012 est.) Topic: Bangladeshmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 14,778,497 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Barbadosmunicipal 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.) Topic: Belarusmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.28 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 684,800 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16% (2016 est.) Topic: Belgiummunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.708 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,614,985 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Belizemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 101,379 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Beninmunicipal 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.) Topic: Bermudamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 82,000 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,640 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2012 est.) Topic: Bhutanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 111,314 tons (2007 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 957 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Boliviamunicipal 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.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,248,718 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 12 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0% (2015 est.) Topic: Botswanamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 210,854 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,109 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1% (2005 est.) Topic: Brazilmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 79,889,010 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,118,446 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.4% (2014 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 21,099 tons (2000 est.) Topic: Bruneimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 216,253 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Bulgariamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3.011 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 572,993 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2015 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,575,251 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 309,030 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12% (2005 est.) Topic: Burmamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,677,307 tons (2000 est.) Topic: Burundimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,872,016 tons (2002 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 132,555 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Cambodiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.089 million tons (2014 est.) Topic: Cameroonmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3,270,617 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 13,082 tons (2009 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.4% (2009 est.) Topic: Canadamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 25,103,034 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,168,715 tons (2008 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20.6% (2008 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 60,000 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 12,600 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21% (2013 est.) Topic: Central African Republicmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,105,983 tons (2014 est.) Topic: Chadmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,358,851 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Chilemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 6.517 million tons (2009 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 24,113 tons (2009 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.4% (2009 est.) Topic: Chinamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 210 million tons (2015 est.) Topic: Colombiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 12,150,120 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,089,821 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.2% (2013 est.) Topic: Comorosmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 91,013 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of themunicipal solid waste generated annually: 14,385,226 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 704,876 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.9% (2005 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of themunicipal solid waste generated annually: 451,200 tons (1993 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 118,214 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2005 est.) Topic: Costa Ricamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.46 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 18,396 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.3% (2014 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiremunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,440,814 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 133,224 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2005 est.) Topic: Croatiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.654 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 269,933 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Cubamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,692,692 tons (2007 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 255,536 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Curacaomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 24,704 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 494 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2013 est.) Topic: Cyprusmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 541,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 72,007 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Czechiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3.337 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 850,935 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25.5% (2015 est.) Topic: Denmarkmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.485 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,223,060 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 27.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Djiboutimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 114,997 tons (2002 est.) Topic: Dominicamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 13,176 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicmunicipal 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.) Topic: Ecuadormunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,297,211 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 683,340 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Egyptmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 21 million tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.625 million tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.5% (2013 est.) Topic: El Salvadormunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,648,996 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 198,443 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Eritreamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 726,957 tons (2011 est.) Topic: Estoniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 473,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 117,020 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Eswatinimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 218,199 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Ethiopiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 6,532,787 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Faroe Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 61,000 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 40,870 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.) Topic: Fijimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 189,390 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,322 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.5% (2013 est.) Topic: Finlandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.738 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 769,926 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Francemunicipal 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.) Topic: French Polynesiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 147,000 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 57,330 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39% (2013 est.) Topic: Gabonmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 238,102 tons (1995 est.) Topic: Gambia, Themunicipal solid waste generated annually: 193,441 tons (2002 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripmunicipal 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. Topic: Georgiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 800,000 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Germanymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 51.046 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 24,415,302 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 47.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Ghanamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3,538,275 tons (2005 est.) Topic: Gibraltarmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 16,954 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Greecemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,477,424 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,040,711 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2014 est.) Topic: Greenlandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 50,000 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Grenadamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 29,536 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Guammunicipal solid waste generated annually: 141,500 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,258 tons (2011 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Guatemalamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,756,741 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Guernseymunicipal 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: Guineamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 596,911 tons (1996 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 29,846 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2005 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissaumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 289,514 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Guyanamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 179,252 tons (2010 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 968 tons (2010 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2010 est.) Topic: Haitimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,309,852 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Hondurasmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,162,028 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Hong Kongmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,679,816 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,931,138 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34% (2016 est.) Topic: Hungarymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3.712 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 962,893 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Icelandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 525,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 293,003 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 55.8% (2013 est.) Topic: Indiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 168,403,240 tons (2001 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 8,420,162 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2013 est.) Topic: Indonesiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 65.2 million tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 4.564 million tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7% (2016 est.) Topic: Iranmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 17.885 million tons (2017 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 894,250 tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2017 est.) Topic: Iraqmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 13.14 million tons (2015 est.) Topic: Irelandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,692,537 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 888,537 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 33% (2012 est.) Topic: Isle of Manmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 50,551 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,276 tons (2011 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 50% (2011 est.) Topic: Israelmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5.4 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1.35 million tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25% (2017 est.) Topic: Italymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 29.524 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 7,646,716 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Jamaicamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,051,695 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Japanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 43.981 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,155,069 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Jerseymunicipal 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: Jordanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,529,997 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 177,100 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7% (2014 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,659,740 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 136,064 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2.9% (2012 est.) Topic: Kenyamunicipal 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.) Topic: Kiribatimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 35,724 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Korea, Southmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 18,218,975 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,567,006 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 58% (2014 est.) Topic: Kosovomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 319,000 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Kuwaitmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.75 million tons (2010 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,113,300 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Laosmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 35,190 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10% (2015 est.) Topic: Latviamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 857,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 181,941 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 21.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Lebanonmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.04 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 163,200 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2014 est.) Topic: Lesothomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 73,457 tons (2006 est.) Topic: Liberiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 564,467 tons (2007 est.) Topic: Libyamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,147,596 tons (2011 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 32,382 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 20,919 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 64.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Lithuaniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.3 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 297,960 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Luxembourgmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 356,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 100,997 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Macaumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 377,942 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 75,588 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2014 est.) Topic: Madagascarmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3,768,759 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Malawimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,297,844 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Malaysiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 12,982,685 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,271,970 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Maldivesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 211,506 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Malimunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,937,354 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Maltamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 269,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 17,996 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 8,614 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,653 tons (2007 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 30.8% (2007 est.) Topic: Mauritaniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 454,000 tons (2009 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 36,320 tons (2009 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2009 est.) Topic: Mauritiusmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 438,000 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Mexicomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 53.1 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.655 million tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2013 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 26,040 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Moldovamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3,981,200 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 609,920 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Monacomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 46,000 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,484 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.4% (2012 est.) Topic: Mongoliamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.9 million tons (2016 est.) Topic: Montenegromunicipal solid waste generated annually: 332,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 17,994 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Moroccomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 6.852 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 548,160 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2014 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.5 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,000 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1% (2014 est.) Topic: Namibiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 256,729 tons (1993 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,553 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.5% (2005 est.) Topic: Naurumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 6,192 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Nepalmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,768,977 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Netherlandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 8.855 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,179,216 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.6% (2015 est.) Topic: New Caledoniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 108,157 tons (2016 est.) Topic: New Zealandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3.405 million tons (2016 est.) Topic: Nicaraguamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,528,816 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Nigermunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,865,646 tons (1993 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 74,626 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2005 est.) Topic: Nigeriamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 27,614,830 tons (2009 est.) Topic: North Macedoniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 796,585 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,434 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.2% (2013 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 32,761 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,794 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2016 est.) Topic: Norwaymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.187 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 572,119 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Omanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,734,885 tons (2014 est.) Topic: Pakistanmunicipal 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.) Topic: Palaumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 9,427 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Panamamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,472,262 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 20,000 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2016 est.) Topic: Paraguaymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,818,501 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Perumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 8,356,711 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 334,268 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2012 est.) Topic: Philippinesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 14,631,923 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 4,096,938 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28% (2014 est.) Topic: Polandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 10.863 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,866,746 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Portugalmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.71 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 764,433 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.2% (2014 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,170,953 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 583,933 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 14% (2013 est.) Topic: Qatarmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,000,990 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 30,030 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2014 est.) Topic: Romaniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.895 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 277,547 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Russiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 60 million tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.7 million tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.5% (2012 est.) Topic: Rwandamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,384,969 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevismunicipal solid waste generated annually: 32,892 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Luciamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 77,616 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Martinmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 15,480 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 31,561 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Samoamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 27,399 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 9,864 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2013 est.) Topic: San Marinomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 17,175 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 7,737 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 45.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 25,587 tons (2014 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 16,125,701 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,418,855 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15% (2015 est.) Topic: Senegalmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,454,059 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Serbiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.84 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 13,984 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Seychellesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 48,000 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 610,222 tons (2004 est.) Topic: Singaporemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 7,704,300 tons (2017 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 4,699,623 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 61% (2015 est.) Topic: Slovakiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.784 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 135,941 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Sloveniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 926,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 430,034 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 46.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 179,972 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Somaliamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,326,099 tons (2016 est.) Topic: South Africamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 18,457,232 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,168,025 tons (2011 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28% (2011 est.) Topic: South Sudanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,680,681 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Spainmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 20.151 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 3,393,428 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.8% (2015 est.) Topic: Sri Lankamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,631,650 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 336,588 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Sudanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,831,291 tons (2015 est.) Topic: Surinamemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 78,620 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Swedenmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4.377 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,416,835 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 32.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Switzerlandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 6.056 million tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,937,920 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 32% (2015 est.) Topic: Syriamunicipal 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.) Topic: Taiwanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 7.336 million tons (2015 est.) Topic: Tajikistanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,787,400 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Tanzaniamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 9,276,995 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Thailandmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 26,853,366 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,128,993 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19.1% (2012 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 63,875 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Togomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,109,030 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 22,181 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 2% (2012 est.) Topic: Tongamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 17,238 tons (2012 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagomunicipal solid waste generated annually: 727,874 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Tunisiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2.7 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 108,000 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2014 est.) Topic: Turkeymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 31.283 million tons (2015 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 500,000 tons (2013 est.) Topic: Tuvalumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 3,989 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 598 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15% (2013 est.) Topic: Ugandamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 7,045,050 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 422,703 tons (2017 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6% (2017 est.) Topic: Ukrainemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 15,242,025 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 487,745 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3.2% (2015 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 5,413,453 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,082,691 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2015 est.) Topic: United Kingdommunicipal solid waste generated annually: 31.567 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 8,602,008 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 27.3% (2015 est.) Topic: United Statesmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 258 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 89.268 million tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Uruguaymunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,260,140 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 100,811 tons (2011 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2011 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4 million tons (2016 est.) Topic: Vanuatumunicipal solid waste generated annually: 70,225 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,983 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 37% (2013 est.) Topic: Venezuelamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 9,779,093 tons (2010 est.) Topic: Vietnammunicipal solid waste generated annually: 9,570,300 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,201,169 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23% (2014 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 146,500 tons (2012 est.) Topic: West Bankmunicipal 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. Topic: Yemenmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 4,836,820 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 386,946 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2016 est.) Topic: Zambiamunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,608,268 tons (2002 est.) Topic: Zimbabwemunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1,449,752 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 231,960 tons (2005 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16% (2005 est.)

20220901

field-transportation-note

This entry includes miscellaneous transportation information of significance not included elsewhere. Topic: AntarcticaUS coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only; all ships are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating the Antarctic Treaty area have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area Topic: Arctic Oceansparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways Topic: Atlantic OceanKiel Canal and Saint Lawrence Seaway are two important waterways; significant domestic commercial and recreational use of Intracoastal Waterway on central and south Atlantic seaboard and Gulf of Mexico coast of US; the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore Atlantic waters as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea off West Africa; in 2014, 41 commercial vessels were attacked in the Gulf of Guinea with 5 hijacked and 144 crew members taken hostage; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen Topic: Chinaseven of the world’s ten largest container ports are in China Topic: Francebegun 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: Saint Barthelemynearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on Sint Maarten Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhathe new airport on Saint Helena opened for limited operations in July 2016, and the first commercial flight took place on 14 October 2017, marking the start of weekly air service between Saint Helena and South Africa via Namibia; the military airport on Ascension Island is closed to civilian traffic; there is no air connection to Tristan da Cunha and very limited sea connections making it one of the most isolated communities on the planet Topic: Saint Martinnearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on Sint Maarten Topic: Southern OceanDrake Passage offers alternative to transit through the Panama Canal Topic: United Kingdombegun 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: Wake Islandthere are no commercial or civilian flights to and from Wake Island, except in direct support of island missions; emergency landing is available

20220901

countries-angola-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Angola. 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: [244] 946440977 or Tel: 222641000; US Embassy in Luanda, Rua Houari Boumediene 32, (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda, Angola, C.P. 6468; https://ao.usembassy.gov/; Consularluanda@state.gov; Telephone Code: 244 Local Emergency Phone: emergency response number 112, Ambulance: 118; Fire: 118; Police: 110 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Semiarid in south and along the coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (November to April) Currency (Code): Kwanza (AOA) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C Major Languages: Portuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, and other minority languages Major Religions: Roman Catholic 41.1%, Protestant 38.1% Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Luanda; Kissama National Park; Tundavala Gap; Dilolo Lake; Kalandula Falls; Benguela; Maiombe Forest Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, handball Cultural Practices: If you are invited to an Angolan's home, bring fruit, flowers, or chocolates to the host. Tipping Guidelines: If a service charge is not included in the bill, a tip of 10% is acceptable, though is not officially encouraged. Souvenirs: Wood carvings, pottery, malachite sculptures; tribal masks, weapons, baskets, and drums; precious stone necklaces, woven rugs, tapestries/textilesPlease 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

references-world-travel-facts

Topic: Afghanistan Topic: Albania Topic: Algeria Topic: American Samoa Topic: Andorra Topic: Angola Topic: Anguilla Topic: Antigua and Barbuda Topic: Argentina Topic: Armenia Topic: Aruba Topic: Australia

20220901

countries-egypt

Topic: Photos of Egypt Topic: Introduction Background: 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.    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.  Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: more than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,612 km border countries (4): Gaza Strip 13 km; Israel 208 km; Libya 1,115 km; Sudan 1,276 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or the equidistant median line with Cyprus continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation: highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m mean elevation: 321 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc Land use: agricultural land: 3.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 96.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 36,500 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km note - largest of Nile Delta lakes Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System Population distribution: approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms Geography - note: note: controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories Map description: Egypt map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Red Seas.Egypt map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Topic: People and Society Population: 107,770,524 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.) note: data represent respondents by nationality Languages: Arabic (official), English, and French widely understood by educated classes major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أفضل مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10% Demographic profile: Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards.Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.6 youth dependency ratio: 55.8 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 24.1 years male: 23.8 years female: 24.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.68% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 21.46 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 21.750 million CAIRO (capital), 5.484 million Alexandria, 764,000 Bur Sa'id (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.6 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 37 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.45 years male: 73.26 years female: 75.72 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.88 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 58.5% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 24,000 (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 water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 32% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 24.3% (2020 est.) male: 48.1% (2020 est.) female: 0.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7% (2014) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2015 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.2% male: 76.5% female: 65.5% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.2% male: 12.2% female: 49.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 79.28 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 238.56 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 59.68 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Land use: agricultural land: 3.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 96.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 21 million tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.625 million tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.5% (2013 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km note - largest of Nile Delta lakes Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 10.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 5.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.35 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 57.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) etymology: the English name "Egypt" derives from the ancient Greek name for the country "Aigyptos"; the Arabic name "Misr" can be traced to the ancient Akkadian "misru" meaning border or frontier Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: from the Arabic "al-Qahira," meaning "the victorious" Administrative divisions: 27 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the military-led revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956); note - it was ca. 3200 B.C. that the Two Lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt were first united politically National holiday: Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by a constitutional committee in December 2013, approved by referendum held on 14-15 January 2014, ratified by interim president on 19 January 2014 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by one fifth of the House of Representatives members; a decision to accept the proposal requires majority vote by House members; passage of amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote by House members and passage by majority vote in a referendum; articles of reelection of the president and principles of freedom are not amendable unless the amendment "brings more guarantees;" amended 2019 Legal system: mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws; judicial review of the constitutionality of laws by the Supreme Constitutional Court International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: if the father was born in Egypt dual citizenship recognized: only with prior permission from the government residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelfattah ELSISI (since 8 June 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Mostafa MADBOULY (since 7 June 2018) cabinet: Cabinet ministers nominated by the executive branch and approved by the House of Representatives elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for 3 consecutive terms); election last held on 26-28 March 2018 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the House of Representatives; note - following  a constitutional amendment approved by referendum in April 2019, the presidential term was extended from 4 to 6 years and eligibility extended to 3 consecutive terms election results: Abdelfattah ELSISI reelected president in first round; percent of valid votes cast - Abdelfattah ELSISI (independent) 97.1%, Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA (El Ghad Party) 2.9%; note - more than 7% of ballots cast were deemed invalid Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) (consists of the court president and 10 justices); the SCC serves as the final court of arbitration on the constitutionality of laws and conflicts between lower courts regarding jurisdiction and rulings; Court of Cassation (CC) (consists of the court president and 550 judges organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the CC is the highest appeals body for civil and criminal cases, also known as "ordinary justices"; Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) (consists of the court president and NA judges and organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the SAC is the highest court of the State Council judge selection and term of office: under the 2014 constitution, all judges and justices selected and appointed by the Supreme Judiciary Council and approved as a formality by the president of the Republic; judges appointed for life; under the 2019 amendments, the president has the power to appoint heads of judiciary authorities and courts, the prosecutor general, and the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; courts of limited jurisdiction; Family Court (established in 2004) Political parties and leaders: Al-Nour [Yunis MAKHYUN] Arab Democratic Nasserist Party [El Etehad el Masri el ARABI] Congress Party [Omar Al-Mokhtar SEMIDA] Conservative Party [El Mohafezin] Democratic Peace Party [Ahmed FADALY] Egyptian National Movement Party [Gen. Raouf EL SAYED] Egyptian Social Democratic Party [Farid ZAHRAN] El Ghad Party [Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA] El Serh El Masry el Hor [Tarek Ahmed Abbas NADIM] Eradet Geel Party Freedom Party [Mamdouuh HASSAN] Free Egyptians Party [Essam KHALIL] Justice Party Homeland’s Protector Party [Lt. Gen. (retired) Galal AL-HARIDI] Modern Egypt Party [Nabil DEIBIS] Nation's Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan) [Abdel Wahab Abdel RAZEQ] My Homeland Egypt Party [Gen. Seif El Islam ABDEL BARY ] National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party [Sayed Abdel AAL] Reform and Development Party [Mohamad Anwar al-SADAT] Republican People’s Party [Hazim AMR] Revolutionary Guards Party [Magdy EL-SHARIF] Wafd Party[Abdel Sanad YAMAMA] International organization participation: ABEDA, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400; [1] (202) 895-5408 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5131 email address and website: consulate@egyptembassy.net https://www.egyptembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant);  Charge d'Affaires Nicole SHAMPAINE (since 1 April 2022) embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: 7700 Cairo Place, Washington DC 20512-7700 telephone: [20-2] 2797-3300 FAX: [20-2] 2797-3200 email address and website: ConsularCairoACS@state.gov https://eg.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Alexandria Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) 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) note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band; Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; and Yemen, which has a plain white band National symbol(s): golden eagle, white lotus; national colors: red, white, black National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Memphis and its Necropolis (c); Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (c); Nubian Monuments (c); Saint Catherine Area (c); Abu Mena (c); Historic Cairo (c); Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity.   Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young.   In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms.Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity. Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young. In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,223,040,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,180,890,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,118,720,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,000 (2020 est.) $11,800 (2019 est.) $11,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $323.763 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2019 est.) 14.4% (2018 est.) 29.6% (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: 11.7% (2017 est.) industry: 34.3% (2017 est.) services: 54% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, sugar beet, wheat, maize, tomatoes, rice, potatoes, oranges, onions, milk Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 24.113 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 25.8% industry: 25.1% services: 49.1% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.86% (2019 est.) 12.7% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.2% male: 12.2% female: 49.3% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 32.5% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 31.5 (2017 est.) 29.8 (2012) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.6% (2008) Budget: revenues: 42.32 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 62.61 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -8.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 103% of GDP (2017 est.) 96.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central 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 sold at public auctions Taxes and other revenues: 17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$8.915 billion (2019 est.) -$7.682 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $40.1 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $53.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $51.62 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 9%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Italy 6%, Turkey 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, India 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, natural gas, fertilizers (2019) Imports: $72.48 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $78.95 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $76.33 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 15%, Russia 7%, United States 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $35.89 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $23.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $109.238 billion (2019 est.) $92.638 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 15.69 (2020 est.) 16.14 (2019 est.) 17.90999 (2018 est.) 7.7133 (2014 est.) 7.08 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 59.826 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 149,079,120,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 360 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 74 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 33.623 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 88.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 7.7% 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: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 262,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 2.31 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 86,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.134 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 16 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 660,800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 810,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 204,100 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 117,400 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 3.3 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 547,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 47,360 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 280,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 64,292,955,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 58,176,781,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 5,009,100,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 83.563 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1,783,958,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 235.137 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 40.063 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 9,858,331 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 95,357,427 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Egypt’s large telecom market is supported by a population of about 103 million and benefits from effective competition in most sectors; a liberal regulatory regime allows for unified licenses which permit operators to offer fixed-line as well as mobile services; in recent years the government has developed a number of digital migration projects aimed at increasing average broadband speeds, delivering fiber broadband to about 60% of the population, developing an in-house satellite program, and creating a knowledge-based economy through the greater adoption of ICTs; the New Administrative Capital being built is only one of more than a dozen smart city projects, which together are stimulating investment in 5G and fiber broadband, as well as the adoption of IoT and AI solutions; the country endeavor to be a significant ICT hub in the North Africa and Middle East regions; Egypt’s mature mobile market has one of the highest subscription rates in Africa; progress in the adoption of mobile data services has been hampered by the lack of sufficient spectrum; the regulator in September 2020 made available 60MHz in the 2.6GHz band, though the spectrum was not allocated until late 2021; the additional spectrum will go far to enabling the MNOs to improve the quality of mobile broadband services offered; further 5G trials are to be held later in 2022, focused on the New Administrative Capital; the international cable infrastructure remains an important asset for Egypt, which benefits from its geographical position; Telecom Egypt has become one of the largest concerns in this segment, being a participating member in numerous cable systems; in mid-2021 the telco announced plans to build the Hybrid African Ring Path system, connecting a number of landlocked countries in Africa with Italy, France, and Portugal; the system will partly use the company’s existing terrestrial and sub sea cable networks. (2022) domestic: fixed-line roughly 10 per 100, mobile-cellular 93 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 20; landing points for Aletar, Africa-1, FEA, Hawk, IMEWE, and the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 4 submarine cable networks linking to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia ; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a 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: mix 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) Internet country code: .eg Internet users: total: 73,680,770 (2020 est.) percent of population: 72% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,349,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Communications - note: one of the largest and most famous libraries in the ancient world was the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt (founded about 295 B.C., it may have survived in some form into the 5th century A.D.); seeking to resurrect the great center of learning and communication, the Egyptian Government in 2002 inaugurated the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an Egyptian National Library on the site of the original Great Library, which commemorates the original archive and also serves as a center of cultural and scientific excellence Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 14 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 101 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 12,340,832 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 437.63 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: SU Airports: total: 83 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Heliports: 7 (2021) Pipelines: 486 km condensate, 74 km condensate/gas, 7,986 km gas, 957 km liquid petroleum gas, 5,225 km oil, 37 km oil/gas/water, 895 km refined products, 65 km water (2013) Railways: total: 5,085 km (2014) standard gauge: 5,085 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) Roadways: total: 65,050 km (2018) paved: 48,000 km (2018) unpaved: 17,050 km (2018) Waterways: 3,500 km (2018) (includes the Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in Nile Delta; the Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) is navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m) Merchant marine: total: 421 by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 8, general cargo 27, oil tanker 40, other 332 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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), Sumed Gulf of Suez - Suez Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Egyptian Armed Forces (EAF): Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense Command, Border Guard Forces; Interior Ministry: Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, National Security Sector (2022) note 1: the Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide; the Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control; the National Security Sector is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism along with other security services note 2: in addition to its external defense duties, the EAF also has a mandate to assist police in protecting vital infrastructure during a state of emergency; military personnel were granted full arrest authority in 2011 but normally only use this authority during states of emergency and “periods of significant turmoil” Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020) 1.3% of GDP (2019) (approximately $15.8 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $15.9 billion) 1.6% of GDP (2017) (approximately $16.7 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 450,000 active duty personnel (325,000 Army; 18,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force; 75,000 Air Defense Command); approximately 300,000 Central Security Forces personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the EAF's inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, imported Soviet-era, and more modern, particularly Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an extensive equipment modernization program with major purchases from a variety of suppliers; since 2010, the leading suppliers of military hardware to Egypt are France, Russia, and the US; Egypt has an established defense industry that produces a range of products from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels; it also has licensed and co-production agreements with several countries (2022) Military service age and obligation: voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 (men and women); 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation - 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education; high school drop-outs serve for the full 36 months, while college graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education (2022) note: as of 2020, conscripts were estimated to comprise over half of the military, as well as a considerable portion of the Central Security Force Military deployments: 1,000 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,075 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: since 2011, the Egyptian Armed Forces, police, and other security forces have been actively engaged in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province; as of 2022, Egypt had tens of thousands of military troops, police, and other security personnel deployed in the Sinai for internal security duties; in addition, tribal militias were assisting Egyptian security forces the military has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, and shipping lines, producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing; the various enterprises are reportedly profitable enough to make the armed forces largely self-funded Egypt 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 the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; as of 2022, it was composed of about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US were the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Army of Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); 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: Sudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai borderSudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 70,022 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2021); 143,803 (Syria), 52,446 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 20,970 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 21,105 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers), 15,585 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 10,025 (Yemen) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,815 (Iraq) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,802 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) stateless persons: 7 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

20220901

countries-anguilla-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Anguilla. 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 the US citizen has possession of a return airline ticket and confirmation of an accommodation, such as a hotel reservation. US Embassy/Consulate: None (overseas territory of the UK); 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 Telephone Code: 264 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds Currency (Code): Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: English (official) Major Religions: Protestant 73.2%, Roman Catholic 6.8%, other Christian 10.9% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes, but some 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: Captain’s Bay; Watersports Water Park; Heritage Collection Museum; Limestone Bay; Sandy Ground Harbor; Shoal Bay East; Meads Bay Beach; Maundays Bay Beach Major Sports: Sailboat racing, cricket, rugby Cultural Practices: Do not be alarmed by drivers tooting their horns - it is a common form of greeting. Tipping Guidelines: Most restaurant bills include a 15% service charge, additional tipping is at your discretion. Tip bellhops $1-2 (USD) per bag and cleaning staff at the same rate per day for good service. Tip taxi drivers 10-15% of fare. Souvenirs: Seashell jewelry and handicrafts, pottery, rum, collectible stamps, traditional carvings Traditional Cuisine: Pigeon peas with rice, seasoned with herbs and spices 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

countries-ethiopia

Topic: Photos of Ethiopia Topic: Introduction Background: 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 to 1941. 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 to 1941. 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,104,300 sq km land: 1,096,570 sq km water: 7,730 sq km note: area numbers are approximate since a large portion of the Ethiopia-Somalia border is undefined Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley Elevation: highest point: Ras Dejen 4,550 m lowest point: Danakil Depression -125 m mean elevation: 1,330 m Natural resources: small reserves of gold, platinum, copper, potash, natural gas, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 36.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.) forest: 12.2% (2018 est.) other: 51.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,900 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tana - 3,600 sq km; Abaya Hayk - 1,160 sq km; Ch'amo Hayk - 550 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Kenya) - 6,400 sq km; Abhe Bid Hayk/Abhe Bad (shared with Djibouti) - 780 sq km;  Major rivers (by length in km): Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer) Population distribution: highest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughtsvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m), which has caused frequent lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakirgeologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughtsvolcanism: volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m), which has caused frequent lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir Geography - note: note 1: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; Ethiopia is, therefore, the most populous landlocked country in the world; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia note 2: three major crops may have originated in Ethiopia: coffee (almost certainly), grain sorghum, and castor bean Map description: Ethiopia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Ethiopia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 113,656,596 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian Ethnic groups: Oromo 35.8%, Amhara 24.1%, Somali 7.2%, Tigray 5.7%, Sidama 4.1%, Guragie 2.6%, Welaita 2.3%, Afar 2.2%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, other 13.5% (2022 est.) Languages: Oromo (official working language in the State of Oromiya) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official working language of the State of Sumale) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official working language of the State of Tigray) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official working language of the State of Afar) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic (2007 est.) major-language sample(s): Kitaaba Addunyaa Waan Qabataamaatiif - Kan Madda Odeeffannoo bu’uraawaatiif baay’ee barbaachisaa ta’e. (Oromo) የአለም እውነታ መጽሐፍ፣ ለመሠረታዊ መረጃ እጅግ አስፈላጊ የሆነ ምንጭ። (Amharic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Ethiopian Orthodox 43.8%, Muslim 31.3%, Protestant 22.8%, Catholic 0.7%, traditional 0.6%, other 0.8% (2016 est.) Demographic profile: Ethiopia is a predominantly agricultural country – more than 80% of the population lives in rural areas – that is in the early stages of demographic transition. Infant, child, and maternal mortality have fallen sharply over the past decade, but the total fertility rate has declined more slowly and the population continues to grow. The rising age of marriage and the increasing proportion of women remaining single have contributed to fertility reduction. While the use of modern contraceptive methods among married women has increased significantly from 6 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2012, the overall rate is still quite low.Ethiopia’s rapid population growth is putting increasing pressure on land resources, expanding environmental degradation, and raising vulnerability to food shortages. With more than 40 percent of the population below the age of 15 and a fertility rate of over 5 children per woman (and even higher in rural areas), Ethiopia will have to make further progress in meeting its family planning needs if it is to achieve the age structure necessary for reaping a demographic dividend in the coming decades.Poverty, drought, political repression, and forced government resettlement have driven Ethiopia’s internal and external migration since the 1960s. Before the 1974 revolution, only small numbers of the Ethiopian elite went abroad to study and then returned home, but under the brutal Derg regime thousands fled the country, primarily as refugees. Between 1982 and 1991 there was a new wave of migration to the West for family reunification. Since the defeat of the Derg in 1991, Ethiopians have migrated to escape violence among some of the country’s myriad ethnic groups or to pursue economic opportunities. Internal and international trafficking of women and children for domestic work and prostitution is a growing problem.Ethiopia is a predominantly agricultural country – more than 80% of the population lives in rural areas – that is in the early stages of demographic transition. Infant, child, and maternal mortality have fallen sharply over the past decade, but the total fertility rate has declined more slowly and the population continues to grow. The rising age of marriage and the increasing proportion of women remaining single have contributed to fertility reduction. While the use of modern contraceptive methods among married women has increased significantly from 6 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2012, the overall rate is still quite low.Ethiopia’s rapid population growth is putting increasing pressure on land resources, expanding environmental degradation, and raising vulnerability to food shortages. With more than 40 percent of the population below the age of 15 and a fertility rate of over 5 children per woman (and even higher in rural areas), Ethiopia will have to make further progress in meeting its family planning needs if it is to achieve the age structure necessary for reaping a demographic dividend in the coming decades.Poverty, drought, political repression, and forced government resettlement have driven Ethiopia’s internal and external migration since the 1960s. Before the 1974 revolution, only small numbers of the Ethiopian elite went abroad to study and then returned home, but under the brutal Derg regime thousands fled the country, primarily as refugees. Between 1982 and 1991 there was a new wave of migration to the West for family reunification. Since the defeat of the Derg in 1991, Ethiopians have migrated to escape violence among some of the country’s myriad ethnic groups or to pursue economic opportunities. Internal and international trafficking of women and children for domestic work and prostitution is a growing problem. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 76.8 youth dependency ratio: 70.6 elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 potential support ratio: 16 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 19.8 years male: 19.6 years female: 20.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.46% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 30.49 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: highest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 22.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 5.228 million ADDIS ABABA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.3 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 401 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 33.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 68.25 years male: 66.12 years female: 70.44 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.99 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 37% (2019) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.2% (2019) Physicians density: 0.11 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 0.3 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 620,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 13,000 (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 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; Ethiopia 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, 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: 4.5% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 5.1% (2020 est.) male: 8.8% (2020 est.) female: 1.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 21.1% (2019) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 14.1% women married by age 18: 40.3% men married by age 18: 5% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 51.8% male: 57.2% female: 44.4% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 8 years female: 8 years (2012) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.5% male: 2.7% female: 4.5% (2013 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; loss of biodiversity; water shortages in some areas from water-intensive farming and poor management; industrial pollution and pesticides contribute to air, water, and soil pollution 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, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 34.36 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 14.87 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 114.21 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation Land use: agricultural land: 36.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.) forest: 12.2% (2018 est.) other: 51.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 22.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 5.81% 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; Ethiopia 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, 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 civil conflict and drought - more than 16 million people were estimated to be severely food insecure in the May−June 2021 period; the high levels of food insecurity are mainly due to the lingering impact of the measures implemented in 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID‑19 pandemic, macro‑economic challenges resulting in high food prices, localized but significant locust‑induced crop and pasture losses, the negative impact on crop and livestock production of erratic rains in the first half of the year and to the intensification of inter‑communal violence since 2020 in several areas and the ongoing conflict in Tigray Region (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 6,532,787 tons (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Tana - 3,600 sq km; Abaya Hayk - 1,160 sq km; Ch'amo Hayk - 550 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Kenya) - 6,400 sq km; Abhe Bid Hayk/Abhe Bad (shared with Djibouti) - 780 sq km;  Major rivers (by length in km): Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 810 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 51.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.687 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 122 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia conventional short form: Ethiopia local long form: Ityop'iya Federalawi Demokrasiyawi Ripeblik local short form: Ityop'iya former: Abyssinia, Italian East Africa abbreviation: FDRE etymology: the country name derives from the Greek word "Aethiopia," which in classical times referred to lands south of Egypt in the Upper Nile region Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Addis Ababa geographic coordinates: 9 02 N, 38 42 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name in Amharic means "new flower" and was bestowed on the city in 1889, three years after its founding Administrative divisions: 11 ethnically based regional states (kililoch, singular - kilil) and 2 chartered cities* (astedader akabibiwach, singular - astedader akabibi); Adis Abeba* (Addis Ababa), Afar, Amara (Amhara), Binshangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa*, Gambela Hizboch (Gambela Peoples), Hareri Hizb (Harari People), Oromiya (Oromia), Sidama, Sumale (Somali), Tigray, YeDebub Biheroch Bihereseboch na Hizboch (Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples), YeDebub M'irab Ityop'iya Hizboch (Southwest Ethiopia Peoples) Independence: oldest independent country in Africa and one of the oldest in the world - at least 2,000 years (may be traced to the Aksumite Kingdom, which coalesced in the first century B.C.) National holiday: Derg Downfall Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted June 1994, adopted 8 December 1994, entered into force 21 August 1995 amendments: proposals submitted for discussion require two-thirds majority approval in either house of Parliament or majority approval of one-third of the State Councils; passage of amendments other than constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms and the initiation and amendment of the constitution requires two-thirds majority vote in a joint session of Parliament and majority vote by two thirds of the State Councils; passage of amendments affecting rights and freedoms and amendment procedures requires two-thirds majority vote in each house of Parliament and majority vote by all the State Councils Legal system: civil law system 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 Ethiopia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President SAHLE-WORK Zewde (since 25 October 2018) head of government: Prime Minister ABIY Ahmed Ali (since April 2018); Deputy Prime Minister DEMEKE Mekonnen Hassen (since 29 November 2012) cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the prime minister and approved by the House of People's Representatives elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by both chambers of Parliament for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election held on 21 June 2021 and 30 September 2021 (the scheduled 29 August 2020 election was postponed by Prime Minister ABIY due to the COVID-19 pandemic); prime minister designated by the majority party following legislative elections election results: 2021: SAHLE-WORK elected president during joint session of Parliament, vote - 659 (unanimous); ABIY confirmed Prime Minister by House of Peoples' Representatives (4 October 2021) 2018: SAHLE-WORK elected president during joint session of Parliament, vote - 659 (unanimous); note - snap election held on 25 October 2018 due to resignation of President MULATA Teshome note: SAHLE-WORK Zewde is the first female elected head of state in Ethiopia; she is currently the only female president in Africa. Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Supreme Court (consists of 11 judges); note - the House of Federation has jurisdiction for all constitutional issues judge selection and term of office: president and vice president of Federal Supreme Court recommended by the prime minister and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; other Supreme Court judges nominated by the Federal Judicial Administrative Council (a 10-member body chaired by the president of the Federal Supreme Court) and appointed by the House of People's Representatives; judges serve until retirement at age 60 subordinate courts: federal high courts and federal courts of first instance; state court systems (mirror structure of federal system); sharia courts and customary and traditional courts Political parties and leaders: national parties: All Ethiopian Unity Organization Alliance for Multination Democratic Federalism  National Movement of Amhara or NAMA Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice and Democracy or EZEMA [BERHANU Nega]  Ethiopian Democratic Union Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum or MEDREK Ethiopian Freedom Party Ethiopian National Unity Party Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party Ethiopian Social Democratic Party Federalist Democratic Forum Freedom and Equality Party Hedase Party Hiber Ethiopia Democratic Party Mother Party New Generation Party Oromo Federalist Congress Prosperity Party or PP regional parties: Afar Liberation Front Party or ANDF Afar People’s Justice Democratic Party Afar People’s Party or APP Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front Agew National Congress Amhara Democratic Force Movement Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty Argoba People’s Democratic Organization or APDO Argoba Nationality Democratic Movement Balderas for True Democracy Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement for Peace and Democracy Organization Benishangul People's Liberation Movement Boro Democratic Party Donga People’s Democratic Organization Gambella People’s Freedom Democratic Movement Gambella People’s Freedom Movement Gambella People Justice, Peace and Development Democratic Movement Gambella People’s Liberation Movement Gamo Democratic Party or GDP Gedio People Democratic Organization Harari Democratic Organization Kafa Green Party Kafa Peoples Democratic Union Kimant Democratic Party Kucha People's Democratic Party Mocha Democratic Party National Movement of Amhara National Movement of Wolaita Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF Oromo Freedom Movement Oromo Liberation Front Qucha People Democratic Party Raya Rayuma Democratic Party Renaissance Party  Sidama Freedom Movement or Sidama Liberation Movement Sidama Hadicho People’s Democratic Organization Sidama People’s Unity Democratic Organization Sidama Unity Party Tigray Democratic Party Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty West Somali Democratic Party Wolayta National Movement Wolayta People’s Democratic Front Wolene People's Democratic Party (2020) notes - Ethiopia has over fifty national-level and regional-level political parties. The ruling party, the Prosperity Party, was created by Prime Minister ABIY in November 2019 from member parties of the former Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which included the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM), plus other EPRDF-allied parties such as the Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP), Benishangul Gumuz People’s Democratic Party (BGPDP), Gambella People’s Democratic Movement (GPDM), Somali People’s Democratic Party (SPDP), and the Harari National League (HNL). Once the Prosperity Party was created, the various ethnically-based parties that comprised or were affiliated with the EPRDF were subsequently disbanded; in January 2021, the Ethiopian electoral board de-registered the Tigray People’s Liberation Front or TPLF; national level parties are qualified to register candidates in multiple regions across Ethiopia; regional parties can register candidates for both national and regional parliaments, but only in one region of Ethiopia International organization participation: ACP, 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) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador SELESHI Bekele Awulachew (since 7 June 2022) chancery: 3506 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 364-1200 FAX: [1] (202) 587-0195 email address and website: ethiopia@ethiopianembassy.org https://ethiopianembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles consulate(s): New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON (since 25 February 2022) embassy: Entoto Street, P.O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa mailing address: 2030 Addis Ababa Place, Washington DC  20521-2030 telephone: [251] 111-30-60-00 FAX: [251] 111-24-24-01 email address and website: AddisACS@state.gov https://et.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red, with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; green represents hope and the fertility of the land, yellow symbolizes justice and harmony, while red stands for sacrifice and heroism in the defense of the land; the blue of the disk symbolizes peace and the pentagram represents the unity and equality of the nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia note: Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag (adopted ca. 1895) were so often appropriated by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the Pan-African colors; the emblem in the center of the current flag was added in 1996 National symbol(s): Abyssinian lion (traditional), yellow pentagram with five rays of light on a blue field (promoted by current government); national colors: green, yellow, red National anthem: name: "Whedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia" (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia) lyrics/music: DEREJE Melaku Mengesha/SOLOMON Lulu note: adopted 1992 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 9 (8 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela (c); Simien National Park (n); Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar Region (c); Axum (c); Lower Valley of the Awash (c); Lower Valley of the Omo (c); Tiya (c); Harar Jugol, the Fortified Historic Town (c); Konso Cultural Landscape (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Ethiopia - the second most populous country in Africa - is a one-party state with a planned economy. For more than a decade before 2016, GDP grew at a rate between 8% and 11% annually – one of the fastest growing states among the 188 IMF member countries. This growth was driven by government investment in infrastructure, as well as sustained progress in the agricultural and service sectors. More than 70% of Ethiopia’s population is still employed in the agricultural sector, but services have surpassed agriculture as the principal source of GDP.   Ethiopia has the lowest level of income-inequality in Africa and one of the lowest in the world, with a Gini coefficient comparable to that of the Scandinavian countries. Yet despite progress toward eliminating extreme poverty, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, due both to rapid population growth and a low starting base. Changes in rainfall associated with world-wide weather patterns resulted in the worst drought in 30 years in 2015-16, creating food insecurity for millions of Ethiopians.   The state is heavily engaged in the economy. Ongoing infrastructure projects include power production and distribution, roads, rails, airports and industrial parks. Key sectors are state-owned, including telecommunications, banking and insurance, and power distribution. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to tenants. Title rights in urban areas, particularly Addis Ababa, are poorly regulated, and subject to corruption.   Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings are led by the services sector - primarily the state-run Ethiopian Airlines - followed by exports of several commodities. While coffee remains the largest foreign exchange earner, Ethiopia is diversifying exports, and commodities such as gold, sesame, khat, livestock and horticulture products are becoming increasingly important. Manufacturing represented less than 8% of total exports in 2016, but manufacturing exports should increase in future years due to a growing international presence.   The banking, insurance, telecommunications, and micro-credit industries are restricted to domestic investors, but Ethiopia has attracted roughly $8.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), mostly from China, Turkey, India and the EU; US FDI is $567 million. Investment has been primarily in infrastructure, construction, agriculture/horticulture, agricultural processing, textiles, leather and leather products.   To support industrialization in sectors where Ethiopia has a comparative advantage, such as textiles and garments, leather goods, and processed agricultural products, Ethiopia plans to increase installed power generation capacity by 8,320 MW, up from a capacity of 2,000 MW, by building three more major dams and expanding to other sources of renewable energy. In 2017, the government devalued the birr by 15% to increase exports and alleviate a chronic foreign currency shortage in the country.Ethiopia - the second most populous country in Africa - is a one-party state with a planned economy. For more than a decade before 2016, GDP grew at a rate between 8% and 11% annually – one of the fastest growing states among the 188 IMF member countries. This growth was driven by government investment in infrastructure, as well as sustained progress in the agricultural and service sectors. More than 70% of Ethiopia’s population is still employed in the agricultural sector, but services have surpassed agriculture as the principal source of GDP. Ethiopia has the lowest level of income-inequality in Africa and one of the lowest in the world, with a Gini coefficient comparable to that of the Scandinavian countries. Yet despite progress toward eliminating extreme poverty, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, due both to rapid population growth and a low starting base. Changes in rainfall associated with world-wide weather patterns resulted in the worst drought in 30 years in 2015-16, creating food insecurity for millions of Ethiopians. The state is heavily engaged in the economy. Ongoing infrastructure projects include power production and distribution, roads, rails, airports and industrial parks. Key sectors are state-owned, including telecommunications, banking and insurance, and power distribution. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to tenants. Title rights in urban areas, particularly Addis Ababa, are poorly regulated, and subject to corruption. Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings are led by the services sector - primarily the state-run Ethiopian Airlines - followed by exports of several commodities. While coffee remains the largest foreign exchange earner, Ethiopia is diversifying exports, and commodities such as gold, sesame, khat, livestock and horticulture products are becoming increasingly important. Manufacturing represented less than 8% of total exports in 2016, but manufacturing exports should increase in future years due to a growing international presence. The banking, insurance, telecommunications, and micro-credit industries are restricted to domestic investors, but Ethiopia has attracted roughly $8.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), mostly from China, Turkey, India and the EU; US FDI is $567 million. Investment has been primarily in infrastructure, construction, agriculture/horticulture, agricultural processing, textiles, leather and leather products. To support industrialization in sectors where Ethiopia has a comparative advantage, such as textiles and garments, leather goods, and processed agricultural products, Ethiopia plans to increase installed power generation capacity by 8,320 MW, up from a capacity of 2,000 MW, by building three more major dams and expanding to other sources of renewable energy. In 2017, the government devalued the birr by 15% to increase exports and alleviate a chronic foreign currency shortage in the country. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $264.05 billion (2020 est.) $248.97 billion (2019 est.) $229.76 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 10.9% (2017 est.) 8% (2016 est.) 10.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,300 (2020 est.) $2,200 (2019 est.) $2,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $92.154 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.7% (2019 est.) 13.9% (2018 est.) 10.8% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2014) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2014) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 34.8% (2017 est.) industry: 21.6% (2017 est.) services: 43.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: maize, cereals, wheat, sorghum, milk, barley, sweet potatoes, roots/tubers nes, sugar cane, millet Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, leather, garments, chemicals, metals processing, cement Industrial production growth rate: 10.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 52.82 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 72.7% industry: 7.4% services: 19.9% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 17.5% (2012 est.) 18% (2011 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.5% male: 2.7% female: 4.5% (2013 est.) Population below poverty line: 23.5% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35 (2015 est.) 30 (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 25.6% (2005) Budget: revenues: 11.24 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.79 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 54.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 13.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 8 July - 7 July Current account balance: -$6.551 billion (2017 est.) -$6.574 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $7.62 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.814 billion (2016 est.) Exports - partners: China 17%, United States 16%, United Arab Emirates 8%, Saudi Arabia 6%, South Korea 5%, Germany 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: coffee, sesame seeds, gold, cut flowers, zinc (2019) Imports: $19.93 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $14.69 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: China 27%, India 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, France 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: aircraft, gas turbines, packaged medicines, electric filament, cars (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.013 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $3.022 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $27.27 billion (2019 est.) $26.269 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: birr (ETB) per US dollar - 25 (2017 est.) 21.732 (2016 est.) 21.732 (2015 est.) 21.55 (2014 est.) 19.8 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 47% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 96% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 34% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.856 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 9,778,100,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 1 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.374 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: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 95.8% 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: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 689,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 528,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 107,900 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: 400,000 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: 69,970 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: 24.919 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 16.798 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 3.219 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1.252 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 44.5 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the slow process to open up Ethiopia’s telecom market was completed with the licensing of the Safaricom-led Global Partnership for Ethiopia consortium; the country had been one of the last in Africa to allow its national telco a monopoly on all telecom services including fixed, mobile, internet and data communications; this has stifled innovation, restricted network expansion, and limited the scope of services on offer; the consortium was in some respects a proxy for the wider influence over Ethiopia’s telecom sector between the interests of the US and China; only one of the two licenses on offer was secured, with uncertainty as to the timetable for issuing the second license; the government in mid-2021 began the process of selling a 45% stake in the incumbent telco Ethio Telecom; the World Bank in early 2021 provided a $200 million loan to help develop the country’s digital transformation, while the government has embarked on its 2020-2030 program as well as its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy, both aimed at making better use of digital technologies to promote socioeconomic development; the country’s mobile platform has mostly been provided by ZTE and Huawei, which have offered vendor financing; Ethio Telecom has placed the expansion of LTE services as a cornerstone of its investment program to 2022; the new licensee has been barred from contracting Chinese vendors, thus opening the door to western vendors. (2021) domestic: fixed-line subscriptions at about 1 per 100 while mobile-cellular stands at a little over 37 per 100; the number of mobile telephones is increasing steadily (2019) international: country code - 251; open-wire to Sudan and Djibouti; microwave radio relay to Kenya and Djibouti; 2 domestic satellites provide the national trunk service; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean) (2016) 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 public TV stations broadcasting nationally and 10 public radio broadcasters; 7 private radio stations and 19 community radio stations (2017) Internet country code: .et Internet users: total: 27,591,260 (2020 est.) percent of population: 24% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 212,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 75 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 11,501,244 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,089,280,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ET Airports: total: 57 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 914 to 1,523 m: 20 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Railways: total: 659 km (2017) (Ethiopian segment of the 756 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad) standard gauge: 659 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge note: electric railway with redundant power supplies; under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia and managed by a Chinese contractor Roadways: total: 120,171 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 11 by type: general cargo 9, oil tanker 2 (2020) Ports and terminals: Ethiopia is landlocked and uses the ports of Djibouti in Djibouti and Berbera in Somalia Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (Ye Ityopya Ayer Hayl, ETAF) (2022) note 1: in January 2020 the Ethiopian Government announced it had re-established a navy, which was disbanded in 1996; in March 2019 Ethiopia signed a defense cooperation agreement with France which stipulated that France would support the establishment of an Ethiopian navy, which will reportedly be based out of Djibouti note 2: in 2018, Ethiopia established a Republican Guard military unit responsible to the Prime Minister for protecting senior officials Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $970 million) 0.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $950 million) 0.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $930 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; prior to the 2020-21 Tigray conflict, approximately 150,000 active duty troops, including about 3,000 Air Force personnel (no personnel numbers available for the newly-established Navy) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ENDF's inventory is comprised mostly of Soviet-era equipment from the 1970s; since 2010, the ENDF has received arms from a variety of countries, with China, Russia, and Ukraine as the leading suppliers; Ethiopia has a modest industrial defense base centered on small arms and production of armored vehicles (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no compulsory military service, but the military can conduct callups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2021) note: in November 2021, the Ethiopian Government issued a nationwide state of emergency that enabled officials to order military-age citizens to undergo training and accept military duty in support of the Tigray conflict; the order also recalled retired military officers to active duty Military deployments: 5-10,000 Somalia (4,500 for ATMIS; the remainder under a bilateral agreement with Somalia; note - bilateral figures are prior to the conflict with Tigray); 250 Sudan (UNISFA); 1,475 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022) Military - note: each of the nine states has a regional and/or a "special" paramilitary security forces that report to regional civilian authorities; local militias operate across the country in loose and varying coordination with these regional security and police forces, the Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP), and the Ethiopian military; the EFP reports to the Ministry of Peace, which was created in October of 2018 since November 2020, the Government of Ethiopia has been engaged in a protracted military conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the former governing party of the Tigray Region; the government deemed a TPLF attack on Ethiopia military forces as a domestic terrorism incident and launched a military offensive in response; the TPLF asserted that its actions were self-defense in the face of planned Ethiopian Government action to remove it from the provincial government; the Ethiopian Government sent large elements of the ENDF into Tigray to remove the TPLF and invited militia and paramilitary forces from the states of Afar and Amara, as well as the military forces of Eritrea, to assist; the fighting included heavy civilian and military casualties with widespread abuses reported; in March 2022, the Ethiopian Government declared a  truce to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid into the Tigray region; the TPLF reciprocated with a truce of its own; since the announcement, both sides have reportedly observed the truce, although tensions remained high; in June 2022, ABIY announced that the Ethiopian Government had set up a committee to negotiate with the TPLF the military forces of the Tigray regional government are known as the Tigray Defense Force (TDF); the TDF is comprised of state paramilitary forces, local militia, and troops that defected from the ENDF; it reportedly had up to 250,000 fighters at the start of the conflict 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: Ethiopia-Eritrea: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement Ethiopia-Somalia: While border clashes continue in the al-Fashqa (Fashaga) area,  the US views the 1902 boundary treaty between Ethiopia and Sudan as being in force; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia;  Ethiopia-Sudan: Ethiopia's construction of a large dam (the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) on the Blue Nile since 2011 has become a focal point of relations with Egypt and Sudan; as of 2020, four years of three-way talks between the three capitals over operating the dam and filling its reservoir had made little progress; Ethiopia began filling the dam in July 2020; civil unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with EthiopiaEthiopia-Eritrea: Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed to abide by the 2002 Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission's (EEBC) delimitation decision, but neither party responded to the revised line detailed in the November 2006 EEBC Demarcation Statement Ethiopia-Somalia: While border clashes continue in the al-Fashqa (Fashaga) area,  the US views the 1902 boundary treaty between Ethiopia and Sudan as being in force; the undemarcated former British administrative line has little meaning as a political separation to rival clans within Ethiopia's Ogaden and southern Somalia's Oromo region; Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; "Somaliland" secessionists provide port facilities in Berbera and trade ties to landlocked Ethiopia;  Ethiopia-Sudan: Ethiopia's construction of a large dam (the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) on the Blue Nile since 2011 has become a focal point of relations with Egypt and Sudan; as of 2020, four years of three-way talks between the three capitals over operating the dam and filling its reservoir had made little progress; Ethiopia began filling the dam in July 2020; civil unrest in eastern Sudan has hampered efforts to demarcate the porous boundary with Ethiopia Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 403,802 (South Sudan), 249,573 (Somalia), 161,640 (Eritrea), 47,826 (Sudan) (2022) IDPs: 2,114,653 (includes conflict- and climate-induced IDPs, excluding unverified estimates from the Amhara region; border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000; ethnic clashes; and ongoing fighting between the Ethiopian military and separatist rebel groups in the Somali and Oromia regions; natural disasters; intercommunal violence; most IDPs live in Sumale state) (2021) Illicit drugs: transit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center

20220901

countries-mauritius

Topic: Photos of Mauritius Topic: Introduction Background: 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 resolutions and an International Court of Justice 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 resolutions and an International Court of Justice advisory opinion relating to its sovereignty dispute with the UK.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, about 800 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar Geographic coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 2,040 sq km land: 2,030 sq km water: 10 sq km note: includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues Area - comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 177 km Maritime claims: territorial 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 Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau Elevation: highest point: Mont Piton 828 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Natural resources: arable land, fish Land use: agricultural land: 43.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 38.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.) forest: 17.3% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 190 sq km (2012) Population distribution: population density is one of the highest in the world; urban cluster are found throught the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; population on Rodrigues Island is spread across the island with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards Geography - note: the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species Map description: Mauritius map showing major population centers on this island nation in the Indian Ocean.Mauritius map showing major population centers on this island nation in the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,308,222 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Mauritian(s) adjective: Mauritian Ethnic groups: Indo-Mauritian (compose approximately two thirds of the total population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian note: Mauritius has not had a question on ethnicity on its national census since 1972 Languages: Creole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, one of the two official languages of the National Assembly, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Religions: Hindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%, other 0.6%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Demographic profile: Mauritius has transitioned from a country of high fertility and high mortality rates in the 1950s and mid-1960s to one with among the lowest population growth rates in the developing world today. After World War II, Mauritius’ population began to expand quickly due to increased fertility and a dramatic drop in mortality rates as a result of improved health care and the eradication of malaria. This period of heightened population growth – reaching about 3% a year – was followed by one of the world’s most rapid birth rate declines.The total fertility rate fell from 6.2 children per women in 1963 to 3.2 in 1972 – largely the result of improved educational attainment, especially among young women, accompanied by later marriage and the adoption of family planning methods. The family planning programs’ success was due to support from the government and eventually the traditionally pronatalist religious communities, which both recognized that controlling population growth was necessary because of Mauritius’ small size and limited resources. Mauritius’ fertility rate has consistently been below replacement level since the late 1990s, a rate that is substantially lower than nearby countries in southern Africa.With no indigenous population, Mauritius’ ethnic mix is a product of more than two centuries of European colonialism and continued international labor migration. Sugar production relied on slave labor mainly from Madagascar, Mozambique, and East Africa from the early 18th century until its abolition in 1835, when slaves were replaced with indentured Indians. Most of the influx of indentured labor – peaking between the late 1830s and early 1860 – settled permanently creating massive population growth of more than 7% a year and reshaping the island’s social and cultural composition. While Indians represented about 12% of Mauritius’ population in 1837, they and their descendants accounted for roughly two-thirds by the end of the 19th century. Most were Hindus, but the majority of the free Indian traders were Muslims.Mauritius again turned to overseas labor when its success in clothing and textile exports led to a labor shortage in the mid-1980s. Clothing manufacturers brought in contract workers (increasingly women) from China, India, and, to a lesser extent Bangladesh and Madagascar, who worked longer hours for lower wages under poor conditions and were viewed as more productive than locals. Downturns in the sugar and textile industries in the mid-2000s and a lack of highly qualified domestic workers for Mauritius’ growing services sector led to the emigration of low-skilled workers and a reliance on skilled foreign labor. Since 2007, Mauritius has pursued a circular migration program to enable citizens to acquire new skills and savings abroad and then return home to start businesses and to invest in the country’s development.Mauritius has transitioned from a country of high fertility and high mortality rates in the 1950s and mid-1960s to one with among the lowest population growth rates in the developing world today. After World War II, Mauritius’ population began to expand quickly due to increased fertility and a dramatic drop in mortality rates as a result of improved health care and the eradication of malaria. This period of heightened population growth – reaching about 3% a year – was followed by one of the world’s most rapid birth rate declines.The total fertility rate fell from 6.2 children per women in 1963 to 3.2 in 1972 – largely the result of improved educational attainment, especially among young women, accompanied by later marriage and the adoption of family planning methods. The family planning programs’ success was due to support from the government and eventually the traditionally pronatalist religious communities, which both recognized that controlling population growth was necessary because of Mauritius’ small size and limited resources. Mauritius’ fertility rate has consistently been below replacement level since the late 1990s, a rate that is substantially lower than nearby countries in southern Africa.With no indigenous population, Mauritius’ ethnic mix is a product of more than two centuries of European colonialism and continued international labor migration. Sugar production relied on slave labor mainly from Madagascar, Mozambique, and East Africa from the early 18th century until its abolition in 1835, when slaves were replaced with indentured Indians. Most of the influx of indentured labor – peaking between the late 1830s and early 1860 – settled permanently creating massive population growth of more than 7% a year and reshaping the island’s social and cultural composition. While Indians represented about 12% of Mauritius’ population in 1837, they and their descendants accounted for roughly two-thirds by the end of the 19th century. Most were Hindus, but the majority of the free Indian traders were Muslims.Mauritius again turned to overseas labor when its success in clothing and textile exports led to a labor shortage in the mid-1980s. Clothing manufacturers brought in contract workers (increasingly women) from China, India, and, to a lesser extent Bangladesh and Madagascar, who worked longer hours for lower wages under poor conditions and were viewed as more productive than locals. Downturns in the sugar and textile industries in the mid-2000s and a lack of highly qualified domestic workers for Mauritius’ growing services sector led to the emigration of low-skilled workers and a reliance on skilled foreign labor. Since 2007, Mauritius has pursued a circular migration program to enable citizens to acquire new skills and savings abroad and then return home to start businesses and to invest in the country’s development. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 41.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.7 elderly dependency ratio: 17.7 potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 36.3 years male: 35 years female: 37.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.1% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population density is one of the highest in the world; urban cluster are found throught the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; population on Rodrigues Island is spread across the island with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 40.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 149,000 PORT LOUIS (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.47 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 61 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.86 years male: 72.04 years female: 77.88 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 63.8% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.2% (2019) Physicians density: 2.71 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 3.7 beds/1,000 population (2020) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.7% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2020) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020) <1000 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 10.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 20.2% (2020 est.) male: 37.3% (2020 est.) female: 3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 4.6% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.3% male: 93.4% female: 89.4% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.8% male: 16.8% female: 28.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution, degradation of coral reefs; soil erosion; wildlife preservation; solid waste disposal Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, 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: 13.54 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 4.35 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.06 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May) Land use: agricultural land: 43.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 38.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.) forest: 17.3% (2018 est.) other: 38.9% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 40.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.28% 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: 438,000 tons (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 260 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 344 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 2.751 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Mauritius conventional short form: Mauritius local long form: Republic of Mauritius local short form: Mauritius etymology: island named after Prince Maurice VAN NASSAU, stadtholder of the Dutch Republic, in 1598 note: pronounced mah-rish-us Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Port Louis geographic coordinates: 20 09 S, 57 29 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Louis XV, who was king of France in 1736 when the port became the administrative center of Mauritius and a major reprovisioning stop for French ships traveling between Europe and Asia Administrative divisions: 9 districts and 3 dependencies*; Agalega Islands*, Black River, Cargados Carajos Shoals*, Flacq, Grand Port, Moka, Pamplemousses, Plaines Wilhems, Port Louis, Riviere du Rempart, Rodrigues*, Savanne Independence: 12 March 1968 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence and Republic Day, 12 March (1968 & 1992); note - became independent and a republic on the same date in 1968 and 1992 respectively Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 12 March 1968 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles, including the sovereignty of the state, fundamental rights and freedoms, citizenship, or the branches of government, requires approval in a referendum by at least three-fourths majority of voters followed by a unanimous vote by the Assembly; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; amended many times, last in 2016 Legal system: civil legal system based on French civil law with some elements of English common law 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 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Pritivirajsing ROOPUN (since 2 December 2019); Vice President Marie Cyril EDDY Boissézon (since 2 December 2019); note - President Ameenah GURIB-FAKIM, the country's first female president, resigned on 23 March 2018 amid a credit card scandal; Acting Presidents served from March 2018 until ROOPUN's appointment in 2019 head of government: Prime Minister Pravind JUGNAUTH (since 23 January 2017); note - Prime Minister Sir Anerood JUGNAUTH stepped down on 23 January 2017 in favor of his son, Pravind Kumar JUGNAUTH, who was then appointed prime minister; following 7 November 2019 parliamentary elections, Pravind JUGNAUTH remained prime minister and home affairs minister and also became defense minister cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers (Council of Ministers) appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for 5-year renewable terms; election last held on 7 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024); the president appoints the prime minister and deputy prime minister who have the majority support in the National Assembly election results: 2019: Pritivirajsing ROOPUN (MSM) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote; note - GURIB-FAKIM resigned on 23 March 2018 2015: Ameenah GURIB-FAKIM (independent) elected president by the National Assembly - unanimous vote; note - GURIB-FAKIM was Mauritius' first female president  Legislative branch: description: 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 as of July 2022 - men 56, women 14, percent of women 20% (2019) Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Mauritius (consists of the chief justice, a senior puisne judge, and 24 puisne judges); note - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) serves as the final court of appeal judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister; senior puisne judge appointed by the president with the advice of the chief justice; other puisne judges appointed by the president with the advice of the Judicial and Legal Commission, a 4-member body of judicial officials including the chief justice; all judges serve until retirement at age 67 subordinate courts: lower regional courts known as District Courts, Court of Civil Appeal; Court of Criminal Appeal; Public Bodies Appeal Tribunal Political parties and leaders: Alliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance 2019; coalition includes MSM, ML, Patriotic Movement, and Militant Platform) [Pravind JUGNAUTH]  Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM [Paul BERENGER] Mauritian People's Union (Linion Pep Morisien) [Bruneau LAURETTE and Dev SUNNASY] Mauritian Rally (Rassemblement Mauricien) [Nando BODHA] Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD [Xavier Luc DUVAL] Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) [Steven OBEEGADOO] Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] Muvman Liberater or ML [Ivan COLLENDAVELLOO] Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotic) [Alan GANOO] Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR [Serge CLAIR] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Purmanund JHUGROO (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 1709 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; administrative offices at 3201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 441, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 244-1491; [1] (202) 244-1492 FAX: [1] (202) 966-0983 email address and website: mauritius.embassy@verizon.net; washingtonemb@govmu.org https://mauritius-washington.govmu.org/Pages/index.aspx Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judes E. DEBAERE (since June 2019); note - also accredited to Seychelles embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis mailing address: 2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 email address and website: PTLConsular@state.gov https://mu.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, yellow, and green; red represents self-determination and independence, blue the Indian Ocean surrounding the island, yellow has been interpreted as the new light of independence, golden sunshine, or the bright future, and green can symbolize either agriculture or the lush vegetation of the island note: while many national flags consist of three - and in some cases five - horizontal bands of color, the flag of Mauritius is the world's only national flag to consist of four horizontal color bands National symbol(s): dodo bird, Trochetia Boutoniana flower; national colors: red, blue, yellow, green National anthem: name: "Motherland" lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL note: adopted 1968 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Aapravasi Ghat; Le Morne Cultural Landscape Topic: Economy Economic overview: Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. Mauritius has achieved steady growth over the last several decades, resulting in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure.   The economy currently depends on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, but is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, education, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area but sugar makes up only around 3-4% of national GDP. Authorities plan to emphasize services and innovation in the coming years. After several years of slow growth, government policies now seek to stimulate economic growth in five areas: serving as a gateway for international investment into Africa; increasing the use of renewable energy; developing smart cities; growing the ocean economy; and upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, including public transportation, the port, and the airport.   Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. The Mauritius International Financial Center is under scrutiny by international bodies promoting fair tax competition and Mauritius has been cooperating with the European Union and the United states in the automatic exchange of account information. Mauritius is also a member of the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and is under pressure to review its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements. The offshore sector is vulnerable to changes in the tax framework and authorities have been working on a Financial Services Sector Blueprint to enable Mauritius to transition to a jurisdiction of higher value added. Mauritius’ textile sector has taken advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade program that allows duty free access to the US market, with Mauritian exports to the US growing by 35.6 % from 2000 to 2014. However, lack of local labor as well as rising labor costs eroding the competitiveness of textile firms in Mauritius.   Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-17, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe. Growth in the US and Europe fostered goods and services exports, including tourism, while lower oil prices kept inflation low. Mauritius continues to rank as one of the most business-friendly environments on the continent and passed a Business Facilitation Act to improve competitiveness and long-term growth prospects. A new National Economic Development Board was set up in 2017-2018 to spearhead efforts to promote exports and attract inward investment.Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. Mauritius has achieved steady growth over the last several decades, resulting in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy currently depends on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, but is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, education, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area but sugar makes up only around 3-4% of national GDP. Authorities plan to emphasize services and innovation in the coming years. After several years of slow growth, government policies now seek to stimulate economic growth in five areas: serving as a gateway for international investment into Africa; increasing the use of renewable energy; developing smart cities; growing the ocean economy; and upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, including public transportation, the port, and the airport. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. The Mauritius International Financial Center is under scrutiny by international bodies promoting fair tax competition and Mauritius has been cooperating with the European Union and the United states in the automatic exchange of account information. Mauritius is also a member of the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and is under pressure to review its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements. The offshore sector is vulnerable to changes in the tax framework and authorities have been working on a Financial Services Sector Blueprint to enable Mauritius to transition to a jurisdiction of higher value added. Mauritius’ textile sector has taken advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade program that allows duty free access to the US market, with Mauritian exports to the US growing by 35.6 % from 2000 to 2014. However, lack of local labor as well as rising labor costs eroding the competitiveness of textile firms in Mauritius. Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-17, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe. Growth in the US and Europe fostered goods and services exports, including tourism, while lower oil prices kept inflation low. Mauritius continues to rank as one of the most business-friendly environments on the continent and passed a Business Facilitation Act to improve competitiveness and long-term growth prospects. A new National Economic Development Board was set up in 2017-2018 to spearhead efforts to promote exports and attract inward investment. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $24.64 billion (2020 est.) $28.95 billion (2019 est.) $28.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.8% (2017 est.) 3.8% (2016 est.) 3.6% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $19,500 (2020 est.) $22,900 (2019 est.) $22,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.004 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.6% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Baa1 (2012) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4% (2017 est.) industry: 21.8% (2017 est.) services: 74.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, poultry, pumpkins, gourds, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, pineapples, bananas, fruit Industries: food processing (largely sugar milling), textiles, clothing, mining, chemicals, metal products, transport equipment, nonelectrical machinery, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 554,000 (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8% industry: 29.8% services: 62.2% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 6.65% (2019 est.) 6.84% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.8% male: 16.8% female: 28.4% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 10.3% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36.8 (2017 est.) 39 (2006 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 2.994 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.038 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 64% of GDP (2017 est.) 66.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$875 million (2017 est.) -$531 million (2016 est.) Exports: $5.17 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $5.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: France 10%, South Africa 10%, United States 10%, United Kingdom 8%, Zambia 7%, Madagascar 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish products, raw sugar, clothing and apparel, diamonds, refined petroleum (2019) Imports: $7.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $7.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 15%, India 13%, France 10%, South Africa 8%, United Arab Emirates 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, fish products, aircraft, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.984 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $4.967 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $226.799 billion (2019 est.) $232.17 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Mauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 39.65 (2020 est.) 36.51 (2019 est.) 34.4 (2018 est.) 35.057 (2014 est.) 30.622 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 936,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 2,904,500,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 182.4 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 75.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 5.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 3.7% 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: 15% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 661,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 1.189 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 36,700 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: 26,960 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: 7.191 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 79.448 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 478,700 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1,912,900 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 150 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: The telecom sector in Mauritius has long been supported by the varied needs of tourists; this has stimulated the mobile market, leading to a particularly high penetration rate; the response of the country’s telcos to tourist requirements also contributed to the country being among the first in the region to provide services based on 3G and WiMAX technologies; the incumbent telco Mauritius Telecom, part-owned by Orange Group, now provides comprehensive LTE and fiber broadband coverage, and in late 2021 it launched a gigabit fiber-based broadband service; the country has seen improved international internet capacity in recent years, with direct cables linking to India, Madagascar, and South Africa, as well as other connections to Rodrigues and Reunion. Despite these advantages, some services remain slow; at the end of 2021, the median mobile data rate available was only 21Mb/s, ranking the country 84th of 138 monitored; the median fixed broadband data rate was about 19.8Mb/s, with a rank of 117th of 178 countries; mobile subscribers in Mauritius secured 5G services in mid-2021; this followed the regulator’s award of spectrum in two bands to the MNOs; the award was made directly, rather than via an auction, since the regulator was keen to see services made available as soon as possible; this will help the government’s ambition to make telecommunications a pillar of economic growth, and to have a fully digital-based infrastructure; such infrastructure will also contribute to a revival of tourism, the mainstay of the economy; although GDP growth returned in 2021, the number of tourist arrivals remains a fraction of the pre-pandemic level. (2022) domestic: fixed-line teledensity over 37 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular services teledensity roughly 150 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 230; landing points for the SAFE, MARS, IOX Cable System, METISS and LION submarine cable system that provides links to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean Islands of Reunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean); new microwave link to Reunion; HF radiotelephone links to several 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: the 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) Internet country code: .mu Internet users: total: 822,731 (2020 est.) percent of population: 65% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 323,200 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (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: 1,745,291 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 233.72 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 3B Airports: total: 5 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 2,428 km (2015) paved: 2,379 km (2015) (includes 99 km of expressways) unpaved: 49 km (2015) Merchant marine: total: 29 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 4, other 24 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Port Louis Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes a motorized infantry battalion and 2 light armored squadrons; the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (also includes an air squadron) (2022) Military expenditures: 0.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $80 million) 0.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $80 million) 0.3% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $80 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,700 Special Mobile Force; approximately 800 National Coast Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the MPF's inventory is comprised of mostly second-hand equipment from Western European countries and India; since 2010, India has been the primary supplier (2022) Military service age and obligation: service is voluntary (2022) Military - note: as of 2022, the country’s primary security partner was India, and Indian naval vessels often patrol Mauritian waters; the MPF has also received assistance and training from France, the UK, and the US; the MPF’s chief security concerns are piracy and narcotics trafficking the paramilitary Special Mobile Force was created in 1960 following the withdrawal of the British garrisonas of 2022, the country’s primary security partner was India, and Indian naval vessels often patrol Mauritian waters; the MPF has also received assistance and training from France, the UK, and the US; the MPF’s chief security concerns are piracy and narcotics traffickingthe paramilitary Special Mobile Force was created in 1960 following the withdrawal of the British garrison Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory); claims French-administered Tromelin Island Mauritius-France: Mauritius has claimed French-administered Tromelin Island (part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands) since 1976 Mauritius-UK: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory)Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory); claims French-administered Tromelin IslandMauritius-France: Mauritius has claimed French-administered Tromelin Island (part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands) since 1976 Mauritius-UK: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Islands (UK-administered British Indian Ocean Territory) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: consumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money launderingconsumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering

20220901

field-taxes-and-other-revenues-country-comparison

20220901

field-people-note

This entry includes miscellaneous demographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Topic: Chinain October 2015, the Chinese Government announced that it would change its rules to allow all couples to have two children, loosening a 1979 mandate that restricted many couples to one child; the new policy was implemented on 1 January 2016 to address China’s rapidly aging population and future economic needs Topic: Cubaillicit emigration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt to depart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also use non-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights to Miami and overland via the southwest border; the number of Cubans migrating to the US surged after the announcement of normalization of US-Cuban relations in late December 2014 but has decreased since the end of the so-called "wet-foot, dry-foot" policy on 12 January 2017 Topic: Cyprusdemographic data for Cyprus represent the population of the government-controlled area and the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, unless otherwise indicated Topic: Dominica3,000-3,500 Kalinago (Carib) still living on Dominica are the only pre-Columbian population remaining in the Caribbean; only 70-100 may be "pure" Kalinago because of years of integration into the broader population Topic: IndonesiaIndonesia is the fourth most populous nation in the World after China, India, and the United States; more than half of the Indonesian population - roughly 150 million people or 55% - live on the island of Java (about the size of California) making it the most crowded island on earth Topic: Papua New Guineathe indigenous population of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness Topic: Philippinesone of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being Timor-Leste Topic: Timor-Lesteone of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being the Philippines Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsdestination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Bahamas and the US

20220901

countries-guam

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

about-did-you-know

Topic: The World Factbook is one of the US Government’s most accessed publications.The World Factbook, produced for US policymakers and coordinated throughout the US Intelligence Community, presents the basic realities about the world in which we live. We share these facts with the people of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins the functioning of free societies. Topic: Who uses The World Factbook?A wide variety of folks including US Government officials, researchers, news organizations, corporations, geographers, travelers, teachers, professors, librarians, and students. In short, anyone looking for an expansive body of international data on a recently updated Web site. The World Factbook is visited by tens of millions of visitors annually; the Web site is especially popular during the school year, with a noticeable drop-off in online visits during the summer months. In all, The World Factbook is one of the US Government’s most popular Web sites. Topic: Answers to The World Factbook’s many quiz questions are available.The answers to the questions that have appeared in the What’s New page since 2010 may all be found here. Topic: The World Factbook has had three different logos.Beginning in 2001, The World Factbook has been represented with three distinct emblems. The evolution of The Factbook’s logo may be found here. Topic: The World Factbook is a one-stop reference site.Although many of the facts presented in The Factbook may be found in various other publications, they are conveniently gathered together in one place only at The World Factbook Web site. Topic: The World Factbook is now widely represented on social media and contains more features geared to travelers.Visitors can follow The Factbook on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and You Tube, while travelers can download single-page Travel Facts and One-Page Country Summaries. Topic: The World Factbook is a unique reference in that it is updated continuously – on average, every week.Information in The Factbook is collected from – and coordinated with – a wide variety of US Government agencies, as well as from hundreds of published sources.

20220901

countries-czechia

Topic: Photos of Czechia Topic: Introduction Background: At 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria Geographic coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 78,867 sq km land: 77,247 sq km water: 1,620 sq km Area - comparative: about two-thirds the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than South Carolina Land boundaries: total: 2,046 km border countries (4): Austria 402 km; Germany 704 km; Poland 699 km; Slovakia 241 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Terrain: Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country Elevation: highest point: Snezka 1,602 m lowest point: Labe (Elbe) River 115 m mean elevation: 433 m Natural resources: hard coal, soft coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 54.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 41% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 12.8% (2018 est.) forest: 34.4% (2018 est.) other: 10.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 320 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations Natural hazards: flooding Geography - note: note 1: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe note 2: the Hranice Abyss in Czechia is the world's deepest surveyed underwater cave at 404 m (1,325 ft); its survey is not complete and it could end up being some 800-1,200 m deep Map description: Czechia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Czechia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 10,705,384 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Czech(s) adjective: Czech Ethnic groups: Czech 57.3%, Moravian 3.4%, other 7.7%, unspecified 31.6% (2021 est.) note: includes only persons with one ethnicity Languages: Czech (official) 88.4%, Slovak 1.5%, other 2.6%, unspecified 7.2% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): World Fackbook, nepostradatelný zdroj základních informací. (Czech) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: includes only persons with one mother tongue Religions: Roman Catholic 7%, other believers belonging to a church or religious society 6% (includes Evangelical United Brethren Church and Czechoslovak Hussite Church), believers unaffiliated with a religious society 9.1%, none 47.8%, unspecified 30.1% (2021 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 56 youth dependency ratio: 24.6 elderly dependency ratio: 31.4 potential support ratio: 3.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 43.3 years male: 42 years female: 44.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.02% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 8.59 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 10.74 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations Urbanization: urban population: 74.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.318 million PRAGUE (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.19 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.5 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.73 years male: 76.8 years female: 82.82 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.49 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.8% (2019) Physicians density: 4.15 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 6.6 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: (2018 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,400 (2018 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 26% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 30.7% (2020 est.) male: 35% (2020 est.) female: 26.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 4.3% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: NA total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2011) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8% male: 7.2% female: 9.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air and water pollution in areas of northwest Bohemia and in northern Moravia around Ostrava present health risks; acid rain damaging forests; land pollution caused by industry, mining, and agriculture 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 Treaty, 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.15 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 102.22 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 13.11 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters Land use: agricultural land: 54.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 41% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 12.8% (2018 est.) forest: 34.4% (2018 est.) other: 10.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 74.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.17% of GDP (2017 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.337 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 850,935 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25.5% (2015 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 616.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 967.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 46.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 13.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Czech Republic conventional short form: Czechia local long form: Ceska republika local short form: Cesko etymology: name derives from the Czechs, a West Slavic tribe who rose to prominence in the late 9th century A.D.; the country officially adopted the English short-form name of Czechia on 1 July 2016 Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Prague geographic coordinates: 50 05 N, 14 28 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 etymology: the name may derive from an old Slavic root "praga" or "prah", meaning "ford", and refer to the city's origin at a crossing point of the Vltava (Moldau) River Administrative divisions: 13 regions (kraje, singular - kraj) and 1 capital city* (hlavni mesto); Jihocesky (South Bohemia), Jihomoravsky (South Moravia), Karlovarsky (Karlovy Vary), Kralovehradecky (Hradec Kralove), Liberecky (Liberec), Moravskoslezsky (Moravia-Silesia), Olomoucky (Olomouc), Pardubicky (Pardubice), Plzensky (Pilsen), Praha (Prague)*, Stredocesky (Central Bohemia), Ustecky (Usti), Vysocina (Highlands), Zlinsky (Zlin) Independence: 1 January 1993 (Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia); note - although 1 January is the day the Czech Republic came into being, the Czechs commemorate 28 October 1918, the day the former Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as their independence day National holiday: Czechoslovak Founding Day, 28 October (1918) Constitution: history: previous 1960; latest ratified 16 December 1992, effective 1 January 1993 amendments: passage requires at least three-fifths concurrence of members present in both houses of Parliament; amended several times, last in 2021 Legal system: new civil code enacted in 2014, replacing civil code of 1964 - based on former Austro-Hungarian civil codes and socialist theory - and reintroducing former Czech legal terminology 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 Czechia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Milos ZEMAN (since 8 March 2013) head of government: Prime Minister Petr FIALA (since 17 December 2021); First Deputy Prime Minister Vit RAKUSAN (since 17 December 2021), Deputy Prime Ministers Marian JURECKA, Ivan BARTOS, Vlastimil VALEK (all since 17 December 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms); elections last held on 12-13 January 2018 with a runoff on 26-27 January 2018 (next to be held in January 2023); prime minister appointed by the president for a 4-year term election results: 2018: Milos ZEMAN reelected president in the second round; percent of vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 51.4%, Jiri DRAHOS (independent) 48.6% 2013: Milos ZEMAN elected president; percent of vote - Milos ZEMAN (SPO) 54.8%, Karel SCHWARZENBERG (TOP 09) 45.2% Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (organized into Civil Law and Commercial Division, and Criminal Division each with a court chief justice, vice justice, and several judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 15 justices); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 36 judges, including the court president and vice president, and organized into 6-, 7-, and 9-member chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges proposed by the Chamber of Deputies and appointed by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed for 10-year, renewable terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the president of the Court; unlimited terms subordinate courts: High Court; regional and district courts Political parties and leaders: Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Marian JURECKA] Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Petr FIALA] Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Katerina KONECNA] Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Michal SMARDA] Free Bloc or VB [Jana VOLFOVA] Freedom and Direct Democracy or SPD [Tomio OKAMURA] Mayors and Independents or STAN [Vit RAKUSAN] Movement of Dissatisfied Citizens or ANO [Andrej BABIS] Oath or Prisaha [Robert SLACHTA] Pirate Party or Pirates [Ivan BARTOS] Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 or TOP 09 [Marketa PEKAROVA ADAMOVA] Tricolor Freedomites Freeholders or TSS [Zuzana MAJEROVA ZAHRADNIKOVA] International organization participation: Australia 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hynek KMONICEK (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 3900 Spring of Freedom Lane NW, Washington, DC 20008-3803 telephone: [1] (202) 274-9100 FAX: [1] (202) 966-8540 email address and website: washington@embassy.mzv.cz https://www.mzv.cz/washington/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael J. DODMAN (since 29 March 2022) embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1 - Mala Strana mailing address: 5630 Prague Place, Washington DC  20521-5630 telephone: [420] 257-022-000 FAX: [420] 257-022-809 email address and website: ACSPrg@state.gov https://cz.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side note: combines the white and red colors of Bohemia with blue from the arms of Moravia; is identical to the flag of the former Czechoslovakia National symbol(s): silver (or white), double-tailed, rampant lion; national colors: white, red, blue National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 16 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Prague; Historic Telč; Historic Český Krumlov; Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape; Historic Kutná Hora; Holy Trinity Column, Olomouc; Karlovy Vary Spa  Topic: Economy Economic overview: Czechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand. Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry. Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone. While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies in 2017, appreciating approximately 16% relative to the US dollar after the central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) ended its cap on the currency’s value in early April 2017, which it had maintained since November 2013. The CNB hiked rates in August and November 2017 - the first rate changes in nine years - to address rising inflationary pressures brought by strong economic growth and a tight labor market.   Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs. The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues. The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages. The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries.   Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy.Czechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand. Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry. Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone. While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies in 2017, appreciating approximately 16% relative to the US dollar after the central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) ended its cap on the currency’s value in early April 2017, which it had maintained since November 2013. The CNB hiked rates in August and November 2017 - the first rate changes in nine years - to address rising inflationary pressures brought by strong economic growth and a tight labor market. Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs. The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues. The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages. The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries. Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $409.97 billion (2020 est.) $434.31 billion (2019 est.) $424.48 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.27% (2019 est.) 3.18% (2018 est.) 5.35% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $38,300 (2020 est.) $40,700 (2019 est.) $39,900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $250.631 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2019 est.) 2.1% (2018 est.) 2.4% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2018) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.3% (2017 est.) industry: 36.9% (2017 est.) services: 60.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: wheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, maize, pork, triticale, poultry Industries: motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, glass, armaments Industrial production growth rate: 7.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 5.222 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.8% industry: 38% services: 59.2% (2015) Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2019 est.) 3.18% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8% male: 7.2% female: 9.2% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 10.1% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 24.9 (2017 est.) 25.1 (2014) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.7% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 87.37 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 83.92 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 34.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 40.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$678 million (2019 est.) $1.259 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $174.92 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $186.54 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $191.69 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Germany 31%, Slovakia 7%, Poland 6%, France 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, computers, broadcasting equipment, office machinery/parts, seating (2019) Imports: $157.95 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $171.43 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $176.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Germany 27%, China 12%, Poland 9%, Slovakia 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, cars and vehicle parts, office machinery/parts, computers, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $148 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $85.73 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $191.871 billion (2019 est.) $200.197 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: koruny (CZK) per US dollar - 21.76636 (2020 est.) 23.0629 (2019 est.) 22.71439 (2018 est.) 24.599 (2014 est.) 20.758 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 22.485 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 60.814 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 23.521 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 13.368 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.117 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 47% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 37.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 4.5% 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: 7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 33.806 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 37.212 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 1.885 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 3.795 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 2.927 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 6,300 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 219,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 400 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 150,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 177,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 52,200 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 83,860 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 189.185 million cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 8,815,133,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 7,590,318,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 3.964 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 99.533 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 161.972 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,335,224 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 12,999,812 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 121 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom market has attracted investment from among the key regional telcos, including Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, and Vodafone, as also investors such as PPF Group; O2 Czech Republic remains the dominant telco in all segments, though there is effective competition, particularly in the mobile sector; telcos in the Czech Republic have become multi-service providers, offering a full range of fixed and mobile services; O2 CR has struggled to improve revenue growth in recent years, and in response it has transitioned itself to face market challenges; among the changes was its reorganization into separate business divisions and the spinning off of CETIN as a separate unit to manage the fixed and mobile networks while also operating as a national wholesale network provider; CETIN’s owner, PPF Group, in early 2021 considered an IPO for CETIN; the mobile sector is concentrated among the three MNOs, despite the regulator having made efforts to facilitate the entry of a new market player by providing spectrum at the multi-band auction held in November 2020; the auction has enabled the licensees to expand the reach of their 5G networks; this process has also been assisted by them closing down 3G networks and refarming spectrum for 5G and LTE use. (2021) domestic: roughly 12 fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants and mobile telephone usage of about 121 per 100 inhabitants (2020) international: country code - 420; satellite earth stations - 6 (2 Intersputnik - Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions, 1 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 1 Globalstar) (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: 22 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) Internet country code: .cz Internet users: total: 8,665,265 (2020 est.) percent of population: 81% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,845,426 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 48 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,727,200 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 25.23 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OK Airports: total: 128 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 41 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 87 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 25 under 914 m: 61 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 7,160 km gas, 675 km oil, 94 km refined products (2016) Railways: total: 9,408 km (2017) standard gauge: 9,385 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (3,218 km electrified) narrow gauge: 23 km (2017) 0.760-m gauge Roadways: total: 55,744 km (2019) (includes urban and category I, II, III roads) paved: 55,744 km (2019) (includes 1,252 km of expressways) Waterways: 664 km (2010) (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals) Ports and terminals: river port(s): Prague (Vltava) Decin, Usti nad Labem (Elbe) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Czech Armed Forces: Land Forces; Air Forces; Cyber Forces; Special Forces (2022) Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020) 1.2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $4.05 billion) 1.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $3.8 billion) 1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.4 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 26,000 active personnel (20,000 Army; 6,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Czech military has a mix of Soviet-era and more modern equipment, mostly of Western European origin; since 2010, the leading suppliers of military equipment to Czechia are Austria and Spain (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished 2004 (2021) note: as of 2019, women comprised about 13% of the military's full-time personnel Military deployments: up to 130 Lithuania (NATO); 130 Slovakia (NATO) (2022) note: in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Military - note: Czechia joined NATO in 1999; Czechia, Hungary, and Poland were invited to begin accession talks at NATO's Madrid Summit in 1997, and in March 1999 they became the first former members of the Warsaw Pact to join the Alliance Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 409,008 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 1,498 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: manufacture of methamphetamine continues to be mostly based on pseudoephedrine from  Poland or Turkey.  manufacture of methamphetamine continues to be mostly based on pseudoephedrine from  Poland or Turkey. 

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-fiji

Topic: Photos of Fiji Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,274 sq km land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 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 measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation: highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.6% (2018 est.) forest: 55.7% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012) Population distribution: approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Geography - note: consists of 332 islands, approximately 110 of which are inhabited, and more than 500 islets Map description: Fiji map showing the many islands that make up the country in the South Pacific Ocean.Fiji map showing the many islands that make up the country in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 943,737 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian 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.) note: a 2010 law replaces 'Fijian' with 'iTaukei' when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji 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.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.4 youth dependency ratio: 44.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 potential support ratio: 11.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.9 years male: 29.7 years female: 30.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 178,000 SUVA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 34 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.27 years male: 71.6 years female: 77.07 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Hospital bed density: 2 beds/1,000 population (2016) 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: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,300 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 30.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 23.1% (2020 est.) male: 35.6% (2020 est.) female: 10.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: total population: 99.1% male: 99.1% female: 99.1% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 11.9% female: 22.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: the widespread practice of waste incineration is a major contributor to air pollution in the country, as are vehicle emissions in urban areas; deforestation and soil erosion are significant problems; a contributory factor to erosion is clearing of land by bush burning, a widespread practie that threatens biodiversity Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.19 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.05 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.95 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.6% (2018 est.) forest: 55.7% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.59% 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 vectorborne diseases: malaria Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 189,390 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,322 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.5% (2013 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 25.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 28.55 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian) local short form: Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian) etymology: the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation - promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK - the designation became Fiji Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "little hill" in the native Fijian (iTaukei) language and refers to a mound where a temple once stood Administrative divisions: 14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu Independence: 10 October 1970 (from the UK) National holiday: Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970) Constitution: history: several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013 amendments: proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president Legal system: common law system based on the English model 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 Fiji dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal 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) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament elections/appointments: president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October 2021 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister endorsed by the president election results: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president with 28 votes against 23 votes for Teimumu KEPA 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) 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions) Political parties and leaders: FijiFirst [Veroqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA] Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY] Fiji United Freedon Party or FUFP [Jagath KARUNARATNE] National Federation Party or NFP [Biman PRASAD] (primarily Indian) Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Lynda TABUYA] Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA Unity Fiji [Adi QORO] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akuila VUIRA chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325 email address and website: info@FijiEmbassyDC.com https://www.fijiembassydc.com/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tony GREUBEL (since 20 January 2021); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu embassy: 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva mailing address: 4290 Suva Place, Washington DC  20521-4290 telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-2267 email address and website: SuvaACS@state.gov https://fj.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion, holding a coconut pod between its paws, above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove of peace National symbol(s): Fijian canoe; national color: light blue National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Levuka Historical Port Town Topic: Economy Economic overview: Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners.   Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports.   The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013.Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners. Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports. The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.86 billion (2020 est.) $12.18 billion (2019 est.) $12.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,000 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $13,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.891 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2017 est.) 3.9% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.5% (2017 est.) industry: 17.4% (2017 est.) services: 69.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, taro, poultry, vegetables, coconuts, eggs, milk, ginger, sweet potatoes Industries: tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 353,100 (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44.2% industry: 14.3% services: 41.6% (2011) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (2017 est.) 5.5% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 11.9% female: 22.4% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: 29.9% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36.7 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.454 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.648 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 48.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$277 million (2017 est.) -$131 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.23 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.64 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.67 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars 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.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.21 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars 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) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.116 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $908.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.022 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $696.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - 2.05955 (2020 est.) 2.17345 (2019 est.) 2.1104 (2018 est.) 2.0976 (2014 est.) 1.8874 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.6% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 99.2% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 393,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,022,955,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 90 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 41.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 50.2% 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: 6% 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: 11,500 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: 17,460 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: 1.691 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 32.901 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 48,510 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 991,500 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Fiji is the leading market to watch in terms of both LTE and 5G development in the region; the market boasts relatively sophisticated, advanced digital infrastructure, with telcos’ heavy investment resulting in the country having the highest mobile and internet subscriptions in the Pacific Islands region; LTE, LTE-A, and fiber technologies have received the most investment by the Fijian mobile operators, which include Digicel Fiji, Vodafone Fiji, and Telecom Fiji. Notably, LTE now accounts for the largest share of connections in the mobile segment; concentrating on the more highly populated areas, the operators are preparing for the next growth area of high-speed data; they also have 5G in mind, and are preparing their networks to be 5G-ready, anticipating an easier migration to the technology based on the relatively high LTE subscription rate; the sale of Digicel to Telstra also passed a major hurdle when the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the transaction in March 2022; Fiji presents a challenging geographic environment for infrastructure development due to its population being spread across more than 100 islands; the majority of Fijians live on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; in July 2018, the two islands were linked by the Savusavu submarine cable system, which provides a more secure link in times of emergency weather events such as the regular tropical cyclones that often cause massive destruction to the area, including destroying essential infrastructure such as electricity and telecommunications equipment; notably, the December 2021 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano in Tonga damaged the Tonga Cable which connects Fiji, and Tonga blocking the latter off from internet services; cable theft and damage of critical communications infrastructure has also become a concern in Fiji, prompting authorities to establish a joint task force to tackle the issue. (2022) domestic: fixed-line nearly 9 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 118 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 679; landing points for the ICN1, SCCN, Southern Cross NEXT, Tonga Cable and Tui-Samoa submarine cable links to US, NZ, Australia and Pacific islands of Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Fallis & Futuna, and American Samoa; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (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: Fiji 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 Internet country code: .fj Internet users: total: 444,978 (2019 est.) percent of population: 50% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 23,062 (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: 16 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,670,216 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 106.83 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: DQ Airports: total: 28 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2021) Railways: total: 597 km (2008) narrow gauge: 597 km (2008) 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December Roadways: total: 3,440 km (2011) paved: 1,686 km (2011) unpaved: 1,754 km (2011) Waterways: 203 km (2012) (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges) Merchant marine: total: 73 by type: general cargo 20, oil tanker 4, other 49 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Lautoka, Levuka, Suva Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF): Land Force Command, Maritime Command; Fiji Police Force (2022) note: the RFMF is subordinate to the president as the commander-in-chief, while the Fiji Police Force reports to the the Ministry of Defense, National Security, and Policing Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $160 million) 1.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $160 million) 1.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $150 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 4,000 active personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RFMF is lightly armed and equipped; Australia has provided patrol boats and a few armored personnel carriers; it also provides logistical support for RFMF regional or UN operations; in recent years, China has provided construction equipment and military vehicles (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 55 (2021) Military deployments: 170 Egypt (MFO); 165 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2022) Military - note: the RFMF has a history of intervening in the country’s politics since the late 1980s, including coups in 1987 and 2006, and a mutiny in 2000 the RFMF also has a long tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations; since its first deployment of troops to South Lebanon in 1978 under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), it has deployed troops on nearly 20 additional UN missions (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary dispute with Tonga Trafficking in persons: current 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)

20220901

field-military-expenditures-country-comparison

20220901

field-education-expenditures-country-comparison

20220901

countries-brazil

Topic: Photos of Brazil Topic: Introduction Background: 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 to 1955) 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 (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 to 1955) 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 (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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 55 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 8,515,770 sq km land: 8,358,140 sq km water: 157,630 sq km note: includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 7,491 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Terrain: mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt Elevation: highest point: Pico da Neblina 2,994 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 320 m Natural resources: alumina, bauxite, beryllium, gold, iron ore, manganese, nickel, niobium, phosphates, platinum, tantalum, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, petroleum, hydropower, timber Land use: agricultural land: 32.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.) forest: 61.9% (2018 est.) other: 5.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 54,000 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lagoa dos Patos - 10,140 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Uruguay) - 2,970 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Rio de la Plata/Parana river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; Sao Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin, Guarani Aquifer System, Maranhao Basin Population distribution: the vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro Natural hazards: recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south Geography - note: note 1: largest country in South America and in the Southern Hemisphere; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador; most of the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, extends through the west central part of the country; shares Iguazu Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Argentina note 2: cassava (manioc) the sixth most important food crop in the world - after maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans - seems to have originated in the west-central part of Brazil; pineapples are probably indigenous to the southern Brazil-Paraguay region Map description: Brazil map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean.Brazil map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 217,240,060 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Brazilian(s) adjective: Brazilian Ethnic groups: White 47.7%, mixed 43.1%, Black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, Indigenous 0.4% (2010 est.) Languages: Portuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages major-language sample(s): O Livro de Fatos Mundiais, a fonte indispensável para informação básica. (Brazilian Portuguese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%), other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, none 8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Demographic profile: Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions but is funding a study abroad program to bring advanced skills back to the country. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, and Bolsa Familia and other social programs have lifted tens of millions out of poverty. More than half of Brazil's population is considered middle class, but poverty and income inequality levels remain high; the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas (slums).Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work.Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions but is funding a study abroad program to bring advanced skills back to the country. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, and Bolsa Familia and other social programs have lifted tens of millions out of poverty. More than half of Brazil's population is considered middle class, but poverty and income inequality levels remain high; the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas (slums).Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 43.5 youth dependency ratio: 29.7 elderly dependency ratio: 13.8 potential support ratio: 7.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 33.2 years male: 32.3 years female: 34.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.7% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 13.96 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.19 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro Urbanization: urban population: 87.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 22.430 million Sao Paulo, 13.634 million Rio de Janeiro, 6.194 million Belo Horizonte, 4.804 million BRASILIA (capital), 4.220 million Recife, 4.185 million Porto Alegre (2022) 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 60 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.92 years male: 72.5 years female: 79.5 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 80.2% (2013) note: percent of women aged 18-49 Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 9.6% (2019) Physicians density: 2.31 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 2.1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 930,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 13,000 (2020 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 water contact diseases: schistosomiasis note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Brazil; as of 6 June 2022, Brazil has reported a total of 31,060,017 cases of COVID-19 or 14,612.39 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 666,801 cumulative deaths or a rate 313.7 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 5 June 2022, 86.02% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 12.8% (2020 est.) male: 16.2% (2020 est.) female: 9.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.2% male: 93% female: 93.4% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.3% male: 27.5% female: 36.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation in Amazon Basin destroys the habitat and endangers a multitude of plant and animal species indigenous to the area; illegal wildlife trade; illegal poaching; air and water pollution in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and several other large cities; land degradation and water pollution caused by improper mining activities; wetland degradation; severe oil spills Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, 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: Marine Dumping-London Protocol Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 11.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 462.3 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 401.83 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly tropical, but temperate in south Land use: agricultural land: 32.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.6% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.) forest: 61.9% (2018 est.) other: 5.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.62% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.01% 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 water contact diseases: schistosomiasis note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Brazil; as of 6 June 2022, Brazil has reported a total of 31,060,017 cases of COVID-19 or 14,612.39 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 666,801 cumulative deaths or a rate 313.7 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 5 June 2022, 86.02% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 79,889,010 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,118,446 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.4% (2014 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lagoa dos Patos - 10,140 sq km Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Uruguay) - 2,970 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Amazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Rio de la Plata/Parana river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; Sao Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km), Paraná (2,582,704 sq km), São Francisco (617,814 sq km), Tocantins (764,213 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin, Guarani Aquifer System, Maranhao Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 16.74 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.511 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 39.43 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 8.647 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Federative Republic of Brazil conventional short form: Brazil local long form: Republica Federativa do Brasil local short form: Brasil etymology: the country name derives from the brazilwood tree that used to grow plentifully along the coast of Brazil and that was used to produce a deep red dye Government type: federal presidential republic Capital: name: Brasilia geographic coordinates: 15 47 S, 47 55 W time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Brazil has four time zones, including one for the Fernando de Noronha Islands etymology: name bestowed on the new capital of Brazil upon its inauguration in 1960; previous Brazilian capitals had been Salvador from 1549 to 1763 and Rio de Janeiro from 1763 to 1960 Administrative divisions: 26 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Acre, Alagoas, Amapa, Amazonas, Bahia, Ceara, Distrito Federal*, Espirito Santo, Goias, Maranhao, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Para, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rondonia, Roraima, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Sergipe, Tocantins Independence: 7 September 1822 (from Portugal) National holiday: Independence Day, 7 September (1822) Constitution: history: several previous; latest ratified 5 October 1988 amendments: proposed by at least one third of either house of the National Congress, by the president of the republic, or by simple majority vote by more than half of the state legislative assemblies; passage requires at least three-fifths majority vote by both houses in each of two readings; constitutional provisions affecting the federal form of government, separation of powers, suffrage, or individual rights and guarantees cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2021 Legal system: civil law; note - a new civil law code was enacted in 2002 replacing the 1916 code 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: 4 years Suffrage: voluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and if illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts by law cannot vote Executive branch: chief of state: President Jair BOLSONARO (since 1 January 2019); Vice President Antonio Hamilton Martins MOURAO (since 1 January 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jair BOLSONARO (since 1 January 2019); Vice President Antonio Hamilton Martins MOURAO (since 1 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed 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 4-year term (eligible for an immediate second term, and additional terms after a one-term break); election last held on 7 October 2018 with runoff on 28 October 2018 (next to be held in October 2022) election results: 2018:  Jair BOLSONARO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 46%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 29.3%, Ciro GOMEZ (PDT) 12.5%, Geraldo ALCKMIN (PSDB) 4.8%, other 7.4%; percent of vote in second round - Jair BOLSONARO (PSL) 55.1%, Fernando HADDAD (PT) 44.9% 2014:  Dilma ROUSSEFF reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Dilma ROUSSEFF (PT) 51.6%, Aecio NEVES (PSDB) 48.4%; note - on 12 May 2016, Brazil's Senate voted to hold an impeachment trial of President Dilma ROUSSEFF, who was then suspended from her executive duties; Vice President Michel TEMER took over as acting president; on 31 August 2016 the Senate voted 61-20 in favor of conviction and her removal from office; TEMER served as president for the remainder of ROUSSEFF's term, which ended 1 January 2019 Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Federal Court or Supremo Tribunal Federal (consists of 11 justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the president and approved by the Federal Senate; justices appointed to serve until mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: Tribunal of the Union, Federal Appeals Court, Superior Court of Justice, Superior Electoral Court, regional federal courts; state court system Political parties and leaders: Act (Agir) [Daniel TOURINHO] (formerly Christian Labor Party or PTC) Avante [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE] (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)  Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Astrogildo PEREIRA] Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB [Luiz Felipe Baleia TENUTO Rossi] Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Kassyo Santos RAMOS] Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Aiceia RODRIGUES and Hamilton MOURAO] Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Bruno ARAUJO] Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Carlos Roberto SIQUEIRA de Barros] Christian Democracy or DC [Jose Maria EYMAEL] (formerly Christian Social Cidadania [Roberto Joao Pereira FREIRE] (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS) Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Luciana SANTOS] Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos LUPI] Democratic Party or PSDC Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); note - dissolved in February 2022 Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA] Liberal Party or PL [Luciano BIVAR and Antonio de RUEDA] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR) National Mobilization Party or PMN [Antonio Carlos Bosco MASSAROLLO] New Party or NOVO [Eduardo RIBEIRO] Patriota [Adilson BAROSSO Oliveira] (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN) Podemos [Renata ABREU] (formerly National Labor Party or PTN) Progressive Party or PP [Ciro NOGUEIRA] Republican Social Order Party or PROS [Euripedes JUNIOR] Republicans (Republicanos) [Marcos Antonio PEREIRA] (formerly Brazilian Republican Party or PRB) Social Christian Party or PSC [Everaldo Dias PEREIRA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Alfredo COATIT Neto] Social Liberal Party or PSL [Luciano Caldas BIVAR] Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL [Juliano MEDEIROS] Solidarity or SD [Paulinho DA FORCA] Sustainability Network or REDE [Marina SILVA] United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU [Jose Maria DE ALMEIDA] Workers' Cause Party or PCO [Rui Costa PIMENTA] Workers' Party or PT [Gleisi HOFFMANN]Act (Agir) [Daniel TOURINHO] (formerly Christian Labor Party or PTC) Avante [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE] (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)  Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Astrogildo PEREIRA] Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB [Luiz Felipe Baleia TENUTO Rossi] Brazilian Labor Party or PTB [Kassyo Santos RAMOS] Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Aiceia RODRIGUES and Hamilton MOURAO] Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Bruno ARAUJO] Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Carlos Roberto SIQUEIRA de Barros] Christian Democracy or DC [Jose Maria EYMAEL] (formerly Christian Social Cidadania [Roberto Joao Pereira FREIRE] (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS) Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Luciana SANTOS] Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos LUPI] Democratic Party or PSDC Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL); note - dissolved in February 2022 Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA] Liberal Party or PL [Luciano BIVAR and Antonio de RUEDA] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR) National Mobilization Party or PMN [Antonio Carlos Bosco MASSAROLLO] New Party or NOVO [Eduardo RIBEIRO] Patriota [Adilson BAROSSO Oliveira] (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN) Podemos [Renata ABREU] (formerly National Labor Party or PTN) Progressive Party or PP [Ciro NOGUEIRA] Republican Social Order Party or PROS [Euripedes JUNIOR] Republicans (Republicanos) [Marcos Antonio PEREIRA] (formerly Brazilian Republican Party or PRB) Social Christian Party or PSC [Everaldo Dias PEREIRA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Alfredo COATIT Neto] Social Liberal Party or PSL [Luciano Caldas BIVAR] Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL [Juliano MEDEIROS] Solidarity or SD [Paulinho DA FORCA] Sustainability Network or REDE [Marina SILVA] United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU [Jose Maria DE ALMEIDA] Workers' Cause Party or PCO [Rui Costa PIMENTA] Workers' Party or PT [Gleisi HOFFMANN] International organization participation: AfDB (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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nestor Jose FORSTER, Jr. (since 23 December 2020) chancery: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-2700 FAX: [1] (202) 238-2827 email address and website: http://washington.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/Main.xml consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Washington, DC Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas A. KONEFF (since July 2021) embassy: SES - Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, 70403-900 - Brasilia, DF mailing address: 7500 Brasilia Place, Washington DC  20521-7500 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 email address and website: BrasilliaACS@state.gov https://br.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Recife, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo branch office(s): Belo Horizonte Flag description: green with a large yellow diamond in the center bearing a blue celestial globe with 27 white five-pointed stars; the globe has a white equatorial band with the motto ORDEM E PROGRESSO (Order and Progress); the current flag was inspired by the banner of the former Empire of Brazil (1822-1889); on the imperial flag, the green represented the House of Braganza of Pedro I, the first Emperor of Brazil, while the yellow stood for the Habsburg Family of his wife; on the modern flag the green represents the forests of the country and the yellow rhombus its mineral wealth (the diamond shape roughly mirrors that of the country); the blue circle and stars, which replaced the coat of arms of the original flag, depict the sky over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of 15 November 1889 - the day the Republic of Brazil was declared; the number of stars has changed with the creation of new states and has risen from an original 21 to the current 27 (one for each state and the Federal District) note: one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eritrea, and Vanuatu National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation; national colors: green, yellow, blue National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 23 (15 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Brasilia (c); Historic Salvador de Bahia (c); Historic Ouro Preto (c); Historic Olinda (c); Iguaçu National Park (n); Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis (c); Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes (c); Central Amazon Conservation Complex (n); Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves (n); Paraty and Ilha Grande – Culture and Biodiversity (m) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Brazil is the eighth-largest economy in the world, but is recovering from a recession in 2015 and 2016 that ranks as the worst in the country’s history. In 2017, Brazil`s GDP grew 1%, inflation fell to historic lows of 2.9%, and the Central Bank lowered benchmark interest rates from 13.75% in 2016 to 7%.   The economy has been negatively affected by multiple corruption scandals involving private companies and government officials, including the impeachment and conviction of Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF in August 2016. Sanctions against the firms involved — some of the largest in Brazil — have limited their business opportunities, producing a ripple effect on associated businesses and contractors but creating opportunities for foreign companies to step into what had been a closed market.   The succeeding TEMER administration has implemented a series of fiscal and structural reforms to restore credibility to government finances. Congress approved legislation in December 2016 to cap public spending. Government spending growth had pushed public debt to 73.7% of GDP at the end of 2017, up from over 50% in 2012. The government also boosted infrastructure projects, such as oil and natural gas auctions, in part to raise revenues. Other economic reforms, proposed in 2016, aim to reduce barriers to foreign investment, and to improve labor conditions. Policies to strengthen Brazil’s workforce and industrial sector, such as local content requirements, have boosted employment, but at the expense of investment.   Brazil is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), a trade bloc that includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - Venezuela’s membership in the organization was suspended In August 2017. After the Asian and Russian financial crises, Mercosur adopted a protectionist stance to guard against exposure to volatile foreign markets and it currently is negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the European Union and Canada.Brazil is the eighth-largest economy in the world, but is recovering from a recession in 2015 and 2016 that ranks as the worst in the country’s history. In 2017, Brazil`s GDP grew 1%, inflation fell to historic lows of 2.9%, and the Central Bank lowered benchmark interest rates from 13.75% in 2016 to 7%. The economy has been negatively affected by multiple corruption scandals involving private companies and government officials, including the impeachment and conviction of Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF in August 2016. Sanctions against the firms involved — some of the largest in Brazil — have limited their business opportunities, producing a ripple effect on associated businesses and contractors but creating opportunities for foreign companies to step into what had been a closed market. The succeeding TEMER administration has implemented a series of fiscal and structural reforms to restore credibility to government finances. Congress approved legislation in December 2016 to cap public spending. Government spending growth had pushed public debt to 73.7% of GDP at the end of 2017, up from over 50% in 2012. The government also boosted infrastructure projects, such as oil and natural gas auctions, in part to raise revenues. Other economic reforms, proposed in 2016, aim to reduce barriers to foreign investment, and to improve labor conditions. Policies to strengthen Brazil’s workforce and industrial sector, such as local content requirements, have boosted employment, but at the expense of investment. Brazil is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), a trade bloc that includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - Venezuela’s membership in the organization was suspended In August 2017. After the Asian and Russian financial crises, Mercosur adopted a protectionist stance to guard against exposure to volatile foreign markets and it currently is negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the European Union and Canada. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,989,430,000,000 (2020 est.) $3,115,910,000,000 (2019 est.) $3,072,550,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.13% (2019 est.) 1.2% (2018 est.) 1.62% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $14,100 (2020 est.) $14,800 (2019 est.) $14,700 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1,877,942,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (2019 est.) 3.6% (2018 est.) 3.4% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2018) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2018) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.6% (2017 est.) industry: 20.7% (2017 est.) services: 72.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, poultry, rice, beef, cotton Industries: textiles, shoes, chemicals, cement, lumber, iron ore, tin, steel, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, other machinery and equipment Industrial production growth rate: 0% (2017 est.) Labor force: 86.621 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 9.4% industry: 32.1% services: 58.5% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.93% (2019 est.) 12.26% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 31.3% male: 27.5% female: 36.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 4.2% (2016 est.) note: approximately 4% of the population are below the "extreme" poverty line Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 53.9 (2018 est.) 54 (2004) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.8% highest 10%: 43.4% (2016 est.) Budget: revenues: 733.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 756.3 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 84% of GDP (2017 est.) 78.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$50.927 billion (2019 est.) -$41.54 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $239.18 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $260.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $274.9 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 28%, United States 13% (2019) Exports - commodities: soybeans, crude petroleum, iron, corn, wood pulp products (2019) Imports: $227.44 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $269.02 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $267.52 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 21%, United States 18%, Germany 6%, Argentina 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, vehicle parts, crude petroleum, integrated circuits, pesticides (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $374 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $367.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $681.336 billion (2019 est.) $660.693 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: reals (BRL) per US dollar - 5.12745 (2020 est.) 4.14915 (2019 est.) 3.862 (2018 est.) 3.3315 (2014 est.) 2.3535 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 195.037 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 540,997,340,000 kWh (2020 est.) exports: 395 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 25.113 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 105.727 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 11.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 65.8% 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: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 13.993 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 31.841 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 16,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 19.217 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 6.596 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 3,629,100 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 3,142,300 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,123,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 186,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 12,714,600,000 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 2.811 million bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 279,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 490,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 25,395,979,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 35,253,198,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 9,724,017,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 363.984 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 456.67 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 59.444 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 30,653,813 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 205,834,781 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 97 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Brazil is one of the largest mobile and broadband markets in Latin America with healthy competition and pricing; the development of 5G, was scheduled for March 2020 but was delayed due to interference issues with satellite TV broadcasts and the pandemic; the auction was completed November 2021; the licenses are obliged to provide 5G services to all capital cities by July 2022, as well as about 35,500km of the national highway network; the country also has one of the largest fixed line broadband markets in Latin America, though broadband subscriptions is only slightly above the regional average, trailing behind Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay; amendments to the licensing regime adopted in October 2019 also require that ISPs which have switched to authorizations invest money saved from lighter regulations in the expansion of broadband services; the fixed line broadband market has seen rapid growth for a number of years, with a growing focus on fiber broadband; in 2019 the number of fiber accesses overtook DSL connections; Vivo has the largest share of the fiber market, followed by Oi and Claro; the country is a key landing point for a number of important submarine cables connecting to the US, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa; several new cable systems are due to come into service through to 2022, which will increase bandwidth and push down broadband prices for end-users; investments have also been made into terrestrial fiber cables between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. (2021) domestic: fixed-line connections stand at roughly 14 per 100 persons; less-expensive mobile-cellular technology has been a major impetus broadening telephone service to the lower-income segments of the population with mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 97 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 55; landing points for a number of submarine cables, including Malbec, ARBR, Tamnat, SAC, SAm-1, Atlantis -2, Seabras-1, Monet, EllaLink, BRUSA, GlobeNet, AMX-1, Brazilian Festoon, Bicentenario, Unisur, Junior, Americas -II, SAE x1, SAIL, SACS and SABR that provide direct connectivity to South and Central America, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region east), connected by microwave relay system to Mercosur Brazilsat B3 satellite earth station; satellites is a major communication platform, as it is almost impossible to lay fiber optic cable in the thick vegetation (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 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 (2022) Internet country code: .br Internet users: total: 172,173,121 (2020 est.) percent of population: 81% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 36,344,670 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 9 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 443 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 102,109,977 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,845,650,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: PP Airports: total: 4,093 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 698 over 3,047 m: 7 2,438 to 3,047 m: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 179 914 to 1,523 m: 436 (2017) under 914 m: 49 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3,395 1,524 to 2,437 m: 92 914 to 1,523 m: 1,619 under 914 m: 1,684 (2021) Heliports: 13 (2021) Pipelines: 5,959 km refined petroleum product (1,165 km distribution, 4,794 km transport), 11,696 km natural gas (2,274 km distribution, 9,422 km transport), 1,985 km crude oil (distribution), 77 km ethanol/petrochemical (37 km distribution, 40 km transport) (2016) Railways: total: 29,849.9 km (2014) standard gauge: 194 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 23,341.6 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (24 km electrified) broad gauge: 5,822.3 km (2014) 1.600-m gauge (498.3 km electrified) dual gauge: 492 km (2014) 1.600-1.000-m gauge Roadways: total: 2 million km (2018) paved: 246,000 km (2018) unpaved: 1.754 million km (2018) Waterways: 50,000 km (2012) (most in areas remote from industry and population) Merchant marine: total: 864 by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 19, general cargo 42, oil tanker 31, other 761 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Brazilian Armed Forces: Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil, MB, includes Naval Aviation (Aviacao Naval Brasileira) and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2022) Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020) 1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $35.6 billion) 1.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $36 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $34.4 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 360,000 active military personnel (220,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 70,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Brazilian military's inventory consists of a mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons, largely from Europe and the US; since 2010, the US and several European countries are the leading suppliers of military equipment to Brazil; Brazil's defense industry is capable of designing and manufacturing equipment for all three military services and for export; it also jointly produces equipment with other countries (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-45 years of age for compulsory military service for men (women exempted); only 5-10% of those inducted are required to serve; conscript service obligation is 10-12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service (2022) note: in 2020, women comprised approximately 9% of the Brazilian military Military - note: the origins of Brazil's military stretch back to the 1640s the three national police forces – the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police, and Federal Railway Police – have domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministry of Justice); there are two distinct units within the state police forces: the civil police, which performs an investigative role, and the military police, charged with maintaining law and order in the states and the Federal District; despite the name, military police forces report to the Ministry of Justice, not the Ministry of Defense; the National Public Security Force (Forca Nacional de Seguranca Publica or SENASP) is a national police force made up of Military Police from various states; the armed forces also have some domestic security responsibilities and report to the Ministry of Defense Brazil 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) Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Brazil are a risk for armed robbery against ships; in 2021, three attacks against commercial vessels were reported, a decrease from the seven attacks in 2020; all of these occurred in the port of Macapa while ships were berthed or at anchor 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: Brazil-Bolivia: 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 Brazil-Colombia: Contraband smuggling (narcotics and arms), illegal migration, trafficking in animals, plants, lumber, illegal exploitation of mineral resources, Colombian (FARC) insurgent incursions in the area remain problematic issues. Brazil-Uruguay: The uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over over Arroyo de la Invernada triangle and sovereignty over Isla Brsillera leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question. Smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border. Brazil-Venezuela: Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela.Brazil-Bolivia: 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 Brazil-Colombia: Contraband smuggling (narcotics and arms), illegal migration, trafficking in animals, plants, lumber, illegal exploitation of mineral resources, Colombian (FARC) insurgent incursions in the area remain problematic issues. Brazil-Uruguay: The uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over over Arroyo de la Invernada triangle and sovereignty over Isla Brsillera leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question. Smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border. Brazil-Venezuela: Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Brazil's border region with Venezuela. Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 261,441 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2020) IDPs: 21,000 stateless persons: 14 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: a significant transit and destination country for cocaine; most of the cocaine enters Brazil from neighboring producing countries Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru then goes to West Africa and Europe, but an increasing percentage feeds substantial domestic drug consumption; second-largest consumer of cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine-derivative products in the worlda significant transit and destination country for cocaine; most of the cocaine enters Brazil from neighboring producing countries Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru then goes to West Africa and Europe, but an increasing percentage feeds substantial domestic drug consumption; second-largest consumer of cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine-derivative products in the world

20220901

countries-dominica-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Dominica 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. Independence came in 1978.Dominica 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. Independence came in 1978. Topic: Geography Area: total: 751 sq km land: 751 sq km Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall Natural resources: timber, hydropower, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 74,629 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: African descent 84.5%, mixed 9%, Indigenous 3.8%, other 2.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.) Languages: English (official), French patois Religions: Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 29.7% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 6.7%, Pentecostal 6.1%, Baptist 5.2%, Christian Union Church 3.9%, Methodist 2.6%, Gospel Mission 2.1%, other Protestant 3.1%), Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 4.3%, none 9.4%, unspecified 1.4% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: 0.05% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Roseau Executive branch: chief of state: President Charles A. SAVARIN (since 2 October 2013) head of government: Prime Minister Roosevelt SKERRIT (since 8 January 2004) Legislative branch: description: 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: highly agrarian OECS island economy; ECCU-member state; large banana exporter; COVID-19- and Hurricane Maria-related public debt increases; improving government oversight of its very cheap citizenship-by-investment programhighly agrarian OECS island economy; ECCU-member state; large banana exporter; COVID-19- and Hurricane Maria-related public debt increases; improving government oversight of its very cheap citizenship-by-investment program Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $710 million (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $9,900 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: bananas, yams, grapefruit, taro, milk, coconuts, oranges, yautia, plantains, sugar cane Industries: soap, coconut oil, tourism, copra, furniture, cement blocks, shoes Exports: $160 million (2018 est.) Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 47%, Qatar 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: medical instruments, pharmaceuticals, low-voltage protection equipment, tropical fruits, bandages (2019) Imports: $430 million (2018 est.) Imports - partners: United States 57%, Nigeria 11%, China 6%, Italy 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, recreational boats, cars (2019)Page last updated: Monday, May 16, 2022

20220901

countries-tajikistan

Topic: Photos of Tajikistan Topic: Introduction Background: 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.    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.  Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan Geographic coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 144,100 sq km land: 141,510 sq km water: 2,590 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Wisconsin Land boundaries: total: 4,130 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 1,357 km; China 477 km; Kyrgyzstan 984 km; Uzbekistan 1,312 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Terrain: mountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofirnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest Elevation: highest point: Qullai Somoniyon 7,495 m lowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m mean elevation: 3,186 m Natural resources: hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold Land use: agricultural land: 34.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.7% (2018 est.) forest: 2.9% (2018 est.) other: 62.4% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 7,420 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea Basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km) Population distribution: the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west Natural hazards: earthquakes; floods Geography - note: landlocked; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR Map description: Tajikistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Tajikistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 9,119,347 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Tajikistani(s) adjective: Tajikistani Ethnic groups: Tajik 84.3% (includes Pamiri and Yagnobi), Uzbek 13.8%, other 2% (includes Kyrgyz, Russian, Turkmen, Tatar, Arab) (2014 est.) Languages: Tajik (official) 84.4%, Uzbek 11.9%, Kyrgyz 0.8%, Russian 0.5%, other 2.4% (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): Китоби Фактҳои Ҷаҳонӣ, манбаи бебадали маълумоти асосӣ (Tajik) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Russian widely used in government and business Religions: Muslim 98% (Sunni 95%, Shia 3%) other 2% (2014 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 67.9 youth dependency ratio: 62.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.3 potential support ratio: 18.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 25.3 years male: 24.6 years female: 26 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.4% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 20.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 962,000 DUSHANBE (capital) (2022) 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.48 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.2 years (2017 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.36 years male: 66.2 years female: 72.69 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.45 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 29.3% (2017) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.1% (2019) Physicians density: 1.72 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Hospital bed density: 4.7 beds/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan 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, 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: 14.2% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.6% (2017) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.1% women married by age 18: 8.7% (2017 est.) Education expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 12 years female: 11 years (2013) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: areas of high air pollution from motor vehicles and industry; water pollution from agricultural runoff and disposal of untreated industrial waste and sewage; poor management of water resources; soil erosion; increasing levels of soil salinity 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.05 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.31 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 4.87 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains Land use: agricultural land: 34.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 6.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.7% (2018 est.) forest: 2.9% (2018 est.) other: 62.4% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 28% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.12% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.54% 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: malaria note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan 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, 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: 1,787,400 tons (2013 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea Basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 647 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 407.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 10.44 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 21.91 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tajikistan conventional short form: Tajikistan local long form: Jumhurii Tojikiston local short form: Tojikiston former: Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: the Persian suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so the word Tajikistan literally means "Land of the Tajik [people]" Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Dushanbe geographic coordinates: 38 33 N, 68 46 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: today's city was originally at the crossroads where a large bazaar occurred on Mondays, hence the name Dushanbe, which in Persian means Monday, i.e., the second day (du) after Saturday (shambe) Administrative divisions: 2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor), 1 capital region** (viloyati poytakht), and 1 area referred to as Districts Under Republic Administration***; Dushanbe**, Khatlon (Bokhtar), Kuhistoni Badakhshon [Gorno-Badakhshan]* (Khorugh), Nohiyahoi Tobei Jumhuri***, Sughd (Khujand) note: the administrative center name follows in parentheses Independence: 9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 6 November 1994 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by at least one third of the total membership of both houses of the Supreme Assembly; adoption of any amendment requires a referendum, which includes approval of the president or approval by at least two-thirds majority of the Assembly of Representatives; passage in a referendum requires participation of an absolute majority of eligible voters and an absolute majority of votes; constitutional articles, including Tajikistan’s form of government, its territory, and its democratic nature, cannot be amended; amended 1999, 2003, 2016 Legal system: civil law system 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 Tajikistan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years or 3 years of continuous residence prior to application Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly Chairman since 19 November 1992) head of government: Prime Minister Qohir RASULZODA (since 23 November 2013) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term for a maximum of two terms; however, as the "Leader of the Nation" President RAHMON can run an unlimited number of times; election last held on 11 October 2020 (next to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2020: Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON (PDPT) 92.1%, Rustam LATIFZODA 3.1%, and other 4.8% 2013: Emomali RAHMOND reelected president; percent of vote 84%, Ismoil TALBAKOV 5%, other 11% Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chairman, deputy chairmen, and 34 judges organized into civil, family, criminal, administrative offense, and military chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of the court chairman, deputy chairman, and 5 judges); High Economic Court (consists of 16 judicial positions) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, and High Economic Court judges nominated by the president and approved by the National Assembly; judges of all 3 courts appointed for 10-year renewable terms with no term limits, but the last appointment must occur before the age of 65 subordinate courts: regional and district courts; Dushanbe City Court; viloyat (province level) courts; Court of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Rustam LATIFZODA] Communist Party of Tajikistan or CPT [Miroj ABDULLOEV] Democratic Party of Tajikistan or DPT [Saidjafar USMONZODA] Party of Economic Reform of Tajikistan or PERT [Rustam RAHMATZODA] People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON] Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan or SDPT [Qiyomiddin AZIZOV] Socialist Party of Tajikistan or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFORZODA] International organization participation: ADB, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Farrukh HAMRALIZODA (since 17 February 2021) chancery: 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 223-6090; [1] (202) 223-2666 FAX: [1] (202) 223-6091 email address and website: tajemus@mfa.tj; tajikistan@verizon.net https://mfa.tj/en/washington Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Mark POMMERSHEIM (since 15 March 2019) embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue (Zarafshon district), Dushanbe 734019 mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Washington DC  20521-7090 telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00 FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50 email address and website: DushanbeConsular@state.gov https://tj.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe; red represents the sun, victory, and the unity of the nation, white stands for purity, cotton, and mountain snows, while green is the color of Islam and the bounty of nature; the crown symbolizes the Tajik people; the seven stars signify the Tajik magic number "seven" - a symbol of perfection and the embodiment of happiness National symbol(s): crown surmounted by an arc of seven, five-pointed stars; snow leopard; national colors: red, white, green National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Proto-urban Site of Sarazm (c); Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food.   Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP.   Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector.   Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase.Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food. Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector. Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.88 billion (2020 est.) $33.38 billion (2019 est.) $31.08 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 7.1% (2017 est.) 6.9% (2016 est.) 6% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $3,700 (2020 est.) $3,600 (2019 est.) $3,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $2.522 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.7% (2019 est.) 3.9% (2018 est.) 7.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 28.6% (2017 est.) industry: 25.5% (2017 est.) services: 45.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, cotton, carrots/turnips, beef Industries: aluminum, cement, coal, gold, silver, antimony, textile, vegetable oil Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 2.295 million (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 43% industry: 10.6% services: 46.4% (2016 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.4% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) note: official rate; actual unemployment is much higher Population below poverty line: 26.3% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34 (2015 est.) 34.7 (1998) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA Budget: revenues: 2.269 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.374 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 50.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 42% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 31.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$35 million (2017 est.) -$362 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.41 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.24 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Turkey 24%, Switzerland 22%, Uzbekistan 16%, Kazakhstan 12%, China 10% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, aluminum, cotton, zinc, antimony, lead (2019) Imports: $3.13 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.22 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 40%, Russia 38%, Kazakhstan 19%, Uzbekistan 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, natural gas, bauxite, aircraft (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.292 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $652.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $6.47 billion (2019 est.) $5.849 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 8.764 (2017 est.) 7.8358 (2016 est.) 7.8358 (2015 est.) 6.1631 (2014 est.) 4.9348 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 7.114 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 15,070,890,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 3.175 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 281 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.429 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 8.7% 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: 91.3% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 2.103 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 2.16 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 57,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 375 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 26,200 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 900 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 172 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 22,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 18.208 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 157.611 million cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 139.375 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.643 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 27.651 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 502,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 9.904 million (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111.53 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the nation of Tajikistan has had to struggle through a further two years of economic hardship following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; the strain on financial resources inevitably means a continuation of the absence of any meaningful investment or development programs for telecommunications infrastructure; the fixed line telephony and fixed broadband markets continue to languish far behind the mobile sector in terms of teledensity and penetration; with only around 6,000 fixed broadband customers (0.07% penetration), there would appear to be massive growth potential but the limited fixed line infrastructure in the country suggests there’s little likelihood of that occurring any time soon; the size of Tajikistan’s mobile market dwarfs the fixed line segment, with an estimated penetration rate of nearly 120%; with a number of private sector companies active in the mobile market, there been more commitment to investment in network upgrades and expansion; three MNOs, MegaFon, Tcell, and ZET Mobile have all launched commercial 5G services, initially in areas of the capital city Dushanbe; the move towards higher speed mobile services should further underpin the growth in the nascent mobile broadband market, which is still estimated to be at a relatively low penetration level of 42% (at least relative to most other Asian nations) but is predicted to be a strong compound annual growth rate of more than 8% for at least the next five years. (2021) domestic: fixed line availability has not changed significantly since 1998, while mobile cellular subscribership, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns; fixed-line over 5 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 111 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); 3 satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita 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 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) Internet country code: .tj Internet users: total: 2,050,625 (2019 est.) percent of population: 22% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 6,000 (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: 6 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 492,320 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2.34 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EY Airports: total: 24 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Pipelines: 549 km gas, 38 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 680 km (2014) broad gauge: 680 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge Roadways: total: 30,000 km (2018) Waterways: 200 km (2011) (along Vakhsh River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan: Land Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; National Guard; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (reserves for Armed Forces in wartime); State Committee on National Security: Border Guard Forces (2022) Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $360 million) 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $350 million) 2.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $330 million) 2.2% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $320 million) 2.2% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $310 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,500 active duty troops (8,000 Land and Mobile Forces; 1,500 Air and Air Defense Forces) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Tajikistan Armed Forces' inventory is comprised of older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; it has received limited quantities of weapons systems since 2010, most of which was second-hand material from Russia (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service for men; 24-month conscript service obligation; in August 2021, the Tajik Government began allowing men to pay a fee in order to avoid conscription (2022) Military - note: Tajikistan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 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: Tajikistan-Afghanistan: none identified Tajikistan-China: in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; in 2011, Tajikistan and China ratified the 2002 border demarcation agreement whereby Tajikistan ceded approximately 1,100 square kilometers in the Pamirs to China Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan: disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan; in May 2021, both countries agreed to a ceasefire following recent clashes at their border Tajikistan-Uzbekistan: talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and clear minefields; as of January 2020, Uzbekistan reported that it had cleared all mines along its side of the borderTajikistan-Afghanistan: none identifiedTajikistan-China: in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; in 2011, Tajikistan and China ratified the 2002 border demarcation agreement whereby Tajikistan ceded approximately 1,100 square kilometers in the Pamirs to ChinaTajikistan-Kyrgyzstan: disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan; in May 2021, both countries agreed to a ceasefire following recent clashes at their borderTajikistan-Uzbekistan: talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and clear minefields; as of January 2020, Uzbekistan reported that it had cleared all mines along its side of the border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 6,775 (Afghanistan) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 6,141 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: Tajikistan is a major route for drug trafficking in Central Asia; opiates and cannabis travel from Afghanistan through Tajikistan to markets in Russia, Belarus, and Western and Central Europe

20220901

countries-germany-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: 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. Divided after World War II, the decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990.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. Divided after World War II, the decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Topic: Geography Area: total: 357,022 sq km land: 348,672 sq km water: 8,350 sq km Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Natural resources: coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 84,316,622 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: German 86.3%, Turkish 1.8%, Polish 1%, Syrian 1%, Romanian 1%, other/stateless/unspecified 8.9% (2020 est.) Languages: German (official); note - Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages Religions: Roman Catholic 26.7%, Protestant 24.3%, Muslim 3.5%, other 4.8%, none 40.7% (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.11% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Berlin Executive branch: chief of state: President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017) head of government: Chancellor Olaf SCHOLZ (since 8 December 2021) Legislative branch: description: 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: leading EU services-based export-driven economy; COVID-19 disrupted its modern manufacturing sector; highly skilled and educated labor force; positive current account balances; increasing public debt; low defense spending; second Russian gas pipelineleading EU services-based export-driven economy; COVID-19 disrupted its modern manufacturing sector; highly skilled and educated labor force; positive current account balances; increasing public debt; low defense spending; second Russian gas pipeline Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4,238,800,000,000 (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $50,900 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: milk, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, maize, rye, rapeseed, triticale Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, automobiles, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles Exports: $1,671,650,000,000 (2020 est.) Exports - partners: United States 9%, France 8%, China 7%, Netherlands 6%, United Kingdom 6%, Italy 5%, Poland 5%, Austria 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, aircraft, medical cultures/vaccines, industrial machinery (2019) Imports: $1,452,560,000,000 (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Netherlands 9%, China 8%, France 7%, Belgium 6%, Poland 6%, Italy 6%, Czechia 5%, United States 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Friday, May 27, 2022

20220901

countries-taiwan

Topic: Photos of Taiwan Topic: Introduction Background: First 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 the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan’s first opposition party, 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China Geographic coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Kinmen islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,566.3 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year Terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west Elevation: highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 1,150 m Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 22.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2018 est.) other: 77.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,820 sq km (2012) Population distribution: distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts Natural hazards: earthquakes; typhoonsvolcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuriesearthquakes; typhoonsvolcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries Geography - note: strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait Map description: Taiwan map showing major cities of this island in the Western Pacific Ocean.Taiwan map showing major cities of this island in the Western Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 23,580,712 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Taiwan (singular and plural) adjective: Taiwan (or Taiwanese) note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan Ethnic groups: Han Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3% note 1: there are 16 officially recognized indigenous groups: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Hla'alua, Kanakaravu, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Seediq, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami; Amis, Paiwan, and Atayal are the largest and account for roughly 70% of the indigenous population note 2: although not definitive, the majority of current genetic, archeological, and linguistic data support the theory that Taiwan is the ultimate source for the spread of humans across the Pacific to Polynesia; the expansion (ca. 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1200) took place via the Philippines and eastern Indonesia and reached Fiji and Tonga by about 900 B.C.; from there voyagers spread across the rest of the Pacific islands over the next two millennia Languages: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages major-language sample(s): 世界概況  –  不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 40 youth dependency ratio: 17.8 elderly dependency ratio: 22.2 potential support ratio: 4.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 42.3 years male: 41.5 years female: 43.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.04% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 7.39 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.89 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts Urbanization: urban population: 79.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 4.471 million New Taipei City, 2.742 million TAIPEI (capital), 2.296 million Taoyuan, 1.547 million Kaohsiung, 1.354 million Taichung, 863,000 Tainan (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.16 years male: 78.17 years female: 84.34 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.08 children born/woman (2022 est.) 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 Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.5% male: 99.7% female: 97.3% (2014) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year Land use: agricultural land: 22.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2018 est.) other: 77.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 79.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 7.336 million tons (2015 est.) Total renewable water resources: 67 cubic meters (2011) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: Taiwan former: Formosa etymology: "Tayowan" was the name of the coastal sandbank where the Dutch erected their colonial headquarters on the island in the 17th century; the former name "Formosa" means "beautiful" in Portuguese Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Taipei geographic coordinates: 25 02 N, 121 31 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Chinese meaning is "Northern Taiwan," reflecting the city's position in the far north of the island Administrative divisions: includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan counties: Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin cities: Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city) note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systemsincludes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuancounties: Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlincities: Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelungspecial municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city) National holiday: Republic Day (National Day), 10 October (1911); note - celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution, also known as Double Ten (10-10) Day Constitution: history: previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947 amendments: proposed by at least one fourth of the Legislative Yuan membership; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote of at least three fourths of the Legislative Yuan membership and approval in a referendum by more than half of eligible voters; revised several times, last in 2005 Legal system: civil law system 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 Taiwan dual citizenship recognized: yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal; note - in March 2022, the Legislative Yuan approved lowering the voting age to 18, but the change will require a constitutional amendment that must be submitted to a referendum Executive branch: chief of state: President TSAI Ing-wen (since 20 May 2016); Vice President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2020) head of government: Premier SU Tseng-chang (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 11 January 2019); Vice Premier SHEN Jong-chin (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 19 June 2020) cabinet: Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 January 2020 (next to be held on 11 January 2024); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier election results: 2020: TSAI Ing-wen elected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 57.1%, HAN Kuo-yu (KMT) 38.6%, James SOONG (PFP) 4.2%; note - TSAI is the first woman elected president of Taiwan 2016: TSAI Ing-wen elected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 56.1%, Eric CHU (KMT) 31%, James SOONG (PFP) 12.8% Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices appointed by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president, with approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices serve for life; Constitutional Court justices appointed for 8-year terms, with half the membership renewed every 4 years subordinate courts: high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen] Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [CHU Chi-luan, aka Eric CHU] Taiwan People's Party or TPP [KO Wen-je] New Power Party or NPP [KAO Yu-ting] Taiwan Statebuilding Party or TSP [CHEN Yi-chi] People First Party or PFP [James SOONG] (2021) note - the DPP and the KMT are the two major political parties; there are hundreds of registered minor parties International organization participation: ADB (Taipei, China), APEC (Chinese Taipei), BCIE, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO (Taipei, China); note - separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none; commercial and cultural relations with its citizens in the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts, represented by HSIAO Bi-khim (since 20 July 2020); office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016; telephone: [1] (202) 895-1800 Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the US does not have an embassy in Taiwan; commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts; it is managed by Director Sandra OUDKIRK (since July 2021) mailing address: 4170 AIT Taipei Place, Washington DC  20521-4170 telephone: [886] 2-2162-2000 FAX: [886] 2-2162-2251 email address and website: TaipeiACS@state.gov https://www.ait.org.tw/ branch office(s): American Institute in Taiwan No. 100, Jinhu Road, Neihu District 11461, Taipei City other offices: Kaohsiung (Branch Office) Flag description: red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy, red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, and white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours) note: similar to the flag of Samoa National symbol(s): white, 12-rayed sun on blue field; national colors: blue, white, red National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy that is driven largely by industrial manufacturing, and especially exports of electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in global demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, rapidly aging population, and increasing competition from China and other Asia Pacific markets are other major long-term challenges.   Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November of that year, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA uncertain. President TSAI since taking office in May 2016 has promoted greater economic integration with South and Southeast Asia through the New Southbound Policy initiative and has also expressed interest in Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as bilateral trade deals with partners such as the US. These overtures have likely played a role in increasing Taiwan’s total exports, which rose 11% during the first half of 2017, buoyed by strong demand for semiconductors.   Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025.   The island runs a trade surplus with many economies, including China and the US, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006, China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment and has also secured greater market access for its investors on the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese renminbi (RMB) and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub.   Closer economic links with the mainland bring opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose challenges as political differences remain unresolved and China’s economic growth is slowing. President TSAI’s administration has made little progress on the domestic economic issues that loomed large when she was elected, including concerns about stagnant wages, high housing prices, youth unemployment, job security, and financial security in retirement. TSAI has made more progress on boosting trade with South and Southeast Asia, which may help insulate Taiwan’s economy from a fall in mainland demand should China’s growth slow in 2018.Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy that is driven largely by industrial manufacturing, and especially exports of electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in global demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, rapidly aging population, and increasing competition from China and other Asia Pacific markets are other major long-term challenges. Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November of that year, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA uncertain. President TSAI since taking office in May 2016 has promoted greater economic integration with South and Southeast Asia through the New Southbound Policy initiative and has also expressed interest in Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as bilateral trade deals with partners such as the US. These overtures have likely played a role in increasing Taiwan’s total exports, which rose 11% during the first half of 2017, buoyed by strong demand for semiconductors. Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025. The island runs a trade surplus with many economies, including China and the US, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006, China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment and has also secured greater market access for its investors on the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese renminbi (RMB) and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub. Closer economic links with the mainland bring opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose challenges as political differences remain unresolved and China’s economic growth is slowing. President TSAI’s administration has made little progress on the domestic economic issues that loomed large when she was elected, including concerns about stagnant wages, high housing prices, youth unemployment, job security, and financial security in retirement. TSAI has made more progress on boosting trade with South and Southeast Asia, which may help insulate Taiwan’s economy from a fall in mainland demand should China’s growth slow in 2018. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,143,277,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,113,126,000,000 (2018 est.) $1,083,384,000,000 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2010 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.71% (2019 est.) 2.75% (2018 est.) 3.31% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $24,502 (2018 est.) $50,500 (2017 est.) $23,865 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $611.391 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2016) Moody's rating: Aa3 (1994) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2002) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.) industry: 36% (2017 est.) services: 62.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: rice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit Industries: electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 3.9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 11.498 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.9% industry: 35.9% services: 59.2% (2016 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.73% (2019 est.) 3.69% (2018 est.) Population below poverty line: 1.5% (2012 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.6 (2014) 32.6 (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.4% (2010) highest 10%: 40.3% (2010) Budget: revenues: 91.62 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 92.03 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 35.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data for central government Taxes and other revenues: 16% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $65.173 billion (2019 est.) $70.843 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $388.49 billion (2019 est.) $383.484 billion (2018 est.) $382.736 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: China 26%, United States 14%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, office machinery/parts, computers, refined petroleum, liquid crystal displays (2019) Imports: $308.744 billion (2019 est.) $305.428 billion (2018 est.) $303.067 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 21%, Japan 16%, United States 11%, South Korea 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, crude petroleum, photography equipment, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $456.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $439 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $189.684 billion (2019 est.) $196.276 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 28.211 (2020 est.) 30.472 (2019 est.) 30.8395 (2018 est.) 31.911 (2014 est.) 30.363 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity: installed generating capacity: 57.738 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 269,570,325,000 kWh (2020 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 9.484 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 82.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 2.2% 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: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 5.955 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 67.985 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 118,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 63.523 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 998,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 886,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.4 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 924,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 349,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 418,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 150.589 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 22,002,493,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 22,172,507,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 6.23 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 279.206 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 160.669 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,971,900 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (2019 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 29,291,500 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123.21 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Taiwan has a highly developed telecoms sector in both the fixed-line and mobile segments; in part this is due to the country’s early moves to liberalize the market, allowing vigorous competition to flourish; the government has also made concerted efforts to take advantage of Taiwan’s strengths in the development of high-tech, export-oriented industries to encourage and enable the rapid adoption of advanced telecom platforms, while simultaneously leveraging the same telecoms infrastructure to push even further ahead with the country's industrial development plans; Taiwan has one of the highest teledensities in the region; while fixed-line subscriber numbers are trending downwards, the rate of decline has been slowed by the major fixed-line provider (Chunghwa Telecom) investing strongly in building out a widespread fiber network to allow customers to maintain a terrestrial voice connection as part of a fixed broadband package; fiber is the dominant platform in Taiwan’s fixed broadband market; cable services have retained an unusually strong following thanks to the success of cable providers in delivering competitive cable TV and telephony services as a way to get around Chunghwa Telecom’s control of the last mile for its copper and fiber networks; Taiwan also has high penetration rates in its mobile and mobile broadband segments, growth in both markets is almost at a standstill because the country reached 100% penetration very early on – way back when GSM was first introduced, in mobile’s case; the MNOs moved quickly to roll out 4G and 5G networks and services in rapid succession, but subscriber numbers (and market share) has barely changed; the improved quality and performance available with the new platforms will drive increased usage and ARPU; fierce competition following the launch of 4G saw the opposite happen, with price wars causing telco revenues to fall instead; it is possible that the same problem can be avoided with 5G, since the three smaller operators have recently been absorbed into the major providers Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone; allowing Taiwan to reach the target of 50% of subscribers on 5G by mid-2023. (2022) domestic: fixed-line over 53 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 123 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 886; landing points for the EAC-C2C, APCN-2, FASTER, SJC2, TSE-1, TPE, APG, SeaMeWe-3, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, HKA, NCP, and PLCN submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (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: 5 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) Internet country code: .tw Internet users: total: 21,158,750 (2019 est.) percent of population: 89% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5,831,470 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2019 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 7 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 216 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: B Airports: total: 37 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 35 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 31 (2021) Pipelines: 25 km condensate, 2,200 km gas, 13,500 km oil (2018) Railways: total: 1,613.1 km (2018) standard gauge: 345 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,118.1 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (793.9 km electrified) 150 0.762-m gauge note: the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower Roadways: total: 43,206 km (2017) paved: 42,793 km (2017) (includes 1,348 km of highways and 737 km of expressways) unpaved: 413 km (2017) Merchant marine: total: 429 by type: bulk carrier 37, container ship 49, general cargo 57, oil tanker 33, other 253 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Taiwan Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force; Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (a law enforcement organization with homeland security functions during peacetime and national defense missions during wartime) (2022) Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2020) 1.8% of GDP (2019) (approximately $23.6 billion) 1.7% of GDP (2018) (approximately $21.9 billion) 1.8% of GDP (2017) (approximately $22.1 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 170,000 active duty troops (90,000 Army; 40,000 Navy, including approximately 10,000 marines; 40,000 Air Force) (2022) note: Taiwan trains about 120,000 reservists annually, but in 2022 announced intentions to increase that figure to 260,000 Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Taiwan military is armed mostly with second-hand weapons and equipment provided by the US; since 2010, the US continued to be the largest provider of arms; Taiwan also has a domestic defense industry capable of building and upgrading a range of weapons systems, including surface naval craft and submarines (2021) Military service age and obligation: starting with those born in 1994, males 18-36 years of age may volunteer for military service or must complete 4 months of compulsory military training (5 weeks of basic training followed by 11 weeks of specialized training with field units); civil service can be substituted for military service in some cases; men born before December 1993 are required to complete compulsory service for 1 year (military or civil); men are subject to training recalls up to four times for periods not to exceed 20 days for 8 years after discharge; women may enlist, but are restricted to noncombat roles in most cases; as part of its transition to an all-volunteer military in December 2018, the last cohort of one-year military conscripts completed their service obligations (2022) note: as of 2021, women made up about 15% of the active duty military Military - note: the US Taiwan Relations Act of April 1979 states that the US shall provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character and shall maintain the capacity of the US to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or social or economic system, of the people of Taiwan (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Taiwan-Brunei-China-Malaysia-Philippines-Vietnam: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea that are thought to have large oil and natural gas reserves, as well as being located amidst prime fishing grounds and busy commercial shipping traffic; the Spratly Islands also are in a strategic position for establishing a military presence to monitor activity in the South China Sea; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants Taiwan-China-Philippines: border dispute over the Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea; Scarborough Reef, like the Spratly Islands, is strategically located and is surrounded by abundant fishing grounds; it may also be ripe for oil and natural gas exploration Taiwan-China-Vietnam: the Paracel Islands are occupied by China but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam Taiwan-Japan-China: in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting; Senkaku-shoto is situated near key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, and possibly significant oil and natural gas reservesTaiwan-Brunei-China-Malaysia-Philippines-Vietnam: involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea that are thought to have large oil and natural gas reserves, as well as being located amidst prime fishing grounds and busy commercial shipping traffic; the Spratly Islands also are in a strategic position for establishing a military presence to monitor activity in the South China Sea; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputantsTaiwan-China-Philippines: border dispute over the Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea; Scarborough Reef, like the Spratly Islands, is strategically located and is surrounded by abundant fishing grounds; it may also be ripe for oil and natural gas explorationTaiwan-China-Vietnam: the Paracel Islands are occupied by China but claimed by Taiwan and VietnamTaiwan-Japan-China: in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting; Senkaku-shoto is situated near key shipping lanes, rich fishing grounds, and possibly significant oil and natural gas reserves Illicit drugs: major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

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

countries-tunisia

Topic: Photos of Tunisia Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya Geographic coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 163,610 sq km land: 155,360 sq km water: 8,250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Georgia Land boundaries: total: 1,495 km border countries (2): Algeria 1,034 km; Libya 461 km Coastline: 1,148 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 12 nm Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara Elevation: highest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m lowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 m mean elevation: 246 m Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc, salt Land use: agricultural land: 64.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 18.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 15.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 31.1% (2018 est.) forest: 6.6% (2018 est.) other: 28.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 4,590 sq km (2012) Major aquifers: North Western Sahara Aquifer System Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: flooding; earthquakes; droughts Geography - note: strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Map description: Tunisia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.Tunisia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 11,896,972 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Tunisian(s) adjective: Tunisian Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Languages: Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight); note - despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن كتاب تتعلم به المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1% Demographic profile: The Tunisian Government took steps in the 1960s to decrease population growth and gender inequality in order to improve socioeconomic development. Through its introduction of a national family planning program (the first in Africa) and by raising the legal age of marriage, Tunisia rapidly reduced its total fertility rate from about 7 children per woman in 1960 to 2 today. Unlike many of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbors, Tunisia will soon be shifting from being a youth-bulge country to having a transitional age structure, characterized by lower fertility and mortality rates, a slower population growth rate, a rising median age, and a longer average life expectancy.Currently, the sizable young working-age population is straining Tunisia’s labor market and education and health care systems. Persistent high unemployment among Tunisia’s growing workforce, particularly its increasing number of university graduates and women, was a key factor in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of the BEN ALI regime in 2011. In the near term, Tunisia’s large number of jobless young, working-age adults; deficiencies in primary and secondary education; and the ongoing lack of job creation and skills mismatches could contribute to future unrest. In the longer term, a sustained low fertility rate will shrink future youth cohorts and alleviate demographic pressure on Tunisia’s labor market, but employment and education hurdles will still need to be addressed.Tunisia has a history of labor emigration. In the 1960s, workers migrated to European countries to escape poor economic conditions and to fill Europe’s need for low-skilled labor in construction and manufacturing. The Tunisian Government signed bilateral labor agreements with France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with the expectation that Tunisian workers would eventually return home. At the same time, growing numbers of Tunisians headed to Libya, often illegally, to work in the expanding oil industry. In the mid-1970s, with European countries beginning to restrict immigration and Tunisian-Libyan tensions brewing, Tunisian economic migrants turned toward the Gulf countries. After mass expulsions from Libya in 1983, Tunisian migrants increasingly sought family reunification in Europe or moved illegally to southern Europe, while Tunisia itself developed into a transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants heading to Europe.Following the ousting of BEN ALI in 2011, the illegal migration of unemployed Tunisian youths to Italy and onward to France soared into the tens of thousands. Thousands more Tunisian and foreign workers escaping civil war in Libya flooded into Tunisia and joined the exodus. A readmission agreement signed by Italy and Tunisia in April 2011 helped stem the outflow, leaving Tunisia and international organizations to repatriate, resettle, or accommodate some 1 million Libyans and third-country nationals.The Tunisian Government took steps in the 1960s to decrease population growth and gender inequality in order to improve socioeconomic development. Through its introduction of a national family planning program (the first in Africa) and by raising the legal age of marriage, Tunisia rapidly reduced its total fertility rate from about 7 children per woman in 1960 to 2 today. Unlike many of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbors, Tunisia will soon be shifting from being a youth-bulge country to having a transitional age structure, characterized by lower fertility and mortality rates, a slower population growth rate, a rising median age, and a longer average life expectancy.Currently, the sizable young working-age population is straining Tunisia’s labor market and education and health care systems. Persistent high unemployment among Tunisia’s growing workforce, particularly its increasing number of university graduates and women, was a key factor in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of the BEN ALI regime in 2011. In the near term, Tunisia’s large number of jobless young, working-age adults; deficiencies in primary and secondary education; and the ongoing lack of job creation and skills mismatches could contribute to future unrest. In the longer term, a sustained low fertility rate will shrink future youth cohorts and alleviate demographic pressure on Tunisia’s labor market, but employment and education hurdles will still need to be addressed.Tunisia has a history of labor emigration. In the 1960s, workers migrated to European countries to escape poor economic conditions and to fill Europe’s need for low-skilled labor in construction and manufacturing. The Tunisian Government signed bilateral labor agreements with France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with the expectation that Tunisian workers would eventually return home. At the same time, growing numbers of Tunisians headed to Libya, often illegally, to work in the expanding oil industry. In the mid-1970s, with European countries beginning to restrict immigration and Tunisian-Libyan tensions brewing, Tunisian economic migrants turned toward the Gulf countries. After mass expulsions from Libya in 1983, Tunisian migrants increasingly sought family reunification in Europe or moved illegally to southern Europe, while Tunisia itself developed into a transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants heading to Europe.Following the ousting of BEN ALI in 2011, the illegal migration of unemployed Tunisian youths to Italy and onward to France soared into the tens of thousands. Thousands more Tunisian and foreign workers escaping civil war in Libya flooded into Tunisia and joined the exodus. A readmission agreement signed by Italy and Tunisia in April 2011 helped stem the outflow, leaving Tunisia and international organizations to repatriate, resettle, or accommodate some 1 million Libyans and third-country nationals. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49.6 youth dependency ratio: 36.3 elderly dependency ratio: 13.3 potential support ratio: 7.5 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 32.7 years male: 32 years female: 33.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.69% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 14.62 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.36 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 70.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.439 million TUNIS (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 43 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.82 years male: 75.14 years female: 78.6 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 50.7% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 7% (2019) Physicians density: 1.3 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Hospital bed density: 2.2 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,500 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 26.9% (2016) Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 1.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) Tobacco use: total: 24.6% (2020 est.) male: 47.2% (2020 est.) female: 2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.6% (2018) Education expenditures: 7.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 81.8% male: 89.6% female: 74.2% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 14 years female: 16 years (2016) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 34.9% male: 33.8% female: 37.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: toxic and hazardous waste disposal is ineffective and poses health risks; water pollution from raw sewage; limited natural freshwater resources; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 35.66 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 29.94 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 7.89 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south Land use: agricultural land: 64.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 18.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 15.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 31.1% (2018 est.) forest: 6.6% (2018 est.) other: 28.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 70.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.21% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.7 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 108,000 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2014 est.) Major aquifers: North Western Sahara Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 137 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 965 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.773 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 4.615 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Tunisia conventional short form: Tunisia local long form: Al Jumhuriyah at Tunisiyah local short form: Tunis etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Tunis Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tunis geographic coordinates: 36 48 N, 10 11 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: three possibilities exist for the derivation of the name; originally a Berber settlement (earliest reference 4th century B.C.), the strategic site fell to the Carthaginians (Phoenicians) and the city could be named after the Punic goddess Tanit, since many ancient cities were named after patron deities; alternatively, the Berber root word "ens," which means "to lie down" or "to pass the night," may indicate that the site was originally a camp or rest stop; finally, the name may be the same as the city of Tynes, mentioned in the writings of some ancient authors Administrative divisions: 24 governorates (wilayat, singular - wilayah); Beja (Bajah), Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), Bizerte (Banzart), Gabes (Qabis), Gafsa (Qafsah), Jendouba (Jundubah), Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), Kasserine (Al Qasrayn), Kebili (Qibili), Kef (Al Kaf), L'Ariana (Aryanah), Mahdia (Al Mahdiyah), Manouba (Manubah), Medenine (Madanin), Monastir (Al Munastir), Nabeul (Nabul), Sfax (Safaqis), Sidi Bouzid (Sidi Bu Zayd), Siliana (Silyanah), Sousse (Susah), Tataouine (Tatawin), Tozeur (Tawzar), Tunis, Zaghouan (Zaghwan) Independence: 20 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011) Constitution: history: history: several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014, signed by the president, prime minister, and Constituent Assembly speaker on 27 January 2014; note - in September 2021, President Kais SAIED issued a decree granting him certain executive, legislative, and judiciary powers, and the authority to rule by decree, but allowed continued implementation of the preamble and chapters one and two of the Constitution, which guarantee rights and freedoms; note - in a 25 July 2022 referendum, voters supported a new constitution proposed by the president amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by one third of the Assembly of the Representatives of the People membership; following review by the Constitutional Court, approval to proceed requires an absolute majority vote by the Assembly and final passage requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; the president can opt to submit an amendment to a referendum, which requires an absolute majority of votes cast for passagehistory: several previous; latest approved by Constituent Assembly 26 January 2014, signed by the president, prime minister, and Constituent Assembly speaker on 27 January 2014; note - in September 2021, President Kais SAIED issued a decree granting him certain executive, legislative, and judiciary powers, and the authority to rule by decree, but allowed continued implementation of the preamble and chapters one and two of the Constitution, which guarantee rights and freedoms; note - in a 25 July 2022 referendum, voters supported a new constitution proposed by the president Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, based on the French civil code and Islamic (sharia) law; some judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court in joint session 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 Tunisia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months Executive branch: chief of state: President Kais SAIED (elected 13 October, sworn in 23 October 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Najla BOUDEN Romdhane (since 11 October 2021) cabinet: selected by the prime minister and approved by the Assembly of the Representatives of the People; note - on 11 October 2021, SAIED and BOUDEN appointed a new cabinet without approval by the suspended parliament 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 15 September 2019 with a runoff on 13 October 2019 (next to be held in 2024); following legislative elections, the prime minister is selected by the winning party or winning coalition and appointed by the president election results: first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 18.4%, Nabil KAROUI (Heart of Tunisia) 15.6%, Abdelfattah MOUROU (Nahda Movement) 12.9%, Abdelkrim ZBIDI(independent) 10.7%,Youssef CHAHED (Long Live Tunisia) 7.4%, Safi SAID (independent) 7.1%, Lotfi MRAIHI (Republican People's Union) 6.6%, other 21.3%; runoff - Kais SAIED elected president; Kais SAIED 72.7%, Nabil KAROUI 27.3%            first round - Kais SAIED (independent) 18.4%, Nabil KAROUI (Heart of Tunisia) 15.6%, Abdelfattah MOUROU (Nahda Movement) 12.9%, Abdelkrim ZBIDI(independent) 10.7%,Youssef CHAHED (Long Live Tunisia) 7.4%, Safi SAID (independent) 7.1%, Lotfi MRAIHI (Republican People's Union) 6.6%, other 21.3%; runoff - Kais SAIED elected president; Kais SAIED 72.7%, Nabil KAROUI 27.3%       Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation (consists of the first president, chamber presidents, and magistrates and organized into 27 civil and 11 criminal chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Supreme Judicial Council, an independent 4-part body consisting mainly of elected judges and the remainder legal specialists; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; Constitutional Court (established in the constitution but inception has been delayed; note - in mid-February 2022, President SAIED dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and replaced it with an interim council in early March subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; administrative courts; Court of Audit; Housing Court; courts of first instance; lower district courts; military courts note: the new Tunisian constitution of January 2014 called for the creation of a constitutional court by the end of 2015, but as November 2021, the court had not been appointed; the court to consist of 12 members - 4 each to be appointed by the president, the Supreme Judicial Council (an independent 4-part body consisting mainly of elected judges and the remainder are legal specialists), and the Chamber of the People's Deputies (parliament); members are to serve 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years Political parties and leaders: Afek Tounes [Yassine BRAHIM]Al Badil Al-Tounisi (The Tunisian Alternative) [Mehdi JOMAA] Amal Party [Ridha BELHAJ] Call for Tunisia Party (Nidaa Tounes) [Ali HAFSI] Current of Love [Hachemi HAMDI] (formerly the Popular Petition party) Democratic Current [Ghazi CHAOUACHI] Democratic Patriots' Unified Party [Zied LAKHDHAR] Dignity Coalition or Al Karama Coalition [Seifeddine MAKHIOUF] Ennahda Movement (The Renaissance) [Rached GHANNOUCHI] Free Destourian Party or PDL [Abir MOUSSI] Green Tunisia Party [Abdelkader ZITOUNI] Heart of Tunisia (Qalb Tounes) [Nabil KAROUI] Long Live Tunisia (Tahya Tounes) [Youssef CHAHED] Machrou Tounes (Tunisia Project) [Mohsen MARZOUK] Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ahmed KHASKHOUSSI] Party of the Democratic Arab Vanguard [Kheireddine SOUABNI] People's Movement [Zouheir MAGHZAOUI] Republican Party (Al Joumhouri) [Issam CHEBBI] The Movement Party (Hizb Harak) [Moncef MARZOUKI] Third Republic Party [Olfa Hamdi] Tunisian Ba'ath Movement [Othmen Bel Haj AMOR] Workers' Party [Hamma HAMMAMI] International organization participation: ABEDA, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Hanene TAJOURI Bessassi (since 4 October 2021) chancery: 1515 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 862-1850 FAX: [1] (202) 862-1858 email address and website: AT.Washington@Tunisiaembassy.org https://www.tunisianembassy.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Natasha FRANCESCHI (since April 2022) embassy: Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis mailing address: 6360 Tunis Place, Washington DC  20521-6360 telephone: [216] 71-107-000 FAX: [216] 71-107-090 email address and website: tunisacs@state.gov https://tn.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: red with a white disk in the center bearing a red crescent nearly encircling a red five-pointed star; resembles the Ottoman flag (red banner with white crescent and star) and recalls Tunisia's history as part of the Ottoman Empire; red represents the blood shed by martyrs in the struggle against oppression, white stands for peace; the crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam note: the flag is based on that of Turkey, itself a successor state to the Ottoman Empire National symbol(s): encircled red crescent moon and five-pointed star; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 8 (7 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Amphitheatre of El Jem (c); Archaeological Site of Carthage (c); Medina of Tunis (c); Ichkeul National Park (n); Punic Town of Kerkuane (c); Kairouan (c); Medina of Sousse (c); Dougga / Thugga (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tunisia's economy – structurally designed to favor vested interests – faced an array of challenges exposed by the 2008 global financial crisis that helped precipitate the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. After the revolution and a series of terrorist attacks, including on the country’s tourism sector, barriers to economic inclusion continued to add to slow economic growth and high unemployment.   Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the EU. Tunisia's strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improved living standards. Former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (1987-2011) continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance, unemployment rose, and the informal economy grew. Tunisia’s economy became less and less inclusive. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, further depressing Tunisia's economy as tourism and investment declined sharply.   Tunisia’s government remains under pressure to boost economic growth quickly to mitigate chronic socio-economic challenges, especially high levels of youth unemployment, which has persisted since the 2011 revolution. Successive terrorist attacks against the tourism sector and worker strikes in the phosphate sector, which combined account for nearly 15% of GDP, slowed growth from 2015 to 2017. Tunis is seeking increased foreign investment and working with the IMF through an Extended Fund Facility agreement to fix fiscal deficiencies.Tunisia's economy – structurally designed to favor vested interests – faced an array of challenges exposed by the 2008 global financial crisis that helped precipitate the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. After the revolution and a series of terrorist attacks, including on the country’s tourism sector, barriers to economic inclusion continued to add to slow economic growth and high unemployment. Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the EU. Tunisia's strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improved living standards. Former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (1987-2011) continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance, unemployment rose, and the informal economy grew. Tunisia’s economy became less and less inclusive. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, further depressing Tunisia's economy as tourism and investment declined sharply. Tunisia’s government remains under pressure to boost economic growth quickly to mitigate chronic socio-economic challenges, especially high levels of youth unemployment, which has persisted since the 2011 revolution. Successive terrorist attacks against the tourism sector and worker strikes in the phosphate sector, which combined account for nearly 15% of GDP, slowed growth from 2015 to 2017. Tunis is seeking increased foreign investment and working with the IMF through an Extended Fund Facility agreement to fix fiscal deficiencies. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $114.97 billion (2020 est.) $125.78 billion (2019 est.) $124.48 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $9,700 (2020 est.) $10,800 (2019 est.) $10,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $38.884 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.7% (2019 est.) 7.2% (2018 est.) 5.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2013) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.1% (2017 est.) industry: 26.2% (2017 est.) services: 63.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, olives, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, potatoes, dates, green onions/shallots Industries: petroleum, mining (particularly phosphate, iron ore), tourism, textiles, footwear, agribusiness, beverages Industrial production growth rate: 0.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 4.054 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.8% industry: 33.2% services: 51.7% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 15.5% (2017 est.) 15.5% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 34.9% male: 33.8% female: 37.2% (2017 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.2% (2015 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.8 (2015 est.) 41.7 (1995 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 9.876 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 12.21 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 70.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 24.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$4.191 billion (2017 est.) -$3.694 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $19.17 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $19.42 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: France 29%, Italy 17%, Germany 13% (2019) Exports - commodities: insulated wiring, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, olive oil, vehicle parts (2019) Imports: $23.42 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $24.65 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: France 17%, Italy 16%, Germany 8%, China 8%, Algeria 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, natural gas, low-voltage protection equipment, cars, insulated wiring (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.594 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $5.941 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $35.911 billion (2019 est.) $33.79 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Tunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 2.71795 (2020 est.) 2.8518 (2019 est.) 2.95875 (2018 est.) 1.9617 (2014 est.) 1.6976 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.777 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 16,737,180,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 631 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 472 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.641 billion 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: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.3% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 5,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 5,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 42,500 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 107,700 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 29,400 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 10,200 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 425 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 27,770 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 13,660 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 85,340 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 1,025,974,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 5,279,951,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 4,305,994,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 65.129 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 23.692 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 35.62 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,533,273 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 14.771 million (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126.31 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Tunisia has one of the most sophisticated telecom infrastructures in North Africa; penetration rates for mobile and Internet services are among the highest in the region; government program of regulation and infrastructure projects aims to improve Internet connectivity to underserved areas; operators built extensive LTE infrastructure in 2019, and continue to discuss plans for future 5G networks and services; People’s Republic of China (PRC) company Huawei sold equipment to operators for Tunisia’s LTE networks; one operator has signed an agreement to pursue nano-satellite launches in 2023; Internet censorship abolished, though concerns of government surveillance remain; legislation passed in 2017 supporting e-commerce and active e-government; importer of some integrated circuits and broadcasting equipment (including radio, television, and communications transmitters) from the PRC (2022) domestic: in an effort to jumpstart expansion of the fixed-line network, the government awarded a concession to build and operate a VSAT network with international connectivity; rural areas are served by wireless local loops; competition between several mobile-cellular service providers has resulted in lower activation and usage charges and a surge in subscribership; fixed-line is nearly 14.1 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity has reached about 132 telephones per 100 persons (2022) international: country code - 216; landing points for the SEA-ME-WE-4, Didon, HANNIBAL System and Trapani-Kelibia submarine cable systems that provides links to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Southeast Asia; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Algeria and Libya; participant in Medarabtel; 2 international gateway digital switches (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 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: 2 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) Internet country code: .tn Internet users: total: 8,509,405 (2020 est.) percent of population: 72% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,334,059 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 7 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 53 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,274,199 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 13.23 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TS Airports: total: 29 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 15 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Pipelines: 68 km condensate, 3,111 km gas, 1,381 km oil, 453 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 2,173 km (2014) (1,991 in use) standard gauge: 471 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,694 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (65 km electrified) dual gauge: 8 km (2014) 1.435-1.000-m gauge Roadways: paved: 20,000 km (2015) Merchant marine: total: 71 by type: container ship 1, general cargo 8 oil tanker 1, other 61 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bizerte, Gabes, Rades, Sfax, Skhira Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Tunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Tunisiennes, FAT): Tunisian Army (includes Air Defense Force), Tunisian Navy, Tunisia Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Police, National Guard (2022) note: the National Police has primary responsibility for law enforcement in the major cities, while the National Guard (gendarmerie) oversees border security and patrols smaller towns and rural areas Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $2.81 billion) 3.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $2.84 billion) 4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $2.81 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 35,000 active duty personnel (25,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air Force); estimated 10,000 National Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Tunisian military's inventory includes mostly older or second-hand US and European equipment; since 2010, the Netherlands and US have been the leading suppliers of arms to Tunisia (2022) Military service age and obligation: 20-23 years of age for male compulsory service, 1-year service obligation; individuals engaged in higher education or vocational training programs prior to their military drafting are allowed to delay service until they have completed their programs; 18-23 years of age for voluntary service; women may volunteer (2022) note 1: as of 2021, approximately 20-25,000 active military personnel were conscripts note 2: women have been allowed in the service since 1975 as volunteers only, although as recently as 2018, the Tunisian Government has discussed the possibility of conscripting women; as of 2018, women constituted less than 7% of the military and served in all three services Military deployments: 325 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 100 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: as of 2022, the Tunisian military’s primary operational areas of focus were counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and border security; it was conducting counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations against al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Islamic State of ash-Sham (ISIS)-linked militants who have been fighting a low-intensity insurgency, mostly in the mountainous region along the border with Algeria, particularly the Chaambi Mountains near the city of Kasserine; the military maintained the lead role for security in this area and also routinely conducted joint operations with Algerian security forces against these groups, as well to counter smuggling and trafficking activities; the military in recent years also has increased its role in securing the southern border against militant activity, smuggling, and trafficking from war-torn Libya; since 2015, Tunisia has constructed a complex structure of berms, trenches, and water-filled moats, complemented by electronic surveillance equipment such as motion detectors, ground surveillance radars, and infrared sensors along the 220-kilometer border with Libya; in the remote southern areas of the border with Libya, buffer/exclusion zones have also been established where the military has the lead for counterterrorism efforts; outside of these border areas, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) has the lead responsibility for counter-terrorism in Tunisia, particularly for urban areas; the National Police Anti-Terrorism Brigade (BAT) and the National Guard Special Unit have the lead for MOI counterterrorism operations Tunisia 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): Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) network in Tunisia; al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb 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: none identifiednone identified

20220901

field-military-service-age-and-obligation

This entry gives the required ages for voluntary or conscript military service and the length of service obligation. Topic: Afghanistannot available Topic: Albania19 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age in case of general/partial compulsory mobilization; conscription abolished 2010 (2021) note - as of 2020, women comprised about 14% of the military's full-time personnel, including 20% of the officers Topic: Algeria18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service (including women); 19-30 years of age for compulsory service (all Algerian men must register at age 17); conscript service obligation reduced from 18 to 12 months in 2014 (2022) note - as of 2020, conscripts comprised an estimated 70% of the military Topic: Angola20-45 years of age for compulsory male and 18-45 years for voluntary male military service (registration at age 18 is mandatory); 20-45 years of age for voluntary female service; 2-year conscript service obligation; Angolan citizenship required; the Navy (MGA) is entirely staffed with volunteers (2021) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda18-23 years of age for voluntary military service for both males and females; no conscription (2022) Topic: Argentina18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); conscription suspended in 1995; citizens can still be drafted in times of crisis, national emergency, or war, or if the Defense Ministry is unable to fill all vacancies to keep the military functional (2022) note - as of 2021, women made up over 21% of the active duty military Topic: Armenia18-27 years of age for voluntary (men and women) or compulsory (men only) military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, which can be served as an officer upon deferment for university studies if enrolled in officer-producing program; 17-year-olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel; citizens aged 27 to 50 are registered in the military reserve and may be called to serve if mobilization is declared; males under the age 36 years, who have not previously served as contract servicemen and are registered in the reserve, as well as females, regardless of whether they are registered in the reserve can be enrolled in contractual military service as privates (2021) note - as of 2021, conscripts comprised about half of the military's active personnel; as of 2018, women made up about 13% of the active duty military Topic: Australia17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (abolished 1973); women allowed to serve in all roles, including combat arms since 2013 (2022) note - in 2020-2021, women comprised nearly 20% of the ADF Topic: Austriaregistration requirement at age 17, the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service (6 months), or optionally, alternative civil/community service (9 months); males 18 to 50 years old in the militia or inactive reserve are subject to compulsory service; in a January 2012 referendum, a majority of Austrians voted in favor of retaining the system of compulsory military service (with the option of alternative/non-military service) instead of switching to a professional army system (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 4% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Azerbaijanmen age 18-35 years for compulsory military service; service obligation 18 months (non-university graduate) or 12 months (university graduates); 17 years of age for voluntary service (men and women); 17-year-olds are considered to be on active service at cadet military schools (2021) note - as of 2018, women made up an estimated 3% of the active duty military Topic: Bahamas, The18 years of age for voluntary male and female service; no conscription (2022) Topic: Bahrain18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2022) Topic: Bangladesh16-21 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi nationality and 10th grade education required; officers: 17-21 years of age, Bangladeshi nationality, and 12th grade education required (2022) Topic: Barbadosvoluntary 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) Topic: Belarus18-27 years of age for compulsory military or alternative service; conscript service obligation is 12-18 months, depending on academic qualifications, and 24-36 months for alternative service, depending on academic qualifications; 17-year-olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2021) note - conscripts can be assigned to the military, as well as the Ministry of Interior as internal or border troops; as of 2020, conscripts comprised an estimated 40% of the military Topic: Belgium18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1995 (2021) note - in 2020, women comprised about 9% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Belize18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient, but conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2022) Topic: Benin18-35 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) Topic: Bermudafemales and males who are Commonwealth citizens and 18-45 years of age for voluntary enlistment in the Bermuda Regiment; service is for a minimum period of three years and two months from the date of enlistment; service can be extended only by volunteering or an executive order from the Governor; annual training commitment is about 30 days a year, which includes a two-week camp, weekends, and drill nights (2021) Topic: Bhutan18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; militia training is compulsory for males aged 20-25, over a 3-year period; in 2021, the Royal Bhutan Army graduated from a year-long training course the first batch of 150 women to be allowed to serve in combat roles; previously, women were allowed to serve in medical and other non-combat roles (2022) Topic: Boliviacompulsory 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) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 35 or after 15 years of service for junior enlisted personnel (E-1 to E-4), mandatory retirement at age 50 and 30 years of service for non-commissioned officers (E-5 to E-9), mandatory retirement at age 55 and 30 years of service for all commissioned officers; conscription abolished in 2005 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 7% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Botswana18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) Topic: Brazil18-45 years of age for compulsory military service for men (women exempted); only 5-10% of those inducted are required to serve; conscript service obligation is 10-12 months; 17-45 years of age for voluntary service (2022) note - in 2020, women comprised approximately 9% of the Brazilian military Topic: Brunei17 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) Topic: Bulgaria18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in 2007; service obligation 6-9 months (2021) note - in 2021, women comprised about 17% of the Bulgarian military's full-time personnel Topic: Burkina Faso18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2021) Topic: Burma18-35 years of age (men) and 18-27 years of age (women) for voluntary military service; no conscription (a 2010 law reintroducing conscription has not yet entered into force); 2-year service obligation; male (ages 18-45) and female (ages 18-35) professionals (including doctors, engineers, mechanics) serve up to 3 years; service terms may be stretched to 5 years in an officially declared emergency (2021) Topic: Burundi18 years of age for voluntary military service (2021) Topic: Cabo Verde18-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; 2-years conscript service obligation; 17 years of age for voluntary service (with parental consent) (2021) Topic: Cambodia18 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 Topic: Cameroon18-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription; high school graduation required; service obligation 4 years (2021) Topic: Canada17 years of age for voluntary male and female military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2022) note(s) - Canada opened up all military occupations to women in 2001; in 2020, women comprised about 16% of the CAF Topic: Central African Republic18 years of age for military service; no conscription (2021) Topic: Chad20 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service, with a 3-year service obligation; 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a parent or guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age 21 (2021) Topic: Chile18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; selective compulsory service (there are usually enough volunteers to make compulsory service unnecessary); service obligation is a minimum of 12 months for Army and 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2022) note - as of 2021, women comprised approximately 18% of the armed forces Topic: China18-22 years of age for selective compulsory military service, with a 2-year service obligation; no minimum age for voluntary service (all officers are volunteers); 18-19 years of age for women high school graduates who meet requirements for specific military jobs (2022) Topic: Colombia18-24 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; conscripted soldiers reportedly include regular soldiers (conscripts without a high school degree), drafted high school graduates (bachilleres), and rural (campesino) soldiers who serve in their home regions (2022) note - in 2020, conscripts reportedly comprised about 50% of the Colombian military's active force with approximately 60-90,000 conscripts brought into the military annually Topic: Comoros18 years of age for 2-year voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2021) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the18-45 years of age for voluntary (men and women) and compulsory (men only) military service; unclear how much conscription is used (2021) Topic: Congo, Republic of the18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in the armed forces (2021) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary male and female military service; conscription is not enforced; voluntary recruitment of former rebels into the new national army is restricted to ages 22-29 (2021) Topic: Croatia18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised about 13% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Cuba17-28 years of age for compulsory (men) and volunteer (men and women) military service; 2-year service obligation for men (2022) Topic: CyprusCypriot National Guard (CNG): 18-50 years of age for compulsory military service for all Greek Cypriot males; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 14-month service obligation (2021) Topic: Czechia18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished 2004 (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised about 13% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Denmark18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months depending on specialization; former conscripts are assigned to mobilization units; women eligible to volunteer for military service; in addition to full time employment, the Danish Military offers reserve contracts in all three branches (2021) note(s) - women have been able serve in all military occupations, including combat arms, since 1988; as of 2019, they made up about 8% of the military's full-time personnel; conscientious objectors can choose to instead serve 6 months in a non-military position, for example in Beredskabsstyrelsen (dealing with non-military disasters like fires, flood, pollution, etc.) or overseas foreign aid work Topic: Djibouti18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2021) Topic: Dominican Republic17-21 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); recruits must have completed primary school and be Dominican Republic citizens; women may volunteer (2022) note - as of 2021, women made up approximately 20% of the active duty military Topic: Ecuador18 years of age for selective conscript military service, although conscription was suspended in 2008; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; Ecuadorian birth requirement; 1-year service obligation; females have been allowed to serve in all branches since 2012 (2022) note - in 2017, women made up an estimated 3% of the military Topic: Egyptvoluntary enlistment possible from age 16 (men and women); 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation - 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education; high school drop-outs serve for the full 36 months, while college graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education (2022) note - as of 2020, conscripts were estimated to comprise over half of the military, as well as a considerable portion of the Central Security Force Topic: El Salvador18 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 Topic: Equatorial Guinea18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 2-year service obligation; women hold only administrative positions in the Navy (2021) Topic: Eritrea18-40 years of age for male and female voluntary and compulsory military service (18-27 for female conscription); 18-month conscript service obligation, which includes 4-6 months of military training and one‐year of military or other national service (military service is most common); note - in practice, military service reportedly is often extended indefinitely (2021) note - as of 2020, women reportedly made up as much as 30% of the Eritrean military Topic: Estoniamen 18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service, conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months; women can volunteer and as of 2018, women could serve in any branch of the military (2021) note(s) - conscripts comprise about half (approximately 3,000-3,300) of the Estonian military's 6,500 active personnel and serve in all branches, except for the Air Force, which does not have conscripts; in 2020, women comprised about 10% of the full-time professional military force Topic: Eswatini18-30 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (2021) Topic: Ethiopia18 years of age for voluntary military service; no compulsory military service, but the military can conduct callups when necessary and compliance is compulsory (2021) note - in November 2021, the Ethiopian Government issued a nationwide state of emergency that enabled officials to order military-age citizens to undergo training and accept military duty in support of the Tigray conflict Topic: Fiji18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 55 (2021) Topic: Finlandat age 18, all Finnish men are obligated to serve 5.5-12 months of service within a branch of the military or the Border Guard (length of service depends on the type of duty), and women 18-29 may volunteer for service; there is also an option to perform non-military service which lasts for 8.5 or 11.5 months; after completing their initial conscript obligation, individuals enter the reserves and remain eligible for mobilization until the age of 50 for rank-and-file and 60 for non-commissioned and commissioned officers (2022) note(s) - the military trains approximately 21,000 (20,000 Army) conscripts each year; as of 2019, women made up about 4% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: France18-25 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(s) - 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; in 2019, women comprised approximately approximately 16% of the uniformed armed forces (21% including civilians)  Topic: Gabon20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2021) Topic: Gambia, The18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (18-22 for officers); no conscription; service obligation 6 months (2021) Topic: Georgia18-27 years of age for voluntary active duty military service; conscription abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017 for men 18 to 27 years of age; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2021) note(s) - approximately 6-7,000 individuals are called up annually for conscription for service; approximately 25% enter the Defense Forces, while the remainder serve in the Ministry of Internal Affairs or as prison guards in the Ministry of Corrections; as of 2019, women made up about 6% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Germany17-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (must have completed compulsory full-time education and have German citizenship); conscription ended July 2011; service obligation 7-23 months or 12 years; women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 (2022) note - in 2021, women accounted for about 12% of the German military Topic: Ghana18-26 years of age for voluntary military service, with basic education certificate; no conscription (2021) Topic: Greece19-45 years of age for compulsory military service; 12-month obligation for all services (note - as an exception, the duration of the full military service is 9 instead of 12 months if conscripts, after the initial training, serve the entire remaining time in certain areas of the eastern borders, in Cyprus, or in certain military units); 18 years of age for volunteers; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2021) note(s) - approximately 40-50% of the Greek military is comprised of conscripts; as of 2019, women comprised approximately 19% of the full-time military personnel Topic: Guatemalaall male citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 are eligible for military service; in practice, most of the force is volunteer, however, a selective draft system is employed, resulting in a small portion of 17-21 year-olds conscripted; conscript service obligation varies from 1 to 2 years; women may volunteer (2022) note - as of 2017, women made up an estimated 5-10% of the active military Topic: GuineaVoluntary and selective conscripted service, 9-24 mos (2021) Topic: Guinea-Bissau18-25 years of age for selective compulsory military service (Air Force service is voluntary); 16 years of age or younger, with parental consent, for voluntary service (2021) Topic: Guyana18 years of age or older for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022) Topic: Haitinot available Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps: 19-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; must be Roman Catholic, a single male, and a Swiss citizen, with a secondary education; service is for 26 months (2022) Topic: Honduras18 years of age for voluntary 2- to 3-year military service (men and women); no conscription (2022) note - as of 2017, women made up over 4% of the active duty military Topic: Hungary18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (abolished 2005); 6-month service obligation (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised approximately 20% of Hungary's full-time military personnel Topic: India16-18 years of age for voluntary military service (Army 17 1/2, Air Force 17, Navy 16 1/2); no conscription; women may join as officers, currently serve in combat roles as Air Force pilots, and under consideration for Army and Navy combat roles (currently can fly naval reconnaissance aircraft) (2022) Topic: Indonesia18-45 years of age for voluntary military service, with selective conscription authorized (males, age 18), but not utilized; 2-year service obligation, with reserve obligation to age 45 (officers) (2021) Topic: Iran18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18-24 months, depending on the location of service (soldiers serving in places of high security risk and deprived areas serve shorter terms); women exempt from military service (2021) note - as of 2019, approximately 80% of Artesh ground forces personnel were conscripts, while Navy and Air/Air Defense Force personnel were primarily volunteers; conscripts reportedly comprised more than 50 percent of the IRGC (most volunteers were reportedly recruited from the Basij Forces) Topic: Iraq18-40 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (abolished 2003) (2022) note - in late 2021, the Iraqi Government approved a draft conscription law for the Council of Representatives to debate Topic: Ireland18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Defence Forces (18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-26 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 12-year service (5 active, 7 reserves); Irish citizen, European Economic Area citizenship, or refugee status (2022) note - as of 2019, women made up about 7% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Israel18 years of age for compulsory military service; 17 years of age for voluntary military service; Jews and Druze can be conscripted; Christians, Circassians, and Muslims may volunteer; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript liability 48 months for officers, 32 months for men of other ranks, 24 for women;  conscript service obligation - 32 months for enlisted men and about 24 months for enlisted women (varies based on military occupation), 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9-year service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), age 24 (women) (2022) note(s) - women have served in the Israeli military since its establishment in 1948; as of 2021, women made up about 35% of IDF personnel; more than 90% of military specialties, including combat specialties, were open to women and more than 3,000 women were serving in combat units; the IDF's first mixed-gender infantry unit, the Caracal Battalion, was established in 2004; as of 2021, conscripts comprised about 70% of the IDF ground forces Topic: Italy18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in any military branch; Italian citizenship required; 1-year service obligation; conscription abolished 2004 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 6% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Jamaicano conscription; 18-23 for voluntary military service (17 with parental consent; 18-28 for the reserves); since 2017, the JDF's standard mode of recruitment is to enroll recruits ages 18-23 through the Jamaica National Service Corps (JNSC); in the JNSC, soldiers receive basic military, vocational, and life skills training; upon completion of 1-year of service, soldiers can continue on with the JDF or seek other opportunities with law enforcement (2022) Topic: Japan18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (maximum enlistment age 32); no conscription (2021) note - as of 2020, women made up about 7% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Jordan17 years of age for voluntary male military service (women can volunteer to serve in noncombat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and RJAF); initial service term 2 years, with option to reenlist for 18 years; conscription abolished in 1991; however, in 2020, Jordan announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service for jobless men aged between 25 and 29 with 12 months of service, made up of 3 months of military training and 9 months of professional and technical training; in 2019, announced a voluntary 4-month National Military Service program for men and women aged between 18-25 years who have been unemployed for at least 6 months; service would include 1 month for military training with the remaining 3 months dedicated to vocational training in the sectors of construction and tourism (2022) note - most women serve in the medical service; outside the medical service, women comprised about 1.5% of the military as of 2019; the Jordanian Government intended to raise this to 3% Topic: Kazakhstanall men 18-27 are required to serve in the military for at least one year (2022) Topic: Kenyano 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) Topic: Korea, North17 years of age for compulsory male and female military service; service obligation 10 years for men, to age 23 for women (reportedly reduced in 2021 to 7-8 years for men and 5 years for women) (2021) note(s) - the bulk of the KPA is made up of conscripts; as many as 20 percent of North Korean males between the ages of 16 and 54 are in the military at a given time and possibly up to 30 percent of males between the ages of 18 and 27, not counting the reserves or paramilitary units Topic: Korea, South18-28 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum conscript service obligation varies by service- 21 months (Army, Marines), 23 months (Navy), 24 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service  (2021) note(s) - women, in service since 1950, are able to serve in all branches, including as officers, and in 2020 comprised about 7.5% of the active duty military; in 2021, about 330,000 of the military's active personnel were conscripts; South Korea intends to reduce the length of military service to 18 – 22 months by 2022 Topic: Kosovoservice is voluntary; must be over the age of 18 and a citizen of Kosovo; upper age for enlisting is 30 for officers, 25 for other ranks, although these may be waived for recruits with key skills considered essential for the KSF (2021) Topic: Kuwait17-21 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)   Topic: Kyrgyzstan18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation (9 months for university graduates), with optional fee-based 3-year service in the call-up mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2022) Topic: Laos18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2021) Topic: Latvia18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (abolished 2007) (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised about 16% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Lebanon17-25 years of age for voluntary military service (including women); no conscription (2022) note - as of 2020, women comprised about 5% of the active duty military Topic: Lesotho18-24 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women can serve as commissioned officers (2021) Topic: Liberia18-35 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) note - as of 2020, women made up about .4% of the active military Topic: Libyanot available Topic: Lithuania19-26 years of age for conscripted military service (males); 9-month service obligation; in 2015, Lithuania reinstated conscription after having converted to a professional military in 2008; 18-38 for voluntary service (male and female) (2021) note(s) - Lithuania conscripts up to 4,000 males each year; conscripts are selected using an automated lottery system; as of 2019, women comprised about 12% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Luxembourg18-26 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; no conscription (abolished 1969); Luxembourg citizen or EU citizen with 3-year residence in Luxembourg (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 8% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Madagascar18-25 years of age for males; service obligation 18 months; no conscription; women are permitted to serve in all branches (2022) Topic: Malawi18 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) Topic: Malaysia17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; women serve in the Malaysian Armed Forces; no conscription (2021) note - in 2020, the Malaysian Armed Forces announced a goal of having 10% of the active military comprised of women Topic: Maldives18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2022) Topic: Mali18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service (men and women); 2-year conscript service obligation (2022) Topic: Malta18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) Topic: Mauritania18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022) Topic: Mauritiusservice is voluntary (2022) Topic: Mexico18 years of age for compulsory military service for males (selection for service determined by lottery); conscript service obligation is 12 months; those selected serve on Saturdays in a Batallón del Servicio Militar Nacional (National Military Service Battalion) composed entirely of 1-year Servicio Militar Nacional (SMN) conscripts; conscripts remain in reserve status until the age of 40; 16 years of age with consent for voluntary enlistment; cadets enrolled in military schools from the age of 15 are considered members of the armed forces; women are eligible for voluntary military service (2022) note - as of 2022, women comprised about 15% of the active duty military Topic: Moldova18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 20% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Mongolia18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation in army or air forces or police for males only (can be exchanged for a 24‐month stint in the civil service or a tax voucher); after conscription, soldiers can contract into military service for 2 or 4 years; citizens can also voluntarily join the armed forces (2021) Topic: Montenegro18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2006 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 6% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Morocco19-25 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service (reintroduced in 2019); both sexes (age 20-27 for women) are obligated to national service (2021) Topic: Mozambiqueregistration for military service is mandatory for all males and females at 18 years of age; 18-35 years of age for selective compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 2-year service obligation; women may serve as officers or enlisted (2021) Topic: Namibia18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) note - as of 2018, women comprised more than 20% of the active military Topic: Nepal18 years of age for voluntary military service (including women); no conscription (2022) note - as of 2020, women comprised about 5% of the active duty military Topic: Netherlands17 years of age for an all-volunteer force; conscription remains in place, but the requirement to show up for compulsory military service was suspended in 1997 (2021) note - in 2019, women made up about 11% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: New Zealand17 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2022) note - New Zealand opened up all military occupations to women in 2000; in 2019, women accounted for about 18% of the uniformed full-time personnel Topic: Nicaragua18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; tour of duty 18-36 months; requires Nicaraguan nationality and 6th-grade education (2022) Topic: Nigerhas conscription, although it is reportedly not always enforced; 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2022) Topic: Nigeria18-26 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) Topic: North Macedonia18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2007 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 8% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Norway19-35 years of age for male and female selective compulsory military service; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age for women; 19-month service obligation; conscripts first serve 12 months from 19-28, and then up to 4-5 refresher training periods until age 35, 44, 55, or 60 depending on rank and function (2021) note(s) - Norway conscripts about 8,000 individuals annually; Norway was the first NATO country to allow females to serve in all combat arms branches of the military (1985); it also has an all-female special operations unit known as Jegertroppen (The Hunter Troop), which was established in 2014; as of 2019, women comprised about 14% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Oman18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (women have been allowed to serve since 2011); no conscription (2022) Topic: Pakistan16 (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) Topic: Papua New Guinea16 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (2021) Topic: Paraguay18 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 Topic: Peru18-50 years of age for male and 18-45 years of age for female voluntary military service (12 months); no conscription (abolished in 1999) (2022) note - as of 2019, women made up about 10% of the active duty military Topic: Philippines18-23 years of age (officers 21-29; 21-26 for women officers) for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) note - as of 2020, women made up about 6% of the active military; women were allowed to enter the Philippine Military Academy and train as combat soldiers in 1993 Topic: Poland18-28 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription phased out in 2009-12; professional soldiers serve on a permanent basis (for an unspecified period of time) or on a contract basis (for a specified period of time); initial contract period is 24 months; women serve in the military on the same terms as men (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 7% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Portugal18-30 years of age for voluntary or contract military service; no compulsory military service (abolished 2004), but conscription possible if insufficient volunteers available; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1992, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; contract service lasts for an initial period from two to six years, and can be extended to a maximum of 20 years of service; voluntary military service lasts 12 months; reserve obligation to age 35 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 12% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Qatarconscription for males aged 18-35 introduced in 2013; compulsory service times range from 4-12 months, depending on the cadets educational and professional circumstances; since 2018, women have been permitted to serve in the armed forces, including as uniformed officers and pilots (2022) note - as of 2020, the military incorporated about 2,000 conscripts annually Topic: Romaniaconscription ended 2006; 18 years of age for male and female voluntary service; all military inductees (including women) contract for an initial 5-year term of service, with subsequent successive 3-year terms until age 36 (2021) Topic: Russia18-27 years of age for compulsory service (males only); 18-40 for voluntary/contractual service; women and non-Russian citizens (18-30) may volunteer; males are registered for the draft at 17 years of age; 1-year service obligation (Russia offers the option of serving on a 2-year contract instead of completing a 1-year conscription period); reserve obligation for non-officers to age 50; enrollment in military schools from the age of 16, cadets classified as members of the armed forces (2022) note(s) - in May 2022, Russia's parliament approved a law removing the upper age limit for contractual service in the military; in the spring of 2022, Russia drafted 134,500 conscripts into the military; as of 2021, conscripts reportedly comprised about 30% of the Russian military's active duty personnel; in April of 2019, the Russian Government pledged its intent to end conscription as part of a decade-long effort to shift from a large, conscript-based military to a smaller, more professional force; an existing law allows for a 21-month alternative civil service in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities for those who view military duty as incompatible with their beliefs, but military conscription offices reportedly often broadly ignore requests for such service; as of 2020, women made up about 5% of the active duty military Topic: Rwanda18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription; Rwandan citizenship is required; enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career (2021) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis18 years of age for voluntary military service (under 18 with written parental permission); no conscription (2021) Topic: San Marino18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription; government has the authority to call up all San Marino citizens from 16-60 years of age to service in the military (2021) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service; 17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service (2021) Topic: Saudi Arabia17-40 for men; no conscription; as of 2021, women (aged 18-40) were allowed to serve in the Army, Air Defense, Navy, Strategic Missile Force, medical services, and internal security forces up to the rank of non-commissioned officer (2021) Topic: Senegal18 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 (2021) Topic: Serbia18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished January 2011 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 6% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Seychelles18-28 (18-25 for officers) years of age for voluntary military service (including women); 6-year initial commitment; no conscription (2022) Topic: Sierra Leone18-29 for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve; no conscription (2021) Topic: Singapore18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers); women are not conscripted, but they are allowed to volunteer for all services and branches, including combat arms (2021) note(s) - under the Enlistment Act, all male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to enter National Service (NS) upon attaining the age of 18; most NS conscripts serve in the SAF, but some go into the Police Force or Civil Defense Force; as of 2020, conscripts comprised over half of the defense establishment; as of 2017, women made up about 7% of the active force Topic: Slovakia18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription in peacetime suspended in 2004; women are eligible to serve (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up around 12% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Slovenia18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); conscription abolished in 2003 (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised about 15% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Somalia18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscription is authorized, but not currently utilized (2021) Topic: South Africa18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2021) note - in 2019, women comprised about 30% of the SANDF Topic: South Sudan18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; 12-24 months service (2022) note - in 2019, women made up less than 10% of the active military Topic: Spain18-26 years of age for voluntary military service by a Spanish citizen or legal immigrant, 2-3 year obligation; women allowed to serve in all SAF branches, including combat units; no conscription (abolished 2001), but Spanish Government retains right to mobilize citizens 19-25 years of age in a national emergency (2021) note - as of 2019, women comprised about 13% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Sri Lanka18-22 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2022) Topic: Sudan18-33 years of age for male and female compulsory or voluntary military service; 1-2 year service obligation (2022) note - implementation of conscription is reportedly uneven Topic: Suriname18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2022) Topic: Sweden18-47 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; service obligation: 7.5 months (Army), 7-15 months (Navy), 8-12 months (Air Force); after completing initial service, soldiers have a reserve commitment until age 47; compulsory military service, abolished in 2010, was reinstated in January 2018; conscription is selective, includes both female and male (age 18), and requires 9-12 months of service (2021) note(s) - Sweden conscripts about 5,500 men and women each year; as of 2021, women made up about 11% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Switzerland18-30 years of age generally for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 245 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by six 19-day intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2021) note - conscientious objectors can choose 390 days of community service instead of military service Topic: Syria18-42 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 Topic: Taiwanstarting with those born in 1994, males 18-36 years of age may volunteer for military service or must complete 4 months of compulsory military training (5 weeks of basic training followed by 11 weeks of specialized training with field units); civil service can be substituted for military service in some cases; men born before December 1993 are required to complete compulsory service for 1 year (military or civil); men are subject to training recalls up to four times for periods not to exceed 20 days for 8 years after discharge; women may enlist, but are restricted to noncombat roles in most cases; as part of its transition to an all-volunteer military in December 2018, the last cohort of one-year military conscripts completed their service obligations (2022) note - as of 2021, women made up about 15% of the active duty military Topic: Tajikistan18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service for men; 24-month conscript service obligation; in August 2021, the Tajik Government began allowing men to pay a fee in order to avoid conscription (2022) Topic: Tanzania18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; 6-year commitment (2-year contracts afterwards); selective conscription for 2 years of public service (2022) Topic: Thailand18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); 21 years of age for compulsory military service (men only); males register at 18 years of age; 2-year conscript service obligation varies by educational qualifications (2021) note(s) - information varies, but conscripts reportedly comprise as much as 50% of the RTARF; around 100,000 males are drafted each year; as of 2020, women comprised about 8% of active military personnel Topic: Timor-Leste18 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-month service obligation (2021) Topic: Togo18 years of age for military service; 2-year service obligation; no conscription; women have been able to serve since 2007 (2021) Topic: Tongamen and women, 18-25, may volunteer; no conscription (2021) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women; some age variations between services, reserves); no conscription (2022) note - as of 2017, women comprised about 14% of the active military Topic: Tunisiamen 20-23 years of age for compulsory service, 1-year service obligation; individuals engaged in higher education or vocational training programs prior to their military drafting are allowed to delay service until they have completed their programs; 18-23 years of age for voluntary service; women may volunteer (2022) note(s) - as of 2021, approximately 20-25,000 active military personnel were conscripts; women have been allowed in the service since 1975 as volunteers only, although as recently as 2018, the Tunisian Government has discussed the possibility of conscripting women; as of 2018, women constituted less than 7% of the military and served in all three services Topic: TurkeyPresident Erdoğan on 25 June 2019 signed a new law cutting the men’s mandatory military service period in half, as well as making paid military service permanent; with the new system, the period of conscription was reduced from 12 months to six months for privates and non-commissioned soldiers (the service term for reserve officers chosen among university or college graduates will remain 12 months); after completing six months of service, if a conscripted soldier wants to and is suitable for extending his military service, he may do so for an additional six months in return for a monthly salary; under the new law, all male Turkish citizens over the age of 20 will be required to undergo a one month military training period, but they can obtain an exemption from the remaining five months of their mandatory service by paying 31,000 Turkish Liras (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about .3% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: Turkmenistan18-30 years of age for compulsory male military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2.5 years for the Navy); 20 years of age for voluntary service (including females); males may enroll in military schools from age 15 (2022) Topic: Uganda18-25 years of age for voluntary military duty (men and women); 9-year service obligation (2021) Topic: Ukraineconscription abolished in 2012, but reintroduced in 2014; 20-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2021) note(s) - the Ukrainian military has a mix of conscripts (14,000 conscripted in 2021) and professional soldiers on contracts; women can volunteer and have served in the Ukrainian armed forces since 1993; as of 2021, women comprised approximately 15-20% of the military; in late 2021, the Ukrainian Government began requiring women between 18 and 60 who are fit for military service and work in a broad range of professions to register with Ukraine's armed forces   Topic: United Arab Emirates18-30 years of age for compulsory military service for men (compulsory service initiated in 2014); 17 years of age for male volunteers with parental approval; males can volunteer up to age 40; 24-month general service obligation, 16 months for secondary school graduates; women can volunteer to serve for 9 months regardless of education (2022) note - compulsory service may be completed in the uniformed military, the Ministry of Interior, the State Security Service, or other institutions designated by the military leadership Topic: United Kingdomslight variations by service, but generally 16-36 years of age for enlisted (with parental consent under 18) and 18-29 for officers; minimum length of service 4 years; women serve in military services including ground combat roles; conscription abolished in 1963 (2021) note - as of 2019, women made up about 11% of the military's full-time personnel Topic: United States18 years of age (17 years of age with parental consent) for male and female voluntary service; no conscription  (currently inactive, but males aged 18-25 must register with Selective Service in case conscription is reinstated in the future); maximum enlistment age 34 (Army), 39 (Air Force), 39 (Navy), 28 (Marines), 31 (Coast Guard); 8-year service obligation, including 2-5 years active duty (Army), 2 years active (Navy), 4 years active (Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard); all military occupations and positions open to women (2021) note - in 2019, women comprised about 18% of the total US military Topic: Uruguay18-30 years of age (18-22 years of age for Navy) for male or female voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2022) note - as of 2017, women comprised about 19% of the active military Topic: Uzbekistan18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-year conscript service obligation for males (conscripts have the option of paying for a shorter service of one month while remaining in the reserves until the age of 27); Uzbek citizens who have completed their service terms in the armed forces have privileges in employment and admission to higher educational institutions (2022) Topic: Venezuela18-30 (25 for women) for voluntary service; the minimum service obligation is 24-30 months; all citizens of military service age (18-50 years old) are obligated to register for military service and subject to military training, although “forcible recruitment” is forbidden (2022) note - as of 2017, women made up more than 20% of the active duty military Topic: Vietnam18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service (females eligible for conscription, but in practice only males are drafted); conscription typically takes place twice annually and service obligation is 2 years (Army, Air Defense) and 3 years (Navy and Air Force) (2021) Topic: West Banknot available Topic: Yemen18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2001; 2-year service obligation (note - limited information since the start of the civil war) (2021) Topic: Zambia18-25 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) Topic: Zimbabwe18-22 years of age for voluntary military service (18-24 for officer cadets; 18-30 for technical/specialist personnel); no conscription; women are eligible to serve (2021)

20220901

field-current-health-expenditure

Current Health Expenditure (CHE) describes the share of spending on health in each country relative to the size of its economy.  It includes expenditures corresponding to the final consumption of health care goods and services and excludes investment, exports, and intermediate consumption.  CHE shows the importance of the health sector in the economy and indicates the priority given to health in monetary terms.  Note: Current Health Expenditure replaces the former Health Expenditures field and is calculated differently. Topic: Afghanistan13.2% (2019) Topic: AkrotiriNA Topic: Albania5.2% (2018) Topic: Algeria6.2% (2019) Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: Andorra6.7% (2019) Topic: Angola2.5% (2019) Topic: AnguillaNA Topic: Antigua and Barbuda4.4% (2019) Topic: Argentina9.5% (2019) Topic: Armenia11.3% (2019) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA Topic: Australia9.9% (2019) Topic: Austria10.4% (2019) Topic: Azerbaijan4% (2019) Topic: Bahamas, The5.8% (2019) Topic: Bahrain4% (2019) Topic: Bangladesh2.5% (2019) Topic: Barbados6.3% (2019) Topic: Belarus5.9% (2019) Topic: Belgium10.7% (2019) Topic: Belize6% (2019) Topic: Benin2.4% (2019) Topic: BermudaNA Topic: Bhutan3.6% (2019) Topic: Bolivia6.9% (2019) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina9.1% (2019) Topic: Botswana6.1% (2019) Topic: Bouvet IslandNA Topic: Brazil9.6% (2019) Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Brunei2.2% (2019) Topic: Bulgaria7.1% (2019) Topic: Burkina Faso5.5% (2019) Topic: Burma4.7% (2019) Topic: Burundi8% (2019) Topic: Cabo Verde4.9% (2019) Topic: Cambodia7% (2019) Topic: Cameroon3.6% (2019) Topic: Canada10.8% (2019) Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic7.8% (2019) Topic: Chad4.4% (2019) Topic: Chile9.3% (2019) Topic: China5.4% (2019) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Clipperton IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia7.7% (2019) Topic: Comoros5.2% (2019) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the3.5% (2019) Topic: Congo, Republic of the2.1% (2019) Topic: Cook Islands3.1% (2019) Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica7.3% (2019) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire3.3% (2019) Topic: Croatia7% (2019) Topic: Cuba11.3% (2019) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: Cyprus7% (2019) Topic: Czechia7.8% (2019) Topic: Denmark10% (2019) Topic: DhekeliaNA Topic: Djibouti1.8% (2019) Topic: Dominica5.5% (2019) Topic: Dominican Republic5.9% (2019) Topic: Ecuador7.8% (2019) Topic: Egypt4.7% (2019) Topic: El Salvador7.2% (2019) Topic: Equatorial Guinea3.1% (2019) Topic: Eritrea4.5% (2019) Topic: Estonia6.7% (2019) Topic: Eswatini6.8% (2019) Topic: Ethiopia3.2% (2019) Topic: European Union9.9% (2016) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe IslandsNA Topic: Fiji3.8% (2019) Topic: Finland9.2% (2019) Topic: France11.1% (2019) Topic: French PolynesiaNA Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA Topic: Gabon2.8% (2019) Topic: Gambia, The3.8% (2019) Topic: Gaza StripNA Topic: Georgia6.7% (2019) Topic: Germany11.7% (2019) Topic: Ghana3.4% (2019) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: Greece7.8% (2019) Topic: GreenlandNA Topic: Grenada5% (2019) Topic: GuamNA Topic: Guatemala6.2% (2019) Topic: GuernseyNA Topic: Guinea4% (2019) Topic: Guinea-Bissau8.4% (2019) Topic: Guyana4.9% (2019) Topic: Haiti4.7% (2019) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras7.3% (2019) Topic: Hong KongNA Topic: Hungary6.4% (2019) Topic: Iceland8.6% (2019) Topic: India3% (2019) Topic: Indonesia2.9% (2019) Topic: Iran6.7% (2019) Topic: Iraq4.5% (2019) Topic: Ireland6.7% (2019) Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: Israel7.5% (2019) Topic: Italy8.7% (2019) Topic: Jamaica6.1% (2019) Topic: Jan MayenNA Topic: Japan10.7% (2019) Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan7.6% (2019) Topic: Kazakhstan2.8% (2019) Topic: Kenya4.6% (2019) Topic: Kiribati10.3% (2019) Topic: Korea, NorthNA Topic: Korea, South8.2% (2019) Topic: KosovoNA Topic: Kuwait5.5% (2019) Topic: Kyrgyzstan4.5% (2019) Topic: Laos2.6% (2019) Topic: Latvia6.6% (2019) Topic: Lebanon8.7% (2019) Topic: Lesotho11.3% (2019) Topic: Liberia8.5% (2019) Topic: LibyaNA Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: Lithuania7% (2019) Topic: Luxembourg5.4% (2019) Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar3.7% (2019) Topic: Malawi7.4% (2019) Topic: Malaysia3.8% (2019) Topic: Maldives8% (2019) Topic: Mali3.9% (2019) Topic: Malta8.2% (2019) Topic: Marshall Islands16.3% (2019) Topic: Mauritania3.3% (2019) Topic: Mauritius6.2% (2019) Topic: Mexico5.4% (2019) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of11.4% (2019) Topic: Moldova6.4% (2019) Topic: Monaco1.5% (2019) Topic: Mongolia3.8% (2019) Topic: Montenegro8.3% (2019) Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco5.3% (2019) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique7.8% (2019) Topic: Namibia8.5% (2019) Topic: Nauru9.8% (2019) Topic: Navassa IslandNA Topic: Nepal4.5% (2019) Topic: Netherlands10.1% (2019) Topic: New CaledoniaNA Topic: New Zealand9.7% (2019) Topic: Nicaragua8.4% (2019) Topic: Niger5.7% (2019) Topic: Nigeria3% (2019) Topic: Niue5.3% (2019) Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia7.3% (2019) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: Norway10.5% (2019) Topic: Oman4.1% (2019) Topic: Pakistan3.4% (2019) Topic: Palau15.2% (2019) Topic: Panama7.6% (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinea2.3% (2019) Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguay7.2% (2019) Topic: Peru5.2% (2019) Topic: Philippines4.1% (2019) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland6.5% (2019) Topic: Portugal9.5% (2019) Topic: Puerto RicoNA Topic: Qatar2.9% (2019) Topic: Romania5.7% (2019) Topic: Russia5.7% (2019) Topic: Rwanda6.4% (2019) Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis5.4% (2019) Topic: Saint Lucia4.3% (2019) Topic: Saint MartinNA Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines4.8% (2019) Topic: Samoa6.4% (2019) Topic: San Marino6.4% (2019) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5.5% (2019) Topic: Saudi Arabia5.7% (2019) Topic: Senegal4.1% (2019) Topic: Serbia8.7% (2019) Topic: Seychelles5.2% (2019) Topic: Sierra Leone8.8% (2019) Topic: Singapore4.1% (2019) Topic: Sint MaartenNA Topic: Slovakia7% (2019) Topic: Slovenia8.5% (2019) Topic: Solomon Islands4.8% (2019) Topic: SomaliaNA Topic: South Africa9.1% (2019) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South Sudan6% (2019) Topic: Spain9.1% (2019) Topic: Spratly IslandsNA Topic: Sri Lanka4.1% (2019) Topic: Sudan4.6% (2019) Topic: Suriname9.7% (2019) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden10.9% (2019) Topic: Switzerland11.3% (2019) Topic: SyriaNA Topic: TaiwanNA Topic: Tajikistan7.1% (2019) Topic: Tanzania3.8% (2019) Topic: Thailand3.8% (2019) Topic: Timor-Leste7.2% (2019) Topic: Togo5.7% (2019) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tonga5% (2019) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago7% (2019) Topic: Tunisia7% (2019) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)4.3% (2019) Topic: Turkmenistan6.6% (2019) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: Tuvalu24% (2019) Topic: Uganda3.8% (2019) Topic: Ukraine7.1% (2019) Topic: United Arab Emirates4.3% (2019) Topic: United Kingdom10.2% (2019) Topic: United States16.8% (2019) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA Topic: Uruguay9.4% (2019) Topic: Uzbekistan5.6% (2019) Topic: Vanuatu3.4% (2019) Topic: Venezuela5.4% (2019) Topic: Vietnam5.3% (2019) Topic: Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Wake IslandNA Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West BankNA Topic: World10% (2016) Topic: Yemen4.3% (2015) Topic: Zambia5.3% (2019) Topic: Zimbabwe7.7% (2019)

20220901

countries-turkey-turkiye-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution when traveling to Turkey due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. 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: [90] (312) 455-5555; US Embassy Ankara, 110 Atatürk Blvd., Kavakl?dere, 06100 Ankara, Turkey; Ankara-ACS@state.gov; https://tr.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 90 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 112; Fire: 112; Police: 112 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Currency (Code): Turkish liras (TRY) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Turkish, Kurdish, other minority languages Major Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christian and Jews) 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: Istanbul (includes Hagia Sofia & Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace); Ephesus; Pamukkale; Sumela Monastery; Mount Nemrut; Goreme National Park & rock sites of Cappadocia; Troy ruins; Catalhoyuk Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, volleyball Cultural Practices: Removing shoes in Turkish homes is customary. Be careful not to point your bare feet at anyone though, as this is often considered taboo. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 10-15% in restaurants, cafes, and bars is typical. Hotel staff expect 5-20 liras for their services. Round up taxi fares. Souvenirs: Turkish/Kilim rugs, nargile smoking pipes, evil eye items, Turkish Delight candy, ceramics and pottery, copperwork, inlaid woodwork, chess sets, musical instruments, Turkish coffee sets and coffee, leather items, gold jewelry and onyx and mother-of-pearl items, embroidered items Traditional Cuisine: Döner Kebab — grilled, sliced, or shaved seasoned lamb and/or beef shredded from a vertical skewer and typically folded in flat bread with tomatoes, onions, lettuce, and cucumbers; cheese is also occasionally added 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, June 20, 2022

20220901

field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us

This entry includes the chief of mission, embassy address, mailing address, telephone number, FAX number, email and website addresses, branch office locations, consulate general locations, and consulate locations. Topic: Afghanistanchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires: Ian MCCARY (since August 2021); note – since 15 August 2021, the United States has not yet made a decision whether to recognize the Taliban or any other entity as the Government of Afghanistan         embassy: Embassy Kabul, operations have been suspended; Department of State’s Afghanistan Affairs Unit operates from Doha, Qatar.                 Topic: Akrotiriembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Albaniachief of mission: Ambassador Yuri KIM (since 27 January 2020) embassy: Rruga Stavro Vinjau, No. 14, Tirana mailing address: 9510 Tirana Place, Washington DC  20521-9510 telephone: [355] 4 2247-285 FAX: [355] 4 2232-222 email address and website: ACSTirana@state.gov https://al.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Algeriachief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth Moore AUBIN (since 9 February 2022) embassy: 05 Chemin Cheikh Bachir, Ibrahimi, El-Biar 16030, Alger mailing address: 6030 Algiers Place, Washington DC  20521-6030 telephone: [213] (0) 770-08-2000 FAX: [213] (0) 770-08-2299 email address and website: ACSAlgiers@state.gov https://dz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: American Samoaembassy: none (territory of the US) Topic: Andorraembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Andorra; the US ambassador to Spain is accredited to Andorra; US interests in Andorra are represented by the US Consulate General's office in Barcelona (Spain); mailing address: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona, Espana; telephone: [34] (93) 280-22-27; FAX: [34] (93) 280-61-75; email address: Barcelonaacs@state.gov Topic: Angolachief of mission: Ambassador Tulinabo S. MUSHINGI, (since 9 March 2022) embassy: Rua Houari Boumedienne, #32, Luanda mailing address: 2550 Luanda Place, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (222) 64-1000 FAX: [244] (222) 64-1000 email address and website: Consularluanda@state.gov https://ao.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Anguillaembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000 Topic: Antigua and Barbudaembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda; [1] (246) 227-4000 Topic: Argentinachief of mission: Ambassador Marc Robert STANLEY (since 24 January 2022) embassy: Avenida Colombia 4300, (C1425GMN) Buenos Aires mailing address: 3130 Buenos Aires Place, Washington DC  20521-3130 telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533 FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240 email address and website: buenosaires-acs@state.gov https://ar.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Armeniachief of mission: Ambassador Lynne M. TRACEY (since 5 March 2019) embassy: 1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 mailing address: 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC  20521-7020 telephone: [374] (10) 464-700 FAX: [374] (10) 464-742 email address and website: acsyerevan@state.gov https://am.usembassy.gov/1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082 Topic: Arubaembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: Australiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael GOLDMAN (since 19 January 2021) embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: 7800 Canberra Place, Washington DC  20512-7800 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 9373-9184 email address and website: AskEmbassyCanberra@state.gov https://au.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Topic: Austriachief of mission: Ambassador Victoria Reggie KENNEDY (since 12 January 2022) embassy: Boltzmanngasse 16, 1090, Vienna mailing address: 9900 Vienna Place, Washington DC  20521-9900 telephone: [43] (1) 31339-0 FAX: [43] (1) 310-06-82 email address and website: ConsulateVienna@state.gov https://at.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Azerbaijanchief of mission: Ambassador Lee LITZENBERGER (since 12 March 2019) embassy: 111 Azadlig Avenue, AZ1007 Baku mailing address: 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 488-3300 FAX: [994] (12) 488-3330 email address and website: BakuACS@state.gov https://az.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Bahamas, Thechief 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/ Topic: Bahrainchief of mission: Ambassador Steven C. BONDY (since 9 February 2022) embassy: Building 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, P.O. Box 26431, Manama mailing address: 6210 Manama Place, Washington DC  20521-6210 telephone: [973] 17-242700 FAX: [973] 17-272594 email address and website: ManamaConsular@state.gov https://bh.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Bangladeshchief of mission: Ambassador Peter HAAS (since 15 March 2022) embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212 mailing address: 6120 Dhaka Place, Washington DC  20521-6120 telephone: [880] (2) 5566-2000 FAX: [880] (2) 5566-2907 email address and website: DhakaACS@state.gov https://bd.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Barbadoschief 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/ Topic: Belaruschief of mission: Ambassador Julie FISHER (since 23 December 2020) embassy: 46 Starovilenskaya Street, Minsk 220002 mailing address: 7010 Minsk Place, Washington DC  20521-7010 telephone: [375] (17) 210-12-83/217-73-47/217-73-48 FAX: [375] (17) 334-78-53 email address and website: ConsularMinsk@state.gov https://by.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Belgiumchief of mission: Ambassador Michael ADLER (since 15 March 2022) embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: 7600 Brussels Place, Washington DC  20521-7600 telephone: [32] (2) 811-4000 FAX: [32] (2) 811-4500 email address and website: uscitizenBrussels@state.gov https://be.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Belizechief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Leyla MOSES-ONES (since August 2021) embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo mailing address: 3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC  20521-3050 telephone: (501) 822-4011 FAX: (501) 822-4012 email address and website: ACSBelize@state.gov https://bz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Beninchief 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 Topic: Bermudachief of mission: Consul General Karen GRISSETTE (since 6 July 2021) embassy: US Consulate Bermuda, 16 Middle Road, Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda mailing address: 5300 Hamilton Place, Washington, DC 20520-5300 telephone: (441) 295-1342 FAX: (441) 295-1592 email address and website: HamiltonConsulate@state.gov https://bm.usconsulate.gov/ consulate(s) general: 16 Middle Road, Devonshire DV O3 Topic: Bhutanembassy: none; frequent informal contact is maintained via the US embassy in New Delhi (India) and Bhutan's Permanent Mission to the UN Topic: Boliviachief 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 Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinachief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. MURPHY (since 23 February 2022) embassy: 1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000 Sarajevo mailing address: 7130 Sarajevo Place, Washington DC  20521-7130 telephone: [387] (33) 704-000 FAX: [387] (33) 659-722 email address and website: sarajevoACS@state.gov https://ba.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Banja Luka, Mostar Topic: Botswanachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Amanda S. JACOBSEN embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone mailing address: 2170 Gabarone Place, Washington DC  20521-2170 telephone: [267] 395-3982 FAX: [267] 318-0232 email address and website: ConsularGabarone@state.gov https://bw.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Brazilchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Douglas A. KONEFF (since July 2021) embassy: SES - Avenida das Nacoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, 70403-900 - Brasilia, DF mailing address: 7500 Brasilia Place, Washington DC  20521-7500 telephone: [55] (61) 3312-7000 FAX: [55] (61) 3225-9136 email address and website: BrasilliaACS@state.gov https://br.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Recife, Porto Alegre, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo branch office(s): Belo Horizonte Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: British Virgin Islandsembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Bruneichief 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/ Topic: Bulgariachief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA (since 18 October 2019) embassy: 16, Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408 mailing address: 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC  20521-5740 telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100 FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320 email address and website: acs_sofia@state.gov https://bg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Burkina Fasochief of mission: Ambassador Sandra E. CLARK (since 25 September 2020) embassy: Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Rue 15.873, Ouagadougou mailing address: 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC  20521-2440 telephone: (226) 25-49-53-00 FAX: (226) 25-49-56-23 email address and website: ouagaACS@state.gov https://bf.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Burmachief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. VAJDA (since 19 January 2021) embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon mailing address: 4250 Rangoon Place, Washington DC  20521-4250 telephone: [95] (1) 753-6509 FAX: [95] (1) 751-1069 email address and website: ACSRangoon@state.gov https://mm.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Burundichief of mission: Ambassador Melanie Harris HIGGINS (since 2 March 2021) embassy: B.P. 1720, Avenue Des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura mailing address: 2100 Bujumbura Place, Washington DC  20521-2100 telephone: [257] 22-207-000 FAX: [257] 22-222-926 email address and website: BujumburaC@state.gov https://bi.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Cabo Verdechief of mission: Ambassador John "Jeff" DAIGLE (since 10 September 2019) embassy: Rua Abilio Macedo 6, Praia mailing address: 2460 Praia Place, Washington DC  20521-2460 telephone: [238] 260-8900 FAX: [238] 261-1355 email address and website: PraiaConsular@state.gov https://cv.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Cambodiachief 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/ Topic: Cameroonchief of mission: Ambassador Christopher J. LAMORA (since 21 March 2022) embassy: Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé mailing address: 2520 Yaounde Place, Washington, DC  20521-2520 telephone: [237] 22251-4000/[237] 22220-1500 FAX: [237] 22220-1500, Ext. 4531 email address and website: YaoundeACS@state.gov https://cm.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Douala Topic: Canadachief of mission: Ambassador David L. COHEN (since December 2021) embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: 5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC  20521-5480 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335 FAX: [1] (613) 241-7845 email address and website: OttawaNIV@state.gov https://ca.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver consulate(s): Winnipeg Topic: Cayman Islandsembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); consular services provided through the US Embassy in Jamaica Topic: Central African Republicchief of mission: Ambassador Patricia A. MAHONEY (since 8 April 2022) embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: 2060 Bangui Place, Washington DC  20521-2060 telephone: [236] 2161-0200 FAX: [236] 2161-4494 email address and website: https://cf.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Chadchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ellen THORBURN (since 8 November 2021) embassy: Rond-Point Chagoua, B.P. 413, N’Djamena mailing address: 2410 N'Djamena Place, Washington DC  20521-2410 telephone: [235] 2251-5017 FAX: [235] 2253-9102 email address and website: NdjamenaACS@state.gov https://td.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Chilechief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard H. GLENN (since August 2020) embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago mailing address: 3460 Santiago Place, Washington DC  20521-3460 telephone: [56] (2) 2330-3000 FAX: [56] (2) 2330-3710 email address and website: SantiagoUSA@state.gov https://cl.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Chinachief of mission: Ambassador Nicholas BURNS (since 2 April 2022) embassy: 55 An Jia Lou Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 mailing address: 7300 Beijing Place, Washington DC  20521-7300 telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000 FAX: [86] (10) 8531-4200 email address and website: BeijingACS@state.gov https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/ consulate(s) general: Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan; note - the Chinese Government ordered closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in late July 2020 Topic: Christmas Islandembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: Colombiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Francisco L. PALMIERI (since 1 June 2022) embassy: Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota mailing address: 3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC  20521-3030 telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000 FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600 email address and website: ACSBogota@state.gov https://co.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Comorosembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the US Ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thechief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. HAMMER (since 22 December 2018) embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa, Gombe mailing address: 2220 Kinshasa Place, Washington DC  20521-2220 telephone: [243] 081 556-0151 FAX: [243] 81 556-0175 email address and website: ACSKinshasa@state.gov https://cd.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Congo, Republic of thechief of mission: Ambassador Eugene S. YOUNG (since 2022) embassy: 70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville mailing address: 2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090 telephone: [242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700 email address and website: BrazzavilleACS@state.gov https://cg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Cook Islandsembassy: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Topic: Coral Sea Islandsembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: Costa Ricachief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia A. TELLES (since 11 March 2022) embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose mailing address: 3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC  20521-3180 telephone: [506] 2519-2000 FAX: [506] 2519-2305 email address and website: acssanjose@state.gov https://cr.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Cote d'Ivoirechief of mission: Ambassador Richard K. BELL (since 10 October 2019) embassy: B.P. 730 Abidjan Cidex 03 mailing address: 2010 Abidjan Place, Washington DC  20521-2010 telephone: [225] 27-22-49-40-00 FAX: [225] 27-22-49-43-23 email address and website: AbjAmCit@state.gov https://ci.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Croatiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mark FLEMING (since May 2021) embassy: Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb mailing address: 5080 Zagreb Place, Washington DC  20521-5080 telephone: [385] (1) 661-2200 FAX: [385] (1) 661-8933 email address and website: ZagrebACS@state.gov https://hr.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Cubachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Timothy ZUNIGA-BROWN (since 31 July 2020) embassy: Calzada between L & M Streets, Vedado, Havana mailing address: 3200 Havana Place, Washington DC  20521-3200 telephone: [53] (7) 839-4100 FAX: [53] (7) 839-4247 email address and website: acshavana@state.gov https://cu.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Curacaochief of mission: Consul General Margy BOND (since January 2022); note - also accredited to Aruba and Sint Maarten embassy: P.O. Box 158, J.B. Gorsiraweg 1 mailing address: 3160 Curacao Place, Washington DC  20521-3160 telephone: [599] (9) 461-3066 FAX: [599] (9) 461-6489 email address and website: ACSCuracao@state.gov https://cw.usconsulate.gov/ Topic: Cypruschief of mission: Ambassador Judith Gail GARBER (since 18 March 2019) embassy: Metochiou and Ploutarchou Street, 2407, Engomi, Nicosia mailing address: 5450 Nicosia Place, Washington DC  20521-5450 telephone: [357] (22) 393939 FAX: [357] (22) 780944 email address and website: ACSNicosia@state.gov https://cy.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Czechiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael J. DODMAN (since 29 March 2022) embassy: Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1 - Mala Strana mailing address: 5630 Prague Place, Washington DC  20521-5630 telephone: [420] 257-022-000 FAX: [420] 257-022-809 email address and website: ACSPrg@state.gov https://cz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Denmarkchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jim BOUGHNER embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Kobenhavn 0 mailing address: 5280 Copenhagen Place, Washington DC  20521-5280 telephone: [45] 33-41-71-00 FAX: [45] 35-43-02-23 email address and website: CopenhagenACS@state.gov https://dk.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Dhekelianone (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Djiboutichief 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/ Topic: Dominicaembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Dominica; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Dominica Topic: Dominican Republicchief 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/ Topic: Ecuadorchief of mission: Ambassador Michael J. FITZPATRICK (since 3 July 2019) embassy: E12-170 Avenida Avigiras y Avenida Eloy Alfaro, Quito mailing address: 3420 Quito Place, Washington DC  20521-3420 telephone: [593] (2) 398-5000 email address and website: ACSQuito@state.gov https://ec.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Guayaquil Topic: Egyptchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant);  Charge d'Affaires Nicole SHAMPAINE (since 1 April 2022) embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: 7700 Cairo Place, Washington DC 20512-7700 telephone: [20-2] 2797-3300 FAX: [20-2] 2797-3200 email address and website: ConsularCairoACS@state.gov https://eg.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Alexandria Topic: El Salvadorchief 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/ Topic: Equatorial Guineachief of mission: Ambassador David R. GILMOUR (since 24 May 2022) embassy: Malabo II Highway (between the Headquarters of Sonagas and the offices of the United Nations), Malabo mailing address: 2320 Malabo Place, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [240] 333 09-57-41 email address and website: Malaboconsular@state.gov https://gq.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Eritreachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Steven C. WALKER (since December 2019) embassy: 179 Alaa Street, Asmara mailing address: 7170 Asmara Place, Washington DC  20521-7170 telephone: [291] (1) 12-00-04 FAX: [291] (1) 12-75-84 email address and website: consularasmara@state.gov https://er.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Estoniachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brian RORAFF (since July 2019) embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: 4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC  20521-4530 telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265 email address and website: acstallinn@state.gov https://ee.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Eswatinichief of mission: Ambassador Jeanne M. MALONEY (since 4 March 2021) embassy: Corner of MR 103 and Cultural Center Drive, Ezulwini, P.O. Box D202, The Gables, H106 mailing address: 2350 Mbabane Place, Washington DC  20521-2350 telephone: (268) 2417-9000 FAX: [268] 2416-3344 email address and website: ConsularMbabane@state.gov https://sz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Ethiopiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSON (since 25 February 2022) embassy: Entoto Street, P.O. Box 1014, Addis Ababa mailing address: 2030 Addis Ababa Place, Washington DC  20521-2030 telephone: [251] 111-30-60-00 FAX: [251] 111-24-24-01 email address and website: AddisACS@state.gov https://et.usembassy.gov/ Topic: European Unionchief of mission: Ambassador Mark GITENSTEIN (since 24 January 2022) embassy: Zinnerstraat - 13 - Rue Zinner, B-1000 Brussels mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [32] (2) 811-4100 email address and website: https://useu.usmission.gov/ Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Topic: Faroe Islandsembassy: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark) Topic: Fijichief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tony GREUBEL (since 20 January 2021); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu embassy: 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva mailing address: 4290 Suva Place, Washington DC  20521-4290 telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-2267 email address and website: SuvaACS@state.gov https://fj.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Finlandchief of mission: Ambassador Douglas HICKEY (since 11 May 2022) embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14 B, 00140 Helsinki mailing address: 5310 Helsinki Place, Washington DC  20521-5310 telephone: [358] (9) 616-250 FAX: [358] (9) 174-681 email address and website: HelsinkiACS@state.gov https://fi.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Francechief 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 Topic: French Polynesiaembassy: none (overseas lands of France) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsembassy: none (overseas territory of France) Topic: Gabonchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON; note - also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe embassy: Sabliere, B.P. 4000, Libreville mailing address: 2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270 telephone: [241] 011-45-71-00 FAX: [241] 011-45-71-05 email address and website: ACSLibreville@state.gov https://ga.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Gambia, Thechief of mission: Ambassador Sharon L. CROMER (since 18 March 2022) embassy: Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul mailing address: 2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC  20521-2070 telephone: [220] 439-2856 FAX: [220] 439-2475 email address and website: ConsularBanjul@state.gov https://gm.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Georgiachief of mission: Ambassador Kelly C. DEGNAN (since 31 January 2020) embassy: 11 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue, Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, 0131 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC  20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10 email address and website: askconsultbilisi@state.gov https://ge.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Germanychief of mission: Ambassador Amy GUTMANN (since 17 February 2022) embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin (administrative services) mailing address: 5090 Berlin Place, Washington DC  20521-5090 telephone: [49] (30) 8305-0 FAX: [49] (30) 8305-1215 email address and website: BerlinPCO@state.gov https://de.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Topic: Ghanachief of mission: Ambassador Virginia E. PALMER (since 16 June 2022) embassy: No. 24, Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, P.O. Box 2288, Accra mailing address: 2020 Accra Place, Washington DC  20521-2020 telephone: [233] (0) 30-274-1000 email address and website: ACSAccra@state.gov https://gh.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Gibraltarembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Greecechief of mission: Ambassador George James TSUNIS (since 10 May 2022) embassy: 91 Vasillisis Sophias Avenue, 10160 Athens mailing address: 7100 Athens Place, Washington DC  20521-7100 telephone: [30] (210) 721-2951 FAX: [30] (210) 724-5313 email address and website: athensamericancitizenservices@state.gov https://gr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Thessaloniki Topic: Greenlandchief of mission: Consul Joanie SIMON (since June 2021) embassy: Aalisartut Aqqutaa 47 Nuuk 3900 Greenland telephone: (+299) 384100 email address and website: https://dk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulate/nuuk/ Topic: Grenadachief of mission: the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada embassy: Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's mailing address: 3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC  20521-3180 telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173 FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820 email address and website: StgeorgesACS@state.gov https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/ Topic: Guamembassy: none (territory of the US) Topic: Guatemalachief of mission: Ambassador William W. POPP (since 13 August 2020) embassy: Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zone 10, Guatemala City mailing address: 3190 Guatemala Place, Washington DC  20521-3190 telephone: [502] 2326-4000 FAX: [502] 2326-4654 email address and website: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov https://gt.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Guernseyembassy: none (British crown dependency) Topic: Guineachief of mission: Ambassador Troy FITRELL (since January 2022)  embassy: Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry mailing address: 2110 Conakry Place, Washington DC  20521-2110 telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00 FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97 email address and website: ConakryACS@state.gov https://gn.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Guinea-Bissauembassy: the US Embassy suspended operations on 14 June 1998; the US Ambassador to Senegal is accredited to Guinea-Bissau; US diplomatic representation in Guinea-Bissau is conducted through the US Embassy in Dakar and the Guinea-Bissau Liaison Office located in Bissau mailing address: 2080 Bissau Place, Washington DC  20521-2080 email address and website: dakarACS@state.gov https://gw.usmission.gov/ Topic: Guyanachief of mission: Ambassador Sarah-Ann LYNCH (since 13 March 2019) embassy: 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown mailing address: 3170 Georgetown Place, Washington DC 20521-3170 telephone: [592] 225-4900 through 4909 FAX: [592] 225-8497 email address and website: acsgeorge@state.gov https://gy.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Haitichief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Nicole D. THERIOT embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince mailing address: 3400 Port-au-Prince Place, Washington, DC 20521-3400 telephone: [011] (509) 2229-8000 FAX: [011] (509) 2229-8027 email address and website: acspap@state.gov https://ht.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)chief of mission: Ambassador Joe DONNELLY (since 11 April 2022) embassy: Via Sallustiana, 49, 00187 Rome mailing address: 5660 Holy See Place, Washington DC  20521-5660 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-1 FAX: [39] (06) 4674-3411 email address and website: https://va.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Honduraschief of mission: Ambassador Laura F. DOGU (since 12 April 2022) embassy: Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa M.D.C. mailing address: 3480 Tegucigalpa Place, Washington DC  20521-3480 telephone: [504] 2236-9320, FAX: [504] 2236-9037 email address and website: usahonduras@state.gov https://hn.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Hong Kongchief of mission: Consul General Hanscom SMITH (since July 2019); note - also accredited to Macau embassy: 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong mailing address: 8000 Hong Kong Place, Washington DC  20521-8000 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598 email address and website: acshk@state.gov https://hk.usconsulate.gov/ Topic: Hungarychief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marc DILLARD (since 30 October 2020) embassy: Szabadsag ter 12, H-1054 Budapest mailing address: 5270 Budapest Place, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-5270 telephone: [36] (1) 475-4400 FAX: [36] (1) 475-4248 email address and website: acs.budapest@state.gov https://hu.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Icelandchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Michelle YERKIN (since June 2021) embassy: Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavik mailing address: 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640 telephone: [354] 595-2200 FAX: [354] 562-9118 email address and website: ReykjavikConsular@state.gov https://is.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Indiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Patricia A. LACINA (since 9 September 2021) embassy: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021 mailing address: 9000 New Delhi Place, Washington DC  20521-9000 telephone: [91] (11) 2419-8000 FAX: [91] (11) 2419-0017 email address and website: acsnd@state.gov https://in.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Chennai (Madras), Hyderabad, Kolkata (Calcutta), Mumbai (Bombay) Topic: Indonesiachief of mission: Ambassador Sung Y. KIM (since 21 October 2020) embassy: Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 3-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: 8200 Jakarta Place, Washington DC  20521-8200 telephone: [62] (21) 5083-1000 FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189 email address and website: jakartaacs@state.gov https://id.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Surabaya consulate(s): Medan Topic: Iranembassy: none; the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland; US Foreign Interests Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Pasdaran, Shahid Mousavi Street (Golestan 5th), Corner of Paydarfard Street, No. 55, Tehran Topic: Iraqchief of mission: Ambassador Alina L. ROMANOWSKI (since 2 June 2022) embassy: Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - consulate in Al Basrah closed as of 28 September 2018 mailing address: 6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC  20521-6060 telephone: 0760-030-3000 email address and website: BaghdadACS@state.gov https://iq.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Irelandchief of mission: Ambassador Claire D. CRONIN (since 10 February 2022) embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: 5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC  20521-5290 telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 688-8056 email address and website: ACSDublin@state.gov https://ie.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Isle of Manembassy: none (British crown dependency) Topic: Israelchief of mission: ambassador Thomas NIDES (since 5 December 2021) embassy: 14 David Flusser Street, Jerusalem, 9378322 mailing address: 6350 Jerusalem Place, Washington DC  20521-6350 telephone: [972] (2) 630-4000 FAX: [972] (2) 630-4070 email address and website: JerusalemACS@state.gov https://il.usembassy.gov/ branch office(s): Tel Aviv note: on 14 May 2018, the US Embassy relocated to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv; on 4 March 2019, Consulate General Jerusalem merged into US Embassy Jerusalem to form a single diplomatic mission Topic: Italychief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas D. SMITHAM (since 4 January 2021); note - also accredited to San Marino embassy: via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma mailing address: 9500 Rome Place, Washington DC  20521-9500 telephone: [39] 06-46741 FAX: [39] 06-4674-2244 email address and website: uscitizenrome@state.gov https://it.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples Topic: Jamaicachief of mission: Ambassador N. Nickolas PERRY (since 13 May 2022) embassy: 142 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6 mailing address: 3210 Kingston Place, Washington DC  20521-3210 telephone: (876) 702-6000 (2018) FAX: (876) 702-6348 (2018) email address and website: KingstonACS@state.gov https://jm.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Japanchief of mission: Ambassador Rahm EMANUEL (since 25 March 2022) embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: 9800 Tokyo Place, Washington DC  20521-9800 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3224-5856 email address and website: TokyoACS@state.gov https://jp.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya Topic: Jerseyembassy: none (British Crown dependency) Topic: Jordanchief of mission: Ambassador Henry T. WOOSTER (since 8 October 2020) embassy: Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St., Amman mailing address: 6050 Amman Place, Washington DC  20521-6050 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0163 email address and website: Amman-ACS@state.gov https://jo.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Kazakhstanchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judy KUO (since October 2021) embassy: Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev Avenue, No. 3, Nur-Sultan 010010 mailing address: 2230 Nur-Sultan Place, Washington DC  20521-2230 telephone: [7] (7172) 70-21-00 FAX: [7] (7172) 54-09-14 email address and website: USAKZ@state.gov https://kz.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Almaty Topic: Kenyachief 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/ Topic: Kiribatiembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Topic: Korea, Northembassy: none; the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power Topic: Korea, Southchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant);  Chargé d’Affaires Christopher DEL CORSO (since 16 July 2021) embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul mailing address: 9600 Seoul Place, Washington, DC  20521-9600 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 397-4101 email address and website: seoulinfoACS@state.gov https://kr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s): Busan Topic: Kosovochief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey M. HOVENIER (since 10 January 2022) embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Rr.  4 KORRIKU Nr. 25, Pristina mailing address: 9520 Pristina Place, Washington DC  20521-9520 telephone: [383] 38-59-59-3000 FAX: [383] 38-604-890 email address and website: PristinaACS@state.gov https://xk.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Kuwaitchief 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/ Topic: Kyrgyzstanchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sonata COULTER (since September 2021) embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: 7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC  20521-7040 telephone: [996] (312) 597-000 FAX: [996] (312) 597-744 email address and website: ConsularBishkek@state.gov https://kg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Laoschief of mission: Ambassador Peter HAYMOND (since 7 February 2020) embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC  20521-4350 telephone: [856] 21-48-7000 FAX: [856] 21-48-7040 email address and website: CONSLAO@state.gov https://la.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Latviachief of mission: Ambassador John Leslie CARWILE (since 5 November 2019) embassy: 1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510 mailing address: 4520 Riga Place, Washington DC  20521-4520 telephone: [371] 6710-7000 FAX: [371] 6710-7050 email address and website: askconsular-riga@state.gov https://lv.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Lebanonchief of mission: Ambassador Dorothy C. SHEA (since 11 March 2020) embassy: Awkar-Facing the Municipality, Main Street, Beirut mailing address: 6070 Beirut Place, Washington DC  20521-6070 telephone: [961] (04) 543-600 FAX: [961] (4) 544-019 email address and website: BeirutACS@state.gov https://lb.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Lesothochief of mission: Ambassador Maria E. BREWER (since 10 March 2022) embassy: 254 Kingsway Avenue, Maseru mailing address: 2340 Maseru Place, Washington DC  20521-2340 telephone: [266] 22312666 FAX: [266] 22310116 email address and website: USConsularMaseru@state.gov https://ls.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Liberiachief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. MCCARTHY (since 22 January 2021) embassy: 502 Benson Street, Monrovia mailing address: 8800 Monrovia Place, Washington DC  20521-8800 telephone: [231] 77-677-7000 FAX: [231] 77-677-7370 email address and website: ACSMonrovia@state.gov https://lr.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Libyachief of mission: Ambassador Richard B. NORLAND (since 22 August 2019) embassy: operations suspended mailing address: 8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC  20521-8850 telephone: [216] 71-107-000 email address and website: LibyaACS@state.gov https://ly.usembassy.gov/ note: the US Embassy in Tripoli closed in July 2014 due to fighting near the embassy related to Libyan civil unrest; embassy staff and operations temporarily first relocated to Valetta, Malta and currently are temporarily relocated to Tunis, Tunisia Topic: Liechtensteinembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Liechtenstein; the US Ambassador to Switzerland is accredited to Liechtenstein Topic: Lithuaniachief of mission: Ambassador Robert S. GILCHRIST (since 4 February 2020) embassy: Akmenu gatve 6, Vilnius, LT-03106 mailing address: 4510 Vilnius Place, Washington DC  20521-4510 telephone: [370] (5) 266-5500 FAX: [370] (5) 266-5510 email address and website: consec@state.gov https://lt.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Luxembourgchief of mission: Ambassador Thomas M. BARRETT (since 10 February 2022) embassy: 22 Boulevard Emmanuel Servais, L-2535 Luxembourg City mailing address: 5380 Luxembourg Place, Washington DC  20521-5380 telephone: [352] 46-01-23-00 FAX: [352] 46-14-01 email address and website: Luxembourgconsular@state.gov https://lu.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Macauembassy: the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau Topic: Madagascarchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tobias H. GLUCKSMAN embassy: Lot 207A, Andranoro, Antehiroka, 105 Antananarivo mailing address: 2040 Antananarivo Place, Washington  DC 20521-2040 telephone: [261] 20-23-480-00 FAX: [261] 20-23-480-35 email address and website: antanACS@state.gov https://mg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Malawichief 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/ Topic: Malaysiachief of mission: Ambassador Brian D. McFEETERS (since 26 February 2021) embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: 4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC  20521-4210 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 email address and website: KLACS@state.gov https://my.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Maldivesembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US is in the process of opening an embassy in Maldives; as of March 2022, there is no US Ambassador to Maldives; until late 2021, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka was also accredited to the Maldives Topic: Malichief of mission: Ambassador Dennis B. HANKINS (since 15 March 2019) embassy: ACI 2000, Rue 243, (located off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge west of the Bamako central district), Porte 297, Bamako mailing address: 2050 Bamako Place, Washington DC  20521-2050 telephone: [223] 20-70-23-00 FAX: [223] 20-70-24-79 email address and website: ACSBamako@state.gov https://ml.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Maltachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gwendolyn "Wendy" GREEN (since August 2020) embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Washington DC  20521-5800 telephone: [356] 2561-4000 email address and website: ACSMalta@state.gov https://mt.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Marshall Islandschief of mission: Ambassador Roxanne CABRAL (since 6 February 2020) embassy: Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro mailing address: 4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC  20521-4380 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 email address and website: MAJConsular@state.gov https://mh.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Mauritaniachief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia KIERSCHT (since 29 March 2021) embassy: Nouadhibou Road, Avenue Al Quds, NOT PRTZ, Nouakchott mailing address: 2430 Nouakchott Place, Washington DC  20521-2430 telephone: [222] 4525-2660 FAX: [222] 4525-1592 email address and website: consularnkc@state.gov https://mr.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Mauritiuschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Judes E. DEBAERE (since June 2019); note - also accredited to Seychelles embassy: 4th Floor, Rogers House, John Kennedy Avenue, Port Louis mailing address: 2450 Port Louis Place, Washington, DC 20521-2450 telephone: [230] 202-4400 FAX: [230] 208-9534 email address and website: PTLConsular@state.gov https://mu.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Mexicochief of mission: Ambassador Ken SALAZAR (since 14 September 2021) embassy: Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtemoc, 06500 Mexico, CDMX mailing address: 8700 Mexico City Place, Washington DC  20521-8700 telephone: (011) [52]-55-5080-2000 FAX: (011) 52-55-5080-2005 email address and website: ACSMexicoCity@state.gov https://mx.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Ciudad Juarez, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Matamoros, Merida, Monterrey, Nogales, Nuevo Laredo, Tijuana Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofchief of mission: Ambassador Carmen G. CANTOR (since 31 January 2020) embassy: 1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941 mailing address: 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 email address and website: koloniaacs@state.gov https://fm.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Moldovachief of mission: Ambassador Kent D. LOGSDON (since 16 February 2022) embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: 7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC  20521-7080 telephone: [373] (22) 408-300 FAX: [373] (22) 233-044 email address and website: ChisinauACS@state.gov https://md.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Monacoembassy: US does not have an embassy in Monaco; the US Ambassador to France is accredited to Monaco; the US Consul General in Marseille (France), under the authority of the US Ambassador to France, handles diplomatic and consular matters concerning Monaco; +(33)(1) 43-12-22-22, enter zero "0" after the automated greeting; US Embassy Paris, 2 Avenue Gabriel, 75008 Paris, France Topic: Mongoliachief of mission: Ambassador Michael S. KLECHESKI (since 22 February 2019) embassy: Denver Street #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190 mailing address: 4410 Ulaanbaatar Place, Washington DC  20521-4410 telephone: [976] 7007-6001 FAX: [976] 7007-6174 email address and website: UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov https://mn.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Montenegrochief of mission: Ambassador Judy Rising REINKE (since 20 December 2018) embassy: Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica mailing address: 5570 Podgorica Place, Washington DC  20521-5570 telephone: +382 (0)20-410-500 FAX: [382]  (0)20-241-358 email address and website: PodgoricaACS@state.gov https://me.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Montserratembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, WI Topic: Moroccochief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lawrence M. RANDOLPH (since 4 January 2021) embassy: Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170 mailing address: 9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC  20521-9400 telephone: [212] 0537-637-200 FAX: [212] 0537-637-201 email address and website: ACSCasablanca@state.gov (US Consulate General Casablanca) https://ma.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Casablanca Topic: Mozambiquechief of mission: Ambassador Peter Hendrick VROOMAN (since 3 March 2022) embassy: Avenida Kenneth Kaunda, 193, Caixa Postal, 783, Maputo mailing address: 2330 Maputo Place, Washington DC  20521-2330 telephone: [258] (21) 49-27-97 FAX: [258] (21) 49-01-14 email address and website: consularmaputos@state.gov https://mz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Namibiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jessica LONG (since 2 July 2021) embassy: 14 Lossen Street, Windhoek mailing address: 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC  20521-2540 telephone: [264] (061) 295-8500 FAX: [264] (061) 295-8603 email address and website: ConsularWindhoek@state.gov https://na.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Nauruembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Topic: Navassa Islandembassy: none (territory of the US) Topic: Nepalchief of mission: Ambassador Randy BERRY (since 25 October 2018) embassy: Maharajgunj, Kathmandu mailing address: 6190 Kathmandu Place, Washington DC  20521-6190 telephone: [977] (1) 423-4000 FAX: [977] (1) 400-7272 email address and website: usembktm@state.gov https://np.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Netherlandschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Marja VERLOOP (since 17 January 2021) embassy: John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar mailing address: 5780 Amsterdam Place, Washington DC  20521-5780 telephone: [31] (70) 310-2209 FAX: [31] (70) 310-2207 email address and website: AmsterdamUSC@state.gov https://nl.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Amsterdam Topic: New Caledoniaembassy: none (overseas territory of France) Topic: New Zealandchief of mission: Ambassador Thomas Stewart UDALL (since 1 December 2021) note - also accredited to Samoa embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 mailing address: 4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC  20521-4370 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490 email address and website: AucklandACS@state.gov https://nz.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Auckland Topic: Nicaraguachief of mission: Ambassador Kevin K. SULLIVAN (since 14 November 2018) embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua mailing address: 3240 Managua Place, Washington DC  20521-3240 telephone: [505] 2252-7100, FAX: [505] 2252-7250 email address and website: ACS.Managua@state.gov https://ni.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Nigerchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Chargé d’Affaires, Susan N’GARNIM (since 23 August 2021) embassy: BP 11201, Niamey mailing address: 2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC  20521-2420 telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61 FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60 email address and website: consulateniamey@state.gov https://ne.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Nigeriachief of mission: Ambassador Mary Beth LEONARD (since 24 December 2019) embassy: Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja mailing address: 8320 Abuja Place, Washington DC  20521-8320 telephone: [234] (9) 461-4000 FAX: [234] (9) 461-4036 email address and website: AbujaACS@state.gov https://ng.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Lagos Topic: Niueembassy: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) Topic: Norfolk Islandembassy: none (territory of Australia) Topic: North Macedoniachief of mission: Ambassador Kate Marie BYRNES (since 12 July 2019) embassy: Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje mailing address: 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 telephone: [389] (2) 310-2000 FAX: [389] (2) 310-2499 email address and website: SkopjeACS@state.gov https://mk.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsembassy: none (commonwealth in political union with the US)        Topic: Norwaychief of mission: Ambassador Marc NATHANSON (since 16 June 2022) embassy: Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo mailing address: 5460 Oslo Place,  Washington DC  20521-5460 telephone: [47] 21-30-85-40 FAX: [47] 22-56-27-51 email address and website: OsloACS@state.gov https://no.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Omanchief of mission: Ambassador Leslie M. TSOU (since 19 January 2020) embassy: P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat mailing address: 6220 Muscat Place, Washington DC  20521 telephone: [968] 2464-3400 FAX: [968] 2464-3740 email address and website: ConsularMuscat@state.gov https://om.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Pakistanchief 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 Topic: Palauchief of mission: Ambassador John HENNESSEY-NILAND (since 6 March 2020) embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940 mailing address: 4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC  20521-4260 telephone: [680] 587-2920 FAX: [680] 587-2911 email address and website: ConsularKoror@state.gov https://pw.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Panamachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'Affaires Stewart TUTTLE (since August 2020) embassy: Building 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Avenue, Clayton mailing address: 9100 Panama City PL, Washington, DC 20521-9100 telephone: [507] 317-5000 FAX: [507] 317-5568 email address and website: Panama-ACS@state.gov https://pa.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Papua New Guineachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Joe ZADROZNY (since 14 April 2022); note - also accredited to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu embassy: P.O. Box 1492, Port Moresby mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby Place, Washington DC  20521-4240 telephone: [675] 308-2100 email address and website: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov https://pg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Paraguaychief 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/ Topic: Peruchief of mission: Ambassador Lisa Suzanne KENNA (since 18 March 2021) embassy: Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17 s/n, Surco, Lima 33 mailing address: 3230 Lima Place, Washington DC  20521-3230 telephone: [51] (1) 618-2000 FAX: [51] (1) 618-2724 email address and website: LimaACS@state.gov https://pe.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Philippineschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Heather VARIAVA (since 17 September 2021) embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 mailing address: 8600 Manila Place, Washington DC  20521-8600 telephone: [63] (2) 5301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 5301-2017 email address and website: acsinfomanila@state.gov https://ph.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Pitcairn Islandsembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Polandchief of mission: Ambassador Mark BRZEZINSKI (since 19 January 2022) embassy: Aleje Ujazdowskie 29/31, 00-540 Warsaw mailing address: 5010 Warsaw Place, Washington, DC 20521-5010 telephone: [48] (22) 504-2000 FAX: [48] (22) 504-2088 email address and website: acswarsaw@state.gov https://pl.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Krakow Topic: Portugalchief of mission: Ambassador Randi Charno LEVINE (since 22 April 2022) embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa mailing address: 5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC  20521-5320 telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300 FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109 email address and website: conslisbon@state.gov https://pt.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores) Topic: Puerto Ricoembassy: none (territory of the US with commonwealth status) Topic: Qatarchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Evyenia SIDEREAS embassy: 22 February Street, Al Luqta District, P.O. Box 2399, Doha mailing address: 6130 Doha Place, Washington DC  20521-6130 telephone: [974] 4496-6000 FAX: [974] 4488-4298 email address and website: PasDoha@state.gov https://qa.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Romaniachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires David MUNIZ (since 20 January 2021) embassy: 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 mailing address: 5260 Bucharest Place, Washington, DC  20521-5260 telephone: [40] (21) 200-3300 FAX: [40] (21) 200-3442 email address and website: ACSBucharest@state.gov https://ro.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Russiachief of mission: Ambassador John J. SULLIVAN (since 5 February 2021) embassy: 55,75566° N, 37,58028° E mailing address: 5430 Moscow Place, Washington DC  20521-5430 telephone: [7] (495) 728-5000 FAX: [7] (495) 728-5090 email address and website: MoscowACS@state.gov https://ru.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Vladivostok (suspended status), Yekaterinburg (suspended status) Topic: Rwandachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Deb MacLEAN (since February 2022) embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kaciyiru), P. O. Box 28 Kigali mailing address: 2210 Kigali Place, Washington DC  20521-2210 telephone: [250] 252 596-400 FAX: [250] 252 580-325 email address and website: consularkigali@state.gov https://rw.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Saint Barthelemyembassy: none (overseas collectivity of France)none (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Kitts and Nevis; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Kitts and Nevis Topic: Saint Luciaembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia Topic: Saint Martinembassy: none (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonembassy: none (territorial overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Topic: Samoachief of mission: the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: 5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia mailing address: 4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400 telephone: [685] 21-436 FAX: [685] 22-030 email address and website: ApiaConsular@state.gov https://ws.usembassy.gov/ Topic: San Marinoembassy: the United States does not have an Embassy in San Marino; the US Ambassador to Italy is accredited to San Marino, and the US Consulate General in Florence maintains day-to-day ties Topic: Sao Tome and Principeembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Sao Tome and Principe; the US Ambassador to Gabon is accredited to Sao Tome and Principe mailing address: 2290 Sao Tome Place, Washington DC  20521-2290 Topic: Saudi Arabiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Martina STRONG (since February 2021) embassy: Riyadh 11564 mailing address: 6300 Riyadh Place, Washington DC  20521-6300 telephone: [966] (11) 835-4000 FAX: [966] (11) 488-7360 email address and website: RiyadhACS@state.gov https://sa.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jeddah Topic: Senegalchief 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/ Topic: Serbiachief of mission: Ambassador Christopher R. HILL (since 1 April 2022) embassy: 92 Bulevar kneza Aleksandra Karadjordjevica, 11040 Belgrade mailing address: 5070 Belgrade Place, Washington, DC 20521-5070 telephone: [381] (11) 706-4000 FAX: [381] (11) 706-4481 email address and website: belgradeacs@state.gov https://rs.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Seychellesembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Seychelles; the US Ambassador to Mauritius is accredited to Seychelles Topic: Sierra Leonechief 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/ Topic: Singaporechief of mission: Ambassador Jonathan KAPLAN (since December 2021) embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC  20521-4280 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 email address and website: singaporeusembassy@state.gov https://sg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Sint Maartenembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Sint Maarten; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Sint Maarten Topic: Slovakiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Nicholas NAMBA (since May 2022) embassy: P.O. Box 309, 814 99 Bratislava mailing address: 5840 Bratislava Place, Washington DC  20521-5840 telephone: [421] (2) 5443-3338 FAX: [421] (2) 5441-8861 email address and website: consulbratislava@state.gov https://sk.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Sloveniachief of mission: Ambassador Jamie L. HARPOOTLIAN  (since 17 February 2022) embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555 email address and website: LjubljanaACS@state.gov https://si.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Solomon Islandsembassy: the US does not have an embassy in the Solomon Islands; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to the Solomon Islands Topic: Somaliachief of mission: Ambassador Larry E. ANDRE, Jr. (since 9 February 2022) embassy: Mogadishu, (reopened October 2019 on the grounds of the Mogadishu Airport) mailing address: P.O. Box 606 Village Market 00621 Nairobi, Kenya telephone: [254] 20 363-6451 email address and website: Kenya_ACS@state.gov https://so.usembassy.gov/ Topic: South Africachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Heather MERRITT (since April 2022) embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria mailing address: 9300 Pretoria Place, Washington DC  20521-9300 telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299 email address and website: ACSJohannesburg@state.gov https://za.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsnone (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Topic: South Sudanchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires William FLENS (since 4 June 2022) embassy: Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba mailing address: 4420 Juba Place, Washington DC  20521-4420 telephone: [211] 912-105-188 email address and website: ACSJuba@state.gov https://ss.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Spainchief of mission: Ambassador Julissa REYNOSO (since 2 February 2022); note - also accredited to Andorra embassy: Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid mailing address: 8500 Madrid Place, Washington DC  20521-8500 telephone: [34] (91) 587-2200 FAX: [34] (91) 587-2303 email address and website: askACS@state.gov https://es.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Barcelona Topic: Sri Lankachief of mission: Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022) embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03 mailing address: 6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC  20521-6100 telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500 FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345 email address and website: colomboacs@state.gov https://lk.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Sudanchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lucy TAMLYN  (since 3 February  2022) embassy: P.O. Box 699, Kilo 10, Soba, Khartoum mailing address: 2200 Khartoum Place, Washington DC  20521-2200 telephone: [249] 187-0-22000 email address and website: ACSKhartoum@state.gov https://sd.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Surinamechief of mission: Ambassador Karen Lynn WILLIAMS (since 20 November 2018) embassy: 165 Kristalstraat, Paramaribo mailing address: 3390 Paramaribo Place, Washington DC  20521-3390 telephone: [597] 556-700 FAX: [597] 551-524 email address and website: caparamar@state.gov https://sr.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Swedenchief of mission: Ambassador Erik D. RAMANATHAN (since 20 January 2022) embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Vag 31, SE-115 89 Stockholm mailing address: 5750 Stockholm Place, Washington, DC  20521-5750 telephone: [46] (08) 783-53-00 FAX: [46] (08) 661-19-64 email address and website: STKACSinfo@state.gov https://se.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Switzerlandchief of mission: Ambassador Scott MILLER (since 11 January 2022) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: 5110 Bern Place, Washington DC  20521-5110 telephone: [41] (031) 357-70-11 FAX: [41] (031) 357-73-20 email address and website: https://ch.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Syriachief 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/ Topic: Taiwanchief of mission: the US does not have an embassy in Taiwan; commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts; it is managed by Director Sandra OUDKIRK (since July 2021) mailing address: 4170 AIT Taipei Place, Washington DC  20521-4170 telephone: [886] 2-2162-2000 FAX: [886] 2-2162-2251 email address and website: TaipeiACS@state.gov https://www.ait.org.tw/ branch office(s): American Institute in Taiwan No. 100, Jinhu Road, Neihu District 11461, Taipei City other offices: Kaohsiung (Branch Office) Topic: Tajikistanchief of mission: Ambassador John Mark POMMERSHEIM (since 15 March 2019) embassy: 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue (Zarafshon district), Dushanbe 734019 mailing address: 7090 Dushanbe Place, Washington DC  20521-7090 telephone: [992] (37) 229-20-00 FAX: [992] (37) 229-20-50 email address and website: DushanbeConsular@state.gov https://tj.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Tanzaniachief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. WRIGHT (since 2 April 2020) embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam mailing address: 2140 Dar es Salaam Place, Washington, DC  20521-2140 telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000 FAX: [255] (22) 229-4721 email address and website: DRSACS@state.gov https://tz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Thailandchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael HEATH (since August 2019) embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: 7200 Bangkok Place, Washington DC  20521-7200 telephone: [66] 2-205-4000 FAX: [66] 2-205-4103 email address and website: acsbkk@state.gov https://th.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai Topic: Timor-Lestechief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Charge d'Affaires Thomas DALEY (since August 2021) embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili mailing address: 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684, (670) 330-2400 FAX: (670) 331-3206 email address and website: ConsDili@state.gov https://tl.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Togochief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth FITZSIMMONS (since 26 April 2022) embassy: Boulevard Eyadema, B.P. 852, Lome mailing address: 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300 telephone: [228] 2261-5470 FAX: [228] 2261-5501 email address and website: consularLome@state.gov https://tg.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Tokelaunone (territory of New Zealand) Topic: Tongaembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga Topic: Trinidad and Tobagochief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Shante MOORE (since 20 January 2021) embassy: 15 Queen's Park West, Port of Spain mailing address: 3410 Port of Spain Place, Washington DC  20521-3410 telephone: (868) 622-6371 FAX: (868) 822-5905 email address and website: acspos@state.gov https://tt.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Tunisiachief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Natasha FRANCESCHI (since April 2022) embassy: Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis mailing address: 6360 Tunis Place, Washington DC  20521-6360 telephone: [216] 71-107-000 FAX: [216] 71-107-090 email address and website: tunisacs@state.gov https://tn.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey Lane FLAKE (since 26 January 2022) embassy: 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara mailing address: 7000 Ankara Place, Washington  DC 20512-7000 telephone: [90] (312) 455-5555 FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019 email address and website: Ankara-ACS@state.gov https://tr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Istanbul consulate(s): Adana Topic: Turkmenistanchief of mission: Ambassador Matthew S. KLIMOW (since 26 June 2019) embassy: 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat 744000 mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070 telephone: [993] (12) 94-00-45 FAX: [993] (12) 94-26-14 email address and website: ConsularAshgab@state.gov https://tm.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) Topic: Tuvaluembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu Topic: Ugandachief of mission: Ambassador Natalie E. BROWN (since 17 November 2020) embassy: 1577 Ggaba Road, Kampala mailing address: 2190 Kampala Place, Washington DC  20521-2190 telephone: [256] (0) 312-306-001 FAX: [256] (0) 414-259-794 email address and website: KampalaUScitizen@state.gov https://ug.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Ukrainechief of mission: Ambassador Bridget A. BRINK (since 18 May 2022) embassy: 4 A. I. Igor Sikorsky Street, 04112 Kyiv mailing address: 5850 Kyiv Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 521-5000 FAX: [380] (44) 521-5544 email address and website: kyivacs@state.gov https://ua.usembassy.gov/ Topic: United Arab Emirateschief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Sean MURPHY (since January 2021) embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: 6010 Abu Dhabi Place, Washington DC 20521-6010 telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2241 email address and website: abudhabiacs@state.gov https://ae.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Dubai Topic: United Kingdomchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew PALMER embassy: 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US mailing address: 8400 London Place, Washington DC  20521-8400 telephone: [44] (0) 20-7499-9000 FAX: [44] (0) 20-7891-3845 email address and website: SCSLondon@state.gov https://uk.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesnone (territories of the US) Topic: Uruguaychief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since 20 January 2021) embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200 mailing address: 3360 Montevideo Place, Washington DC  20521-3360 telephone: (+598) 1770-2000 FAX: [+598] 1770-2128 email address and website: MontevideoACS@state.gov https://uy.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Uzbekistanchief of mission: Ambassador Daniel ROSENBLUM (since 24 May 2019) embassy: 3 Moyqorghon, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, 100093 Tashkent mailing address: 7110 Tashkent Place, Washington DC  20521-7110 telephone: [998] 78-120-5450 FAX: [998] 78-120-6335 email address and website: ACSTashkent@state.gov https://uz.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Vanuatuembassy: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu Topic: Venezuelachief of mission: James “Jimmy” STORY, Ambassador for the Venezuela Affairs Unit (since November 2020); note - on 11 March 2019, the Department of State announced the temporary suspension of operations of the US Embassy in Caracas and the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel; the Venezuela Affairs Unit is located at the United States Embassy in Bogota, Colombia embassy: Venezuela Affairs Unit, Carrera 45 N. 24B-27, Bogota previously - F St. and Suapure St.; Urb. Colinas de Valle Arriba; Caracas 1080 mailing address: 3140 Caracas Place, Washington DC  20521-3140 telephone: 1-888-407-4747   email address and website: ACSBogota@state.gov https://ve.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Vietnamchief of mission: Ambassador Marc KNAPPER (since 11 February 2022) embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi mailing address: 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550 telephone: [84] (24) 3850-5000 FAX: [84] (24) 3850-5010 email address and website: ACShanoi@state.gov https://vn.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Topic: Virgin Islandsnone (territory of the US) Topic: Wallis and Futunanone (overseas collectivity of France) Topic: Yemenchief of mission: Ambassador Steven H. FAGIN (since 1 June 2022); note - the embassy closed in March 2015; Yemen Affairs Unit currently operates out of US Embassy Riyadh embassy: previously - Sa'awan Street, Sanaa mailing address: 6330 Sanaa Place, Washington DC  20521-6330 telephone: US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-3800 previously - [967] 1 755-2000 FAX: US Embassy Riyadh [966] 11-488-7360 email address and website: YemenEmergencyUSC@state.gov https://ye.usembassy.gov/ Topic: Zambiachief 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/ Topic: Zimbabwechief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Thomas R. HASTINGS (since August 2021) embassy: 2 Lorraine Drive, Bluffhill, Harare mailing address: 2180 Harare Place, Washington DC  20521-2180 telephone: [263] 867-701-1000 FAX: [263] 24-233-4320 email address and website: consularharare@state.gov https://zw.usembassy.gov/

20220901

countries-colombia

Topic: Photos of Colombia Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama Geographic coordinates: 4 00 N, 72 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 6,672 km border countries (5): Brazil 1,790 km; Ecuador 708 km; Panama 339 km; Peru 1,494 km; Venezuela 2,341 km Coastline: 3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Terrain: flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos) Elevation: highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 593 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 37.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.) forest: 54.4% (2018 est.) other: 8.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 10,900 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Population distribution: the majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated Natural hazards: highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughtsvolcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Puracehighlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughtsvolcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace Geography - note: only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea Map description: Colombia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.Colombia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 49,059,221 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian Ethnic groups: Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Amerindian 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.) Languages: Spanish (official) and 65 Amerindian languages 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: Christian 92.3% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 1%, unspecified 6.7% (2020 est.) Demographic profile: Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain’s ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government’s December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world’s highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades—although the number is likely to be much higher—including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada.Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain’s ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government’s December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world’s highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades—although the number is likely to be much higher—including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.4 youth dependency ratio: 32.3 elderly dependency ratio: 13.2 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 31.2 years male: 30.2 years female: 32.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.59% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 15.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -1.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 11.344 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.068 million Medellin, 2.837 million Cali, 2.325 million Barranquilla, 1.366 million Bucaramanga, 1.079 million Cartagena (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 21.7 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 83 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.89 years male: 71.27 years female: 78.69 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 81% (2015/16) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.7% (2019) Physicians density: 2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.7 beds/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 180,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Colombia; as of 18 August 2022, Columbia has reported a total of 6,286,392 cases of COVID-19 or 12,354.62 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 141,287 cumulative deaths or a rate 277.67 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 29 July 2022, 82.64% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.5% (2020 est.) male: 12.4% (2020 est.) female: 4.6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.7% (2015/16) Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95.6% male: 95.4% female: 95.9% (2020) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.8% male: 20.7% female: 33% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation resulting from timber exploitation in the jungles of the Amazon and the region of Chocó; illicit drug crops grown by peasants in the national parks; soil erosion; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 97.81 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 81.52 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands Land use: agricultural land: 37.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.) forest: 54.4% (2018 est.) other: 8.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.75% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Colombia; as of 18 August 2022, Columbia has reported a total of 6,286,392 cases of COVID-19 or 12,354.62 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 141,287 cumulative deaths or a rate 277.67 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 29 July 2022, 82.64% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,150,120 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,089,821 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.2% (2013 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km) Major aquifers: Amazon Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.49 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.73 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.391 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 2.36 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia etymology: the country is named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: originally referred to as "Bacata," meaning "enclosure outside of the farm fields," by the indigenous Muisca Administrative divisions: 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada Independence: 20 July 1810 (from Spain) National holiday: Independence Day, 20 July (1810) Constitution: history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991 amendments: proposed by the government, by Congress, by a constituent assembly, or by public petition; passage requires a majority vote by Congress in each of two consecutive sessions; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on citizen rights, guarantees, and duties also require approval in a referendum by over one half of voters and participation of over one fourth of citizens registered to vote; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022); Vice President Francia Elena MARQUEZ Mina (since 7 August 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022); Vice President Francia Elena MARQUEZ Mina (since 7 August 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 29 May 2022 with a runoff held on 19 June 2022 (next to be held on 31 May 2026); note - political reform in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection election results: 2022: Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (PHxC) 40.3%, Rodolfo HERNANDEZ Suarez (LIGA) 28.2%, Federico GUTIERREZ (Team for Colombia / CREEMOS) 23.9%, other 7.6%; percent of vote in second round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (PHxC) 50.4%, Rodolfo HERNANDEZ Suarez (LIGA) 47.3% 2018: Ivan DUQUE Marquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Ivan DUQUE Marquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo PETRO (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2% Legislative branch: description: 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) Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 judges); Superior Judiciary Council (consists of 13 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Court members from candidates submitted by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Constitutional Court magistrates - nominated by the president, by the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Council of State members appointed by the State Council plenary from lists nominated by the Superior Judiciary Council subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts Political parties and leaders: Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Alexander LOPEZ Maya] Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN) The Commons (formerly People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC) [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry] Conservative Party or PC [Carlos Andres TRUJILLO] Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez] Fair and Free Colombia Green Alliance [Claudia LOPEZ Hernandez] Historic Pact for Colombia or PHxC (coalition composed of several left-leaning political parties and social movements) Humane Colombia [Gustavo PETRO] Independent Movement of Absolute Renovation or MIRA [Carlos Eduardo GUEVARA] League of Anti-Corruption Rulers or LIGA [Rodolfo HERNANDEZ Suarez] Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA] People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry] Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras] Team for Colombia - also known as the Experience Coalition or Coalition of the Regions (coalition composed of center-right and right-wing parties) Union Party for the People or U Party [Dilian Francisca TORO] We Believe Colombia or CREEMOS [Federico GUTIERREZ] note: Colombia has numerous smaller political parties and movements International organization participation: BCIE, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Carlos PINZON Bueno (since August 2021) chancery: 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 email address and website: eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.co https://www.colombiaemb.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Washington, DC consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Francisco L. PALMIERI (since 1 June 2022) embassy: Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota mailing address: 3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC  20521-3030 telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000 FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600 email address and website: ACSBogota@state.gov https://co.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center National symbol(s): Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 9 (6 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Chiribiquete National Park (m); Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (c); Historic Center of Santa Cruz de Mompox (c); Los Katíos National Park (n); Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (n); Tierradentro National Archeological Park (c); San Agustín Archaeological Park (c); Colonial Cartagena (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and the world’s fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia’s economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs).   Colombia’s economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia’s sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia’s FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017.   Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance—a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and the world’s fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia’s economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs). Colombia’s economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia’s sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia’s FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017. Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance—a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $683.94 billion (2020 est.) $734.22 billion (2019 est.) $710.89 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.26% (2019 est.) 2.51% (2018 est.) 1.36% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $13,400 (2020 est.) $14,600 (2019 est.) $14,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $323.255 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 4.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB- (2020) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.2% (2017 est.) industry: 30.8% (2017 est.) services: 62.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, milk, oil palm fruit, potatoes, rice, bananas, cassava leaves, plantains, poultry, maize Industries: textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds Industrial production growth rate: -2.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 19.309 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 17% industry: 21% services: 62% (2011 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.5% (2019 est.) 9.68% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.8% male: 20.7% female: 33% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 35.7% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 50.4 (2018 est.) 53.5 (2014) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 83.35 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 91.73 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 49.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 49.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes 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 Taxes and other revenues: 26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$13.748 billion (2019 est.) -$13.118 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $39.14 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $52.96 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $55.06 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 31%, China 11%, Panama 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, coal, refined petroleum, coffee, gold (2019) Imports: $51.56 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $65.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $64.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 27%, China 20%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines, corn (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $47.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $46.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $135.644 billion (2019 est.) $128.238 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 3,457.93 (2020 est.) 3,416.5 (2019 est.) 3,147.43 (2018 est.) 2,001 (2014 est.) 2,001.1 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 19.769 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 69,856,680,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 251 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 1.302 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5.724 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 32.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 65.7% 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% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 51.395 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 8.547 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 69.861 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 79,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 4.554 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 756,400 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 352,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 481,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.036 billion barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 303,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 56,900 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 57,170 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 11,305,086,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 11,708,232,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 403.146 million cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 87.782 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 81.007 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 34.703 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,248,026 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 67,672,570 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector had a solid year thanks to positive performances in the fixed-line broadband, mobile broadband, and mobile voice and data market; fixed-line remained stable by the end of 2020, though began to increase into 2021 as a result of the particular demands on households resulting from government measures associated with addressing the pandemic; at less than 15% it is well below the Latin American average; the mobile market, by contrast, reached a penetration rate of 136% (an increase of over three percentage points on 2019) and managed to keep the same upward growth trajectory that it has sustained over the last ten years; the fixed-line broadband market also expanded, with the number of subscribers increasing 11.4%, and with revenue increasing 9.9% thanks to increased data usage as many customers were forced to work or study from home during the year; the mobile broadband market was the standout performer in 2020, with a 13% increase in the number of subscribers year-on-year, albeit the subscription rate is relatively low compared to other Latin American countries; the surge in mobile broadband traffic — a 51% increase over the previous year — which was again a reflection of the strict lock downs that Colombians had to endure for much of 2020; market leader Claro continued to expand its dominance of the mobile broadband market, increasing its share over the last decade by 10% to reach 54% at the start of 2021; Tigo has seen its share halved over the same period of time, yet its subscriber base has still managed to grow on the back of a strong overall market. Tigo also suffered the most from Colombia’s imposed lock downs in 2020, severely impacting its retail sales (a 20% decline in revenue) with nearly half of its stores being forced to close; Movistar and Claro awarded spectrum in the 3.5GHz band for 5G trials (2021) domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 14 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is 133 per 100 persons; Partners Telecom Colombia's (WOM) market entrance in June 2021 increased competition among cellular service providers and is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed-line services; domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations (2021) international: country code - 57; landing points for the SAC, Maya-1, SAIT, ACROS, AMX-1, CFX-1, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, Globe Net, PAN-AM, SAm-1 submarine cable systems providing links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (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 provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019) Internet country code: .co Internet users: total: 35,618,019 (2020 est.) percent of population: 70% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 7,764,772 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 157 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 33,704,037 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,349,450,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HJ, HK Airports: total: 836 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 121 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 53 under 914 m: 18 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 715 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 201 under 914 m: 488 (2021) Heliports: 3 (2021) Pipelines: 4,991 km gas, 6,796 km oil, 3,429 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 2,141 km (2019) standard gauge: 150 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,991 km (2019) 0.914-m gauge Roadways: total: 205,379 km (2019) Waterways: 24,725 km (2019) (18,225 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,092 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) Merchant marine: total: 122 by type: general cargo 23, oil tanker 7, other 92 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC; includes Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC); Colombian National Police (PNC; civilian force that is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense) (2022) Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $19.6 billion) 3.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $18.6 billion) 3.2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $18.3 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 260,000 total active troops (200,000 Army; 45,000 Navy, including about 20,000 marines; 14,000 Air Force); approximately 170,000 National Police (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Colombian military inventory includes a wide mix of equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Canada, Europe, Israel, South Korea, and the US; Germany, Israel, and the US are the leading suppliers of military hardware since 2010; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-24 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months; conscripted soldiers reportedly include regular soldiers (conscripts without a high school degree), drafted high school graduates (bachilleres), and rural (campesino) soldiers who serve in their home regions (2022) note: in 2020, conscripts reportedly comprised about 50% of the Colombian military's active force with approximately 60-90,000 conscripts brought into the military annually Military deployments: 275 Egypt (MFO) (2022) Military - note: as of 2022, the Colombian Armed Forces were primarily focused on internal security, particularly counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism, and counterinsurgency operations against drug traffickers, militants from several factions of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and National Liberation Army (ELN) terrorist/guerrilla organizations, and other illegal armed groups; the Colombian Government signed a peace agreement with the FARC in 2016, but some former members (known as dissidents) have returned to fighting (note - these dissident groups include the designated terrorist groups Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army or FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia; see Appendix T); the Colombian military resumed operations against FARC dissidents and their successor paramilitary groups in late 2019; in 2017, the Colombian Government initiated formal peace talks with the ELN, but in January 2019, the government ended the peace talks shortly after the ELN exploded a car bomb at the National Police Academy in Bogotá and resumed counter-terrorism/counterinsurgency operations against the group; operations against the FARC dissident groups and the ELN continued into 2022 (see Appendix T); the military was also focused on the security challenges posed by its neighbor, Venezuela, where instability has attracted narcotics traffickers and both the ELN and FARC dissidents, including FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia, operate openly Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Colombia are a risk for armed robbery against ships; in 2021, six attacks against commercial vessels were reported, an increase over the single attack in 2020; most of these occurred in the main port of Cartagena while ships were berthed or at anchor Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): National Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP); Segunda Marquetalia 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: in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bankin December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,842,390 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2022) IDPs: 8,258,460 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2022) stateless persons: 11 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer; exports and is a source of heroin and marijuana; coca cultivation was estimated at 245,000 hectares (ha) in 2020; potential pure cocaine production reached 1,010 metric tons in 2020  Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer; exports and is a source of heroin and marijuana; coca cultivation was estimated at 245,000 hectares (ha) in 2020; potential pure cocaine production reached 1,010 metric tons in 2020 

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

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Topic: Public CommentsI would like to thank you for the detailed, thorough, and incredibly useful World Factbook. We have been using the document to plan our travel for over 20 years; it has been an invaluable resource. Just saw the the new online Factbook and whoever redesigned it did a very good job.Thank you for providing this as a resource. When I was a classroom teacher, I used it as a reference tool, as well as for personal research and reading. “EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!! I love the CIA World Factbook! Since my days studying political science in college, the online version at https://www.cia/the-world-factbook/ is my FAVORITE website. I just get drawn into and lost in the data. So overwhelming at times…but I love it!!! People say, “Check Wikipedia.” I say, “Better check the CIA Factbook.” In my humble opinion, the CIA Factbook should be a mandatory textbook in high school. Where can I purchase a hard copy for my home? Thank you.” Hello CIA. Firstly, I really like and enjoy The World Factbook. Its presentation is professional and in my opinion, unbiased. I refer to it several times a year, more so if I’m planning on travelling outside of North America. I like the new format. [A Canadian visitor] “Thank you for the info on Ethiopia, it is really helpful :). (P.S. I asked my mom’s permission because I am under 18.) Have a wonderful day and God bless you!” “Just wanted to convey one US citizen’s appreciation for the work that your organization does to insure our security. We live in the best country in the world and it is because of folks like you that we continue to do so. Words alone can never properly convey my appreciation for the sacrifices and work that you do. Thank you so much!!Also, I do appreciate the website. It’s easy to use and contains very interesting information, especially the CIA Factbook!” “Thank you for creating The World Factbook; it’s been a lifesaver.” “The CIA World Factbook is a wonderful example of what the United States truly stands for. While the CIA is renowned for its secrecy and discretion, its willingness to publish an open and comprehensive information resource on the nations of our world reinforces its commitment to the search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge.” “Aside from the cloak-and-dagger stuff, the Agency publishes a stunningly useful online document, The World Factbook. I commend the contributors, and endorse it as a fine use of taxpayer money.” “I always thought the CIA was gathering only ‘secret’ information. Wow! Was I wrong! The amount of information available on the Agency’s website is astounding, not to mention, free. Thank you, guys.” “I greatly appreciate the vast amount of information available through the CIA’s World Factbook, and the enormous amount of work involved in keeping such a database up to date. Thank you for making it possible, and thank you to the many who work to provide such a valuable resource.” “CIA provides a wonderful service – particularly The World Factbook. Thank you for all your hard work.” “We love The World Factbook, and my fifth graders will be delighted to know that we heard back from you.” “I am contacting you to present my thanks for providing the public with fast, reliable, and convenient information at our fingertips, for absolutely nothing in return. My world is a high school geography presentation covering Greece, but by using your information, I started to understand the importance of knowledge being free to the public. Thank you, I plan on using your website for further studies.” “I am homeschooled and looking for information on French Guyana. Thanks for providing such great information. Your website has been my main source for up-to-date information on the web as we have been studying every country in the world.” “Thanks, cia.gov, all data from The World Factbook is awesome! So great and so detailed.” “The World Factbook has been a helpful tool for me for nearly 15 years. Thank you for providing this valuable resource.” “I want to compliment you on the gorgeous country picker [interactive flash map] on The World Factbook site. Country/region pickers are notoriously difficult to get right, and you absolutely nailed it. Well done.” “The CIA World Factbook must rank among the most precisely well-documented and politically unbiased publications anywhere. I am delighted to know that my tax dollars support such an important reference work … Thanks for your time and professional service.” “The World Factbook is very, very informative and helpful for me. Thank you for publishing it.” “My birthday is a month from today. All I want is the @CIA World Factbook.” “Thank you so very much for the beautifully arranged [data] tables you sent me last week. Please convey my heartfelt thanks to whoever assembled the data, and rest assured that when I use it, I will give CIA, The World Factbook as the source of the data.” “Thank you for making The World Factbook publicly available. I have purchased the app for my phone and it is indispensable.” “Fantastic site. I especially like The World Factbook and the leaders of world section. A treasure trove of information. Nice job!” Thank you for your… letter replying to my earlier inquiry about the CIA’s The World Factbook population estimate for Bulgaria. I am glad to note that the updated… figure comes much closer to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute’s with a difference as you put it in your letter “within an acceptable range of accuracy.”… I avail myself on this occasion to assure you of my highest consideration. I would like to thank the CIA for their useful World Factbook. I am a student in Colorado. The World Factbook has helped me on numerous occasions at school. It recently helped me get a passing grade in my college geography class… Thanks for the good grades. I thank you for The World Factbook. It is a FANTASTIC resource. I have seen in your website, (World Factbook) it’s the most accurate website in terms of population and economy status of the world. [Comment from Kenya] Thank you so much! This is incredibly useful and I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my request. It’s rare to see that level of customer service and it is just awesome. [Grateful response after receiving a reply to a World Factbook question.] Your website is very helpful to me as a parent during homework time. The World Factbook is an invaluable tool for social studies/geography assignment help. I am gonna spread the word to teachers/other parents so they might utilize this awesome website and the multitude of interesting info it contains. The World Factbook is probably the most fantastic educational tool on which our tax dollars can be used. Thank you so much for your excellent effort. Great job on The World Factbook. It really is fantastic and useful. I love it. Thanks for the great maps on your site! Plus your published historical research is fascinating. I don’t think many individuals know that the CIA offers these resources. When I was a graduate student (1991), I did my thesis on Soviet Oil Production. The CIA had an excellent publication [The World Factbook] which I purchased and cited in my work… It was a fantastic mixture of geographical information and excellent analysis. I wanted to thank you for everything you do, for this website. The site alone takes a lot of work to maintain, not to mention what you contribute to this country every day. I came across this site by accident. Just being able to go through the library of information about each country has really given me a clearer understanding of the world. I wish more Americans knew about it! I love the CIA website. It helps me a lot with homework and stuff to get ready for the following grade. Thank you sooooooooooooo much. If my brother and sister did not tell me about your site I would still be getting all the wrong information. This is a wonderful site. I am not at all surprised by the depth of information the CIA possesses, but what you share is brilliant. I have learnt things about my own country that amaze me. A real one-stop shop. Love your site. Use it for teaching because I know it is accurate. Just wanted to congratulate you guys on The World Factbook. I have been reading various country reports over the last 10 years. I am an Indian citizen, your analysis on the Maoist insurgency in India as being one of the most destabilizing threats has been spot on. [An Indian visitor] I am a HUGE fan of your agency’s World Factbook and seem to find myself spending a fair amount of time every few weeks or so reading the information contained therein. I just want to thank everyone there for the fantastic World Factbook. This is an incredible resource. I have learned much and have truly enjoyed using and browsing through the publication. The World Factbook represents, to the highest degree, the best and most effective use of the Internet to provide relevant and useful and easy to understand information. Thank you. I am emailing to let you know that the The World Factbook you provide as part of the cia.gov website is a great source of information and I appreciate it on a daily basis. I am the International Sales Manager for a skateboard company based in Carlsbad, California so the type, quality, and quantity of information you provide in The World Factbook is a major asset to my daily life. I also frequently travel internationally for business and pleasure so it is nice to be able to look into the facts of my destination before setting off on my travels. Thank you for your time and for providing this much needed information. Every time I come to your site and Factbook I am compelled to tell you what a hell of a good job you do at providing this information to the public at large. Thank You for all the work you do making this information available, and for collecting it in one place. This time I will also comment on everything else you do. I think and believe that you are also doing a hell of a good job for us citizens of the US. Please keep up that good work, too. Nothing created by man is perfect, but it seems that you do strive for it. Thank you for that! G’day,I always like to read your info on other countries particularly before I travel to them. Your info is fantastic and very helpful. Thank you for keeping your database updated and full of stuff. I am a town planner and it is very interesting to read up on the latest stats of the world’s countries. Your World Factbook is excellent with populations and demographics, politics, and economic info.I often go to the US for a holiday to see my relatives there. I love travelling to the States, shopping there and holidaying. I hope to go again next year. I wish your country all the very best.Thanks once again. [An Australian visitor] I just wanted to say you have a great site! I think the biggest improvement is being able to hover over the continents and see the country names appear. It really helps to see a country’s neighbour and relative position. Thank you CIA and web master for maintaining this excellent website. It is exceptionally important to me as one of my most valued links when teaching Comparative Politics and World Politics to my students. By the way, it [The World Factbook] is an incredible resource work, and should be in every grade school and high school classroom in the country. It is one of the best returns on our tax dollars, in my humble opinion. The Factbook packs the informational punch of an almanac on steroids; it is excellent and exhaustive. I have used the online version of the CIA Factbook for several years and have always been delighted at the quantity and quality of information it contains. We use it in classroom discussions and assignments frequently. What a remarkable compendium of useful information. Great job! I really like your World Factbook. What a great resource. I regularly refer to it as my nine-year-old daughter has a country question each week for homework. Thanks for keeping it so up to date – even the information for New Zealand. This is a very appreciative user. [A New Zealand visitor] Thank you very much for one of the best sites on the Internet. I especially refer to The World Factbook, which is the best way to learn of other countries. Thank you all! [A Norwegian visitor] I got to your website by accident, when looking for information on Belize. Then I got curious and went to look on Portugal, my country. I know you get a lot of stuff to read but, in a world that is always thinking of CIA as a non-trustful organization, I really must congratulate you on the FACTS and fact-oriented analysis on Portugal. Much better and clearer than the info from IMF or the UN and many others. I just wanted to congratulate you for the info on the countries. [A Portuguese visitor] At Utah State University, I worked on an intensive and immersive undergraduate study abroad program for travel to developing countries with cultures very different from the US. In such challenging situations, developing cultural navigation skills is crucial for a successful experience. The World Factbook was initially useful for preparing undergraduates in learning facts about a country. Subsequently, it proved important for giving clues about the direction and nature of cultural differences one could expect upon entering a non-cosmopolitan setting. There is little available in the market for helping students think beyond a “Lonely Planet” shopping list of cultural differences; The World Factbook filled this niche. Wanted to compliment you on the excellent web site you have been maintaining in The World Factbook. The information compiled, particularly on the current status of North Korea, is very, very well done. It takes special talents of special people to boil so much information down into what you have produced, which is readily understandable by the public consumer.Thank you, on behalf of this one reader.I also feel confident that if your staff and field personnel are working with the same kind of professionalism and integrity, that our country is well served by its intelligence agency in all corners of the world.Thanks for your service. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you do, and for this site. The site alone takes a lot of work to maintain not to mention what you contribute to this country every day. I came across the site by accident. Just being able to go through the library information about each country has really given me a much more clear understanding of the world. I wish more Americans knew about it. Thank you! Your effort is probably the most fantastic educational tool on which our tax dollars can be used. Thank you so much for your excellent effort. I wanted to express my gratitude for your placing The World Factbook online. It is a great and quick way to get some interesting facts and data. [An Austrian visitor] I am an American geography teacher working in China. Your website is of great use to me when I prepare my lessons. Thanks. Your website is very helpful to me as a parent during homework time. The World Factbook is an invaluable tool for social studies/geography assignment help. I am going to spread the word to teachers/other parents so they might utilize this awesome website and the multitude of interesting info it contains. I really enjoy the Factbook because I’ve learned so much about countries I didn’t even know existed – plus ones I was a little fuzzy on where they were located. Thank you very much! I think this is an invaluable service. I love The World Factbook and appreciate the valuable and fascinating reference material that you provide. I look at it all the time. Thank you. I want to thank you for The CIA World Factbook! What a fantastic source of information. It should be promoted for use in our schools for Geography, History, and political science. THIS IS OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK in a truly useful form. Thanks for your hard work on our behalf. I would like to thank the CIA for their useful World Factbook. I am a student living in Colorado. The World Factbook has helped me on numerous occasions at school. It recently helped me get a passing grade in my College Geography class. It helped me get an ‘A’ in my High School Geography class. Thanks for the good grades. I am happy to see our CIA on Facebook and Twitter. God bless you all and keep doing what you all do so well in protecting us. Your “CIA World Factbook” has been a valued research resource for me for many years. Thank you for maintaining The World Factbook. It is a great reference source for me and many others. I teach Geography at a High School in England. The information in your Factbook is extremely useful, there seems to be little else quite like it. Thank you. Your CIA Factfiles ROCK! I teach English in the UAE and the students don’t know much about the rest of the world. I LOVE this site! Thank you American government! I find the CIA World Factbook an unbelievably important asset for both research and general fact checking. Thank you for providing it. I wanted to send you a note to let you know that your new website looks wonderful! It still contains the same great, in-depth information but is more compact and easier to navigate. I frequently use the website in my Geography classes and suggest that all my students in Middle School as well as my Community College students search through the information when writing or presenting on different countries of the world. I would like the CIA to know that my [high school] students use information from The World Factbook and website when doing their research on Spanish-speaking countries. Thank you so very much for this very effective link. I wish more students were aware of what you offer. As a geography, US history, and AP government teacher, I wanted to say thank you for the Factbook. It is an incredible resource that I use in almost all my classes, and in my opinion it is one of the better direct contributions for education that government offers today – besides money, of course. I base projects on the Factbook and encourage students to remember it well – I am sure they will be able to make use of it in college as well. Thank you for your wonderful resource. We are using the CIA World Factbook as a reference to standardize codes we use to capture country of birth/territory data. I just wanted to let you know that your website is really good and that you helped me to study and hopefully pass my geography test on poor and rich nations. I don’t really think that many people know about this website, but I do because our geography teacher showed it to us. So to sum up what I wrote, thanks. Thank you for providing such a fantastic and informative site. I’ve visited with varying frequency over the years but always consider your site a first stop for international information. It’s well organized and loaded with demographics, maps, illustrations, and much more. The PDF version is wonderful. I’m grateful to see taxes so well spent. We are a high school in Peoria, IL. We have just started a Model United Nations Club here at Richwoods. As a career intelligence professional with the US Marine Corps, I found the CIA World Factbook to be a great starting point for research on countries. I think that this website is amazing and very easy to use. I use it for all of my social studies projects. Wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your work. The information on your website, especially The World Factbook has been very helpful when working with individuals from other countries. It provides me with a better idea of the context in which they lived. That, in turn, makes it possible to be more effective when assisting them in the management of psychological issues. Keep up the good work. I’d just like to tell you, that the CIA Factbook is one of the most useful things to be found on the Internet. Thank you for having it online and updating it constantly. I think the CIA Factbook is one of the most relevant fact books in the world, supplying lots of information about every country and a lot of regions.Many greetings and keep on with the good work. Thank you for your World Factbook. As a teacher, I use it frequently. Do not waste time to answer me, just let everyone know who contributed to this edition how it is useful and used worldwide. I am a social studies teacher and we use The World Factbook all the time. It is really nice to see all [the] information about [the] world in one place. You are giving very important info for all [the] world. It is appreciated. Thanks for much for making The World Factbook available on line. I use it often for background information on world events. I’ve been using your World Factbook on a regular basis as a quick reference tool for my studies in political science. It is a fantastic tool – thank you for providing it. I am a geography buff and I spend a lot of time on The World Factbook site. I wish to thank the CIA for making the info available to us, and a job well done. My respect for the Agency is unwavering. Keep up the good work. I would like to thank you for making your CIA World Factbook available to the public as I find it an invaluable resource. The CIA World Factbook is the most informative website on the Net. Thank you for it. This is a wonderful site. I am not at all surprised by the depth of information the CIA possesses, but what you share is brilliant. I have learnt things about my own country that amaze me. A real one-stop shop. I have been using the CIA Factbook on and off for a couple of years whenever I need some information on a country, and it has helped me a lot. I wish to thank you for keeping it in the public domain. As a political science professor teaching Comparative Politics, I have my students make extensive use of the CIA World Factbook. It’s an excellent resource and it is appreciated. I usually use your website for my Geography lessons as a rich source of information students can easily access. I really like The World Factbook. It has so much information! I use it all the time for my social studies homework, at least three times a week. Right now I am doing a project and absolutely all the information I need is on this website! Thank you for creating it. I’ve been using The World Factbook you provide in your web site, and it is wonderful! Just stumbled across this CIA World [Factbook] website and simply had to let you know how fantastic this site is. It is so chock-a-block full of info and so easy to navigate. A truly magnificent achievement which deserves a plaudit. Many thanks. As a social studies teacher I love the Factbook. Thanks for the great info! Hi, I just visited your website because I’m planning a holiday to Slovakia and wasn’t sure if they used the Euro or not. In order to get this information I was going to use The World Factbook, which I’ve always found really useful in the past as a traveling resource.To my surprise I found that you now offer The Factbook as a download which is FANTASTIC! I just wanted to say thank you very much – in the modern world it’s not often that people take time out to say thank you, and I wanted to do just that.So thank you very much! It is appreciated! I am a teacher in Texas and my class is creating a Cultural Quilts over an African country. Thank you very much and we love this web-site! Hi! I teach world cultures and am using the CIA World Factbook site to update the information to teach to my 6th graders. Your institution’s World Factbook is an incredibly useful resource. Being able to quickly find a nation’s population, simple economic indicators, religious and linguistic composition, total fertility rate, and literacy rates allows one to fill in contextual gaps that are needed to understand current events. Thank you for providing this resource online to the public. Hello, I am a reference librarian at a university library, and I use the CIA World Factbook a lot. It is an incredibly useful tool, and one that librarians feel can generally be relied upon, because of the authority of the world’s leading intelligence bureau. I am a World Studies Teacher and use your Factbook all the time with my students. I really appreciate your team’s effort in compiling the country data you have for public use. I love your Factbook. I use it all the time. Your entry about the USA has:Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.That entry makes my heart swell with pride. Thanks for saying it, and keep up the good work. With due regards, I would like to express my gratitude for the information provided by your World Factbook. Just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love your CIA Factbook. I use it for papers at school and that kind of thing. I have just put online a website that could be very useful for a person who wants to discover [more about] the world. On each place mark you will find information about the country and one link that goes directly to the CIA World Factbook. Thank you for allowing people of non-US origin access to your World Factbook, it is a wonderful collection of data for anyone interested in the world we live in. I’m in the 6th grade and I am doing a report on China and thanks to you guys I found a lot of info about my country. I am a Marketing Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy and I have used the CIA Factbook in many of my classes. First of all, thank you for this site, which helps [one] to get to know other countries and to broaden [one’s] views. I am Lithuanian, but now I live in Milwaukee – I am exchange student for one year. I would like to say that your World Factbook has been an excellent source of information for doing many research projects during my high school and collegiate career. I appreciate your hard work and thank you for that excellent resource. Your web-page helps me very much in my teaching of both Geography and English at a local high school in my town in Slovakia. I think the info that you folks make available to the galaxy is extraordinary! Having said that and meaning it, I think it is unfortunate, however, that I am not able to contact you kind folks by phone to ask any questions. Oh, welcome to the wonderful world of technology and its resulting detachment. Topic: Government CommentsYour website is excellent. It provides an indispensable reference for those involved in global political, military, diplomatic, or economic affairs. [US Navy officer] For us [at the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, PCGN] the Factbook is an invaluable source of information which is readily accessible and easy to interpret. Knowing that the information contained therein is up-to-date and adheres to Board on Geographic Names/PCGN principles reinforces the authority of such a valuable resource.At PCGN we use the Factbook as an important reference when assessing geopolitical information for UK Government cartographic products; the administrative division and transnational issues sections being particularly helpful in these cases. More broadly, we often consult the country pages when researching information for our briefing papers.Furthermore, we are happy to be able to include a link to the Factbook from our website, so that our customers too can easily access this very useful source of geographical information.We all hope that the Factbook will continue to appear and be maintained as a useful and reliable source of geopolitical information. [Toponymist, PCGN, c/o The Royal Geographical Society] I truly appreciate the fact that it [The World Factbook] is “one stop shopping” for most of my data needs. In fact, as a foundation for any international study or research, it is the best place to start. I often go to other sites looking for data or making sure that the data I have is up to date and complete. However, what I often find is that their data is simply a repost of your data and not always up to date. The other thing that I really appreciate is that I can get a great set of time series data for analysis from The World Factbook. Most of my work involves statistically analyzing data for geospatial analysis, looking for trends or predictive variables. I have been very successful due to the availability and completeness of your efforts. [Researcher, US Department of State] I would like to let you know how much the CIA World Factbook is appreciated. It is an invaluable resource for obtaining the most precise and verified information on foreign countries. I refer to the Factbook often while working on my monographs regarding legal and political developments in Central Asia and in the Caucasus. The CIA World Factbook was repeatedly cited as the source of original information in my books when I compiled comparative tables on the countries of my research. the Factbook is especially significant in that it allows one to find figures, names, and dates that are not otherwise available. This publication is an extremely helpful tool for me and all of my colleagues. [Researcher, Law Library of Congress] I have added some analysis of the geology and geography of a country to several bibliographies I have written for the Corps of Engineers and the federal government in response to a number of recent humanitarian crises. For example, my bibliographies on the geology of Burma (Myanmar) and another one on Somalia included a great deal of information from the CIA Factbook on the geography of those countries, especially the transportation capabilities such as roads, airports, shipping statistics, and other data.I have generally found the data in the CIA Factbook to be current, concise and correct, and not usually available (or as easily available) elsewhere. [Researcher, Geospatial Information Library, US Army] Regarding the Cross-Reference List of Country Codes. Kudos for a page that is neat, easy to read, and contains useful information laid out in a logical manner.I love that you provide several forms of country coding all on one page, very convenient. Truly, sometimes it is required that I need to cross-reference from one type to another. [NGA GEOINT Aeronautical Intel Analyst] Our office is standardizing the geographical names in our Minerals Availability System Database, and we decided to use the Factbook‘s designations as a standard because of the reputation of your Agency’s work. [Minerals Specialist, US Department of the Interior] The CIA World Factbook remains the U.S. Government employee’s ultimate reference resource, an indispensable tool for my day-to-day requirements. Of the many calls I receive asking to clarify some point ‘what name should we use for this nationality, how long is the border between these two countries, what are the FIPS 10-4 and ISO 3166 codes for this dependency’ the Factbook is my first (and sometimes my only) line of reference. It is convenient, rich in information, and authoritative, and for those reasons and others, it is irreplaceable. [Geographer, US Department of State] I was looking at The World Factbook online. The site looks great! It is pleasant on the eyes, and of course, the content is a treasure trove. [Executive Secretary for Foreign Names, US Board on Geographic Names] Let me take this occasion to commend the CIA for its excellent and oft-used Factbook. It is certainly widely used here in the [State] Department, as well as by the general public. [Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of State] My compliments to… The World Factbook team. I cannot think of a product that I’ve used more often throughout my career. [CIA Deputy Chief] The CIA Factbook is the primary source used by researchers and academics who track and try to quantify/qualify boundary and territorial disputes. I have seen any number of studies sponsored by USIP, OES and universities who rely on the Factbook‘s Transnational Issues section for current information on the status of such disputes. A search engine search of territorial and border disputes invariably brings up Factbook entries, past and present.Just last Monday, while reviewing my Google Alerts bot on borders/boundaries, I found a paper by a Liberian writer/activist, who cited the Guinea-Senegal dispute, almost verbatim, from the Factbook.I would hope that your Agency continues in its unswerving support for your valuable publication to provide the US Government with official information on the global community. As it is vetted through the [State] Department, it remains the unsurpassed authoritative, current, and consistent resource on US perspectives and foreign policy. [Boundary Specialist, US Department of State] By the early 2000s, The World Factbook had replaced various traditional atlases and textbooks in becoming the predominant worldwide authority on current political geography information. Because no other source even approaches the Factbook‘s volume of usage and acceptance on the World Wide Web, this publication has, perhaps unintentionally, become one of the US Government’s most cost-effective means of affecting information flow overseas under both democratic and autocratic regimes.Measured within its purview of political, economic, and demographic overviews, the Factbook‘s reach and acceptance as authoritative has become the envy of other far more costly yet far less effective USG information programs. This level of accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness does not come by accident but only by the USG’s continued resolve to support the Factbook program.It should be noted that in no small manner, the contribution of the Factbook‘s cartography is as equally instrumental in worldwide dissemination of geographic knowledge as the Factbook‘s text.Including both the simpler base maps for each Factbook entry as well as the more detailed regional maps, these public-domain products have, far and away, found more widespread dispersal on the World Wide Web than any other single source of overseas non-navigational mapping. The perhaps unintentional effect again is to assure effective dissemination of the USG’s depiction of worldwide political boundaries and nomenclature.For researchers needing quick, handy reference material, and lacking multiple computer screens that can be viewed simultaneously, the traditional hard copy version continues to be a valuable and indispensable resource as well. [Boundary Specialist, US Department of State] I am working on a contract with the Department of Energy related to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.The Joint Convention is an International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA initiative adopted in 1997. The World Factbook provides important country background information for US Government officials, specifically DOE, NRC, and EPA, scheduled to attend a meeting of all Contracting Parties. [Safety Specialist, Department of Energy]

20220901

countries-antarctica

Topic: Photos of Antarctica Topic: Introduction Background: Speculation 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 14.2 million sq km land: 14.2 million sq km (285,000 sq km ice-free, 13.915 million sq km ice-covered) (est.) note: fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US Land boundaries: 0 note: see entry on Disputes - internationalnote: see entry on Disputes - international Coastline: 17,968 km Maritime claims: Australia, 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 Climate: the 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 Terrain: about 99% thick continental ice sheet and 1% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 m; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 m; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent Elevation: highest point: Vinson Massif 4,892 m lowest point: Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m (-11,500 ft) below sea level mean elevation: 2,300 m note: the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Denman Glacier; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater Natural resources: iron ore, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, platinum and other minerals, and coal and hydrocarbons have been found in small noncommercial quantities; mineral exploitation except for scientific research is banned by the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty; krill, icefish, toothfish, and crab have been taken by commercial fisheries, which are managed through the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources (CCAMLR) Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) Natural hazards: katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf volcanism: volcanic activity on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak Geography - note: the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period mostly uninhabitable, 99% of the land area is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, the largest single mass of ice on earth covering an area of 14 million sq km (5.4 million sq mi) and containing 26.5 million cu km (6.4 million cu mi) of ice (this is almost 62% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 58 m (190 ft) Map description: Map of Antarctica showing the continent and its major regions (Lands) surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Also shown are two of the US research stations, McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott, not shown is Palmer Station located on the Antarctic Peninsula. Map of Antarctica showing the continent and its major regions (Lands) surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Also shown are two of the US research stations, McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott, not shown is Palmer Station located on the Antarctic Peninsula.  Topic: People and Society Population: no indigenous inhabitants, but there are both year-round and summer-only staffed research stations note: 54 countries have signed the 1959 Antarctic Treaty; 30 of those operate through their National Antarctic Program a number of seasonal-only (summer) and year-round research stations on the continent and its nearby islands south of 60 degrees south latitude (the region covered by the Antarctic Treaty); the population engaging in and supporting science or managing and protecting the Antarctic region varies from approximately 5,000 in summer to 1,100 in winter; in addition, approximately 1,000 personnel, including ship's crew and scientists doing onboard research, are present in the waters of the treaty region as of 2017, peak summer (December-February) maximum capacity in scientific stations - 4,877 total; Argentina 601, Australia 243, Belarus 12, Belgium 40, Brazil 66, Bulgaria 22, Chile 433, China 166, Czechia 20, Ecuador 34, Finland 17, France 90, France and Italy jointly 80, Germany 104, India 113, Italy 120, Japan 130, South Korea 130, Netherlands 10, NZ 86, Norway 70, Peru 30, Poland 40, Russia 335, South Africa 80, Spain 98, Sweden 20, Ukraine 24, UK 196, US 1,399, Uruguay 68 (2017) winter (June-August) maximum capacity in scientific station - 1,036 total; Argentina 221, Australia 52, Brazil 15, Chile 114, China 32, France 24, France and Italy jointly 13, Germany 9, India 48, Japan 40, Netherlands 10, South Korea 25, NZ 11, Norway 7, Poland 16, Russia 125, South Africa 15, Ukraine 12, UK 44, US 215, Uruguay 8 (2017) research stations operated within the Antarctic Treaty area (south of 60 degrees south latitude) by National Antarctic Programs year-round stations - approximately 40 total; Argentina 6, Australia 3, Brazil 1, Chile 6, China 2, France 1, France and Italy jointly 1, Germany 1, India 2, Japan 1, Netherlands 1, South Korea 2, NZ 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Russia 5, South Africa 1, Ukraine 1, UK 2, US 3, Uruguay 2 (2017) a range of seasonal-only (summer) stations, camps, and refuges - Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, China, Czechia, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK, US, and Uruguay (2017) in addition, during the austral summer some nations have numerous occupied locations such as tent camps, summer-long temporary facilities, and mobile traverses in support of research Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: the discovery of a large Antarctic ozone hole in the earth's stratosphere (the ozone layer) - first announced in 1985 - spurred the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987, an international agreement phasing out the use of ozone-depleting chemicals; the ozone layer prevents most harmful wavelengths of ultra-violet (UV) light from passing through the earth's atmosphere; ozone depletion has been shown to harm a variety of Antarctic marine plants and animals (plankton); in 2016, a gradual trend toward "healing" of the ozone hole was reported; since the 1990s, satellites have shown accelerating ice loss driven by ocean change; although considerable uncertainty remains, scientists are increasing our understanding and ability to model potential impacts of ice loss Climate: the 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 Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antarctica etymology: name derived from two Greek words meaning "opposite to the Arctic" or "opposite to the north" Government type: Antarctic 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), Czechia (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 International Court of Justice; 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), Czechia (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 International Court of Justice; 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 Legal system: Antarctica is administered through annual meetings - known as Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings - which include consultative member nations, non-consultative member nations, observer organizations, and expert organizations; decisions from these meetings are carried out by these member nations (with respect to their own nationals and operations) in accordance with their own national laws; more generally, the Antarctic Treaty area, that is to all areas between 60 and 90 degrees south latitude, is subject to a number of relevant legal instruments and procedures adopted by the states party to the Antarctic Treaty; note - US law, including certain criminal offenses by or against US nationals, such as murder, may apply extraterritoriality; some US laws directly apply to Antarctica; for example, the Antarctic Conservation Act, 16 U.S.C. section 2401 et seq., provides civil and criminal penalties for the following activities unless authorized by regulation or statute: the taking of native mammals or birds; the introduction of nonindigenous plants and animals; entry into specially protected areas; the discharge or disposal of pollutants; and the importation into the US of certain items from Antarctica; violation of the Antarctic Conservation Act carries penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and one year in prison; the National Science Foundation and Department of Justice share enforcement responsibilities; Public Law 95-541, the US Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as amended in 1996, requires expeditions from the US to Antarctica to notify, in advance, the Office of Oceans and Polar Affairs, Room 2665, Department of State, Washington, DC 20520, which reports such plans to other nations as required by the Antarctic Treaty; for more information, contact antarctica@state.gov Flag description: unofficial; a True South flag, created in 2018, has quickly become popular for its simple yet elegant design and has been used by various National Antarctic Programs, Antarctic nonprofits, and expedition teams; the flag's meaning is described as: horizontal stripes of navy and white represent the long days and nights at Antarctica's extreme latitude; in the center, a lone white peak erupts from a field of snow and ice, echoing those of the bergs, mountains, and pressure ridges that define the Antarctic horizon; the long shadow it casts forms the unmistakable shape of a compass arrow pointed south, an homage to the continent's legacy of exploration; together, the two center shapes create a diamond, symbolizing the hope that Antarctica will continue to be a center of peace, discovery, and cooperation for generations to come Topic: Economy Economic overview: Scientific undertakings rather than commercial pursuits are the predominant human activity in Antarctica. Offshore fishing and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic Fisheries, within the area covered by the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources currently target Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish, mackerel icefish and Antarctic krill. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages these fisheries using the ecosystem-based and precautionary approach.  The Commission’s objective is conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and it regulates the fisheries based on the level of information available, and maintaining existing ecological relationships.  While Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has declined in the Convention area since 1990, it remains a concern A total of 73,670 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2019-2020 Antarctic summer, 32 percent greater than the 55,489 visitors in 2018-2019. These estimates were provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and do not include passengers on overflights. Nearly all of the tourists were passengers on commercial ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer.Scientific undertakings rather than commercial pursuits are the predominant human activity in Antarctica. Offshore fishing and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity.Antarctic Fisheries, within the area covered by the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources currently target Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish, mackerel icefish and Antarctic krill. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages these fisheries using the ecosystem-based and precautionary approach.  The Commission’s objective is conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and it regulates the fisheries based on the level of information available, and maintaining existing ecological relationships.  While Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has declined in the Convention area since 1990, it remains a concernA total of 73,670 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2019-2020 Antarctic summer, 32 percent greater than the 55,489 visitors in 2018-2019. These estimates were provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and do not include passengers on overflights. Nearly all of the tourists were passengers on commercial ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Topic: Energy Electricity: installed generating capacity: 0 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 0 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 0 kWh (2019 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: 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.) 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: 28,000 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telecommunication systems: general assessment: local systems at some research stations (2019) domestic: commercial cellular networks operating in a small number of locations (2019) international: country code - none allocated; via satellite (including mobile Inmarsat and Iridium systems) to and from all research stations, ships, aircraft, and most field parties Internet country code: .aq Internet users: total: 4,400 (2016 est.) percent of population: 100% (2016 est.) Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 17 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 17 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 4 (2021) Heliports: 53 (2021) note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared Ports and terminals: most coastal stations have sparse and intermittent offshore anchorages; a few stations have basic wharf facilities Transportation - note: US coastal stations include McMurdo (77 51 S, 166 40 E) and Palmer (64 43 S, 64 03 W); government use only; all ships are subject to inspection in accordance with Article 7, Antarctic Treaty; relevant legal instruments and authorization procedures adopted by the states parties to the Antarctic Treaty regulating the Antarctic Treaty area have to be complied with (see "Legal System"); The Hydrographic Commission on Antarctica (HCA), a commission of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is responsible for hydrographic surveying and nautical charting matters in Antarctic Treaty area; it coordinates and facilitates provision of accurate and appropriate charts and other aids to navigation in support of safety of navigation in region; membership of HCA is open to any IHO Member State whose government has acceded to the Antarctic Treaty and which contributes resources or data to IHO Chart coverage of the area Topic: Military and Security Military - note: the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon; it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: the Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claimsthe Antarctic Treaty freezes, and most states do not recognize, the land and maritime territorial claims made by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the UK (some overlapping) for three-fourths of the continent; the US and Russia reserve the right to make claims

20220901

countries-nigeria-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and maritime crime. 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 is valid at the date of their entering the country. 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 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: [234] (9) 461-4000; US Embassy Abuja, Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja, Nigeria; AbujaACS@state.gov; https://ng.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 234 Local Emergency Phone: 199 Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 30 September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice for a Yellow Fever outbreak in Nigeria; a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria began in September 2017; the outbreak has now spread throughout the country with the Nigerian Ministry of Health reporting cases of the disease in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu); the CDC recommends travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there; those never vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Nigeria during the outbreak. Widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Nigeria; as of 30 March 2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 255,341 cases of COVID-19 or 123.86 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 3,142 cumulative deaths or a rate of 1.52 cumulative death per 100,000 population; as of 29 March 2022, 9.95% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Nigeria 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: Varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north Currency (Code): Nairas (NGN) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C, F Major Languages: English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages Major Religions: Muslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3% Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Abudja (includes Millennium Park, Zuma Rock, Arts & Crafts Village); Nana Living History Museum; Ancient Nok Settlement; New Afrika Shrine; Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, rugby, track and field, basketball Cultural Practices: Using the left hand for eating or greeting is considered unclean; use the right hand instead. Tipping Guidelines: Service charges are added in many restaurants, but if not, a 10% tip is customary. Negotiate taxi fares before embarking on a journey. Tipping is not necessary.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

countries-bermuda-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Bermuda. 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. US Embassy/Consulate: (441) 295-1342; US Consulate in Hamilton, 16 Middle Road Devonshire, DV 03, Bermuda; https://bm.usconsulate.gov/; HamiltonConsulate@state.gov Telephone Code: 441 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter Currency (Code): Bermudian dollars (BMD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B (US plug) Major Languages: English, Portuguese Major Religions: Protestant, Roman Catholic , Jehovah's Witness, other Christian, Muslim Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March, ends first Sunday in November Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Visitors are not allowed to drive. Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Horseshoe Bay Beach; Hamilton; Saint George's (includes Saint Peter's Church and Island Fortifications); Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo; Royal Naval Dockyard; National Museum of Bermuda; Gibb's Hill Lighthouse Major Sports: Cricket, soccer, rugby, squash Cultural Practices: Bermudans tend to dress up when dining out. Tipping Guidelines: If a service charge has not already been included at the restaurant, a tip of 17% of the bill is normal. Your hotel bill should reflect a 10% service charge for baggage handling and maid service. Souvenirs: Bermuda shorts, handmade cedar furniture and decorative items, costumed dolls, luxury items, rum, perfume Traditional Cuisine: Bermuda fish chowder — fish stock, fish, vegetables, and bacon fat served with spices or black rum and sherry peppersPlease 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-population-distribution

This entry provides a summary description of the population dispersion within a country. While it may suggest population density, it does not provide density figures. Topic: Afghanistanpopulations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled, while the south is sparsely populated Topic: Albaniaa fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country Topic: Algeriathe vast majority of the populace is found in the extreme northern part of the country along the Mediterranean Coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Andorrapopulation is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions) Topic: Angolamost people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Anguillamost 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 Topic: Antigua and Barbudathe island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington Topic: Argentinaone-third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated Topic: Armeniamost of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country Topic: Arubamost residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island Topic: Australiapopulation is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population Topic: Austriathe northern and eastern portions of the country are more densely populated; nearly two-thirds of the populace lives in urban areas Topic: Azerbaijanhighest population density is found in the far eastern area of the country, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population Topic: Bahamas, Themost of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located Topic: Bahrainsmallest population of the Gulf States, but urbanization rate exceeds 90%; largest settlement concentration is found on the far northern end of the island in and around Manamah and Al Muharraq Topic: Barbadosmost densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas Topic: Belarusa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Belgiummost of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas Topic: Belizeapproximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east Topic: Beninthe 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 Topic: Bermudarelatively even population distribution throughout Topic: Boliviaa 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 Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinathe northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated Topic: Botswanathe population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Brazilthe vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro Topic: British Virgin Islandsa fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations Topic: Bulgariaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations Topic: Burkina Faso Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map (2019)Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Burmapopulation concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated Topic: Burundione of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cabo Verdeamong the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cambodiapopulation 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 Topic: Cameroonpopulation concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Canadavast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia Topic: Cayman Islandsmajority of the population resides on Grand Cayman Topic: Central African Republicmajority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Chadthe population is unevenly distributed due to contrasts in climate and physical geography; the highest density is found in the southwest, particularly around Lake Chad and points south; the dry Saharan zone to the north is the least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Chile90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north (anchored by the Atacama Desert) and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated Topic: Chinaoverwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many other countries in Asia and Europe; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang Topic: Christmas Islandmajority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsonly Home Island and West Island are populated Topic: Colombiathe majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated Topic: Comorosthe 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 Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theurban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Congo, Republic of thethe population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cook Islandsmost of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga Topic: Costa Ricaroughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population Topic: Cote d'Ivoirethe population is primarily located in the forested south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the northern savanna remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations located along transportation corridors as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Croatiamore of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated Topic: Cubalarge population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana Topic: Curacaolargest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest Topic: Cypruspopulation concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca Topic: Czechiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations Topic: Denmarkwith excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland Topic: Djiboutimost 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 Topic: Dominicapopulation is mosly clustered along the coast, with roughly a third living in the parish of St. George, in or around the capital of Roseau; the volcanic interior is sparsely populated Topic: Dominican Republiccoastal 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) Topic: Ecuadornearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated Topic: Egyptapproximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Topic: El Salvadorathough 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 Topic: Equatorial Guineaonly two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Eritreadensity is highest in the center of the country in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Estoniaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Eswatinibecause of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Ethiopiahighest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: European Unionpopulation distribution varies considerably from country to country, but tends to follow a pattern of coastal and river settlement, with urban agglomerations forming large hubs facilitating large scale housing, industry, and commerce; the area in and around the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg (known collectively as Benelux), is the most densely populated area in the EU Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley Topic: Faroe Islandsthe island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people Topic: Fijiapproximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Topic: Finlandthe vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely poplulated Topic: Francemuch 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 Topic: French Polynesiathe majority of the population lives in the Society Islands, one of five archipelagos that includes the most populous island - Tahiti - with approximately 70% of the nation's population Topic: Gabonthe relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Gambia, Thesettlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul, and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Gaza Strippopulation concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north Topic: Georgiasettlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest Topic: Germanymost populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia Topic: Ghanapopulation is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations being on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Greeceone-third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters Topic: Greenlandsettlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited Topic: Grenadaapproximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast Topic: Guamno large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo Topic: Guatemalathe vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas Topic: Guineaareas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Guinea-Bissauapproximately one-fifth of the population lives in the capital city of Bissau along the Atlantic coast; the remainder is distributed among the eight other, mainly rural, regions as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Guyanapopulation is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Topic: Haitifairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas Topic: Hondurasmost residents live in the mountainous western half of the country; unlike other Central American nations, Honduras is the only one with an urban population that is distributed between two large centers - the capital of Tegucigalpa and the city of San Pedro Sula; the Rio Ulua valley in the north is the only densely populated lowland area Topic: Hong Kongpopulation fairly evenly distributed Topic: Hungarya fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: IcelandIceland is almost entirely urban with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west Topic: Indiawith the notable exception of the deserts in the northwest, including the Thar Desert, and the mountain fringe in the north, a very high population density exists throughout most of the country; the core of the population is in the north along the banks of the Ganges, with other river valleys and southern coastal areas also having large population concentrations Topic: Indonesiamajor concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated Topic: Iranpopulation is concentrated in the north, northwest, and west, reflecting the position of the Zagros and Elburz Mountains; the vast dry areas in the center and eastern parts of the country, around the deserts of the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, have a much lower population density Topic: Iraqpopulation is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited Topic: Irelandpopulation distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities Topic: Isle of Manmost people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest Topic: Israelpopulation concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Topic: Italydespite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Jamaicapopulation density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel Topic: Japanall primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one-third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain) Topic: Jerseyfairly even distribution; no notable trends Topic: Jordanpopulation heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Topic: Kazakhstanmost of the country displays a low population density, particularly the interior; population clusters appear in urban agglomerations in the far northern and southern portions of the country Topic: Kenyapopulation 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 Topic: Kiribaticonsists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong Topic: Korea, Northpopulation concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east Topic: Korea, Southwith approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated Topic: Kosovopopulation clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina Topic: Kuwaitdensest 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 Topic: Kyrgyzstanthe vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains Topic: Laosmost densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia Topic: Latvialargest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country Topic: Lebanonthe majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density Topic: Lesothorelatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru, and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Liberiamore than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Libyawell over 90% of the population lives along the Mediterranean coast in and between Tripoli to the west and Al Bayda to the east; the interior remains vastly underpopulated due to the Sahara and lack of surface water as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Liechtensteinmost of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River Topic: Lithuaniafairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda Topic: Luxembourgmost people live in the south, on or near the border with France Topic: Macaupopulation fairly equally distributed Topic: Madagascarmost of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Malawipopulation density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Malaysiaa highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula Topic: Maldivesabout a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago Topic: Malithe overwhelming majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with greater density along the border with Burkina Faso as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Maltamost of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands Topic: Marshall Islandsmost people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye Topic: Mauritaniawith most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mauritiuspopulation density is one of the highest in the world; urban cluster are found throught the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; population on Rodrigues Island is spread across the island with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mexicomost of the population is found in the middle of the country between the states of Jalisco and Veracruz; approximately a quarter of the population lives in and around Mexico City Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofthe majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas Topic: Moldovapockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti Topic: Monacothe second most densely populated country in the world (after Macau); its entire population living on 2 square km Topic: Mongoliasparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities Topic: Montenegrohighest population density is concentrated in the south, southwest; the extreme eastern border is the least populated area Topic: Montserratonly the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity Topic: Moroccothe highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mozambiquethree large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Namibiapopulation density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Nauruextensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast Topic: Nepalmost of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low Topic: Netherlandsan area known as the Randstad, anchored by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Utrecht, is the most densely populated region; the north tends to be less dense, though sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country Topic: New Caledoniamost of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea Topic: New Zealandover three-quarters of New Zealanders, including the indigenous Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas Topic: Nicaraguathe overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters Topic: Nigermajority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Nigerialargest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Niuepopulation distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island Topic: Norfolk Islandpopulation concentrated around the capital of Kingston Topic: North Macedoniaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsapproximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan Topic: Norwaymost Norwegians live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the North Sea coast in the southwest, and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated Topic: Omanthe vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated Topic: Pakistanthe Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated Topic: Palaumost of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap Topic: Panamapopulation is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabited Topic: Papua New Guineapopulation concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one-fifth of the population residing in urban areas Topic: Paracel Islandsa population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands Topic: Paraguaymost 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 Topic: Peruapproximately one-third of the population resides along the desert coastal belt in the west, with a strong focus on the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, which is strongly identified with the country's Amerindian population, contains roughly half of the overall population; the eastern slopes of the Andes, and adjoining rainforest, are sparsely populated Topic: Philippinespopulation concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population Topic: Pitcairn Islandsless than 50 inhabitants on Pitcairn Island, most reside near the village of Adamstown Topic: Polandpopulation concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk Topic: Portugalconcentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities Topic: Puerto Ricopopulation clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low Topic: Qatarmost of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula Topic: Romaniaurbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania Topic: Russiapopulation is heavily concentrated in the westernmost fifth of the country extending from the Baltic Sea, south to the Caspian Sea, and eastward parallel to the Kazakh border; elsewhere, sizeable pockets are isolated and generally found in the south Topic: Rwandaone of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Saint Barthelemymost of the populace concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island periphery Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena - population is concentrated in and around the capital Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area; Ascension - largest settlement, and location of most of the population, is Georgetown; Tristan da Cunha - most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevispopulation clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands Topic: Saint Luciamost of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries Topic: Saint Martinmost of the population is found along the coast, with a largest concentrations around the capital Marigot, Orleans, and Grand-Case Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonmost of the population is found on Saint Pierre Island; a small settlement is located on the north end of Miquelon Island Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesmost of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown Topic: Samoaabout three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Saudi Arabiahistorically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea Topic: Senegalthe 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 Topic: Serbiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Seychellesmore than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Sierra Leonepopulation 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 Topic: Singaporemost of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas Topic: Sint Maartenmost populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg), followed closely by Cul de Sac Topic: Slovakiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border Topic: Sloveniaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest exhibit less density than elsewhere Topic: Solomon Islandsmost of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these some two-thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port Topic: Somaliadistribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa as shown on this population distribution map Topic: South Africathe population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west as shown in this population distribution map Topic: South Sudanclusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Spainwith the notable exception of Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations are found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts; numerous smaller cities are spread throughout the interior reflecting Spain's agrarian heritage; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelona Topic: Sri Lankathe population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north Topic: Sudanwith the exception of a ribbon of settlement that corresponds to the banks of the Nile, northern Sudan, which extends into the dry Sahara, is sparsely populated; more abundant vegetation and broader access to water increases population distribution in the south extending habitable range along nearly the entire border with South Sudan; sizeable areas of population are found around Khartoum, southeast between the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and througout South Darfur as shown on this population distribution map Topic: Surinamepopulation concentrated along the nothern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Topic: Svalbardthe small population is primarily concentrated on the island of Spitsbergen in a handful of settlements on the south side of the Isfjorden, with Longyearbyen being the largest Topic: Swedenmost Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated Topic: Switzerlandpopulation distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement Topic: Syriasignificant 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 Topic: Taiwandistribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts Topic: Tajikistanthe country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west Topic: Tanzaniathe largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Thailandhighest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters found througout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country Topic: Timor-Lestemost of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili Topic: Togoone of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Tokelauthe country's small population is fairly evenly distributed amongst the three atolls Topic: Tongaover two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied Topic: Trinidad and Tobagopopulation on Trinidad is concentrated in the western half of the island, on Tobago in the southern half Topic: Tunisiathe overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast Topic: Turkmenistanthe most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandseight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk Topic: Tuvaluover half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti Topic: Ugandapopulation density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Ukrainedensest settlement in the eastern (Donbas) and western regions; noteable concentrations in and around major urban areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donets'k, Dnipropetrovs'k, and Odesa Topic: United Arab Emiratespopulation is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population Topic: United Kingdomthe core of the population lies in and around London, with significant clusters found in central Britain around Manchester and Liverpool, in the Scottish lowlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow, southern Wales in and around Cardiff, and far eastern Northern Ireland centered on Belfast Topic: United Stateslarge urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western tier states; mountainous areas, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prarie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu Topic: Uruguaymost of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban, living in towns or cities; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo Topic: Uzbekistanmost of the population is concentrated in the fertile Fergana Valley in the easternmost arm of the country; the south has significant clusters of people, while the central and western deserts are sparsely populated Topic: Vanuatuthree-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace Topic: Venezuelamost of the population is concentrated in the northern and western highlands along an eastern spur at the northern end of the Andes, an area that includes the capital of Caracas Topic: Vietnamthough it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people Topic: Virgin Islandswhile overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix Topic: West Bankthe 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 Topic: Worldsix of the world's seven continents are widely and permanently inhabited; Asia is easily the most populous continent with about 60% of the world's population (China and India together account for over 35%); Africa comes in second with over 15% of the earth's populace, Europe has about 10%, North America 8%, South America almost 6%, and Oceania less than 1%; the harsh conditions on Antarctica prevent any permanent habitation Topic: Yementhe vast majority of the population is found in the Asir Mountains (part of the larger Sarawat Mountain system), located in the far western region of the country Topic: Zambiaone 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 Topic: ZimbabweAside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half as shown in this population distribution map

20220901

countries-south-georgia-and-south-sandwich-islands

Topic: Photos of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Topic: Introduction Background: The 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, east of the tip of South America Geographic coordinates: 54 30 S, 37 00 W Map references: Antarctic Region Area: total: 3,903 sq km land: 3,903 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands Area - comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: NA Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Terrain: most of the islands are rugged and mountainous rising steeply from the sea; South Georgia is largely barren with steep, glacier-covered mountains; the South Sandwich Islands are of volcanic origin with some active volcanoes Elevation: highest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2011) Natural hazards: the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism Geography - note: the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage Map description: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: (July 2021 est.) no indigenous inhabitants note: the small military garrison on South Georgia withdrew in March 2001, replaced by a permanent group of scientists of the British Antarctic Survey, which also has a biological station on Bird Island; the South Sandwich Islands are uninhabited Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Birth rate: NA Death rate: (2021 est.) NA Net migration rate: 5.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) 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 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 Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: reindeer - introduced to the islands in the 20th century - devastated the native flora and bird species; some reindeer were translocated to the Falkland Islands in 2001, the rest were exterminated (2013-14); a parallel effort (2010-15) eradicated rats and mice that came to the islands as stowaways on ships as early as the late 18th century Climate: variable, with mostly westerly winds throughout the year interspersed with periods of calm; nearly all precipitation falls as snow Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands conventional short form: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands abbreviation: SGSSI etymology: South Georgia was named "the Isle of Georgia" in 1775 by Captain James COOK in honor of British King GEORGE III; the explorer also discovered the Sandwich Islands Group that year, which he named "Sandwich Land" after John MONTAGU, the Earl of Sandwich and First Lord of the Admiralty; the word "South" was later added to distinguish these islands from the other Sandwich Islands, now known as the Hawaiian Islands Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II Legal system: the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms features a shield with a golden lion rampant, holding a torch; the shield is supported by a fur seal on the left and a Macaroni penguin on the right; a reindeer appears above the crest, and below the shield on a scroll is the motto LEO TERRAM PROPRIAM PROTEGAT (Let the Lion Protect its Own Land); the lion with the torch represents the UK and discovery; the background of the shield, blue and white estoiles, are found in the coat of arms of James Cook, discoverer of the islands; all the outer supporting animals represented are native to the islands Topic: Economy Economic overview: Some fishing takes place in adjacent waters. Harvesting finfish and krill are potential sources of income. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, the sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Topic: Transportation Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Grytviken Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (UK)-Argentina: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by forceSouth Georgia and South Sandwich Islands (UK)-Argentina: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force

20220901

countries-libya-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Libya due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, 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 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp 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: Please direct inquiries regarding US citizens in Libya to LibyaEmergencyUSC@state.gov; US Embassy in Tripoli is closed, contact the Libya External Office at the US Embassy in Tunis; [216] 71 107-000; Les Berges du Lac, 1053 Tunis; LibyaACS@state.gov; https://ly.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 218 Local Emergency Phone: 193, 1515 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: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior Currency (Code): Libyan dinars (LYD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, L Major Languages: Arabic, Italian, English, Berber Major Religions: Muslim (virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, Buddhist 0.3% 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: Tadrart Acacus; Cyrene; Leptis Magna; Old Town Ghadames; Sabratha; Tripoli (includes Arch of Marcus Aurelius, Red Castle Museum) Major Sports: Soccer Cultural Practices: When invited to a home, it is common to be offered coffee or tea, and it is polite to accept this offer. Tipping Guidelines: A service charge of 10-20% is customary on restaurant and hotel bills. Souvenirs: Ghadames slippers, blended oils/perfumes, stamps, gold jewelry inlaid with precious stones, leather goods, hand-loomed rugs, pottery, stringed musical instruments, copperware, palm leaf basketsPlease 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

countries-pakistan-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizensReconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism and sectarian violence. Exercise increased caution due to COVID-19. 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 2 blank pages 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: [92] (51) 201-5000/ [92] (51) 201-4000; US Embassy in Islamabad, Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad, Pakistan; ACSIslamabad@state.gov; https://pk.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 92 Local Emergency Phone: 15 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. Polio vaccination within one year before travel may be required to exit Pakistan. See WHO recommendations. Note: Pakistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus 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; in addition, before travel to any high-risk destination, 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. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north Currency (Code): Pakistani rupees (PKR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D Major Languages: Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Urdu, Balochi, Hindko, English Major Religions: Muslim (official) 96.5% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3.5% Time Difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Islamabad (includes Pakistan Monument Museum, Faisal Mosque); Naltar Valley & Lakes; Neelum Valley; Skardu; Gojal Valley; Deosai National Park; Lahore (includes Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens); Hunza Valley (includes Baltit Fort); Mohenjo daro Major Sports: Cricket, field hockey, squash, soccer, polo Cultural Practices: Pakistani culture is very hierarchical, with age being one of the most important aspects, if not the most important. When interacting with Pakistanis, greet and show deference to the eldest person. It is impolite to start eating before the eldest member at the table has begun to eat. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping about 30-50 rupees at local restaurants is greatly appreciated. It is best to tip hotel staff directly or leave small change on the table of your hotel room. Taxis do not usually expect a tip.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, March 31, 2022

20220901

field-public-debt

This entry records the cumulative total of all government borrowings less repayments that are denominated in a country's home currency. Public debt should not be confused with external debt, which reflects the foreign currency liabilities of both the private and public sector and must be financed out of foreign exchange earnings. Topic: Afghanistan7% of GDP (2017 est.) 7.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Albania71.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Algeria27.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central government debt as well as debt issued by subnational entities and intra-governmental debt Topic: American Samoa12.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Andorra41% of GDP (2014 est.) 41.4% of GDP (2013 est.) Topic: Angola65% of GDP (2017 est.) 75.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Anguilla20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda86.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 86.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Argentina57.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 55% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Armenia53.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Aruba86% of GDP (2017 est.) 84.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Australia40.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 40.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Austria78.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 83.6% of GDP (2016 est.) note: this is general government gross debt, defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year; it covers the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; as a percentage of GDP, the GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product in current year prices Topic: Azerbaijan54.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The54.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bahrain88.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bangladesh33.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Barbados157.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 149.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Belarus53.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Belgium103.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 106% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds Topic: Belize99% of GDP (2017 est.) 95.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Benin54.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 49.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bermuda43% of GDP (FY14/15) Topic: Bhutan106.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 114.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bolivia49% 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 Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina39.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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. Topic: Botswana14% of GDP (2017 est.) 15.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Brazil84% of GDP (2017 est.) 78.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Brunei2.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Bulgaria23.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 27.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds Topic: Burkina Faso38.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Burma33.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 35.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Burundi51.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 48.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde125.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 127.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Cambodia30.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 29.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Cameroon36.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Canada89.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 91.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: figures are for gross general government debt, as opposed to net federal debt; gross general government debt includes both intragovernmental debt and the debt of public entities at the sub-national level Topic: Central African Republic52.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 56% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Chad52.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 52.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Chile23.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 21% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: China47% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official data; data cover both central and local government debt, including debt officially recognized by China's National Audit Office report in 2011; data exclude policy bank bonds, Ministry of Railway debt, and China Asset Management Company debt Topic: Colombia49.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 49.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes 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 Topic: Comoros32.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 27.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the18.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the130.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 128.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Costa Rica48.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire47% of GDP (2017 est.) 47% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Croatia77.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 82.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Cuba47.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 42.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Curacao33.2% of GDP (2012 est.) 40.6% of GDP (2011 est.) Topic: Cyprus97.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 106.6% 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 exclude 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 Topic: Czechia34.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Denmark35.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.9% 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 intra-governmental 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 Topic: Djibouti31.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Dominica82.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 71.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic37.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 34.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Ecuador45.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 43.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Egypt103% of GDP (2017 est.) 96.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central 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 sold at public auctions Topic: El Salvador67.9% 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 Topic: Equatorial Guinea37.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 43.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Eritrea131.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 132.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Estonia9% of GDP (2017 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds Topic: Eswatini28.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 25.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Ethiopia54.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: European Union86.8% of GDP (2014) 85.5% of GDP (2013) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0% of GDP (2015 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands35% of GDP (2014 est.) Topic: Fiji48.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Finland61.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 62.9% 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 Topic: France96.8% 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 Topic: Gabon62.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 64.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Gambia, The88% of GDP (2017 est.) 82.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Georgia44.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.4% 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; Georgia does not maintain intragovernmental debt or social funds Topic: Germany63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 67.9% of GDP (2016 est.) note: general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euros; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank Topic: Ghana71.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Gibraltar7.5% of GDP (2008 est.) 8.4% of GDP (2006 est.) Topic: Greece181.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 183.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Greenland13% of GDP (2015 est.) Topic: Grenada70.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 82% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Guam22.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 32.1% of GDP (2013) Topic: Guatemala24.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Guinea37.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau53.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 57.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Guyana52.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Haiti31.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Honduras39.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Hong Kong0.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Hungary73.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 76% of GDP (2016 est.) note: general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and national, state, and local government and social security funds. Topic: Iceland40% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: India71.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 69.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central government debt, and exclude debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude 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 Topic: Indonesia28.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Iran39.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: includes publicly guaranteed debt Topic: Iraq59.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 66% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Ireland68.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.6% 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 Topic: Israel72.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 59.6% of GDP (2019 est.) 60.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Topic: Italy131.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 132% of GDP (2016 est.) note: Italy reports its data on public debt according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty; general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year, in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises central, state, and local government and social security funds Topic: Jamaica101% of GDP (2017 est.) 113.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Japan237.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 235.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Jordan95.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 95.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central 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 exclude 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 Topic: Kazakhstan20.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Kenya54.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 53.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Kiribati26.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 22.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Korea, South39.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 39.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Kosovo21.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Kuwait20.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 9.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan56% of GDP (2017 est.) 55.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Laos63.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 58.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Latvia36.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds Topic: Lebanon146.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 145.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central government debt and exclude 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 Topic: Lesotho33.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Liberia34.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Libya4.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 7.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Lithuania39.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 40.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official 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, 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 sold at public auctions Topic: Luxembourg23% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.8% 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 Topic: Macau0% of GDP (2017 est.) 0% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Madagascar36% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Malawi59.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 60.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Malaysia54.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 56.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: this figure is based on the amount of federal government debt, RM501.6 billion ($167.2 billion) in 2012; this includes Malaysian Treasury bills and other government securities, as well as loans raised externally and bonds and notes issued overseas; this figure excludes debt issued by non-financial public enterprises and guaranteed by the federal government, which was an additional $47.7 billion in 2012 Topic: Maldives63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 61.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mali35.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 36% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Malta50.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 56.3% of GDP (2016 est.) note: Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central, state, and local governments, and social security funds Topic: Marshall Islands25.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 30% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mauritania96.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 100% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mauritius64% of GDP (2017 est.) 66.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mexico54.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 56.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of24.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 25.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Moldova31.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 35.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mongolia91.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 90% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Montenegro67.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 66.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes 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 Topic: Morocco65.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 64.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Mozambique102.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 121.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Namibia41.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Nauru62% of GDP (2017 est.) 65% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Nepal26.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 27.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Netherlands56.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 61.3% 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 Topic: New Caledonia6.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 6.5% of GDP (2014 est.) Topic: New Zealand31.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 33.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Nicaragua33.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 31.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official 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, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; Nicaragua rebased its GDP figures in 2012, which reduced the figures for debt as a percentage of GDP Topic: Niger45.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 45.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Nigeria21.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 19.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: North Macedonia39.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official data from Ministry of Finance; data cover central government debt; this data excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; includes treasury debt held by foreign entitites; excludes debt issued by sub-national entities; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds Topic: Northern Mariana Islands7.1% of GDP (2017 est.) Topic: Norway36.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.4% 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 exclude treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude 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 Topic: Oman46.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: excludes indebtedness of state-owned enterprises Topic: Pakistan67% of GDP (2017 est.) 67.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Palau24.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 21.6% of GDP (2015) Topic: Panama37.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea36.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Paraguay19.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Peru25.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued by government entities other than the treasury; the data exclude treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities Topic: Philippines39.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 39% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Poland50.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 54.2% 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 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 Topic: Portugal125.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 129.9% 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 Topic: Puerto Rico51.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 50.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Qatar53.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 46.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Romania36.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 38.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds Topic: Russia15.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 16.1% 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 Topic: Rwanda40.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis62.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 61.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia70.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 69.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines73.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 82.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Samoa49.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 52.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: San Marino24.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 22.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe88.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 93.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia17.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 13.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Senegal48.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Serbia62.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Seychelles63.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 69.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 54.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Singapore111.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 106.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt Topic: Slovakia50.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general Government Gross Debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities, including sub-sectors of central, state, local government, and social security funds Topic: Slovenia73.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 78.6% of GDP (2016 est.) note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the central, state, local government, and social security funds Topic: Solomon Islands9.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 7.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Somalia76.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 93% of GDP (2014 est.) Topic: South Africa53% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: South Sudan62.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 86.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Spain98.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 99% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka79.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 79.6% of GDP (2016 est.) note: covers central government debt and excludes debt instruments directly owned by government entities other than the treasury (e.g. commercial bank borrowings of a government corporation); the data includes treasury debt held by foreign entities as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement; sub-national entities are usually not permitted to sell debt instruments Topic: Sudan121.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 99.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Suriname69.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 75.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Sweden40.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 42.3% 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 Topic: Switzerland41.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM (Government Financial Systems Manual) 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options Topic: Syria94.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 91.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Taiwan35.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data for central government Topic: Tajikistan50.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 42% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Tanzania37% of GDP (2017 est.) 38% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Thailand41.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 41.8% 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 sold at public auctions Topic: Timor-Leste3.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Togo75.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Tonga48% of GDP (FY2017 est.) 51.8% of GDP (FY2016 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago41.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 37% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Tunisia70.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)28.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan28.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 24.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Tuvalu37% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Uganda40% of GDP (2017 est.) 37.4% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Ukraine71% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: the total public debt of $64.5 billion consists of: domestic public debt ($23.8 billion); external public debt ($26.1 billion); and sovereign guarantees ($14.6 billion) Topic: United Arab Emirates19.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 20.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: United Kingdom87.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 87.9% 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 Topic: United States78.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover only what the United States Treasury denotes as "Debt Held by the Public," which includes all debt instruments issued by the Treasury that are owned by non-US Government entities; the data include Treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by individual US states, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of Treasury borrowings from surpluses in the trusts for Federal Social Security, Federal Employees, Hospital and Supplemental Medical Insurance (Medicare), Disability and Unemployment, and several other smaller trusts; if data for intragovernment debt were added, "gross debt" would increase by about one-third of GDP Topic: Uruguay65.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 61.6% 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. Topic: Uzbekistan24.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 10.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Vanuatu48.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 46.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Venezuela38.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 31.3% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central government debt, as well as the debt of state-owned oil company PDVSA; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include some 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; some debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions Topic: Vietnam58.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 59.9% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official 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 Topic: Virgin Islands53.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 45.9% of GDP (2014 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna5.6% 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 Topic: West Bank24.4% of GDP (2014 est.) 23.8% of GDP (2013 est.) Topic: World67.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 67.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Yemen74.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 68.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Zambia63.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 60.7% of GDP (2016 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe82.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 69.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

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-food-insecurity

Food crises are nearly always due to a combination of factors, but it is important to establish whether the nature of food crises is predominantly related to lack of food availability, limited access to food, or severe but localized problems. Countries in crisis requiring external assistance for food are expected to lack the resources to deal with reported critical problems of food insecurity. Three levels of crises are described in this field in descending severity: countries facing an exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies as a result of crop failure, natural disasters, interruption of imports, disruption of distribution, excessive post-harvest losses, or other supply bottlenecks; countries with widespread lack of access, where a majority of the population is considered to be unable to procure food from local markets, due to very low incomes, exceptionally high food prices, or the inability to circulate within the country; countries with severe localized food insecurity due to the influx of refugees, a concentration of internally displaced persons, or areas with combinations of crop failure and deep poverty. Topic: Afghanistansevere localized food insecurity: due to civil conflict, population displacement, and economic slowdown - between November 2021 and March 2022, during the winter lean season, the food insecurity situation is expected to deteriorate and the number of people in "Crisis" or above is likely to increase to 22.8 million, about 35% more than during the same season in 2020/21; following the developments of August 2021 in the country, the international aid flows, an important element of public spending, were halted; the food security situation and agricultural livelihoods in the country is likely to significantly deteriorate in the coming months due to cumulative and cascading impact of multiple shocks, including weather, conflict, economic crisis and the lingering effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic (2022) Topic: Bangladeshsevere localized food insecurity: due to economic constraints -  losses in income and remittances caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic and its containment measures led to an increase in poverty; the high prices of rice and other important food items, including edible oils (soybean oil and loose palm oil), have severely constrained the purchasing power for food for a large section of the vulnerable population above the poverty line (2022) Topic: Burkina Fasosevere localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity in the north - in the upcoming peak of the lean season, between June and August 2022, 2.6 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity; domestic cereal production in 2021 was estimated at a below-average level due to effects of adverse weather and the civil conflict, further aggravating conditions; in Centre-Nord and Sahel regions, insecurity continues to cause population displacements, further deteriorating the food security situation; a coup d’état on January 2022 is an additional factor that could increase civil insecurity and further stress food insecurity conditions (2022) Topic: Burmasevere localized food insecurity: due to conflict, political instability, and economic constraints - the political crisis, following the military takeover on 1 February 2021, resulted in increased tensions and unrest throughout the country; the current uncertain political situation may further compromise the fragile situation of vulnerable households and the Rohingya IDPs residing in the country; armed conflict between the military and non‑state armed groups led to population displacements, disrupted agricultural activities and limited access for humanitarian support especially in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayin, Kayah and Shan states; income losses and a decline in remittances, due to the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic, have affected the food security situation of vulnerable households (2022) Topic: Burundiwidespread lack of access: due to the effects of weather - about 1 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure between January and March 2022, due to livelihood losses and displacements caused by the rising water level of Lake Tanganyika and the overflow of rivers, sustained repatriation flows and the socio-economic impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic (2022) Topic: Cameroonsevere localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity and population displacements - according to October 2021 analysis, about 2.4 million people were estimated to be severely food insecure between October and December 2021; this mainly results from the impacts of Boko Haram incursions in Far North Region, the socio‑political unrest in Northwest and Southwest regions and COVID‑19‑related economic shocks, which disrupted trade flows and agricultural practices, deteriorated livelihoods and displaced people (2022) Topic: Central African Republicexceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to internal conflict - persisting conflicts and displacements are expected to continue affecting agricultural activities and limit farmers’ access to crop growing areas and inputs, with a negative impact on 2022 crop production; in most prefectures, civil insecurity in 2021 continued to cause population displacements and widespread disruption of agricultural and marketing activities with negative consequences on food availability and access; the socio‑economic effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic, coupled with the high level of prices of some food staples, reduced substantially the households’ purchasing power (2022) Topic: Chadwidespread lack of access: due to civil insecurity and shortfall in cereal production - according to the latest analysis, about 965 000 people were estimated to be in "Crisis" and above, between October and December 2021 due to persisting insecurity in Lac and Tibesti regions that disrupted livelihood activities and caused population displacements; domestic cereal production was estimated at a below-average level in 2021 due to adverse weather and the civil conflict; as a result, between June and August 2022, 1.74 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity (2022) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thewidespread lack of access: due to internal conflict in eastern regions and economic downturn - according to a November 2021 analysis, 26 million people are projected to be severely food insecure, in "Crisis" or above, between January and June 2022; this is due to persisting conflict in eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, which continues to cause displacements, coupled with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (2022) Topic: Congo, Republic of thesevere localized food insecurity: due to floods - on 29 November 2021, a state of emergency was declared due to floods in northern areas that caused crop and livestock losses, and displaced people, particularly in Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette and Plateaux departments; it is estimated that about 71,700 people have been affected, (2022) Topic: Djiboutiwidespread 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) Topic: Eswatinisevere localized food insecurity: due to economic downturn - nearly 336,000 people were assessed to be food insecure at least until March 2022, prior to the main harvest period, primarily due to food access constraints, underpinned by the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy (2022) Topic: Ethiopiawidespread lack of access: due to civil conflict and drought - more than 16 million people were estimated to be severely food insecure in the May−June 2021 period; the high levels of food insecurity are mainly due to the lingering impact of the measures implemented in 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID‑19 pandemic, macro‑economic challenges resulting in high food prices, localized but significant locust‑induced crop and pasture losses, the negative impact on crop and livestock production of erratic rains in the first half of the year and to the intensification of inter‑communal violence since 2020 in several areas and the ongoing conflict in Tigray Region (2022) Topic: Guineasevere localized food insecurity: due to reduced incomes - about 740,000 people are projected to face severe food insecurity in the upcoming June to August 2022 period (2022) Topic: Haitisevere localized food insecurity: due to reduced agricultural production and socio-political turmoil - about 4.56 million people are estimated to be facing severe acute food insecurity and in need of urgent food assistance between March and June 2022; the high levels of food insecurity are the result of consecutive reduced cereal harvests between 2018 and 2021, and elevated food prices, exacerbated by sociopolitical turmoil; two natural disasters (a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a tropical storm) that struck in August 2021, destroyed productive assets and infrastructures, and caused losses of stored food, further aggravating conditions; the lack of income-earning opportunities amid worsening insecurity and difficult macroeconomic conditions is likely to heighten food insecurity (2022) Topic: Iraqsevere localized food insecurity: due to civil conflict and economic slowdown - the 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview identified 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 0.96 million have acute humanitarian needs; while the number of people in need remained similar to the previous year, the severity of those needs increased, largely due to the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on top of an existing humanitarian crisis, leading to a 35% increase in the number of people in acute need; more than half of these are concentrated in the governorates of Nineveh and Anbar; the number of severely food insecure people is estimated at about 435,000, while 731,000 are vulnerable to food insecurity (2022) Topic: Kenyaexceptional 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) Topic: Korea, Northwidespread lack of access: due to low food consumption levels, poor dietary diversity, and economic downturn - a large portion of the population suffers from low levels of food consumption and very poor dietary diversity; the economic constraints, particularly resulting from the global impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic, have increased the population’s vulnerability to food insecurity; the food gap is estimated at about 860,000 mt, equivalent to approximately 2-3 months of food use, if this gap is not adequately covered through commercial imports and/or food aid, households could experience a harsh lean period (2022) Topic: Lebanonwidespread lack of access: due to the ongoing financial and economic crisis - the World Food Program (WFP) estimates that, as a result of the ongoing economic crisis, over 1.3 million Lebanese citizens, about 36% of the total population, were food insecure by the end of September 2021; the number of Lebanese households with serious food access constraints reached 57% in September 2021, up from 40% in September 2020; domestic cereal production covers, on average, less than 20% of the consumption needs and the country depends heavily on imports (2022) Topic: Lesothosevere localized food insecurity: due to loss of income-generating activities -  the number of people facing "Crisis" levels of food insecurity between January and March 2022 is estimated at 338,000, reflecting the effects of a slow economic recovery that has impinged on households’ economic capacity to access food (2022) Topic: Liberiasevere localized food insecurity: due to high food prices - production of rice, a main staple food, was estimated at a below-average level in 2021, a factor that is expected to further aggravate food insecurity in 2022 (2022) Topic: Libyasevere localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity, economic and political instability, and high food prices - an estimated 800,000 people, 10% of the population, need humanitarian assistance, of which 500,000 require food assistance (2022) Topic: Madagascarsevere localized food insecurity: due to the effects of extreme weather events - cyclones and tropical storms in early 2022 have affected a large number of people, particularly in eastern regions, and the number of food insecure people is expected to increase later in 2022; moreover, drought conditions continue to affect households in the south, which is likely to result in an increase in the severity and prevalence of food insecurity in these areas (2022) Topic: Malawisevere 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) Topic: Malisevere localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity and shortfall in staple food production - between June and August 2022, 1.84 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity, driven in part by a shortfall in staple food production in 2021; sanctions imposed on the country, following the postponement of elections by the transitional military government, are likely to slow down economic activity and further weigh on households’ economic capacity to access food (2022)due to civil insecurity and shortfall in staple food production - between June and August 2022, 1.84 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity, driven in part by a shortfall in staple food production in 2021; sanctions imposed on the country, following the postponement of elections by the transitional military government, are likely to slow down economic activity and further weigh on households’ economic capacity to access food Topic: Mauritaniasevere localized food insecurity: due to poor performance of cereal production - domestic cereal production declined in 2021 due to poor weather, which is likely to worsen conditions of the most vulnerable households; in the upcoming peak of the lean season, between June and August 2022, 660,000 people are projected to face severe food insecurity (2022) Topic: Mozambiquesevere localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in staple food production, insecurity in northern areas, and extreme weather events - an estimated 1.9 million people require humanitarian assistance until at least March 2022, primarily due to shortfalls in food production and the impact of insecurity in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where populations are experiencing the severest levels of acute food insecurity; approximately 24,000 people are facing "Emergency" levels of food insecurity; cyclones and tropical storms in early 2022 have affected a large number of people, particularly in central provinces, and the number of food insecure people is expected to increase in late 2022 (2022)due to localized shortfalls in staple food production, insecurity in northern areas, and extreme weather events - an estimated 1.9 million people require humanitarian assistance until at least March 2022, primarily due to shortfalls in food production and the impact of insecurity in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where populations are experiencing the severest levels of acute food insecurity; approximately 24,000 people are facing "Emergency" levels of food insecurity; cyclones and tropical storms in early 2022 have affected a large number of people, particularly in central provinces, and the number of food insecure people is expected to increase in late 2022 Topic: Namibiasevere localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in cereal production - an estimated 750,000 people are projected to face "Crisis" levels of food insecurity between December 2021 and March 2022, as a result of localized areas that suffered from poor harvests in 2021 and the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily through income and job losses that constrained households’ access to food (2022) Topic: Nigerexceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to internal conflict and shortfall in cereal production - as of January 2022, an estimated 265,000 people have been displaced due to civil conflict; in addition, domestic cereal production was estimated at a below-average level in 2021, due to effects of adverse weather and the civil conflict, which is expected to further aggravate conditions; the aggregate cereal production in 2021 is officially estimated at 3.5 million mt, nearly 40% below the five‑year average; as a result, between June and August 2022, 3.64 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity; this is a 40% increase compared to the current post‑harvest period, underpinned by the reduced cereal production in 2021, high food prices and the high likelihood of persisting disruptions of markets and agricultural activities amid increasing insecurity (2022) Topic: Nigeriawidespread lack of access: due to persistent civil conflict in the northern areas - according to the latest analysis, between June and August 2022, the number of food insecure is projected to increase to 18 million people period as a result of worsening conflict that is driving new population displacements; the areas inaccessible to humanitarian interventions are facing the worst food insecurity conditions (2022) Topic: Pakistansevere 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) Topic: Senegalsevere 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) Topic: Sierra Leonesevere 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) Topic: Somaliaexceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to drought conditions and internal conflict - an estimated 4.15 million people are facing severe food insecurity between February and March 2022, mainly as a result of consecutive poor rainy seasons since late 2020, which severely affected crop and livestock production, and due to heightened conflict since early 2021; two consecutive poor rainy seasons resulted in significant crop and livestock production shortfalls, while food access has been severely affected in recent months by declining employment opportunities in rural areas and by the escalation of conflict (2022) Topic: South Sudanwidespread lack of access: due to economic downturn, civil insecurity, lingering impact of floods and prolonged conflict - despite sustained humanitarian assistance, food insecurity still affects large segments of the population, driven by insufficient food supplies, an economic downturn, high food prices and the lingering impact of widespread floods in 2020; particular concern exists for households in Jonglei, Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal and Warrap states, and in neighbouring Pibor Administrative Area, where 60-85% of the population were estimated to be severely food insecure (2022) Topic: Sri Lankawidespread lack of access: due to serious macroeconomic challenges, significant reduction in 2022 cereal output, and high food prices - severe macroeconomic challenges, mostly reflecting dwindling foreign currency reserves after revenues from merchandise exports, remittances, and from the tourist sector declined dramatically over the last year, have had a negative impact on the country’s capacity to import cereals; the 2022 cereal production sharply declined due to a government ordered reduction in the application of chemical fertilizers; unprecedentedly high food prices are constraining economic access to food for a majority of households Topic: Sudansevere localized food insecurity: due to conflict, civil insecurity, and soaring food prices - the number of severely food insecure people was estimated at 6 million between October 2021 and February 2022, mainly due to high food prices and inter-communal conflict (2022) Topic: Syriaexceptional 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) Topic: Tanzaniasevere localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in staple food production - about 437,000 people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance between November 2021 and April 2022, mainly located in northeastern Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions, reflecting a reduced “Vuli” harvest due to poor rains (2022) Topic: Ugandasevere localized food insecurity: due to weather extremes - in Karamoja Region, about 188,000 people, 16% of the population, were estimated to be severely food insecure between August 2021 and January 2022, mainly a result of consecutive poor rainy seasons that adversely affected crop and livestock production (2022) Topic: Ukrainewidespread lack of access: due to conflict - production prospects of 2022 winter crops hampered by low availability of inputs, delivery challenges, difficult physical access to fields due to the war, and eventual labor shortages; forecast for cereal exports in 2022 reduced, amid port closures, damage to infrastructure and implementation of government policies to secure sufficient domestic supplies; as of early March 2022, about 12 million people estimated to be in need of life saving assistance Topic: Venezuelawidespread lack of access: due to severe economic crisis - the national economy, highly dependent on oil production and exports, is forecast to contract in 2021 for the eighth consecutive year; with the persistent negative effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic that have compounded the already severe macro‑economic crisis, the access to food of the most vulnerable households is expected to deteriorate throughout 2021 due to widespread losses of income‑generating activities and soaring food prices (2022) Topic: Yemenwidespread lack of access: due to conflict, poverty, floods, high food and fuel prices - between January and June 2021, the number of food insecure was projected to increase by nearly 3 million to 16.2 million people; out of these, an estimated 11 million people will likely be in "Crisis," 5 million in "Emergency," and the number of those in "Catastrophe" will likely increase to 47,000; economic conditions in the country remain dire; the conflict is further hampering the already constrained livelihood activities and humanitarian access; income earning opportunities have declined due to COVID‑19‑related business disruptions (2022) Topic: Zambiasevere 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) Topic: Zimbabwewidespread lack of access: due to high food prices and economic downturn - an estimated 3 million people are projected to be in need of humanitarian assistance between January and March 2022, largely on account of poor food access due to prevailing high food prices and reduced incomes owing to the effects of an economic downturn; below-average rainfall and extreme weather events in 2021/22 are likely to result in a decrease in cereal production and heighten food insecurity later in 2022 (2022)

20220901

countries-dominican-republic-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in the Dominican Republic due to crime. 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 30 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [1] (809) 567-7775; US Embassy in Santo Domingo, Av. Republica de Colombia # 57, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; https://do.usembassy.gov/; SDOAmericans@state.gov Telephone Code: 809 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall Currency (Code): Dominican pesos (DOP) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C Major Languages: Spanish Major Religions: Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in the Dominican Republic, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Cuidad Colonial of Santo Domingo; Lake Enriquillo; Del Este National Park; Samaná Peninsula and Samaná Bay; Bahia de Las Aguilas and Jaragua National Park; Basilica of Our Lady Major Sports: Baseball, soccer, boxing Cultural Practices: Not resting elbows on the table and keeping hands visible while eating is considered polite. Tipping Guidelines: At most restaurants, a tip of 10% is expected unless service charges are pre-added. Typical bellhop tips are $1-2 (USD) per bag and $2-3 (USD) per night for housekeepers. Souvenirs: Larimar jewelry and stones, amber jewelry, woodcarvings, pottery, baskets, limestone carvings, cigars, 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: Monday, April 25, 2022

20220901

countries-tanzania

Topic: Photos of Tanzania Topic: Introduction Background: Tanzania contains some of Africa’s most iconic national parks and famous paleoanthropological 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 paleoanthropological 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 947,300 sq km land: 885,800 sq km water: 61,500 sq km note: includes the islands of Mafia, Pemba, and Zanzibar Area - comparative: more than six times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 1,424 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation: highest point: Kilimanjaro (highest point in Africa) 5,895 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,018 m Natural resources: hydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones (including tanzanite, found only in Tanzania), gold, natural gas, nickel Land use: agricultural land: 43.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.1% (2018 est.) forest: 37.3% (2018 est.) other: 19% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 1,840 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490 Salt water lake(s): Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Population distribution: the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; droughtvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meruflooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; droughtvolcanism: limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru Geography - note: Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya [in Kenya] and the Ruwenzori Mountains [on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border]); Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest Map description: Tanzania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.Tanzania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 63,852,892 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: Tanzanian(s) adjective: Tanzanian Ethnic groups: mainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African Languages: Kiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages; note - Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Christian 63.1%, Muslim 34.1%, folk religion 1.1%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified 1.6% (2020 est.) note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim Demographic profile: Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania’s youthful population – about two-thirds of the population is under 25 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country’s nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants – problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortalityFor Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania.Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania’s youthful population – about two-thirds of the population is under 25 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country’s nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants – problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortalityFor Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 85.9 youth dependency ratio: 81 elderly dependency ratio: 4.9 potential support ratio: 20.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 18.2 years male: 17.9 years female: 18.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.78% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 33.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 36.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 262,000 Dodoma (legislative capital) (2018), 7.405 million DAR ES SALAAM (administrative capital), 1.245 million Mwanza, 766,000 Zanzibar (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: 0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.8 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 524 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 70.19 years male: 68.42 years female: 72.02 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.39 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 38.4% (2015/16) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 0.7 beds/1,000 population Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 4.7% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.7 million (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 32,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial 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: 8.4% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.7% (2020 est.) male: 14% (2020 est.) female: 3.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 14.6% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.2% women married by age 18: 30.5% men married by age 18: 3.9% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write Kiswahili (Swahili), English, or Arabic total population: 77.9% male: 83.2% female: 73.1% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years male: 9 years female: 9 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9% male: 3.1% female: 4.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water polution; improper management of liquid waste; indoor air pollution caused by the burning of fuel wood or charcoal for cooking and heating is a large environmental health issue; soil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory; loss of biodiversity; 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, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 25.59 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 11.97 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 59.08 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Land use: agricultural land: 43.7% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.1% (2018 est.) forest: 37.3% (2018 est.) other: 19% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 36.7% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.19% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.02% 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: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis animal contact diseases: rabies Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in staple food production - about 437,000 people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance between November 2021 and April 2022, mainly located in northeastern Mara, Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Tanga regions, reflecting a reduced “Vuli” harvest due to poor rains (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,276,995 tons (2012 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490 Salt water lake(s): Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 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), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 527 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 25 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.632 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 96.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: United Republic of Tanzania conventional short form: Tanzania local long form: Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania local short form: Tanzania former: German East Africa, Trust Territory of Tanganyika, Republic of Tanganyika, People's Republic of Zanzibar, United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar etymology: the country's name is a combination of the first letters of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two states that merged to form Tanzania in 1964 Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Dar es Salaam (de facto administrative capital), Dodoma (national capital); note - Dodoma, designated the national capital in 1996, serves as the meeting place for the National Assembly and is thus the legislative capital; Dar es Salaam (the original national capital) remains the de facto capital, the country's largest city and commercial center, and the site of the executive branch offices and diplomatic representation geographic coordinates: 6 48 S, 39 17 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Dar es Salaam was the name given by Majid bin Said, the first sultan of Zanzibar, to the new city he founded on the Indian Ocean coast; the Arabic name is commonly translated as "abode/home of peace"; Dodoma, in the native Gogo language, means "it has sunk"; supposedly, one day during the rainy season, an elephant drowned in the area; the villagers in that place were so struck by what had occurred, that ever since the locale has been referred to as the place where "it (the elephant) sunk" Administrative divisions: 31 regions; Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Geita, Iringa, Kagera, Kaskazini Pemba (Pemba North), Kaskazini Unguja (Zanzibar North), Katavi, Kigoma, Kilimanjaro, Kusini Pemba (Pemba South), Kusini Unguja (Zanzibar Central/South), Lindi, Manyara, Mara, Mbeya, Mjini Magharibi (Zanzibar Urban/West), Morogoro, Mtwara, Mwanza, Njombe, Pwani (Coast), Rukwa, Ruvuma, Shinyanga, Simiyu, Singida, Songwe, Tabora, Tanga Independence: 26 April 1964 (Tanganyika united with Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar); 29 October 1964 (renamed United Republic of Tanzania); notable earlier dates: 9 December 1961 (Tanganyika became independent from UK-administered UN trusteeship); 10 December 1963 (Zanzibar became independent from UK) National holiday: Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 25 April 1977; note - progress enacting a new constitution drafted in 2014 by the Constituent Assembly has stalled amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles including those on sovereignty of the United Republic, the authorities and powers of the government, the president, the Assembly, and the High Court requires two-thirds majority vote of the mainland Assembly membership and of the Zanzibar House of Representatives membership; House of Representatives approval of other amendments is not required; amended several times, last in 2017 Legal system: English common law; judicial review of legislative acts limited to matters of interpretation 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 Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note - President John MAGUFULI died on 17 March 2021; Vice President Philip MPANGO head of government: President Samia Suluhu HASSAN (since 19 March 2021); Vice President Philip MPANGO; Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa MAJALIWA (since 20 November 2015) has authority over the day-to-day functions of the government, is the leader of government business in the National Assembly, and head of the Cabinet cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); prime minister appointed by the president election results: 2020: John MAGUFULI reelected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 84.4%, Tundu LISSU (CHADEMA) 13%, other 2.6% 2015: John MAGUFULI elected president; percent of vote - John MAGUFULI (CCM) 58.5%, Edward LOWASSA (CHADEMA) 40%, other 1.5% note: Zanzibar elects a president as head of government for internal matters; elections were held on 28 October 2020; Hussein MWINYI (CCM) 76.3%, Maalim Seif SHARIF (ACT-Wazalendo) 19.9%, other 3.8% Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal of the United Republic of Tanzania (consists of the chief justice and 14 justices); High Court of the United Republic for Mainland Tanzania (consists of the principal judge and 30 judges organized into commercial, land, and labor courts); High Court of Zanzibar (consists of the chief justice and 10 justices) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court justices appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission for Tanzania, a judicial body of high level judges and 2 members appointed by the national president; Court of Appeal and High Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 60, but terms can be extended; High Court of Zanzibar judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Commission of Zanzibar; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Resident Magistrates Courts; Kadhi courts (for Islamic family matters); district and primary courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change and Transparency (Wazalendo) or ACT [Zitto KABWE] Alliance for Democratic Change or ADC [Hamad Rashid MOHAMED] Civic United Front (Chama Cha Wananchi) or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA] National Convention for Construction and Reform-Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATIA] National League for Democracy Party of Democracy and Development (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) or Chadema [President Samia Suluhu HASSAN] Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) or CCM Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA] United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elsie Sia KANZA (since August 2021) chancery: 1232 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 884-1080, [1] (202) 939-6125, [1] (202) 939-6127 FAX: [1] (202) 797-7408 email address and website: ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org https://tanzaniaembassy-us.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Donald J. WRIGHT (since 2 April 2020) embassy: 686 Old Bagamoyo Road, Msasani, P.O. Box 9123, Dar es Salaam mailing address: 2140 Dar es Salaam Place, Washington, DC  20521-2140 telephone: [255] (22) 229-4000 FAX: [255] (22) 229-4721 email address and website: DRSACS@state.gov https://tz.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: divided diagonally by a yellow-edged black band from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is blue; the banner combines colors found on the flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar; green represents the natural vegetation of the country, gold its rich mineral deposits, black the native Swahili people, and blue the country's many lakes and rivers, as well as the Indian Ocean National symbol(s): Uhuru (Freedom) torch, giraffe; national colors: green, yellow, blue, black National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (3 cultural, 3 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (m); Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara (c); Serengeti National Park (n); Selous Game Reserve (n); Kilimanjaro National Park (n); Stone Town of Zanzibar (c); Kondoa Rock-Art Sites (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining.   The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular.   The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment.   The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania’s eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill.   The new government elected in 2015 has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors.Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining. The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular. The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania’s eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill. The new government elected in 2015 has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $152.79 billion (2020 est.) $149.79 billion (2019 est.) $141.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 6.98% (2019 est.) 6.95% (2018 est.) 6.78% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,600 (2020 est.) $2,700 (2019 est.) $2,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $60.633 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2019 est.) 3.5% (2018 est.) 5.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B2 (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 23.4% (2017 est.) industry: 28.6% (2017 est.) services: 47.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, bananas, vegetables, milk, beans, sunflower seed Industries: agricultural processing (sugar, beer, cigarettes, sisal twine); mining (diamonds, gold, and iron), salt, soda ash; cement, oil refining, shoes, apparel, wood products, fertilizer Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2017 est.) Labor force: 24.89 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 66.9% industry: 6.4% services: 26.6% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 10.3% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 3.9% male: 3.1% female: 4.6% (2014 est.) Population below poverty line: 26.4% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.5 (2017 est.) 34.6 (2000) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 29.6% (2007) Budget: revenues: 7.873 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 8.818 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 37% of GDP (2017 est.) 38% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$1.313 billion (2019 est.) -$1.898 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $9.66 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $8.46 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: India 20%, United Arab Emirates 13%, China 8%, Switzerland 7%, Rwanda 6%, Kenya 5%, Vietnam 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, tobacco, cashews, sesame seeds, refined petroleum (2019) Imports: $10.36 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10.2 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 34%, India 15%, United Arab Emirates 12% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, palm oil, packaged medicines, cars, wheat (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $5.301 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $4.067 billion (31 December 2016 est.) note: excludes gold Debt - external: $22.054 billion (2019 est.) $20.569 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Tanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 2,319 (2020 est.) 2,300 (2019 est.) 2,299.155 (2018 est.) 1,989.7 (2014 est.) 1,654 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 40% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.623 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 6,522,440,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 113 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 974 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 65% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 32.8% 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: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 712,000 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 577,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 126,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 269 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 52,800 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: 67,830 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 1,378,773,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 1,378,773,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 6.513 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 11.491 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 3.334 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 72,469 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 47,685,200 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82.21 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Tanzania’s telecom services are being developed to reach parity with more advanced networks from neighboring countries such as Kenya and fierce competition exists amongst Tanzania's 5 major mobile network operators; one fixed-line operator with competition in mobile networks; high tariffs on telecom; mobile use remains popular, with the government subsidizing expansion of mobile networks into rural communities; most mobile networks rely on older 2G and 3G technology with 4G/LTE service available in urban centers; the government is currently testing 5G technology and plans to begin rolling out 5G service in 2024; the government continues to improve rural telecom infrastructure including work on a national fiber backbone network connecting the entire population; in late 2021, the government announced plans to extend the national backbone network from about 8,300km to 15,000km by 2023, and to provide ongoing connectivity to more countries in the region; domestically, Vodacom Tanzania contracted Eutelsat to provide satellite broadband services to areas of Tanzania which lack connectivity, while World Mobile has launched a balloon-based broadband network in Zanzibar. (2022) domestic: fixed-line telephone network inadequate with less than 1 connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular service, aided by multiple providers, is increasing rapidly and exceeds 82 telephones per 100 persons; trunk service provided by open-wire, microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and fiber-optic cable; some links being made digital (2019) international: country code - 255; landing points for the EASSy, SEACOM/Tata TGN-Eurasia, and SEAS fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa with the Middle East; 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: according 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) Internet country code: .tz Internet users: total: 13,141,527 (2020 est.) percent of population: 22% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,135,608 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 11 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 91 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,481,557 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 390,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5H Airports: total: 166 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 10 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 156 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 98 under 914 m: 33 (2021) Pipelines: 311 km gas, 891 km oil, 8 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 4,097 km (2022) standard gauge: 421 km (2022) narrow gauge: 969 km (2022) 1.067 m gauge broad gauge: 2,707 km (2022) 1.000 m guage Roadways: total: 145,203 km (2022) paved: 11,201 km (2022) unpaved: 134,002 km (2022) Waterways: 1,594 km (2022) (Lake Tanganyika 673 km, Lake Victoria 337 km, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) 584 km are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable) Merchant marine: total: 314 by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 6, general cargo 144, oil tanker 49, other 111 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Tanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF or Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, National Building Army (Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, JKT), People's Militia (Reserves); Ministry of Home Affairs: Tanzania Police force (includes paramilitary Police Field Force) (2022) note 1: the National Building Army is a paramilitary organization under the Defense Forces that provides 6 months of military and vocational training to individuals as part of their 2 years of public service; after completion of training, some graduates join the regular Defense Forces while the remainder become part of the People's (or Citizen's) Militia note 2: the Police Field Force (aka Field Force Unit) is a special police division with the responsibility for controlling unlawful demonstrations and riots Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $810 million) 1.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $800 million) 1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $690 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 25,000 active duty personnel (21,000 Land Forces; 1,000 Naval Forces; 3,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the TPDF inventory includes mostly Soviet-era and Chinese equipment; since 2010, China is the leading supplier of arms to the TPDF (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; 6-year commitment (2-year contracts afterwards); selective conscription for 2 years of public service (2022) Military deployments: 450 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 850 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Military - note: in 2021-2022, Tanzania deployed additional troops to its border with Mozambique and contributed troops to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) intervention force that was assisting the Mozambique Government's fight against Islamic militants 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 shipsthe 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): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Mozambique (ISIS-M) 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: Tanzania-Burundi: none identified Tanzania-Democratic Republic of the Congo: none identified Tanzania-Kenya: none identified Tanzania-Malawi: dispute with Malawi 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 Tanzania-Mozambique: none identified Tanzania-Rwanda: none identified Tanzania-Uganda: none identifiedTanzania-Burundi: none identifiedTanzania-Democratic Republic of the Congo: none identifiedTanzania-Kenya: none identifiedTanzania-Malawi: dispute with Malawi 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 lakeTanzania-Mozambique: none identifiedTanzania-Rwanda: none identifiedTanzania-Uganda: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 126,971 (Burundi), 80,826 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2022) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: significant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with money (2021)significant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with money

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-imports-country-comparison

20220901

countries-south-africa

Topic: Photos of South Africa Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Geographic coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,219,090 sq km land: 1,214,470 sq km water: 4,620 sq km note: includes Prince Edward Islands (Marion Island and Prince Edward Island) Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 2,798 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to edge of the continental margin Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain Elevation: highest point: Ntheledi (Mafadi) 3,450 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 1,034 m Natural resources: gold, chromium, antimony, coal, iron ore, manganese, nickel, phosphates, tin, rare earth elements, uranium, gem diamonds, platinum, copper, vanadium, salt, natural gas Land use: agricultural land: 79.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 69.2% (2018 est.) forest: 7.6% (2018 est.) other: 13% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 16,700 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpopo river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Major aquifers: Karoo Basin, Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin Population distribution: the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: prolonged droughtsvolcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcanoprolonged droughtsvolcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano Geography - note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Eswatini Map description: South Africa map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans.South Africa map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans. Topic: People and Society Population: 57,516,665 (2022 est.) note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic Nationality: noun: South African(s) adjective: South African Ethnic groups: Black African 80.9%, Colored 8.8%, White 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% (2021 est.) note: colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years Languages: isiZulu (official) 25.3%, isiXhosa (official) 14.8%, Afrikaans (official) 12.2%, Sepedi (official) 10.1%, Setswana (official) 9.1%, English (official) 8.1%, Sesotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga (official) 3.6%, siSwati (official) 2.8%, Tshivenda (official) 2.5%, isiNdebele (official) 1.6%, other (includes Khoi, Nama, and San languages) 2%; note - data represent language spoken most often at home (2018 est.) major-language sample(s): Die Wereld Feite Boek, n’ onontbeerlike bron vir basiese informasie. (Afrikaans) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) Religions: Christian 86%, ancestral, tribal, animist, or other traditional African religions 5.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other 1.5%, nothing in particular 5.2% (2015 est.) Demographic profile: South Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 63 years as of 2017. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed "assimilable" white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.Under apartheid, a "two gates" migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge.South Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 63 years as of 2017. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed "assimilable" white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.Under apartheid, a "two gates" migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 52.2 youth dependency ratio: 43.8 elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 potential support ratio: 11.9 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 28 years male: 27.9 years female: 28.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.93% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 68.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 10.110 million Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni), 4.801 million Cape Town (legislative capital), 3.199 million Durban, 2.74 million PRETORIA (administrative capital), 1.281 million Port Elizabeth, 909,000 West Rand (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 119 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.32 years male: 63.99 years female: 66.68 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.18 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 54.6% (2016) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 9.1% (2019) Physicians density: 0.79 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 19.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7.8 million (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 83,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout South Africa; as of 6 June 2022, South Africa has reported a total of 3,968,205 cases of COVID-19 or 6,690.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 101,317 cumulative deaths or a rate of 170.83 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 36.33% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 28.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 20.3% (2020 est.) male: 34% (2020 est.) female: 6.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 5.5% (2017) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9% women married by age 18: 3.6% men married by age 18: 0.6% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 6.8% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95.5% female: 94.5% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 59.4% male: 55.4% female: 64.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: lack of important arterial rivers or lakes requires extensive water conservation and control measures; growth in water usage outpacing supply; pollution of rivers from agricultural runoff and urban discharge; air pollution resulting in acid rain; deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; desertification; solid waste pollution; disruption of fragile ecosystem has resulted in significant floral extinctions Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 23.58 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 476.64 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 55.89 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights Land use: agricultural land: 79.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 9.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 69.2% (2018 est.) forest: 7.6% (2018 est.) other: 13% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 68.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 2.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout South Africa; as of 6 June 2022, South Africa has reported a total of 3,968,205 cases of COVID-19 or 6,690.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 101,317 cumulative deaths or a rate of 170.83 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 36.33% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 18,457,232 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,168,025 tons (2011 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28% (2011 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpopo river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km) Major aquifers: Karoo Basin, Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.89 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 4.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 11.39 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 51.35 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of South Africa conventional short form: South Africa former: Union of South Africa abbreviation: RSA etymology: self-descriptive name from the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital) geographic coordinates: 25 42 S, 28 13 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Pretoria is named in honor of Andries PRETORIUS, the father of voortrekker (pioneer) leader Marthinus PRETORIUS; Cape Town reflects its location on the Cape of Good Hope; Bloemfontein is a combination of the Dutch words "bloem" (flower) and "fontein" (fountain) meaning "fountain of flowers" Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape Independence: 31 May 1910 (Union of South Africa formed from four British colonies: Cape Colony, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State); 22 August 1934 (Status of the Union Act); 31 May 1961 (republic declared); 27 April 1994 (majority rule) National holiday: Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted 8 May 1996, approved by the Constitutional Court 4 December 1996, effective 4 February 1997 amendments: proposed by the National Assembly of Parliament; passage of amendments affecting constitutional sections on human rights and freedoms, non-racism and non-sexism, supremacy of the constitution, suffrage, the multi-party system of democratic government, and amendment procedures requires at least 75% majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council of Provinces, and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting the Bill of Rights, and those related to provincial boundaries, powers, and authorities requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, approval by at least six of the nine provinces represented in the National Council, and assent of the president; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, 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 must be a citizen of South Africa dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission of the government residency requirement for naturalization: 1 year Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); Deputy President David MABUZA (26 February 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note- Jacob ZUMA resigned on 14 February 2018 head of government: President Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (since 15 February 2018); deputy president David MABUZA (26 February 2018 cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 May 2019 (next to be held in May 2024) (2019) election results: Matamela Cyril RAMAPHOSA (ANC) elected president by the National Assembly unopposed Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Appeals (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 21 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Appeals president and vice president appointed by the national president after consultation with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), a 23-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes other judges and judicial executives, members of parliament, practicing lawyers and advocates, a teacher of law, and several members designated by the president of South Africa; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the national president on the advice of the JSC and hold office until discharged from active service by an Act of Parliament; Constitutional Court chief and deputy chief justices appointed by the president of South Africa after consultation with the JSC and with heads of the National Assembly; other Constitutional Court judges appointed by the national president after consultation with the chief justice and leaders of the National Assembly; Constitutional Court judges serve 12-year nonrenewable terms or until age 70 subordinate courts: High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; labor courts; land claims courts Political parties and leaders: African Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE] African Independent Congress or AIC [Mandla GALO] African National Congress or ANC [Cyril RAMAPHOSA] African People's Convention or APC [Themba GODI] Agang SA [Mike TSHISHONGA] Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA] Democratic Alliance or DA [John STEENHUISEN] Economic Freedom Fighters or EFF [Julius Sello MALEMA] Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter GROENEWALD] GOOD [Patricia de LILLE] Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI] National Freedom Party or NFP [Zanele kaMAGWAZA-MSIBI] Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania or PAC [Luthanado MBINDA] United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Isaac Sipho MFUNDISI] United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Nomaindiya MFEKETO (since 8 April 2020) chancery: 3051 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1607; [1] (202) 387-9854 email address and website: https://www.saembassy.org/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Heather MERRITT (since April 2022) embassy: 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria mailing address: 9300 Pretoria Place, Washington DC  20521-9300 telephone: [27] (12) 431-4000 FAX: [27] (12) 342-2299 email address and website: ACSJohannesburg@state.gov https://za.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Flag description: two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era note: the South African flag is one of only two national flags to display six colors as part of its primary design, the other is South Sudan's National symbol(s): springbok (antelope), king protea flower; national colors: red, green, blue, yellow, black, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 10 (5 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (c); iSimangaliso Wetland Park (n); Robben Island (c); Maloti-Drakensberg Park (m); Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (c); Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (n); Vredefort Dome (n); Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (c); Khomani Cultural Landscape (c); Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world.   Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to an estimated 0.7% in 2017. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 27% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability but has been plagued with accusations of mismanagement and corruption and faces an increasingly high debt burden.   South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation while empowering a broader economic base; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas, to increase job growth, and to provide university level-education at affordable prices. Political infighting among South Africa’s ruling party and the volatility of the rand risks economic growth. International investors are concerned about the country’s long-term economic stability; in late 2016, most major international credit ratings agencies downgraded South Africa’s international debt to junk bond status.South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world. Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to an estimated 0.7% in 2017. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 27% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability but has been plagued with accusations of mismanagement and corruption and faces an increasingly high debt burden. South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation while empowering a broader economic base; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas, to increase job growth, and to provide university level-education at affordable prices. Political infighting among South Africa’s ruling party and the volatility of the rand risks economic growth. International investors are concerned about the country’s long-term economic stability; in late 2016, most major international credit ratings agencies downgraded South Africa’s international debt to junk bond status. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $680.04 billion (2020 est.) $730.91 billion (2019 est.) $729.8 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 0.06% (2019 est.) 0.7% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,500 (2020 est.) $12,500 (2019 est.) $12,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $350.032 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.1% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 5.2% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.8% (2017 est.) industry: 29.7% (2017 est.) services: 67.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, maize, milk, potatoes, grapes, poultry, oranges, wheat, soybeans, beef Industries: mining (world's largest producer of platinum, gold, chromium), automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 14.687 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 23.5% services: 71.9% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 28.53% (2019 est.) 27.09% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 59.4% male: 55.4% female: 64.1% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 55.5% (2014 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 63 (2014 est.) 63.4 (2011 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2% highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.) Budget: revenues: 92.86 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 108.3 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 53% of GDP (2017 est.) 51.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$10.626 billion (2019 est.) -$13.31 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $93.01 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $104.85 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $110.07 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 15%, United Kingdom 8%, Germany 7%, United States 6%, India 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, platinum, cars, iron products, coal, manganese, diamonds  (2019) Imports: $77.86 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $103.12 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $108.91 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 18%, Germany 11%, United States 6%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, gold, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $50.72 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $47.23 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $179.871 billion (2019 est.) $173.714 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: rand (ZAR) per US dollar - 14.9575 (2020 est.) 14.64 (2019 est.) 14.05125 (2018 est.) 12.7581 (2014 est.) 10.8469 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 94% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 95% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 62.728 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 202,285,870,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 14.482 billion kWh (2019 est.) imports: 7.823 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 22.904 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 87.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 5.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 2.5% 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: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 248.388 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 170.308 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 74.965 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 2.054 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 9.893 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 97,900 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 622,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 9,000 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 397,700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 487,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 105,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 195,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 1,229,544,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 4,771,551,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 3,542,007,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 470.358 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 98.474 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,098,802 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 96,972,500 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 165.6 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: South Africa’s telecom sector boasts one of the most advanced infrastructures on the continent; there has been considerable investment from Telkom, Liquid Intelligence Technologies, Broadband InfraCo, and municipal providers as well as from mobile network operators, such as MTN and Vodacom, all aimed at improving network capabilities; in mid-2021, Vodacom Group announced plans to set up its own InfraCo, merging its own fiber assets with those belonging to two recent acquisitions; the focus in recent years has been on back haul capacity and on fiber and LTE networks to extend and improve internet service connectivity; with the ongoing migration to fiber, the incumbent telco Telkom expects to close down its copper network in 2024; the mobile sector has developed strongly in recent years, partly due to the poor availability and level of service of fixed-line networks, which meant that many people had no alternative to mobile networks for voice and data services; the multi-spectrum auction was delayed several times due to legal wrangling, and was finally held in March 2022; the delay caused difficulties for network operators, which were forced to reform spectrum for 3G and LTE use, and provide 5G services on temporary licenses; six qualified bidders acquired spectrum, netting the regulator ZAR14.4 billion in revenues; in February 2022, Vumatel also acquired a 45% non-controlling stake in HeroTel, a local FttP player as the telco seeks to strengthen its foothold in the South African fiber market; as of February 2022, HeroTel had passed 150,000 homes and businesses, with its internet services live in over 400 South African towns and cities; the market is shrugging off the impact of the pandemic, which had a significant impact on production and supply chains globally, and saw a slowdown in some network expansions, particularly around 5G; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices remains slightly under pressure amid ongoing macroeconomic challenges facing the country; the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures; in many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increase in subscriber growth. (2022) domestic: fixed-line over 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular nearly 162 telephones per 100 persons; consists of carrier-equipped open-wire lines, coaxial cables, microwave radio relay links, fiber-optic cable, radiotelephone communication stations, and wireless local loops; key centers are Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria (2020) international: country code - 27; landing points for the WACS, ACE, SAFE, SAT-3, Equiano, SABR, SAEx1, SAEx2, IOX Cable System, METISS, EASSy, and SEACOM/ Tata TGN-Eurasia fiber-optic submarine cable systems connecting South Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, Asia, South America, Indian Ocean Islands, and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 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: the 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 Internet country code: .za Internet users: total: 41,516,083 (2020 est.) percent of population: 70% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,303,057 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 17 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 243 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 23,921,748 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 716.25 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZS Airports: total: 407 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 130 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 46 914 to 1,523 m: 60 under 914 m: 7 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 277 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 19 914 to 1,523 m: 178 under 914 m: 79 (2021) Pipelines: 94 km condensate, 1,293 km gas, 992 km oil, 1,460 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 20,986 km (2014) standard gauge: 80 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (80 km electrified) narrow gauge: 19,756 km (2014) 1.065-m gauge (8,271 km electrified) other: (2014) 1,150 km (passenger rail, gauge unspecified, 1,115.5 km electrified) Roadways: total: 750,000 km (2016) paved: 158,124 km (2016) unpaved: 591,876 km (2016) Merchant marine: total: 105 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 1, oil tanker 7, other 95 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: South African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army (includes Reserve Force), South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services the South African Police Service includes a Special Task Force for counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and hostage rescue operations (2022) Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2020) 1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $4.84 billion) 1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $4.86 billion) 1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $5.04 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 75,000 personnel (40,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force; 8,000 Military Health Service; 10,000 other, including administrative, logistics, military police); 180,000 South African Police Service (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SANDF's inventory consists of a mix of domestically-produced and foreign-supplied equipment; South Africa's domestic defense industry produced most of the Army's major weapons systems (some were jointly-produced with foreign companies), while the Air Force and Navy inventories include a mix of European, Israeli, and US-origin weapons systems; since 2010, Sweden is the largest supplier of weapons to the SANDF (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service; women are eligible to serve in noncombat roles; 2-year service obligation (2021) note: in 2019, women comprised about 30% of the SANDF Military deployments: 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); up to 1,500 Mozambique (part of a Southern African Development Community force to help quell an insurgency) (2022) Military - note: the SANDF was created in 1994 to replace the South African Defense Force (SADF); the SANDF was opened to all South Africans who met military requirements, while the SADF was a mostly white force (only whites were subject to conscription) with non-whites only allowed to join in a voluntary capacity; the SANDF also absorbed members of the guerrilla and militia forces of the various anti-apartheid opposition groups, including the African National Congress, the Pan Africanist Congress, and the Inkatha Freedom Party, as well as the security forces of the formerly independent Bantustan homelands; the SANDF is one of Africa’s most capable militaries; it participated regularly in African and UN peacekeeping missions and had the ability to independently deploy throughout Africa; over the past decade, however, its operational readiness and modernization programs have been hampered by funding shortfalls (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 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: South Africa-Botswana: none identified South Africa-Eswatini: Eswatini seeks to reclaim land it says was stolen by South Africa South Africa-Lesotho: crossborder livestock thieving, smuggling of drugs and arms, and illegal migration are problematic South Africa-Mozambique: animal poachers cross the South Africa-Mozambique border to hunt wildlife in South Africa’s Kruger National Park; border fences were removed in some areas to allow animals to roam between nature reserves in the two countries; improved patrols, technology, and crossborder cooperation are reducing the problem South Africa-Namibia: the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River; the location of the border could affect diamond mining rights; South Africa has always claimed that the northern bank of the Orange River is the border between the two countries, while Namibia’s constitution states that the border lies in the middle of the Orange River South Africa-various: South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migration South Africa-Zimbabwe: Zimbabweans migrate illegally into South Africa in search of work or smuggle goods to sell at a profit back homeSouth Africa-Botswana: none identifiedSouth Africa-Eswatini: Eswatini seeks to reclaim land it says was stolen by South AfricaSouth Africa-Lesotho: crossborder livestock thieving, smuggling of drugs and arms, and illegal migration are problematicSouth Africa-Mozambique: animal poachers cross the South Africa-Mozambique border to hunt wildlife in South Africa’s Kruger National Park; border fences were removed in some areas to allow animals to roam between nature reserves in the two countries; improved patrols, technology, and crossborder cooperation are reducing the problemSouth Africa-Namibia: the governments of South Africa and Namibia have not signed or ratified the text of the 1994 Surveyor's General agreement placing the boundary in the middle of the Orange River; the location of the border could affect diamond mining rights; South Africa has always claimed that the northern bank of the Orange River is the border between the two countries, while Namibia’s constitution states that the border lies in the middle of the Orange RiverSouth Africa-various: South Africa has placed military units to assist police operations along the border of Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique to control smuggling, poaching, and illegal migrationSouth Africa-Zimbabwe: Zimbabweans migrate illegally into South Africa in search of work or smuggle goods to sell at a profit back home Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 23,054 (Somalia), 15,629 (Ethiopia) (mid-year 2021); 56,735 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 5,000 (2020) Illicit drugs: leading regional importer of chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs especially synthetic drugs

20220901

countries-falkland-islands-islas-malvinas

Topic: Photos of Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) Topic: Introduction Background: 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern South America, islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about 500 km east of southern Argentina Geographic coordinates: 51 45 S, 59 00 W Map references: South America Area: total: 12,173 sq km land: 12,173 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,288 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: 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 Terrain: rocky, hilly, mountainous with some boggy, undulating plains Elevation: highest point: Mount Usborne 705 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: fish, squid, wildlife, calcified seaweed, sphagnum moss Land use: agricultural land: 92.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 92.4% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 7.6% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley Natural hazards: strong winds persist throughout the year Geography - note: deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season Map description: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,198 (2016 est.) note: data include all persons usually resident in the islands at the time of the 2016 census Nationality: noun: Falkland Islander(s) adjective: Falkland Island Ethnic groups: Falkland Islander 48.3%, British 23.1%, St. Helenian 7.5%, Chilean 4.6%, mixed 6%, other 8.5%, unspecified 2% (2016 est.) note: data represent population by national identity Languages: English 89%, Spanish 7.7%, other 3.3% (2006 est.) Religions: Christian 57.1%, other 1.6%, none 35.4%, unspecified 6% (2016 est.) 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: 0.01% (2014 est.) Birth rate: 10.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) Death rate: 4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2012 est.) Net migration rate: NA Population distribution: a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley Urbanization: urban population: 79.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.53% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2,000 STANLEY (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2016 est.) note: sex ratio is somewhat skewed by the high proportion of males at the Royal Air Force station, Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA); excluding MPA, the sex ratio of the total population would be 1.04 Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.9 male: 75.6 female: (2017 est.) 79.6 Total fertility rate: NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: 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) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA 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) 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: overfishing by unlicensed vessels is a problem; reindeer - introduced to the islands in 2001 from South Georgia - are part of a farming effort to produce specialty meat and diversify the islands' economy; this is the only commercial reindeer herd in the world unaffected by the 1986 Chornobyl disaster; grazing threatens important habitats including tussac grass and its ecosystem with penguins and sea lions; soil erosion from fires Climate: 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 Land use: agricultural land: 92.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 92.4% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 7.6% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 79.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.53% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) etymology: the archipelago takes its name from the Falkland Sound, the strait separating the two main islands; the channel itself was named after the Viscount of FALKLAND, who sponsored an expedition to the islands in 1690; the Spanish name for the archipelago derives from the French "Iles Malouines," the name applied to the islands by French explorer Louis-Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1764 Government type: parliamentary democracy (Legislative Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Capital: name: Stanley geographic coordinates: 51 42 S, 57 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after Edward SMITH-STANLEY (1799-1869), the 14th Earl of Derby, a British statesman and three-time prime minister of the UK who never visited the islands Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) National holiday: Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) Constitution: history: previous 1985; latest entered into force 1 January 2009 (The Falkland Islands Constitution Order 2008) Legal system: English common law and local statutes 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 Alison BLAKE (since 23 July 2022) head of government: Chief Executive Andy KEELING (since April 2021) cabinet: Executive Council elected by the Legislative Council elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; chief executive appointed by the governor Legislative branch: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, the chief justice as an ex officio non-resident member, and 2 justices of appeal); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: chief justice, court of appeal president, and justices appointed by the governor; tenure specified in each justice's instrument of appointment subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court (senior magistrate presides over civil and criminal divisions); Court of Summary Jurisdiction Political parties and leaders: none; all independents International organization participation: UPU Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Falkland Island coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms contains a white ram (sheep raising was once the major economic activity) above the sailing ship Desire (whose crew discovered the islands) with a scroll at the bottom bearing the motto DESIRE THE RIGHT National symbol(s): ram National anthem: 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: Economy Economic overview: The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch.   Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins.   Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense.   In 1993, the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands.The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins. Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. In 1993, the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $206.4 million (2015 est.) $164.5 million (2014 est.) $167.5 million (2013 est.) Real GDP growth rate: 25.5% (2015 est.) -1.8% (2014 est.) -20.4% (2013 est.) Real GDP per capita: $70,800 (2015 est.) $63,000 (2014 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $206.4 million (2015 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2014 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 41% (2015 est.) industry: 20.6% (2015 est.) services: 38.4% (2015 est.) Agricultural products: fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid Industries: fish and wool processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 1,850 (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 41% industry: 24.5% services: 34.5% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 1% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36 (2015) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 67.1 million (FY09/10) expenditures: 75.3 million (FY09/10) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4% (of GDP) (FY09/10) Public debt: 0% of GDP (2015 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 32.5% (of GDP) (FY09/10) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Exports: $257.3 million (2015 est.) $125 million (2004 est.) Exports - partners: Spain 78%, United States 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: mollusks, fish, wool, sheep/goat meats, engine parts (2019) Imports: $90 million (2004 est.) Imports - partners: United Kingdom 79%, Netherlands 16% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, spark-ignition engines, stone processing machinery, construction vehicles, cars (2019) Debt - external: $0 (2017 est.) $0 (2016 est.) Exchange rates: Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.6542 (2016 est.) 0.6542 (2015) 0.6542 (2014 est.) 0.6391 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity: installed generating capacity: 11,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 19.133 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 66.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 33.3% 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: 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 (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 286 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: 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2018 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 5,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 163 (2018 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: government-operated radiotelephone and private VHF/CB radiotelephone networks provide effective service to almost all points on both islands domestic: fixed-line subscriptions approximately 65 per 100, 163 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019) international: country code - 500; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) with links through London to other countries (2015) Broadcast media: 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) Internet country code: .fk Internet users: total: 3,343 (2019 est.) percent of population: 99% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VP-F Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Roadways: total: 440 km (2008) paved: 50 km (2008) unpaved: 390 km (2008) Merchant marine: total: 2 by type: general cargo 1, other 1 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Stanley Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK, which maintains about 1,200 troops on the islands Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Argentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talksArgentina, which claims the islands in its constitution and briefly occupied them by force in 1982, agreed in 1995 to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks

20220901

countries-tuvalu-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Tuvalu due to COVID-19-related restrictions. 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. A visa is required, but US citizen travelers may obtain the visa upon entering the country. US Embassy/Consulate: US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu; +(679) 331-4466; EMER: +(679) 772-8049; US Embassy Suva, 158 Princes Rd, Tamavua, Suva, Fiji Islands Telephone Code: 688 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) Currency (Code): Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I Major Languages: Tuvaluan, English, Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Major Religions: Protestant 92.4%, Baha'i 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Mormon 1% 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: Left Tourist Destinations: Funafuti Marine Conservation Area; Tuvalu Woman's Handicraft Center Major Sports: Kilikiti (similar to cricket), ano (variant of volleyball), soccer, volleyball Cultural Practices: Traditionally, Sundays are a day of rest and church attendance, and visitors are asked to be discreet in their choice of activities. Female visitors are also asked to dress modestly in towns and villages. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not common nor expected. Souvenirs: Carved tuluma wooden tackle boxes, woven cloth, shell jewelry, stamps Traditional Cuisine: Pulaka (similar to taro); often combined with coconut cream and served with fishPlease 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

countries-cook-islands

Topic: Photos of Cook Islands Topic: Introduction Background: Polynesians 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 political 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 236 sq km land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: 1.3 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 120 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south Elevation: highest point: Te Manga 652 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: coconuts (copra) Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 64.6% (2018 est.) other: 27% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: NA Population distribution: most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (November to March) Geography - note: the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km Map description: Cook Islands map showing the islands positioned in the South Pacific Ocean.Cook Islands map showing the islands positioned in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 8,128 (2022 est.) note: the Cook Islands' Ministry of Finance & Economic Management estimated the resident population to have been 11,700 in September 2016 Nationality: noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander Ethnic groups: Cook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.) Languages: English (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Religions: Protestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Church of Jesus Christ 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 38.3 years male: 37.8 years female: 38.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -2.39% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -27.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga Urbanization: urban population: 75.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.14 years male: 74.32 years female: 80.11 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.07 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: 3.1% (2019) Physicians density: 1.41 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.9% 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 55.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 24% (2020 est.) male: 27.7% (2020 est.) female: 20.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 14 years (2012) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited land presents solid and liquid waste disposal problems; soil destruction and deforestation; environmental degradation due to indiscriminant use of pesticides; improper disposal of pollutants; overfishing and destructive fishing practices; over dredging of lagoons and coral rubble beds; unregulated building Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, 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: 12.03 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) Climate: tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March Land use: agricultural land: 8.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.2% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 64.6% (2018 est.) other: 27% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 75.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Hervey Islands etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777 Government type: parliamentary democracy Dependency status: self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands Capital: name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: translates as "two harbors" in Maori Administrative divisions: none Independence: none (became self-governing in free association with New Zealand on 4 August 1965 with the right at any time to move to full independence by unilateral action) National holiday: Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965) Constitution: history: 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964) amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004 Legal system: common law similar to New Zealand common law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand Acting High Commissioner Ms Rachel BENNETT (since 9 December 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister Legislative branch: description: 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% Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions); note - appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms subordinate courts: justices of the peace Political parties and leaders: Cook Islands Party or CIP [Mark BROWN] Democratic Party or Demo [Tina BROWNE] One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP] International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large circle of 15 white five-pointed stars (one for every island) centered in the outer half of the flag National symbol(s): a circle of 15, five-pointed, white stars on a blue field, Tiare maori (Gardenia taitensis) flower; national colors: green, white National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: Like many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country became overextended, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. The government is targeting fisheries and seabed mining as sectors for future economic growth. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $299.9 million (2016 est.) $183.2 million (2015 est.) Real GDP growth rate: 0.1% (2005 est.) Real GDP per capita: $16,700 (2016 est.) $9,100 (2005 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $299.9 million (2016 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2011 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.1% (2010 est.) industry: 12.7% (2010 est.) services: 82.1% (2010 est.) Agricultural products: vegetables, coconuts, roots/tubers, cassava, papayas, tomatoes, pork, fruit, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas Industries: fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2002) Labor force: 6,820 (2001) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 29% industry: 15% services: 56% (1995) Unemployment rate: 13.1% (2005) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 86.9 million (2010) expenditures: 77.9 million (2010) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 3% (of GDP) (2010 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 29% (of GDP) (2010 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: $26.67 million (2005) Exports: $3.125 million (2011 est.) $5.163 million (2010 est.) Exports - partners: Japan 37%, Thailand 21%, France 17% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish products, recreational boats, precious metal scraps, fruit juice, chemical analysis instruments (2019) Imports: $109.3 million (2011 est.) $90.62 million (2010 est.) Imports - partners: New Zealand 41%, China 21%, Italy 12%, Fiji 10% (2019) Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, recreational boats, cars, flavored water (2019) Debt - external: $141 million (1996 est.) Exchange rates: NZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.416 (2017 est.) 1.4341 (2016 est.) 1.4341 (2015 est.) 1.441 (2014 est.) 1.4279 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 18,000 kW (2020 est.) Consumption: 38.729 million kWh (2019 est.) Exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) Imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) Transmission/distribution losses: 3 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 70% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Solar: 30% 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: 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: 611 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: 114,000 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,576 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2018 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 14,539 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 83 (2018 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to mobile services being the primary and most wide-spread source for Internet access across the region; Telecom Cook Islands offers international direct dialing, Internet, email, and fax; individual islands are connected by a combination of satellite earth stations, microwave systems, and VHF and HF radiotelephone (2020) domestic: service is provided by small exchanges connected to subscribers by open-wire, cable, and fiber-optic cable; nearly 38 per 100 fixed-line and about 83 per 100 mobile-cellular (2019) international: country code - 682; the Manatua submarine cable to surrounding islands of Niue, Samoa, French Polynesia and other Cook Islands, the topography of the South Pacific region has made Internet connectivity a serious issue for many of the remote islands; submarine fiber-optic networks are expensive to build and maintain; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (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 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: 1 privately owned TV station broadcasts from Rarotonga providing a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019) Internet country code: .ck Internet users: total: 9,476 (2019 est.) percent of population: 54% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 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: E5 Airports: total: 11 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 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) Roadways: total: 295 km (2018) paved: 207 km (2018) unpaved: 88 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 194 by type: bulk carrier 19, container ship 1, general cargo 57, oil tanker 54, other 63 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Avatiu Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service Military - note: defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: nonenone

20220901

countries-kiribati

Topic: Photos of Kiribati Topic: Introduction Background: Kiribati 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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, group of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Geographic coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 811 sq km land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands - dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi) Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,143 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs Elevation: highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m Natural resources: phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish Land use: agricultural land: 42% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 15% (2018 est.) other: 43% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: consists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong Natural hazards: typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level Geography - note: 21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru; Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western) Map description: Kiribati map showing the extent of the three island groups that comprise Kiribati and that straddle both sides of the Equator.Kiribati map showing the extent of the three island groups that comprise Kiribati and that straddle both sides of the Equator. Topic: People and Society Population: 114,189 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: Kiribati Ethnic groups: I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) Languages: Gilbertese, English (official) Religions: Roman Catholic 58.9%, Kiribati Uniting Church 21.2%, Kiribati Protestant Church 8.4%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.1%, Baha'i 2.1%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 67 youth dependency ratio: 60 elderly dependency ratio: 7 potential support ratio: 14.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 25.7 years male: 24.8 years female: 26.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.04% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 20.12 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: consists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong Urbanization: urban population: 57.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.1 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Maternal mortality ratio: 92 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 32.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.9 years male: 65.3 years female: 70.64 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 33.5% (2018/19) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 10.3% (2019) Physicians density: 0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013) Hospital bed density: 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 46% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 40.6% (2020 est.) male: 53.9% (2020 est.) female: 27.3% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 6.9% (2018/19) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2.4% women married by age 18: 18.4% men married by age 18: 8.6% (2019 est.) Education expenditures: 12.4% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.5% male: 21.2% female: 24.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to overcrowding mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; ground water at risk; potential for water shortages, disease; coastal erosion Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.45 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.07 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.02 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds Land use: agricultural land: 42% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 15% (2018 est.) other: 43% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 57.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.04% 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 vectorborne diseases: malaria Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 35,724 tons (2016 est.) Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati local long form: Republic of Kiribati local short form: Kiribati former: Gilbert Islands etymology: the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilberts," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788 note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Tarawa geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Kiribati has three time zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14 etymology: in Kiribati creation mythology, "tarawa" was what the spider Nareau named the land to distinguish it from "karawa" (the sky) and "marawa" (the ocean) Administrative divisions: 3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; note - there are no first-order administrative divisions, but there are 6 districts (Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa) and 21 island councils - one for each of the inhabited islands (Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina) Independence: 12 July 1979 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 12 July (1979) Constitution: history: The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (preindependence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence) amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; passage of amendments affecting the constitutional section on amendment procedures and parts of the constitutional chapter on citizenship requires deferral of the proposal to the next Assembly meeting where approval is required by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and support of the nominated or elected Banaban member of the Assembly; amendments affecting the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms also requires approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018 Legal system: English common law supplemented by customary 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 native-born citizen of Kiribati dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016); Vice President Teuea TOATU (since 19 June 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote following nomination of candidates from among House of Assembly members; term is 4 years (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 22 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024); vice president appointed by the president election results: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKB) 59.3%, Banuera BERINA (BKM) 40.7%. Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president); note - the High Court has jurisdiction on constitutional issues judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president on the advice of the cabinet in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC); other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice along with the PSC subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; magistrates' courts Political parties and leaders: Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party (BKM) [Tessie LAMBOURNE] Tobwaan Kiribati Party or TKP [Taneti MAAMAU] International organization participation: ABEDA, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018) chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310 FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320 email address and website: Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki note - the Kiribati Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Kiribati Flag description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigatebird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three horizontal wavy white stripes to represent the Pacific ocean; the white stripes represent the three island groups - the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix Islands; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigatebird symbolizes authority and freedom National symbol(s): frigatebird; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow National anthem: name: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati) lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA note: adopted 1979 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Phoenix Islands Protected Area Topic: Economy Economic overview: A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted by the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. Although the number of seafarers employed declined due to changes in global shipping demands, remittances are expected to improve with more overseas temporary and seasonal work opportunities for Kiribati nationals.   Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Public debt increased from 23% of GDP at the end of 2015 to 25.8% in 2016.   Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 32.7% in 2016 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $855.5 million in late July 2016. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget.A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted by the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. Although the number of seafarers employed declined due to changes in global shipping demands, remittances are expected to improve with more overseas temporary and seasonal work opportunities for Kiribati nationals. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Public debt increased from 23% of GDP at the end of 2015 to 25.8% in 2016. Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 32.7% in 2016 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $855.5 million in late July 2016. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $270 million (2020 est.) $270 million (2019 est.) $260 million (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) 10.3% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,300 (2020 est.) $2,300 (2019 est.) $2,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $197 million (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.4% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 23% (2016 est.) industry: 7% (2016 est.) services: 70% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruit, poultry, pork, nuts, eggs Industries: fishing, handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: 1.1% (2012 est.) Labor force: 39,000 (2010 est.) note: economically active, not including subsistence farmers Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 15% industry: 10% services: 75% (2010) Unemployment rate: 30.6% (2010 est.) 6.1% (2005) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.5% male: 21.2% female: 24.6% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 151.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 277.5 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -64.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 26.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 22.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 76.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: NA Current account balance: $18 million (2017 est.) $35 million (2016 est.) Exports: $30 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Thailand 53%, Philippines 17%, South Korea 10%, Japan 9% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish and fish produces, ships, coconut oil, copra (2019) Imports: $180 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $170 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 20%, Fiji 19%, Australia 12%, Taiwan 11%, South Korea 11%, New Zealand 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, netting, raw sugar, rice, poultry meats (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $0 (31 December 2017 est.) $8.37 million (31 December 2010 est.) Debt - external: $40.9 million (2016 est.) $32.3 million (2015 est.) Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.31 (2017 est.) 1.34 (2016 est.) 1.34 (2015 est.) 1.33 (2014 est.) 1.11 (2013 est.) note: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 11,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 25.137 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.7 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 84.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 15.1% 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: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 500 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: 420 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: 76,000 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 9.335 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 33 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 54,661 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: generally good national and international service; wireline service available on Tarawa and Kiritimati (Christmas Island); connections to outer islands by HF/VHF radiotelephone; recently formed (mobile network operator) MNO is implementing the first phase of improvements with 3G and 4G upgrades on some islands; islands are connected to each other and the rest of the world via satellite; launch of Kacific-1 in December 2019 will improve telecommunication for Kiribati (2020) domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular approximately 46 per 100 subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 686; landing point for the Southern Cross NEXT submarine cable system from Australia, 7 Pacific Ocean island countries to the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (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: multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017) Internet country code: .ki Internet users: total: 45,390 (2020 est.) percent of population: 38% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 185 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (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: 66,567 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: T3 Airports: total: 19 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 914 to 1,523 m: 10 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Roadways: total: 670 km (2017) Waterways: 5 km (2012) (small network of canals in Line Islands) Merchant marine: total: 88 by type: bulk carrier 3, general cargo 35, oil tanker 12, other 38 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Betio (Tarawa Atoll), Canton Island, English Harbor Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice) Military - note: defense assistance is provided by Australia and NZ Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

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

countries-ukraine

Topic: Photos of Ukraine Topic: Introduction Background: 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 11 August, approximately 10.64 million people had fled Ukraine, and 6.65 million people were internally displaced as of 23 July.  Over 12,800 civilian casualties had been reported, as of 7 August. The invasion of Ukraine remains one of the two largest displacement crises worldwide (the other is the conflict in Syria).  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 11 August, approximately 10.64 million people had fled Ukraine, and 6.65 million people were internally displaced as of 23 July.  Over 12,800 civilian casualties had been reported, as of 7 August. The invasion of Ukraine remains one of the two largest displacement crises worldwide (the other is the conflict in Syria). Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Poland, Romania, and Moldova in the west and Russia in the east Geographic coordinates: 49 00 N, 32 00 E Map references: AsiaEurope Area: total: 603,550 sq km land: 579,330 sq km water: 24,220 sq km note: approximately 43,133 sq km, or about 7.1% of Ukraine's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Crimea and about one-third of both Luhans'k and Donets'k oblasts Area - comparative: almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 2,782 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate 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 Terrain: mostly fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, with mountains found only in the west (the Carpathians) or in the extreme south of the Crimean Peninsula Elevation: highest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 175 m Natural resources: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 71.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 56.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.6% (2018 est.) forest: 16.8% (2018 est.) other: 12% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 21,670 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnieper river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dniester river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km) Population distribution: densest settlement in the eastern (Donbas) and western regions; noteable concentrations in and around major urban areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donets'k, Dnipropetrovs'k, and Odesa Natural hazards: occasional floods; occasional droughts Geography - note: strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe after Russia Map description: Ukraine map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.Ukraine map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 43,528,136 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Ukrainian(s) adjective: Ukrainian Ethnic groups: Ukrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 est.) Languages: Ukrainian (official) 67.5%, Russian (regional language) 29.6%, other (includes small Crimean Tatar-, Moldovan/Romanian-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) 2.9% (2001 est.); note - in February 2018, the Constitutional Court ruled that 2012 language legislation entitling a language spoken by at least 10% of an oblast's population to be given the status of "regional language" - allowing for its use in courts, schools, and other government institutions - was unconstitutional, thus making the law invalid; Ukrainian remains the country's only official nationwide language major-language sample(s): Свiтова Книга Фактiв – найкраще джерело базової інформації. (Ukrainian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Orthodox (includes the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), and the Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP)), Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish (2013 est.) note: Ukraine's population is overwhelmingly Christian; the vast majority - up to two thirds - identify themselves as Orthodox, but many do not specify a particular branch; the OCU and the UOC-MP each represent less than a quarter of the country's population, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church accounts for 8-10%, and the UAOC accounts for 1-2%; Muslim and Jewish adherents each compose less than 1% of the total population Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 49.1 youth dependency ratio: 23.8 elderly dependency ratio: 25.3 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) note: data include Crimea Median age: total: 41.2 years male: 38.2 years female: 44.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.5% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 13.77 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: densest settlement in the eastern (Donbas) and western regions; noteable concentrations in and around major urban areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donets'k, Dnipropetrovs'k, and Odesa Urbanization: urban population: 69.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: -0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.010 million KYIV (capital), 1.423 million Kharkiv, 1.008 million Odesa, 952,000 Dnipropetrovsk, 893,000 Donetsk (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.2 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.45 years male: 68.8 years female: 78.39 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.56 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 65.4% (2012) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.1% (2019) Physicians density: 2.99 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Hospital bed density: 7.5 beds/1,000 population (2014) 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: 1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 260,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,100 (2020 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 Eastern Europe; Ukraine 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 vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Eastern Europe; Ukraine 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: 24.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 25.8% (2020 est.) male: 40% (2020 est.) female: 11.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years male: 15 years female: 15 years (2014) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.3% male: 19.8% female: 18.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air and water pollution; land degradation; solid waste management; biodiversity loss; deforestation; radiation contamination in the northeast from 1986 accident at Chornobyl' Nuclear Power Plant Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 18.29 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 202.25 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 63.37 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate 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 Land use: agricultural land: 71.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 56.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.6% (2018 est.) forest: 16.8% (2018 est.) other: 12% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 69.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: -0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.34% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.42% 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 Eastern Europe; Ukraine 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 vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Eastern Europe; Ukraine 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 conflict - production prospects of 2022 winter crops hampered by low availability of inputs, delivery challenges, difficult physical access to fields due to the war, and eventual labor shortages; forecast for cereal exports in 2022 reduced, amid port closures, damage to infrastructure and implementation of government policies to secure sufficient domestic supplies; as of early March 2022, about 12 million people estimated to be in need of life saving assistance Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 15,242,025 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 487,745 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3.2% (2015 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnieper river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dniester river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 2.397 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.577 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.206 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 175.28 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ukraine local long form: none local short form: Ukraina former: Ukrainian National Republic, Ukrainian State, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: name derives from the Old East Slavic word "ukraina" meaning "borderland or march (militarized border region)" and began to be used extensively in the 19th century; originally Ukrainians referred to themselves as Rusyny (Rusyns, Ruthenians, or Ruthenes), an endonym derived from the medieval Rus state (Kyivan Rus) Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Kyiv (Kiev) geographic coordinates: 50 26 N, 30 31 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: the name is associated with that of Kyi, who along with his brothers Shchek and Khoryv, and their sister Lybid, are the legendary founders of the medieval city of Kyiv; Kyi being the eldest brother, the city was named after him note: pronounced KAY-yiv Administrative divisions: 24 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast'), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonomna respublika), and 2 municipalities** (mista, singular - misto) with oblast status; Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Chernivtsi, Crimea or Avtonomna Respublika Krym* (Simferopol), Dnipropetrovsk (Dnipro), Donetsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad (Kropyvnytskyi), Kyiv**, Kyiv, Luhansk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sevastopol**, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn (Lutsk), Zakarpattia (Uzhhorod), Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr note 1: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses); plans include the eventual renaming of Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad oblasts, but because these names are mentioned in the Constitution of Ukraine, the change will require a constitutional amendment note 2: the US Government does not recognize Russia's illegal annexation of Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the municipality of Sevastopol, nor their redesignation as the "Republic of Crimea" and the "Federal City of Sevastopol" Independence: 24 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier dates: ca. 982 (VOLODYMYR I consolidates Kyivan Rus); 1199 (Principality (later Kingdom) of Ruthenia formed); 1648 (establishment of the Cossack Hetmanate); 22 January 1918 (from Soviet Russia) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 August (1991); note - 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence from Soviet Russia, and the date the short-lived Western and Greater (Eastern) Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted and ratified 28 June 1996 amendments: proposed by the president of Ukraine or by at least one third of the Supreme Council members; adoption requires simple majority vote by the Council and at least two-thirds majority vote in its next regular session; adoption of proposals relating to general constitutional principles, elections, and amendment procedures requires two-thirds majority vote by the Council and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on personal rights and freedoms, national independence, and territorial integrity cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2019 Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts 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 Ukraine dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Volodymyr ZELENSKYY (since 20 May 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Denys SHMYHAL (since 4 March 2020) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, approved by the Verkhovna Rada 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 31 March and 21 April 2019 (next to be held in March 2024); prime minister selected by the Verkhovna Rada election results: 2019: Volodymyr ZELENSKYY elected president; percent of vote in the first round Volodymyr ZELENSKYY (Servant of the People) 30.2%, Petro POROSHENKO (BPP-Solidarity) 15.6%, Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (Fatherland) 13.4%, Yuriy BOYKO (Opposition Platform-For Life) 11.7%, 35 other candidates 29.1%; percent of vote in the second round Volodymyr ZELENSKYY (Servant of the People) 73.2%, Petro POROSHENKO (BPP-Solidarity) 24.5%, other 2.3%; Denys SHMYHAL (independent) elected prime minister; Verkhovna Rada vote - 291-59 2014: Petro POROSHENKO elected president in the first round; percent of vote - Petro POROSHENKO (independent) 54.5%, Yuliya TYMOSHENKO (Fatherland) 12.9%, Oleh LYASHKO (Radical Party) 8.4%, other 24.2%; Volodymyr HROYSMAN (BPP) elected prime minister; Verkhovna Rada vote - 257-50 note: there is also a National Security and Defense Council or NSDC originally created in 1992 as the National Security Council; the NSDC staff is tasked with developing national security policy on domestic and international matters and advising the president; a presidential administration helps draft presidential edicts and provides policy support to the president Legislative branch: description: 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Ukraine or SCU (consists of 100 judges, organized into civil, criminal, commercial and administrative chambers, and a grand chamber); Constitutional Court (consists of 18 justices); High Anti-Corruption Court (consists of 39 judges, including 12 in the Appeals Chamber) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges recommended by the High Qualification Commission of Judges (a 16-member state body responsible for judicial candidate testing and assessment and judicial administration), submitted to the High Council of Justice, a 21-member independent body of judicial officials responsible for judicial self-governance and administration, and appointed by the president; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; High Anti-Corruption Court judges are selected by the same process as Supreme Court justices, with one addition – a majority of a combined High Qualification Commission of Judges and a 6-member Public Council of International Experts must vote in favor of potential judges in order to recommend their nomination to the High Council of Justice; this majority must include at least 3 members of the Public Council of International Experts; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 6 each by the president, by the Congress of Judges, and by the Verkhovna Rada; judges serve 9-year nonrenewable terms   subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; district courts note: specialized courts were abolished as part of Ukraine's judicial reform program; in November 2019, President ZELENSKYY signed a bill on legal reforms  Political parties and leaders: Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO] European Solidarity (BPP-Solidarity) [Petro POROSHENKO] Holos (Voice) [Kira RUDYK] Opposition Bloc or OB [Evgeny MURAYEV] Opposition Platform-For Life [Yuriy BOYKO, Vadim RABINOVICH] Radical Party [Oleh LYASHKO] Samopomich (Self Reliance) [Andriy SADOVYY] Servant of the People [Oleksandr KORNIENKO] Svoboda (Freedom) [Oleh TYAHNYBOK] International organization participation: Australia 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Oksana Serhiyivna MARKAROVA (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 3350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 349-2963 FAX: [1] (202) 333-0817 email address and website: emb_us@mfa.gov.ua; consul_us@mfa.gov.ua https://usa.mfa.gov.ua/en consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bridget A. BRINK (since 18 May 2022) embassy: 4 A. I. Igor Sikorsky Street, 04112 Kyiv mailing address: 5850 Kyiv Place, Washington, DC 20521-5850 telephone: [380] (44) 521-5000 FAX: [380] (44) 521-5544 email address and website: kyivacs@state.gov https://ua.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of azure (top) and golden yellow; although the colors date back to medieval heraldry, in modern times they are sometimes claimed to represent grain fields under a blue sky National symbol(s): tryzub (trident), sunflower; national colors: blue, yellow National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Kyiv: Saint Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (c); Lviv Historic Center (c); Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, Chernivtsi (c); Ancient City of Tauric Chersonese, Sevastopol (c); Wooden Tserkvas of the Carpathian Region (c); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (n); Struve Geodetic Arc (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: After Russia, the Ukrainian Republic was the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil accounted for more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied unique equipment such as large diameter pipes and vertical drilling apparatus, and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR.   Shortly after independence in August 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms to foster economic growth. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy. From 2000 until mid-2008, Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president. The economy contracted nearly 15% in 2009, among the worst economic performances in the world. In April 2010, Ukraine negotiated a price discount on Russian gas imports in exchange for extending Russia's lease on its naval base in Crimea.   Ukraine’s oligarch-dominated economy grew slowly from 2010 to 2013 but remained behind peers in the region and among Europe’s poorest. After former President YANUKOVYCH fled the country during the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine’s economy fell into crisis because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, military conflict in the eastern part of the country, and a trade war with Russia, resulting in a 17% decline in GDP, inflation at nearly 60%, and dwindling foreign currency reserves. The international community began efforts to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, including a March 2014 IMF assistance package of $17.5 billion, of which Ukraine has received four disbursements, most recently in April 2017, bringing the total disbursed as of that date to approximately $8.4 billion. Ukraine has made progress on reforms designed to make the country prosperous, democratic, and transparent, including creation of a national anti-corruption agency, overhaul of the banking sector, establishment of a transparent VAT refund system, and increased transparency in government procurement. But more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, improving the business environment to attract foreign investment, privatizing state-owned enterprises, and land reform. The fifth tranche of the IMF program, valued at $1.9 billion, was delayed in mid-2017 due to lack of progress on outstanding reforms, including adjustment of gas tariffs to import parity levels and adoption of legislation establishing an independent anti-corruption court.   Russia’s occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine have hurt economic growth. With the loss of a major portion of Ukraine’s heavy industry in Donbas and ongoing violence, the economy contracted by 6.6% in 2014 and by 9.8% in 2015, but it returned to low growth in in 2016 and 2017, reaching 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively, as key reforms took hold. Ukraine also redirected trade activity towards the EU following the implementation of a bilateral Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, displacing Russia as its largest trading partner. A prohibition on commercial trade with separatist-controlled territories in early 2017 has not impacted Ukraine’s key industrial sectors as much as expected, largely because of favorable external conditions. Ukraine returned to international debt markets in September 2017, issuing a $3 billion sovereign bond.After Russia, the Ukrainian Republic was the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil accounted for more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied unique equipment such as large diameter pipes and vertical drilling apparatus, and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR. Shortly after independence in August 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms to foster economic growth. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy. From 2000 until mid-2008, Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president. The economy contracted nearly 15% in 2009, among the worst economic performances in the world. In April 2010, Ukraine negotiated a price discount on Russian gas imports in exchange for extending Russia's lease on its naval base in Crimea. Ukraine’s oligarch-dominated economy grew slowly from 2010 to 2013 but remained behind peers in the region and among Europe’s poorest. After former President YANUKOVYCH fled the country during the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine’s economy fell into crisis because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, military conflict in the eastern part of the country, and a trade war with Russia, resulting in a 17% decline in GDP, inflation at nearly 60%, and dwindling foreign currency reserves. The international community began efforts to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, including a March 2014 IMF assistance package of $17.5 billion, of which Ukraine has received four disbursements, most recently in April 2017, bringing the total disbursed as of that date to approximately $8.4 billion. Ukraine has made progress on reforms designed to make the country prosperous, democratic, and transparent, including creation of a national anti-corruption agency, overhaul of the banking sector, establishment of a transparent VAT refund system, and increased transparency in government procurement. But more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, improving the business environment to attract foreign investment, privatizing state-owned enterprises, and land reform. The fifth tranche of the IMF program, valued at $1.9 billion, was delayed in mid-2017 due to lack of progress on outstanding reforms, including adjustment of gas tariffs to import parity levels and adoption of legislation establishing an independent anti-corruption court. Russia’s occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine have hurt economic growth. With the loss of a major portion of Ukraine’s heavy industry in Donbas and ongoing violence, the economy contracted by 6.6% in 2014 and by 9.8% in 2015, but it returned to low growth in in 2016 and 2017, reaching 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively, as key reforms took hold. Ukraine also redirected trade activity towards the EU following the implementation of a bilateral Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, displacing Russia as its largest trading partner. A prohibition on commercial trade with separatist-controlled territories in early 2017 has not impacted Ukraine’s key industrial sectors as much as expected, largely because of favorable external conditions. Ukraine returned to international debt markets in September 2017, issuing a $3 billion sovereign bond. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $516.68 billion (2020 est.) $538.33 billion (2019 est.) $521.52 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3.24% (2019 est.) 3.41% (2018 est.) 2.48% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,400 (2020 est.) $12,800 (2019 est.) $12,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $155.082 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.9% (2019 est.) 11% (2018 est.) 14.4% (2017 est.) note: Excluding the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the anti-terrorist operation zone Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2019) Moody's rating: B3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 12.2% (2017 est.) industry: 28.6% (2017 est.) services: 60% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: maize, wheat, potatoes, sunflower seed, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, rapeseed, tomatoes Industries: coal, electric power, ferrous and nonferrous metals, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 16.033 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.8% industry: 26.5% services: 67.8% (2014) Unemployment rate: 8.89% (2019 est.) 9.42% (2018 est.) note: officially registered workers; large number of unregistered or underemployed workers Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.3% male: 19.8% female: 18.5% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 1.1% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 26.1 (2018 est.) 28.2 (2009) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 21.6% (2015 est.) Budget: revenues: 29.82 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 31.55 billion (2017 est.) note: this is the planned, consolidated budget Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 71% of GDP (2017 est.) 81.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: the total public debt of $64.5 billion consists of: domestic public debt ($23.8 billion); external public debt ($26.1 billion); and sovereign guarantees ($14.6 billion) Taxes and other revenues: 26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$4.124 billion (2019 est.) -$6.432 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $60.67 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $63.56 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $59.18 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Russia 9%, China 8%, Germany 6%, Poland 6%, Italy 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: corn, sunflower seed oils, iron and iron products, wheat, insulated wiring, rapeseed (2019) Imports: $62.46 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $76.07 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $70.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 13%, Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Poland 9%, Belarus 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, packaged medicines, coal, natural gas (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $18.81 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $15.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $117.41 billion (2019 est.) $114.449 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: hryvnia (UAH) per US dollar - 28.10001 (2020 est.) 23.7 (2019 est.) 27.80499 (2018 est.) 21.8447 (2014 est.) 11.8867 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 56.816 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 124,533,790,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 5.139 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 2.72 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 16.434 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 37.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 55.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 3.6% 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: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 23.908 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 41.181 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 61,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 17.333 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 34.375 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 57,700 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 248,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 700 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 6,500 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 395 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 63,670 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 1,828 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 167,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 19,511,040,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 26,413,486,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 10,740,619,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1,104,355,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 185.686 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 82.571 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,314,263 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 54,842,900 (2019) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 130.63 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the Ukraine government announced grand plans in November 2020 to enable the commercial launch of 5G mobile services by the end of 2021 (including a spectrum auction slated for October), there has been very little progress made regarding that plan; growth in the mobile sector is flat, while the market waits for the regulator and the three dominant MNOs to move towards making faster and more powerful services available for public consumption; most of the action with Ukraine’s telecom market involves consolidation or, in the case of Vodafone Ukraine, a role-reversal; first up was telecommunications service provider Datagroup, which completed its acquisition of cableco Volia in June 2021; the combined entity now operates one of the largest fiber networks in the country, with a reach of more than four million households; in August 2021, Vodafone Ukraine reversed its position from 2015 when it had sold its fixed internet and fixed telephony operations in Odessa and Kyiv to Vega; the mobile operator instead acquired 99.9% of Vega, as well as the cableco Cable TV-Finance; Vodafone Ukraine broadcast has become a major provider rather than one of the country’s three major MNOs. (2021) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is nearly 8 per 100; the mobile-cellular telephone system's expansion has slowed, largely due to saturation of the market that is now just over 129 mobile phones per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 380; landing point for the Kerch Strait Cable connecting Ukraine to Russia; 2 new domestic trunk lines are a part of the fiber-optic TAE system and 3 Ukrainian links have been installed in the fiber-optic TEL project that connects 18 countries; additional international service is provided by the Italy-Turkey-Ukraine-Russia (ITUR) fiber-optic submarine cable and by an unknown number of earth stations in the Intelsat, Inmarsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems 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: Ukraine’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 Internet country code: .ua Internet users: total: 33,101,020 (2020 est.) percent of population: 75% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 7,769,401 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.) Communications - note: a sorting code to expeditiously handle large volumes of mail was first set up in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) in the 1930s; the sophisticated, three-part (number-letter-number) postal code system, referred to as an "index," was the world's first postal zip code; the system functioned well and was in use from 1932 to 1939 when it was abruptly discontinued Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 14 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 126 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,854,842 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 75.26 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: UR Airports: total: 215 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 108 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 42 1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 28 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 79 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 69 (2021) Heliports: 9 (2021) Pipelines: 36,720 km gas, 4,514 km oil, 4,363 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 21,733 km (2014) standard gauge: 49 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (49 km electrified) broad gauge: 21,684 km (2014) 1.524-m gauge (9,250 km electrified) Roadways: total: 169,694 km (2012) paved: 166,095 km (2012) (includes 17 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,599 km (2012) Waterways: 1,672 km (2012) (most on Dnieper River) Merchant marine: total: 409 by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 1, general cargo 84, oil tanker 15, other 308 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Feodosiia, Chornomorsk, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Yuzhne river port(s): Kherson, Kyiv (Dnieper River), Mykolaiv (Pivdennyy Buh River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Ukraine (Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny, ZSU): Ground Forces (Sukhoputni Viys’ka), Naval Forces (Viys’kovo-Mors’ki Syly, VMS), Air Forces (Povitryani Syly, PS), Air Assault Forces (Desantno-shturmovi Viyska, DShV), Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF), Territorial Defense Forces (Reserves); Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (includes Maritime Border Guard) (2022) note: in the event that martial law is declared, all National Guard units, with certain exceptions such as those tasked with providing for diplomatic security of embassies and consulates, would come under the command of the Ministry of Defense as auxiliary forces to the Armed Forces Military expenditures: 4% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $9.7 billion) 3.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $8.87 billion) 3.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $8.54 billion) 3.6% of GDP (2016) (approximately $8.53 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: prior to the Russian invasion, approximately 200,000 active troops (125,000 Army; 25,000 Airborne/Air Assault Forces; 2,000 Special Operations Forces; 10,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force); approximately 50,000 National Guard; approximately 40,000 State Border Guard (Feb 2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Ukrainian military is equipped mostly with older Russian and Soviet-era weapons systems; since 2010, it has imported limited quantities of weapons from several European countries, as well as Canada, the US, and the United Arab Emirates; Ukraine has a broad defense industry capable of building Soviet-era land systems and maintaining and upgrading Soviet-era combat aircraft, as well as missile and air defense systems (2021) Military service age and obligation: conscription abolished in 2012, but reintroduced in 2014; 20-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2021) note 1: the Ukrainian military has a mix of conscripts (14,000 conscripted in 2021) and professional soldiers on contracts; note 2: women can volunteer and have served in the Ukrainian armed forces since 1993; as of 2021, women comprised approximately 15-20% of the military; in late 2021, the Ukrainian Government began requiring women between 18 and 60 who are fit for military service and work in a broad range of professions to register with Ukraine's armed forces   Military deployments: note: prior to the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine contributed about 500 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units Military - note:    Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Ukraine-Belarus: in 1997, Ukraine and Belarus signed a boundary delimitation treaty; the instruments of ratification were exchanged in 2013; a joint commission should be established to enable the actual demarcation to begin Ukraine-Hungary: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Hungary to escape the Russian invasion in their country Ukraine-Moldova: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Moldova to escape the Russian invasion in their country; Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor transit of people and commodities through Moldova's Transnistria Region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troops Ukraine-Poland: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Poland to escape the Russian invasion in their country Ukraine-Romania: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Romania to escape the Russian invasion in their country, the ICJ in 2009 ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black Sea Ukraine-Russia: the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov is suspended due to the occupation of Crimea by Russia Ukraine-Slovakia: tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Slovakia to escape the Russian invasion of their countryUkraine-Belarus: in 1997, Ukraine and Belarus signed a boundary delimitation treaty; the instruments of ratification were exchanged in 2013; a joint commission should be established to enable the actual demarcation to beginUkraine-Hungary: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Hungary to escape the Russian invasion in their countryUkraine-Moldova: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Moldova to escape the Russian invasion in their country; Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor transit of people and commodities through Moldova's Transnistria Region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troopsUkraine-Poland: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Poland to escape the Russian invasion in their countryUkraine-Romania: hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Romania to escape the Russian invasion in their country, the ICJ in 2009 ruled largely in favor of Romania in its dispute submitted in 2004 over Ukrainian-administered Zmiyinyy/Serpilor (Snake) Island and Black Sea maritime boundary delimitation; Romania opposes Ukraine's reopening of a navigation canal from the Danube border through Ukraine to the Black SeaUkraine-Russia: the dispute over the boundary between Russia and Ukraine through the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov is suspended due to the occupation of Crimea by RussiaUkraine-Slovakia: tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees are crossing the border to Slovakia to escape the Russian invasion of their country Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 1,461,700 (Russian-sponsored separatist violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine) (2021); 6.65 million (Russian invasion), according to the UN (as of 23 July 2022); note – the more recent invasion total may reflect some double counting, since it is impossible to determine how many of the recent IDPs may also include IDPs from the earlier Russian-sponsored violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine stateless persons: 35,875 (mid-year 2021); note - citizens of the former USSR who were permanently resident in Ukraine were granted citizenship upon Ukraine's independence in 1991, but some missed this window of opportunity; people arriving after 1991, Crimean Tatars, ethnic Koreans, people with expired Soviet passports, and people with no documents have difficulty acquiring Ukrainian citizenship; following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, thousands of Crimean Tatars and their descendants deported from Ukraine under the STALIN regime returned to their homeland, some being stateless and others holding the citizenship of Uzbekistan or other former Soviet republics; a 1998 bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Uzbekistan simplified the process of renouncing Uzbek citizenship and obtaining Ukrainian citizenship1,461,700 (Russian-sponsored separatist violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine) (2021); 6.65 million (Russian invasion), according to the UN (as of 23 July 2022); note – the more recent invasion total may reflect some double counting, since it is impossible to determine how many of the recent IDPs may also include IDPs from the earlier Russian-sponsored violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine Illicit drugs: a transit country for illicit drug trafficking into the European Union due to its location amidst several important trafficking routes into western Europe, ports on the Black and Azov seas, extensive river routes, and porous northern and eastern borders; South American cocaine moves through Ukrainian seaports and airports; amphetamine and methamphetamine laboratories supply the local marketa transit country for illicit drug trafficking into the European Union due to its location amidst several important trafficking routes into western Europe, ports on the Black and Azov seas, extensive river routes, and porous northern and eastern borders; South American cocaine moves through Ukrainian seaports and airports; amphetamine and methamphetamine laboratories supply the local market

20220901

field-mothers-mean-age-at-first-birth

This entry provides the mean (average) age of mothers at the birth of their first child. It is a useful indicator for gauging the success of family planning programs aiming to reduce maternal mortality, increase contraceptive use – particularly among married and unmarried adolescents – delay age at first marriage, and improve the health of newborns. Topic: Afghanistan19.9 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Albania26.6 years (2020 est.) Topic: Andorra32.8 years (2019) Topic: Angola19.4 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Armenia25.2 years (2019 est.) Topic: Australia28.7 years (2019 est.) Topic: Austria29.7 years (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan24 years (2019 est.) Topic: Bangladesh18.6 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Belarus26.8 years (2019 est.) Topic: Belgium29.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: Benin20.5 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Bolivia21.1 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina27.7 years (2019 est.) Topic: Bulgaria26.4 years (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso19.4 years (2010 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Burma24.7 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Burundi21.5 years (2016/17 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Cambodia22.4 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Cameroon20.1 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Canada29.4 years (2019 est.) Topic: Chad18.1 years (2014/15 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Colombia21.7 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Comoros23 years (2012 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the19.9 years (2013/14 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Congo, Republic of the19.6 years (2011/12 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Cote d'Ivoire19.6 years (2011/12 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Croatia29 years (2020 est.) Topic: Cyprus30 years (2020 est.) note: data represent only government-controlled areas Topic: Czechia28.5 years (2020 est.) Topic: Denmark29.8 years (2020 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic20.9 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Egypt22.6 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: El Salvador20.8 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Eritrea21.3 years (2010 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Estonia28.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopia19.3 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Finland29.5 years (2020 est.) Topic: France28.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Gabon19.6 years (2012 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Gambia, The20.7 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Georgia25.9 years (2019 est.) note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia Topic: Germany29.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Ghana20.7 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Greece30.7 years (2020 est.) Topic: Guatemala20.6 years (2014/15 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Guinea19.9 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Guyana20.8 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Haiti22.4 years (2016/7 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Honduras20.3 years (2011/12 est.) note: median age a first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Hong Kong29.8 years (2008 est.) Topic: Hungary28.4 years (2020 est.) Topic: Iceland28.7 years (2020 est.) Topic: India21.2 years (2019/21) note: median age a first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Indonesia22.4 years (2017 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Ireland30.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Israel27.7 years (2019 est.) Topic: Italy31.4 years (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaica21.2 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Japan30.7 years (2018 est.) Topic: Jordan24.6 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Kazakhstan28.9 years (2019 est.) Topic: Kenya20.3 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Kiribati23.1 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Korea, South32.2 years (2019 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan22.6 years (2019 est.) Topic: Latvia27.3 years (2020 est.) Topic: Lesotho20.9 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Liberia19.1 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Liechtenstein31.3 years (2017) Topic: Lithuania28.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourg31 years (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascar19.5 years (2008/09 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Malawi19.1 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Maldives23.2 years (2016/17 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Mali19.2 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Malta29.3 years (2020 est.) note: data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births Topic: Mauritania21.8 years (2019/21) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Mexico21.3 years (2008 est.) Topic: Moldova25.2 years (2019 est.) Topic: Mongolia20.5 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-24 Topic: Montenegro26.3 years (2010 est.) Topic: Mozambique19.2 years (2011 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Namibia21.6 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Nepal20.4 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Netherlands30.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealand27.8 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth Topic: Nicaragua19.2 years (2011/12 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Niger18.5 years (2012 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Nigeria20.4 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: North Macedonia26.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Norway29.8 years (2020 est.) note: data is calculated based on actual age at first births Topic: Pakistan22.8 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Papua New Guinea21.9 years (2016/18) note: median age a first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Paraguay22.9 years (2008 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Peru21.9 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Philippines23.5 years (2017 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Poland27.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Portugal29.9 years (2020 est.) Topic: Romania27.1 years (2020 est.) Topic: Russia25.2 years (2013 est.) Topic: Rwanda23 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Samoa23.6 years (2009 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: San Marino31.9 years (2019) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe19.4 years (2008/09 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Senegal21.9 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Serbia28.2 years (2020 est.) note: data do not cover Kosovo or Metohija Topic: Sierra Leone19.6 years (2019 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Singapore30.5 years (2015 est.) median age Topic: Slovakia27.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: Slovenia29 years (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands22.6 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Spain31.2 years (2020 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka25.6 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 30-34 Topic: Sweden29.7 years (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerland31.1 years (2020 est.) Topic: Tajikistan23.2 years (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania19.8 years (2015/16 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Thailand23.3 years (2009 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste23 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Togo25 years (2017 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 Topic: Tonga24.9 years (2012 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)26.6 years (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan24.2 years (2019) Topic: Uganda19.4 years (2016 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Ukraine26.2 years (2019 est.) Topic: United Kingdom29 years (2018 est.) note: data represent England and Wales only Topic: United States27 years (2019 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan23.7 years (2019 est.) Topic: Yemen20.8 years (2013 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Topic: Zambia19.2 years (2018 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 20-49 Topic: Zimbabwe20.3 years (2015 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49

20220901

countries-germany

Topic: Photos of Germany Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark Geographic coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 357,022 sq km land: 348,672 sq km water: 8,350 sq km Area - comparative: three times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana Land boundaries: total: 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 Coastline: 2,389 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south Elevation: highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m mean elevation: 263 m Natural resources: coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 48% (2018 est.) arable land: 34.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.3% (2018 est.) forest: 31.8% (2018 est.) other: 20.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 6,500 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Austria) - 540 sq km Salt water lake(s): Stettiner Haff/Zalew Szczecinski (shared with Poland) - 900 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Danube river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Population distribution: most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia Natural hazards: flooding Geography - note: strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany - the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe - flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward Map description: Germany showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North and Baltic Seas.Germany showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North and Baltic Seas. Topic: People and Society Population: 84,316,622 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: German(s) adjective: German Ethnic groups: German 86.3%, Turkish 1.8%, Polish 1%, Syrian 1%, Romanian 1%, other/stateless/unspecified 8.9% (2020 est.) note:  data represent population by nationality Languages: German (official); note - Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages major-language sample(s): Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 26.7%, Protestant 24.3%, Muslim 3.5%, other 4.8%, none 40.7% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.4 youth dependency ratio: 21.7 elderly dependency ratio: 33.7 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 47.8 years male: 46.5 years female: 49.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.11% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 11.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 1.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia Urbanization: urban population: 77.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.571 million BERLIN (capital), 1.788 million Hamburg, 1.566 million Munich, 1.137 million Cologne, 791,000 Frankfurt (2022) 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: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.9 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.51 years male: 79.15 years female: 84 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 67% (2018) note: percent of women aged 18-49 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: 11.7% (2019) Physicians density: 4.44 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 8 beds/1,000 population (2017) 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: 0.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 93,000 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 note: estimate does not include children Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 22% (2020 est.) male: 24.1% (2020 est.) female: 19.9% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.5% (2014/17) Education expenditures: 5% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 17 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2% male: 7.9% female: 6.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power by 2022; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive 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, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, 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: 11.71 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 727.97 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 49.92 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind Land use: agricultural land: 48% (2018 est.) arable land: 34.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 13.3% (2018 est.) forest: 31.8% (2018 est.) other: 20.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 77.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 51.046 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 24,415,302 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 47.8% (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Austria) - 540 sq km Salt water lake(s): Stettiner Haff/Zalew Szczecinski (shared with Poland) - 900 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Danube river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 4.388 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 19.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 299.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 154 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany conventional short form: Germany local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland local short form: Deutschland former: German Reich etymology: the Gauls (Celts) of Western Europe may have referred to the newly arriving Germanic tribes who settled in neighboring areas east of the Rhine during the first centuries B.C. as "Germani," a term the Romans adopted as "Germania"; the native designation "Deutsch" comes from the Old High German "diutisc" meaning "of the people" Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Berlin geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 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 etymology: the origin of the name is unclear but may be related to the old West Slavic (Polabian) word "berl" or "birl," meaning "swamp" Administrative divisions: 16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thueringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat), while Bremen calls itself a Free Hanseatic City (Freie Hansestadt) and Hamburg considers itself a Free and Hanseatic City (Freie und Hansestadt) Independence: 18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor) National holiday: German Unity Day, 3 October (1990) Constitution: history: previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10-23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage and enactment into law require two-thirds majority vote by both the Bundesrat (upper house) and the Bundestag (lower house) of Parliament; articles including those on basic human rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2020; note - in early 2021, the German federal government introduced a bill to incorporate children’s rights into the constitution Legal system: civil law system 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 German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from government residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; age 16 for some state and municipal elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017) head of government: Chancellor Olaf SCHOLZ (since 8 December 2021) cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) recommended by the chancellor, appointed by the president elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by a Federal Convention consisting of all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equivalent number of delegates indirectly elected by the state parliaments; president serves a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 13 February 2022 (next to be held in February 2027); following the most recent Federal Parliament election, the party or coalition with the most representatives usually elects the chancellor who is appointed by the president to serve a renewable 4-year term; Federal Parliament vote for chancellor last held on 8 December 2021 (next to be held after the Bundestag election in 2025) election results: Frank-Walter STEINMEIER reelected president; Federal Convention vote count - Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (SPD) 1,045, Max OTTE 140, Gerhard TRABERT (The Left) 96, Stefanie GEBAUER (Free Voters) 58, abstentions 86; Olaf SCHOLZ (SPD) elected chancellor; Federal Parliament vote - 395 to 303 Legislative branch: description: 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 28%, CDU/CSU 26.8%, Alliance '90/Greens 16%, FDP 12.5%, AfD 11%, The Left 5.3%, other .4%; seats by party - SPD 206, CDU/CSU 197, Alliance '90/Greens 118, FDP 92, AfD 81, The Left 39, other 3; 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 Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Court of Justice (court consists of 127 judges, including the court president, vice presidents, presiding judges, other judges and organized into 25 Senates subdivided into 12 civil panels, 5 criminal panels, and 8 special panels); Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (consists of 2 Senates each subdivided into 3 chambers, each with a chairman and 8 members) judge selection and term of office: Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated states and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68 subordinate courts: Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 federated states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts; two English-speaking commercial courts opened in late 2020 in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg - English-speaking Stuttgart Commercial Court and English-speaking Mannheim Commercial Court Political parties and leaders: Alliance '90/Greens [Ricarda LANG and Omid NOURIPOUR] Alternative for Germany or AfD [Alice WEIDEL and Tino CHRUPALLA] Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Friedrich MERZ] Christian Social Union or CSU [Markus SOEDER] Free Democratic Party or FDP [Christian LINDNER] Free Voters [Hubert AIWANGER] The Left or Die Linke [Janine WISSLER and Martin SCHIRDEWAN] Social Democratic Party or SPD [Saskia ESKEN and Lars KLINGBEIL] International organization participation: ADB (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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Emily Margarethe HABER (since 22 June 2018) chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000 FAX: [1] (202) 298-4261 email address and website: info@washington.diplo.de https://www.germany.info/us-en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Amy GUTMANN (since 17 February 2022) embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin (administrative services) mailing address: 5090 Berlin Place, Washington DC  20521-5090 telephone: [49] (30) 8305-0 FAX: [49] (30) 8305-1215 email address and website: BerlinPCO@state.gov https://de.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field National symbol(s): eagle; national colors: black, red, yellow National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 51 (48 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin (c); Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (c); Speyer Cathedral (c); Upper Middle Rhine Valley (c); Aachen Cathedral (c); Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau, and Bernau (c); Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura (c); Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar, and Upper Harz Water Management System (c); Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter, and Church of Our Lady in Trier (c); Hanseatic City of Lübeck (c); Old Town of Regensburg (c); Messel Pit Fossil Site (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany benefits from a highly skilled labor force, but, like its Western European neighbors, faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms.   Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong economic growth and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II. The German Government introduced a minimum wage in 2015 that increased to $9.79 (8.84 euros) in January 2017.   Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011 and in 2017 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.7%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016, though the target was already reached in 2012.   Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany plans to replace nuclear power largely with renewable energy, which accounted for 29.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2016, up from 9% in 2000. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production.   The German economy suffers from low levels of investment, and a government plan to invest 15 billion euros during 2016-18, largely in infrastructure, is intended to spur needed private investment. Domestic consumption, investment, and exports are likely to drive German GDP growth in 2018, and the country’s budget and trade surpluses are likely to remain high.The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany benefits from a highly skilled labor force, but, like its Western European neighbors, faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong economic growth and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II. The German Government introduced a minimum wage in 2015 that increased to $9.79 (8.84 euros) in January 2017. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011 and in 2017 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.7%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016, though the target was already reached in 2012. Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany plans to replace nuclear power largely with renewable energy, which accounted for 29.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2016, up from 9% in 2000. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production. The German economy suffers from low levels of investment, and a government plan to invest 15 billion euros during 2016-18, largely in infrastructure, is intended to spur needed private investment. Domestic consumption, investment, and exports are likely to drive German GDP growth in 2018, and the country’s budget and trade surpluses are likely to remain high. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4,238,800,000,000 (2020 est.) $4,457,050,000,000 (2019 est.) $4,432,430,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 0.59% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 2.91% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $50,900 (2020 est.) $53,600 (2019 est.) $53,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3,860,923,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1986) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1983) Credit ratings prior to 1989 refer to West Germany. GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.7% (2017 est.) industry: 30.7% (2017 est.) services: 68.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: milk, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, maize, rye, rapeseed, triticale Industries: among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, automobiles, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 3.3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 44.585 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.4% industry: 24.2% services: 74.3% (2016) Unemployment rate: 4.98% (2019 est.) 5.19% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 7.2% male: 7.9% female: 6.4% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.8% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 31.9 (2016 est.) 30 (1994) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 24% (2000) Budget: revenues: 1.665 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.619 trillion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 63.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 67.9% of GDP (2016 est.) note: general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euros; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank Taxes and other revenues: 45% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $280.238 billion (2019 est.) $297.434 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $1,671,650,000,000 (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1,813,190,000,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1,881,510,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 9%, France 8%, China 7%, Netherlands 6%, United Kingdom 6%, Italy 5%, Poland 5%, Austria 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, aircraft, medical cultures/vaccines, industrial machinery (2019) Imports: $1,452,560,000,000 (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1,593,720,000,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1,635,580,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Netherlands 9%, China 8%, France 7%, Belgium 6%, Poland 6%, Italy 6%, Czechia 5%, United States 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $200.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $173.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $5,671,463,000,000 (2019 est.) $5,751,408,000,000 (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: 248.265 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 500,350,034,000 kWh (2020 est.) exports: 66.931 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 48.047 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 25,970,966,000 kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 40.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 11.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 23.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 4.5% 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: 10.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 114.86 million metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 145.379 million metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 2.317 million metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 31.503 million metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 35.9 billion metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 135,000 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2,346,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,720,600 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 115.2 million barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 2.158 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 494,000 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 883,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 5,128,909,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 87,546,767,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 83,121,531,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 23.39 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 726.881 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 161.174 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 38.3 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 107.4 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: with one of Europe’s largest telecom markets, Germany hosts a number of significant networks which offer effective competition in the mobile and broadband sectors; Telekom Deutschland remains the dominant provider in the fixed-line segment, though there is increasing competition from networks including freenet, Vodafone Germany, and Telefónica Germany, each of which is making use of regulatory measures aimed at facilitating wholesale network access to provide fiber-based broadband services; the German mobile market is driven by mobile data, with the number of mobile broadband subscribers having increased rapidly in recent years; with LTE now universally available, progress has recently been made in building out 5G networks; Telekom’s 5G service provided about 80% population coverage by March 2021; this was expected to be increased to 90% coverage by the end of the year (2021) domestic: extensive system of automatic telephone exchanges connected by modern networks of fiber-optic cable, coaxial cable, microwave radio relay, and a domestic satellite system; cellular telephone service is widely available, expanding rapidly, and includes roaming service to many foreign countries; approximately 46 per 100 for fixed-line and 128 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020) international: country code - 49; landing points for SeaMeWe-3, TAT-14, AC-1, CONTACT-3, Fehmarn Balt, C-Lion1, GC1, GlobalConnect-KPN, and Germany-Denmark 2 & 3 - submarine cables to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (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 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 Internet country code: .de Internet users: total: 74,844,784 (2020 est.) percent of population: 90% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 36,215,303 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 20 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1,113 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 109,796,202 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7,969,860,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: D Airports: total: 539 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 318 over 3,047 m: 14 2,438 to 3,047 m: 49 1,524 to 2,437 m: 60 914 to 1,523 m: 70 under 914 m: 125 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 221 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 185 (2021) Heliports: 23 (2021) Pipelines: 37 km condensate, 26,985 km gas, 2,400 km oil, 4,479 km refined products, 8 km water (2013) Railways: total: 33,590 km (2017) standard gauge: 33,331 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (19,973 km electrified) narrow gauge: 220 km 1.000-m gauge (79 km electrified) 15 km 0.900-mm gauge, 24 km 0.750-mm gauge (2015) Roadways: total: 625,000 km (2017) paved: 625,000 km (2017) (includes 12,996 km of expressways) note: includes local roads Waterways: 7,467 km (2012) (Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea) Merchant marine: total: 599 by type: container ship 77, general cargo 85, oil tanker 36, other 401 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe, includes air defense), Joint Support Service (Streitkraeftebasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw), Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum, Kdo CIR) (2022) Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020) 1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $60.1 billion) 1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $55.4 billion) 1.2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $53.5 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 184,000 active duty personnel (63,000 Army; 16,000 Navy; 27,000 Air Force; 27,000 Joint Support Service; 20,000 Medical Service, 16,000 Cyber and Information Space Command; 15,000 other, including central staff, support, etc.) (2022) note: Germany in 2020 announced it planned to increase the size of the military to about 200,000 troops by 2025 Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the German Federal Armed Forces inventory is mostly comprised of weapons systems produced domestically or jointly with other European countries and Western imports, particularly from the US; since 2010, the US is the leading foreign supplier; Germany's defense industry is capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of air, land, and naval military weapons systems, and is one of the world's leading arms exporters (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17-23 years of age for male and female voluntary military service (must have completed compulsory full-time education and have German citizenship); conscription ended July 2011; service obligation 7-23 months or 12 years; women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 (2022) note: in 2021, women accounted for about 12% of the German military Military deployments: up to 500 Iraq (NATO); 1,030 Lithuania (NATO); up to 1,400 Mali (MINUSMA/EUTM); 280 Slovakia (NATO) (2022) note 1:  Germany is a contributing member of the EuroCorps note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Germany, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe Military - note: the Federal Republic of Germany joined NATO in May 1955; with the reunification of Germany in October 1990, the states of the former German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany in its membership of NATO the German Army has incorporated a joint Franco-German mechanized infantry brigade since 1989, a Dutch airmobile infantry brigade since 2014, and a Dutch mechanized infantry brigade since 2016; in addition, the German Navy’s Sea Battalion (includes marine infantry, naval divers, reconnaissance, and security forces) has worked closely with the Dutch Marine Corps since 2016, including as a binational amphibious landing group (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 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: nonenone Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 616,325 (Syria), 152,677 (Afghanistan), 147,400 (Iraq), 62,152 (Eritrea), 45,704 (Iran), 34,465 (Turkey), 29,137 (Somalia), 9,329 (Russia), 9,323 (Nigeria), 8,600 (Pakistan), 7,503 (Serbia and Kosovo), 6,057 (Ethiopia) (mid-year 2021); 915,000 (Ukraine) (as of 3 August 2022) stateless persons: 26,980 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: maritime transshipment point for cocaine heading to Europemaritime transshipment point for cocaine heading to Europe

20220901

field-infant-mortality-rate

This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Topic: Afghanistantotal: 104.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 113.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 96.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Albaniatotal: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Algeriatotal: 19.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoatotal: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Andorratotal: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Angolatotal: 58.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 64.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Anguillatotal: 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.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal: 12.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Arubatotal: 12.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Australiatotal: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Austriatotal: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 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.) Topic: Bahraintotal: 10.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 30.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal: 10 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belarustotal: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belizetotal: 11.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Benintotal: 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.) Topic: Bermudatotal: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutantotal: 27.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Boliviatotal: 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.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 5.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal: 25.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Braziltotal: 13.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bruneitotal: 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.) Topic: Bulgariatotal: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 49.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 45.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Burmatotal: 32.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Burunditotal: 37.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 23.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodiatotal: 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.) Topic: Cameroontotal: 48.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Canadatotal: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republictotal: 82.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 89.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Chadtotal: 65.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Chiletotal: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Chinatotal: 6.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Colombiatotal: 11.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Comorostotal: 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.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 60.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 47.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 52.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 55.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Croatiatotal: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cubatotal: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Curacaototal: 7.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal: 8.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Czechiatotal: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 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.) Topic: Dominicatotal: 11.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 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.) Topic: Ecuadortotal: 18.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Egypttotal: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 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.) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 78.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Eritreatotal: 41.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Estoniatotal: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal: 39.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 33.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: European Uniontotal: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 5.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Fijitotal: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal: 2.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Francetotal: 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.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gabontotal: 28.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 37.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 15.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Georgiatotal: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Germanytotal: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal: 32.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltartotal: 6.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Greecetotal: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Greenlandtotal: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Grenadatotal: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guamtotal: 11.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal: 26.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guernseytotal: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guineatotal: 49.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 49.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guyanatotal: 22.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Haititotal: 40.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Hondurastotal: 15.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 2.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Hungarytotal: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal: 1.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 1.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Indiatotal: 30.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 19.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Irantotal: 14.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Iraqtotal: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Irelandtotal: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Israeltotal: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Italytotal: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Japantotal: 1.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Jerseytotal: 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.) Topic: Jordantotal: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 19.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal: 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.) Topic: Kiribatitotal: 32.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 2.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovototal: 27.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwaittotal: 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.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Laostotal: 37.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 41.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Latviatotal: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lesothototal: 48.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Liberiatotal: 44.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Libyatotal: 11.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Macautotal: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal: 39.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Malawitotal: 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.) Topic: Malaysiatotal: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal: 25.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Malitotal: 60.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Maltatotal: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 21.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 50.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritiustotal: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mexicototal: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Moldovatotal: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Monacototal: 1.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mongoliatotal: 20.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegrototal: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrattotal: 10.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Moroccototal: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 61.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Namibiatotal: 29.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Naurutotal: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Nepaltotal: 25.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 19.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Nigertotal: 66.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeriatotal: 56.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Niuetotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 12.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Norwaytotal: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Omantotal: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistantotal: 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.) Topic: Palautotal: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Panamatotal: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 33.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Paraguaytotal: 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.) Topic: Perutotal: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal: 22.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Polandtotal: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 6.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Qatartotal: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Russiatotal: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal: 26.39 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 8.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 11.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martintotal: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal: 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 12.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Samoatotal: 18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: San Marinototal: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 44.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal: 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.) Topic: Serbiatotal: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Seychellestotal: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 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.) Topic: Singaporetotal: 1.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 1.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maartentotal: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakiatotal: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal: 1.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 1.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Somaliatotal: 86.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 96.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: South Africatotal: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: South Sudantotal: 63.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 57 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Spaintotal: 2.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sudantotal: 42.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Surinametotal: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Svalbardtotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Swedentotal: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Syriatotal: 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.) Topic: Taiwantotal: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistantotal: 32.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 33.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Togototal: 41.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tokelautotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Tongatotal: 12.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Turkeytotal: 19.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 37.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvalutotal: 28.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ugandatotal: 30.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ukrainetotal: 7.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: United Statestotal: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguaytotal: 8.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 18.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal: 14.34 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuelatotal: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 19.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnamtotal: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: West Banktotal: 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.) Topic: Worldtotal: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.) Topic: Yementotal: 46.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 51.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal: 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.) Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 28.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

20220901

countries-somalia

Topic: Photos of Somalia Topic: Introduction Background: 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 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 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. 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 Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 637,657 sq km land: 627,337 sq km water: 10,320 sq km Area - comparative: almost five times the size of Alabama; slightly smaller than Texas Land boundaries: total: 2,385 km border countries (3): Djibouti 61 km; Ethiopia 1,640 km; Kenya 684 km Coastline: 3,025 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim exclusive economic zone: 200 nm 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 Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north Elevation: highest point: Mount Shimbiris 2,460 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 410 m Natural resources: uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves Land use: agricultural land: 70.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 68.5% (2018 est.) forest: 10.6% (2018 est.) other: 19.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,000 sq km (2012) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin Population distribution: distribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa as shown on this population distribution map Natural hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season Geography - note: strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal Map description: Somalia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.Somalia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden. Topic: People and Society Population: 12,386,248 (2022 est.) note: this estimate was derived from an official census taken in 1975 by the Somali Government; population counting in Somalia is complicated by the large number of nomads and by refugee movements in response to famine and clan warfare Nationality: noun: Somali(s) adjective: Somali Ethnic groups: Somali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs) Languages: Somali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English major-language sample(s): Buugga Xaqiiqda Aduunka, waa laga maarmaanka macluumaadka assasiga. (Somali) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Sunni Muslim (Islam) (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter) Demographic profile: Somalia scores very low for most humanitarian indicators, suffering from poor governance, protracted internal conflict, underdevelopment, economic decline, poverty, social and gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Despite civil war and famine raising its mortality rate, Somalia’s high fertility rate and large proportion of people of reproductive age maintain rapid population growth, with each generation being larger than the prior one. More than 60% of Somalia’s population is younger than 25, and the fertility rate is among the world’s highest at almost 6 children per woman – a rate that has decreased little since the 1970s.A lack of educational and job opportunities is a major source of tension for Somalia’s large youth cohort, making them vulnerable to recruitment by extremist and pirate groups. Somalia has one of the world’s lowest primary school enrollment rates – just over 40% of children are in school – and one of world’s highest youth unemployment rates. Life expectancy is low as a result of high infant and maternal mortality rates, the spread of preventable diseases, poor sanitation, chronic malnutrition, and inadequate health services.During the two decades of conflict that followed the fall of the SIAD regime in 1991, hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes. Today Somalia is the world’s third highest source country for refugees, after Syria and Afghanistan. Insecurity, drought, floods, food shortages, and a lack of economic opportunities are the driving factors.As of 2016, more than 1.1 million Somali refugees were hosted in the region, mainly in Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, while more than 1.1 million Somalis were internally displaced. Since the implementation of a tripartite voluntary repatriation agreement among Kenya, Somalia, and the UNHCR in 2013, nearly 40,000 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp – still houses to approximately 260,000 Somalis. The flow sped up rapidly after the Kenyan Government in May 2016 announced its intention to close the camp, worsening security and humanitarian conditions in receiving communities in south-central Somalia. Despite the conflict in Yemen, thousands of Somalis and other refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen and beyond (often Saudi Arabia). Bossaso in Puntland overtook Obock, Djibouti, as the primary departure point in mid-2014.Somalia scores very low for most humanitarian indicators, suffering from poor governance, protracted internal conflict, underdevelopment, economic decline, poverty, social and gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Despite civil war and famine raising its mortality rate, Somalia’s high fertility rate and large proportion of people of reproductive age maintain rapid population growth, with each generation being larger than the prior one. More than 60% of Somalia’s population is younger than 25, and the fertility rate is among the world’s highest at almost 6 children per woman – a rate that has decreased little since the 1970s.A lack of educational and job opportunities is a major source of tension for Somalia’s large youth cohort, making them vulnerable to recruitment by extremist and pirate groups. Somalia has one of the world’s lowest primary school enrollment rates – just over 40% of children are in school – and one of world’s highest youth unemployment rates. Life expectancy is low as a result of high infant and maternal mortality rates, the spread of preventable diseases, poor sanitation, chronic malnutrition, and inadequate health services.During the two decades of conflict that followed the fall of the SIAD regime in 1991, hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes. Today Somalia is the world’s third highest source country for refugees, after Syria and Afghanistan. Insecurity, drought, floods, food shortages, and a lack of economic opportunities are the driving factors.As of 2016, more than 1.1 million Somali refugees were hosted in the region, mainly in Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, while more than 1.1 million Somalis were internally displaced. Since the implementation of a tripartite voluntary repatriation agreement among Kenya, Somalia, and the UNHCR in 2013, nearly 40,000 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp – still houses to approximately 260,000 Somalis. The flow sped up rapidly after the Kenyan Government in May 2016 announced its intention to close the camp, worsening security and humanitarian conditions in receiving communities in south-central Somalia. Despite the conflict in Yemen, thousands of Somalis and other refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen and beyond (often Saudi Arabia). Bossaso in Puntland overtook Obock, Djibouti, as the primary departure point in mid-2014. Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 96.3 youth dependency ratio: 90.6 elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 potential support ratio: 17.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 18.5 years male: 18.7 years female: 18.3 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.42% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 37.98 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 11.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: distribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa as shown on this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 47.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.497 million MOGADISHU (capital), 1.079 million Hargeysa (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 829 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 86.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 96.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.72 years male: 53.39 years female: 58.12 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 5.31 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 6.9% (2018/19) Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: 0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2014) Hospital bed density: 0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,700 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley 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; Somalia 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: 8.3% (2016) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 23% (2009) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 16.8% women married by age 18: 35.5% men married by age 18: 5.6% (2020 est.) Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water scarcity; contaminated water contributes to human health problems; improper waste disposal; deforestation; land degradation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 29.51 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.65 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 20.13 megatons (2020 est.) 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 Land use: agricultural land: 70.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 68.5% (2018 est.) forest: 10.6% (2018 est.) other: 19.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 47.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 4.2% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley 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; Somalia 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: exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to drought conditions and internal conflict - an estimated 4.15 million people are facing severe food insecurity between February and March 2022, mainly as a result of consecutive poor rainy seasons since late 2020, which severely affected crop and livestock production, and due to heightened conflict since early 2021; two consecutive poor rainy seasons resulted in significant crop and livestock production shortfalls, while food access has been severely affected in recent months by declining employment opportunities in rural areas and by the escalation of conflict (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,326,099 tons (2016 est.) Major aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 15 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 3.281 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 14.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Federal Republic of Somalia conventional short form: Somalia local long form: Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya (Somali)/ Jumhuriyat as Sumal al Fidiraliyah (Arabic) local short form: Soomaaliya (Somali)/ As Sumal (Arabic) former: British Somaliland, Italian Somaliland, Somali Republic, Somali Democratic Republic etymology: "Land of the Somali" (ethnic group) Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Mogadishu geographic coordinates: 2 04 N, 45 20 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: several theories attempt to explain the city's name; one of the more plausible is that it derives from "maq'ad-i-shah" meaning "the seat of the shah," reflecting the city's links with Persia Administrative divisions: 18 regions (plural - gobollo, singular - gobol); Awdal, Bakool, Banaadir, Bari, Bay, Galguduud, Gedo, Hiiraan, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Jubba), Jubbada Hoose (Lower Jubba), Mudug, Nugaal, Sanaag, Shabeellaha Dhexe (Middle Shabeelle), Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabeelle), Sool, Togdheer, Woqooyi Galbeed Independence: 1 July 1960 (from a merger of British Somaliland, which became independent from the UK on 26 June 1960, and Italian Somaliland, which became independent from the Italian-administered UN trusteeship on 1 July 1960 to form the Somali Republic) National holiday: Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland Constitution: history: previous 1961, 1979; latest drafted 12 June 2012, adopted 1 August 2012 (provisional) amendments: proposed by the federal government, by members of the state governments, the Federal Parliament, or by public petition; proposals require review by a joint committee of Parliament with inclusion of public comments and state legislatures’ comments; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Parliament and approval by a majority of votes cast in a referendum; constitutional clauses on Islamic principles, the federal system, human rights and freedoms, powers and authorities of the government branches, and inclusion of women in national institutions cannot be amended; note - in late December 2020, the president signed a decree blocking the approval of amendments Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, Islamic (sharia) law, and customary law (referred to as Xeer) International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Somalia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (since 23 May 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi BARRE (since 25 June 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by the House of the People elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Federal Parliament by two-thirds majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 15 May 2022 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the House of the People; note - elections were originally scheduled for 10 October 2021 but did not take place; on 13 April 2022, the election of the House of the People representatives was completed and the presidential election date was set for 15 May 2022 election results: 2022: HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud elected president in third round - Federal Parliament vote in the first round - Said ABDULLAHI DENI (Kaah) 20.2%, Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" (TPP) 18.3%, HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 16.2%, Hassan Ali KHAYRE (Independent) 14.6%, other 30.7%; Federal Parliament vote in the second round - HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 34.1%, Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" (TPP) 25.7%, Said ABDULLAHI DENI (Kaah) 21%, Hassan Ali KHAYRE (Independent) 19.2%; Federal Parliament vote in the third round - HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 66%, Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" (TPP) 34% 2017: Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" elected president in second round; Federal Parliament vote in the first round - HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 88, Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" (TPP) 72, Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (ARS) 49, other 37; Federal Parliament vote in the second round - Mohamed ABDULLAHI Mohamed "Farmaajo" (TPP) 184, HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud (PDP) 97, Sheikh SHARIF Sheikh Ahmed (ARS) 45 Legislative branch: description: bicameral Federal Parliament to consist of: Senate (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: Senate - first held on 10 October 2016; last held 27 July - 13 November 2021 (next to be held in 2025) House of the People - first held 23 October - 10 November 2016 (next to be held September - October 2021 but postponed to November 2021 and extended numerous times to April 2022; next to be held in 2026) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 40, women 14, percent of women 25.9% House of the People - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 225, women 50, percent of women 22.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 19.5% 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 - renamed 'Senate' 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 of Parliament (MP) were sworn in Judicial branch: highest courts: the provisional constitution stipulates the establishment of the Constitutional Court (consists of 5 judges, including the chief judge and deputy chief judge); note - under the terms of the 2004 Transitional National Charter, a Supreme Court based in Mogadishu and the Appeal Court were established; yet most regions have reverted to local forms of conflict resolution, either secular, traditional Somali customary law, or Islamic law judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president upon proposal of the Judicial Service Commission, a 9-member judicial and administrative body; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: federal courts; federal member state-level courts; military courts; sharia courts Political parties and leaders: Cosmopolitan Democratic Party [Yarow Sharef ADEN] Daljir Party or DP [Hassan MOALIM] Democratic Green Party of Somalia or DGPS [Abdullahi Y. MAHAMOUD] Democratic Party of Somalia or DPS [Maslah Mohamed SIAD] Green Leaf for Democracy or GLED Hiil Qaran Justice and Communist Party [Mohamed NUR] Justice and Development of Democracy and Self-Respectfulness Party or CAHDI [Abdirahman Abdigani IBRAHIM Bile] Justice Party [SAKARIYE Haji] Liberal Party of Somalia National Democratic Party [Abdirashid ALI] National Unity Party (Xisbiga MIdnimo-Quaran) [Abdurahman BAADIYOW] Somali Green Party (local chapter of Federation of Green Parties of Africa) Somali National Party or SNP [Mohammed Ameen Saeed AHMED] Somali People's Party [Salad JEELE] Somali Society Unity Party [Yasin MAALIM] Tayo or TPP [Mohamed Abdullahi MOHAMED] Tiir Party [Fadhil Sheik MOHAMUD] Union for Peace and Development Party or PDP [HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud] United and Democratic Party [FAUZIA Haji] United Somali Parliamentarians United Somali Republican Party [Ali TIMA-JLIC] inactive: Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia; reportedly inactive since 2009 International organization participation: ACP, 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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ali Sharif AHMED (since 16 September 2019) chancery: 1609 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 853-9164 email address and website: info@somaliembassydc.net https://somaliembassydc.net/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Larry E. ANDRE, Jr. (since 9 February 2022) embassy: Mogadishu, (reopened October 2019 on the grounds of the Mogadishu Airport) mailing address: P.O. Box 606 Village Market 00621 Nairobi, Kenya telephone: [254] 20 363-6451 email address and website: Kenya_ACS@state.gov https://so.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: light blue with a large white five-pointed star in the center; the blue field was originally influenced by the flag of the UN but today is said to denote the sky and the neighboring Indian Ocean; the five points of the star represent the five regions in the horn of Africa that are inhabited by Somali people: the former British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland (which together make up Somalia), Djibouti, Ogaden (Ethiopia), and the North East Province (Kenya) National symbol(s): leopard; national colors: blue, white National anthem: name: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag) lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE note: adopted 2012; written in 1959 Government - note: regional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various areas of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia Topic: Economy Economic overview: Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia maintains an informal economy largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Somalia's government lacks the ability to collect domestic revenue and external debt – mostly in arrears – was estimated at about 77% of GDP in 2017.   Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Economic activity is estimated to have increased by 2.4% in 2017 because of growth in the agriculture, construction and telecommunications sector. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal.   In recent years, Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu, has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Formalized economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu and a few regional capitals, and within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services’ ability to operate in Western nations. In 2017, Somalia elected a new president and collected a record amount of foreign aid and investment, a positive sign for economic recovery.Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia maintains an informal economy largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Somalia's government lacks the ability to collect domestic revenue and external debt – mostly in arrears – was estimated at about 77% of GDP in 2017. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Economic activity is estimated to have increased by 2.4% in 2017 because of growth in the agriculture, construction and telecommunications sector. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal. In recent years, Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu, has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Formalized economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu and a few regional capitals, and within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services’ ability to operate in Western nations. In 2017, Somalia elected a new president and collected a record amount of foreign aid and investment, a positive sign for economic recovery. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.19 billion (2020 est.) $13.39 billion (2019 est.) $13.01 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 US dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.3% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $800 (2020 est.) $900 (2019 est.) $900 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $7.052 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.5% (2017 est.) -71.1% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 60.2% (2013 est.) industry: 7.4% (2013 est.) services: 32.5% (2013 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: camel milk, milk, sheep milk, goat milk, sugar cane, fruit, sorghum, cassava, vegetables, maize Industries: light industries, including sugar refining, textiles, wireless communication Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2014 est.) Labor force: 4.154 million (2016 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 71% industry: 29% industry and services: 29% (1975) Unemployment rate: NANA Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 145.3 million (2014 est.) expenditures: 151.1 million (2014 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.1% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Public debt: 76.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 93% of GDP (2014 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 2.1% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Fiscal year: NA Current account balance: -$464 million (2017 est.) -$427 million (2016 est.) Exports: $819 million (2014 est.) $779 million (2013 est.) Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 47%, Saudi Arabia 19%, India 5%, Japan 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: gold, sheep, goats, sesame seeds, insect resins, cattle (2019) Imports: $94.43 billion (2018 est.) $80.07 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 32%, China 20%, India 17%, Turkey 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: cigarettes, raw sugar, rice, broadcasting equipment, textiles (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $30.45 million (2014 est.) Debt - external: $5.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) Exchange rates: Somali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - 23,960 (2016 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 18% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 34% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 4% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 91,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 311.2 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 35 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 1.7% 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: 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 (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 5,590 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: 5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 882,000 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 802,000 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 91,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7.119 million (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48.8 (2019) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Somalia’s economic difficulties in recent years have made it difficult for telcos and the government to sustain investment in infrastructure; the government has also had to contend with militant groups which continue on occasion to force the closure of internet services in many areas of the country; in recent years, though, the government has addressed the lack of guidance which had prevailed since 1991, when a dictatorial regime was overthrown; the National Communications Law was passed in October 2017, aimed at setting a legal and regulatory framework for the telecoms sector, while provision was made in the following year to set up a regulatory authority to oversee the telecom sector; more recently, three types of licenses were mandated to provide clarity to operators, and to bring the market closer into line with international standards; all operators were given until August 2020 to secure one of the three license types; given the poor condition of fixed-line infrastructure, operators have concentrated on mobile connectivity; their investment plans have involved the development of LTE services to provide mobile data and broadband services; the telecom market has flourished; tariffs are among the lowest in Africa, and new cable systems coming on stream in the next few years (providing additional connectivity to Asia and Europe), as well as planned investments from local operators to bolster the country’s national fiber backbone, will lead to downward pressure on retail pricing; on the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices are under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes as the remnants of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic remain and as global events, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, continue to play out; the market is continuing a positive growth trajectory, supported by a slow economic rebound in the country. (2022) domestic: seven networks compete for customers in the mobile sector; some of these mobile-service providers offer fixed-lines and Internet services; fixed-line is 0 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 51 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 252; landing points for the G2A, DARE1, PEACE, and EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system linking East Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe (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: 2 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) Internet country code: .so Internet users: total: 308,858 (2019 est.) percent of population: 2% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 119,000 (2020 est.) 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: 7 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 4,486 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 6O Airports: total: 52 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 8 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 44 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 22 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 15,000 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 4 by type: general cargo 1, other 3 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Berbera, Kismaayo Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Ministry of Defense: Somali National Army (SNA); Ministry of Internal Security: Somali National Police (SNP, includes a maritime unit and a Turkish-trained commando unit known as Harmacad, or Cheetah) (2022) note 1: Somalia has numerous militia and regional forces operating throughout the country; these forces include ones that are clan- and warlord-based, semi-official paramilitary and special police forces (aka darwish), and externally-sponsored militias; the SNA is attempting to incorporate some of these militia units note 2: Somaliland has army and naval forces under the Somaliland Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Military expenditures: 5.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $120 million) 6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $120 million) 5.9% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $110 million) 6% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $110 million) 5.9% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $110 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: estimates vary widely due to inconsistent data and ongoing efforts to integrate various militias; estimated 10-20,000 active duty SNA personnel (2022) note 1: in 2017, the Somali Government announced a plan for the SNA to eventually number about 18,000 troops; the same plan called for 32,000 federal and regional police note 2: as of 2021, there were up to 50,000 militia forces were estimated to be operating in the country Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SNA is lightly armed with an inventory that includes a variety of older, second-hand equipment largely from Italy, Russia, South Africa, and the UK; since 2015, it has received small quantities of second-hand equipment from up to 10 different countries, usually as aid/donations (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscription is authorized, but not currently utilized (2021) Military - note: as of 2022, large parts of the country remained outside government control and under the control of the insurgent Islamist group al-Shabaab; al-Shabaab contested government control in some other areas (see Appendix T) as of 2022, a significant portion of the SNA was comprised of militia forces that lacked the discipline, structure, weapons, and overall capabilities for effective military operations; of the SNA’s approximately 13 brigades, the most effective were assessed to be the US-trained Danab ("Lightning") Advanced Infantry Brigade and those of the Turkish-trained Gorgor ("Eagle") Special Division; in 2020-2021, the Danab Brigade conducted most of the SNA’s offensive operations in Somalia and nearly all counterterrorism operations against the al-Shabaab terrorist group; as of 2022, it numbered about 1,500 troops with an eventual projected strength of 3,000, while the Gorgor Division was estimated to have 4,500-5,000 trained troops the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) operated in the country with the approval of the UN from 2007-2022; its peacekeeping mission included assisting Somali forces in providing security for a stable political process, enabling the gradual handing over of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces, and reducing the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and other armed opposition groups; in May 2022, AMISOM was reconfigured and replaced with the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS); the ATMIS mission is to support the Somalia Federal Government (FGS) in implementing the security objectives of the FGS's security transition plan, a comprehensive strategy developed by the FGS and its international partners in 2018 (updated in 2021) to gradually transfer security responsibilities from ATMIS to Somali security forces; ATMIS is projected to gradually reduce staffing from its 2022 level of about 20,000 personnel (civilians, military, and police) to zero by the end of 2024  UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM; established 2013) is mandated by the Security Council to work with the FGS to support national reconciliation, provide advice on peace-building and state-building, monitor the human rights situation, and help coordinate the efforts of the international community the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS; established 2015) is responsible for providing logistical field support to AMISOM, UNSOM, the Somali National Army, and the Somali Police Force on joint operations with AMISOM the European Union Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S) has operated in the country since 2010; the EUTM provides advice and training to the Somali military; the US and Turkey maintain separate military training missions in Somalia; the UAE also maintains a military presence in Somalia (Somaliland)as of 2022, large parts of the country remained outside government control and under the control of the insurgent Islamist group al-Shabaab; al-Shabaab contested government control in some other areas (see Appendix T) as of 2022, a significant portion of the SNA was comprised of militia forces that lacked the discipline, structure, weapons, and overall capabilities for effective military operations; of the SNA’s approximately 13 brigades, the most effective were assessed to be the US-trained Danab ("Lightning") Advanced Infantry Brigade and those of the Turkish-trained Gorgor ("Eagle") Special Division; in 2020-2021, the Danab Brigade conducted most of the SNA’s offensive operations in Somalia and nearly all counterterrorism operations against the al-Shabaab terrorist group; as of 2022, it numbered about 1,500 troops with an eventual projected strength of 3,000, while the Gorgor Division was estimated to have 4,500-5,000 trained troops 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 Africathe 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; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Somalia 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: Somalia-Djibouti: none identified Somalia-Ethiopia: Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; the border between the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia, which is inhabited by ethnic Somalis, and Somalia is only partially demarcated under colonial rule and has been the source of tension for decades Somalia-Kenya: Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; in 2015, the Kenyan Government began building a wall along the border to prevent the crossborder movement of militant groups; the boundary separates ethnic Somalis; in October 2021, the Somalia-Kenya Indian Ocean boundary dispute was decided by the International Court of Justice; the ruling adjusted the boundary slightly north of Somalia’s claim giving Somalia the majority of the contested maritime territory, which is believed to contain rich oil and natural gas deposits; while the decision is legally binding, it has no enforcement mechanism, and Kenya has said it will not abide by itSomalia-Djibouti: none identifiedSomalia-Ethiopia: Ethiopian forces invaded southern Somalia and routed Islamist Courts from Mogadishu in January 2007; the border between the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia, which is inhabited by ethnic Somalis, and Somalia is only partially demarcated under colonial rule and has been the source of tension for decadesSomalia-Kenya: Kenya works hard to prevent the clan and militia fighting in Somalia from spreading south across the border, which has long been open to nomadic pastoralists; in 2015, the Kenyan Government began building a wall along the border to prevent the crossborder movement of militant groups; the boundary separates ethnic Somalis; in October 2021, the Somalia-Kenya Indian Ocean boundary dispute was decided by the International Court of Justice; the ruling adjusted the boundary slightly north of Somalia’s claim giving Somalia the majority of the contested maritime territory, which is believed to contain rich oil and natural gas deposits; while the decision is legally binding, it has no enforcement mechanism, and Kenya has said it will not abide by it Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,208 (Yemen) (2022) IDPs: 2.968 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources; 2011 famine; insecurity because of fighting between al-Shabaab and the Transitional Federal Government's allied forces) (2022)

20220901

countries-ireland

Topic: Photos of Ireland Topic: Introduction Background: 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.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.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain Geographic coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W Map references: Europe Area: total: 70,273 sq km land: 68,883 sq km water: 1,390 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 490 km border countries (1): UK 490 km Coastline: 1,448 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Terrain: mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast Elevation: highest point: Carrauntoohil 1,041 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 118 m Natural resources: natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite Land use: agricultural land: 66.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 50.7% (2018 est.) forest: 10.9% (2018 est.) other: 23% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities Natural hazards: rare extreme weather events Geography - note: strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin Map description: Ireland map showing major cities and the island’s setting in the North Atlantic Ocean.Ireland map showing major cities and the island’s setting in the North Atlantic Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 5,275,004 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural) adjective: Irish Ethnic groups: Irish 82.2%, Irish travelers 0.7%, other White 9.5%, Asian 2.1%, Black 1.4%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.) Languages: English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 39.8% of the population as of 2016; mainly spoken in areas along Ireland's western coast known as gaeltachtai, which are officially recognized regions where Irish is the predominant language) Religions: Roman Catholic 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3%, other 2.4%, none 9.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.) Age structure: 0-14 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) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.8 youth dependency ratio: 32.3 elderly dependency ratio: 22.6 potential support ratio: 4.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 37.8 years male: 37.4 years female: 38.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.94% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 3.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities Urbanization: urban population: 64.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.15% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.256 million DUBLIN (capital) (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: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 30.9 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.66 years male: 79.35 years female: 84.1 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.92 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: 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.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.7% (2019) Physicians density: 3.49 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 3 beds/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: 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.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,800 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25.3% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 20.8% (2020 est.) male: 22.5% (2020 est.) female: 19% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years male: 19 years female: 19 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.3% male: 15.3% female: 15.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff; acid rain kills plants, destroys soil fertility, and contributes to deforestation Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, 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, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 8.26 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 37.71 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 13.67 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Land use: agricultural land: 66.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 15.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 50.7% (2018 est.) forest: 10.9% (2018 est.) other: 23% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 64.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.15% 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: 2,692,537 tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 888,537 tons (2012 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 33% (2012 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 631 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 51 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 179 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 52 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Ireland local long form: none local short form: Eire etymology: the modern Irish name "Eire" evolved from the Gaelic "Eriu," the name of the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land); the names "Ireland" in English and "Eire" in Irish are direct translations of each other Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Dublin geographic coordinates: 53 19 N, 6 14 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: derived from Irish "dubh" and "lind" meaning respectively "black, dark" and "pool" and which referred to the dark tidal pool where the River Poddle entered the River Liffey; today the area is the site of the castle gardens behind Dublin Castle Administrative divisions: 28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow Independence: 6 December 1921 (from the UK by the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which ended British rule); 6 December 1922 (Irish Free State established); 18 April 1949 (Republic of Ireland Act enabled) National holiday: Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March; note - marks the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, during the latter half of the fifth century A.D. (most commonly cited years are c. 461 and c. 493); although Saint Patrick's feast day was celebrated in Ireland as early as the ninth century, it only became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903 Constitution: history: previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937 amendments: proposed as bills by Parliament; passage requires majority vote by both the Senate and House of Representatives, majority vote in a referendum, and presidential signature; amended many times, last in 2019 Legal system: common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts by Supreme Court International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 11 November 2011) head of government: Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál MARTIN (since 27 June 2020); note - MARTIN will serve through December 2022 and will then be succeeded by Leo VARADKAR  cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president, approved by the Dali Eireann (lower house of Parliament)  elections/appointments: president directly elected by majority popular vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 October 2018 (next to be held no later than November 2025); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann), appointed by the president election results: Michael D. HIGGINS reelected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS (independent) 55.8%, Peter CASEY (independent) 23.3%, Sean GALLAGHER (independent) 6.4%, Liadh NI RIADA (Sinn Fein) 6.4%, Joan FREEMAN (independent) 6%, Gavin DUFFY (independent) 2.2% Legislative branch: description: 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 - Fianna Fail 35%, Fine Gael 26.7%, Labor Party 6.7%, Sinn Fein 6.7%, Green Party 6.7%, Human Dignity Alliance 1.6%, independent 16.7%; seats by party - Fianna Fail 21, Fine Gael 16, Labor Party 4, Sinn Fein 4, Green Party 4, Human Dignity Alliance 1, independent 10; composition - men 36, women 24, percent of women 40%   House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Sinn Fein 22.6%, Fianna Fail 22.6%, Fine Gael 20.7%, Green Party 6.3%, Labor Party 4.5%, Social Democrats 3.8%, AAA-PBD 3.2%, Aontu 0.6%, Right to Change 0.6%, independent 15%; seats by party - Sinn Fein 36, Fianna Fail 36, Fine Gael 33, Green Party 10, Labor Party 7, Social Democrats 6, AAA-PBD 5, Aontu l, Right to Change 1, Independents 24; composition as of March 2022 - men 123, women 37, percent of women 23.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 27.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Ireland (consists of the chief justice, 9 judges, 2 ex-officio members - the presidents of the High Court and Court of Appeal - and organized in 3-, 5-, or 7-judge panels, depending on the importance or complexity of an issue of law) judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; chief justice serves in the position for 7 years; judges can serve until age 70 subordinate courts: High Court, Court of Appeal; circuit and district courts; criminal courts Political parties and leaders: Aontu [Peadar TOIBIN] Solidarity-People Before Profit or AAAS-PBP [collective leadership] Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN] Fine Gael [Leo VARADKAR] Green Party [Eamon RYAN] Human Dignity Alliance [Ronan MULLEN] Labor (Labour) Party [Alan KELLY] Renua Ireland (vacant) Right to Change or RTC [Joan COLLINS] Sinn Fein [Mary Lou MCDONALD] Social Democrats [Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL] Socialist Party [collective leadership] The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY] International organization participation: ADB (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 Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel Gerard MULHALL (since 8 September 2017) chancery: 2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3939 FAX: [1] (202) 232-5993 email address and website: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/usa/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Austin (TX), Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Claire D. CRONIN (since 10 February 2022) embassy: 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 mailing address: 5290 Dublin Place, Washington DC  20521-5290 telephone: [353] (1) 668-8777 FAX: [353] (1) 688-8056 email address and website: ACSDublin@state.gov https://ie.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange note: similar to the flag of Cote d'Ivoire, which is shorter and has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is shorter and has colors of green (hoist side), white, and red National symbol(s): harp, shamrock (trefoil); national colors: blue, green National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Brú na Bóinne - Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne; Sceilg Mhichíl Topic: Economy Economic overview: Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program.   In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP.   In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures.Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program. In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP. In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $447.97 billion (2020 est.) $433.17 billion (2019 est.) $410.33 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5.86% (2019 est.) 9.42% (2018 est.) 9.49% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $89,700 (2020 est.) $87,800 (2019 est.) $84,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $398.476 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 0.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A+ (2017) Moody's rating: A2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.2% (2017 est.) industry: 38.6% (2017 est.) services: 60.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household 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.) Agricultural products: milk, barley, beef, wheat, potatoes, pork, oats, poultry, mushrooms/truffles, mutton Industries: pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices Industrial production growth rate: 7.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 2.289 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5% industry: 11% services: 84% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.98% (2019 est.) 5.78% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.3% male: 15.3% female: 15.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 13.1% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.8 (2016 est.) 35.9 (1987 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 27.2% (2000) Budget: revenues: 86.04 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 87.19 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 68.6% of GDP (2017 est.) 73.6% 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: 26% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$44.954 billion (2019 est.) $24.154 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $502.31 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $471.6 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $440.693 billion (2017 est.) Exports - partners: United States 28%, Belgium 10%, Germany 10%, UK 9%, China 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: medical cultures/vaccines, nitrogen compounds, packaged medicines, integrated circuits, scented mixtures (2019) Imports: $452.98 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $361.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $359.725 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: United Kingdom 31%, United States 16%, Germany 10%, Netherlands 5%, France 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: aircraft, computers, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, medical cultures/vaccines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.412 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $2,829,303,000,000 (2019 est.) $2,758,949,000,000 (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: 11.43 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 30.627 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 1.913 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 1.761 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.309 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 57.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 34.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 3.7% 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: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 351,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 132,000 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 408,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 14 million metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 600 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 159,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 60,300 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 64,970 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 37,040 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 2,652,180,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 5,491,562,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 2,846,971,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 9.911 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 35.475 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.) Energy consumption per capita: 133.674 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,678,651 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 5,234,027 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Ireland’s telecom market has rebounded from a long period in which fiscal constraints inhibited investment in the sector; significant infrastructure projects are underway, including the NBN which aims to deliver a fiber-based service of at least 150Mb/s nationally by the end of 2022; the renewed optimism has been seen in company investment in extending fiber-based networks providing 1Gb/s services; the incumbent telco eir is investing €1 billion in infrastructure, part of which is earmarked for its Ireland’s Fiber Network which will deliver a 1Gb/s service to 85% of premises; the mobile market is dominated by Vodafone Ireland and 3 Ireland, followed by eir; there is room for a small number of MVNOs, the largest of which is Tesco Mobile, though stiff competition and the deployment of low-cost sub-brands by the MNOs has made the MVNO model a difficult proposition and a few players have been forced to exit the market; the mobile sector is preparing for a multi-frequency availibility later in 2021 which will greatly increase the amount of frequencies available, and provide a boost for 5G services; the MNOs are rapidly expanding the reach of 5G, with eir alone covering about 57% of the population by March 2021; Vodafone launches a commercial NB-IoT service, extend 5G services to more cities (2021) domestic: increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas; fixed-line 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular 106 per 100 subscriptions; digital system using cable and microwave radio relay (2020) international: country code - 353; landing point for the AEConnect -1, Celtic-Norse, Havfrue/AEC-2, GTT Express, Celtic, ESAT-1, IFC-1, Solas, Pan European Crossing, ESAT-2, CeltixConnect -1 & 2, GTT Atlantic, Sirius South, Emerald Bridge Fibres and Geo Eirgrid submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, Norway, Isle of Man and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (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: publicly 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) Internet country code: .ie Internet users: total: 4,586,820 (2020 est.) percent of population: 92% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,516,473 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 9 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 450 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 167,598,633 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 168.71 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EI Airports: total: 40 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 5 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 21 (2021) Pipelines: 2,427 km gas (2017) Railways: total: 4,301 km (2018) narrow gauge: 1,930 km (2018) 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) broad gauge: 2,371 km (2018) 1.600-m gauge (53 km electrified) Roadways: total: 99,830 km (2018) paved: 99,830 km (2018) (includes 2,717 km of expressways) Waterways: 956 km (2010) (pleasure craft only) Merchant marine: total: 96 by type: bulk carrier 12, general cargo 36, oil tanker 1, other 47 (2021) Ports and terminals: major 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: Military and Security Military and security forces: Irish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defense Forces (2022) Military expenditures: 0.3% of GDP (2021) 0.3% of GDP (2020) 0.3% of GDP (2019) (approximately $1.27 billion) 0.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.25 billion 0.3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.21 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 8,500 active duty personnel (6,800 Army; 900 Naval Service; 800 Air Corps) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Irish Defense Forces have a small inventory of imported weapons systems from a variety of mostly European countries; the UK is the leading supplier of military hardware to Ireland since 2010 (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Defence Forces (18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-26 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 12-year service (5 active, 7 reserves); Irish citizen, European Economic Area citizenship, or refugee status (2022) note: as of 2019, women made up about 7% of the military's full-time personnel Military deployments: 130 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 320 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Military - note: the Irish Defense Forces trace their origins back to the Irish Volunteers, a unit established in 1913; the Irish Volunteers took part in the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence, 1919-1921 Ireland has a long-standing policy of military neutrality; however, it participates in international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, as well as crisis management; Ireland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and has committed a battalion of troops to the EU’s Rapid Reaction Force; Ireland is not a member of NATO, but has a relationship going back to 1997 when it deployed personnel in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ireland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1999; Ireland has been an active participate in UN peacekeeping operations since the 1950sthe Irish Defense Forces trace their origins back to the Irish Volunteers, a unit established in 1913; the Irish Volunteers took part in the 1916 Easter Rising and the Irish War of Independence, 1919-1921Ireland has a long-standing policy of military neutrality; however, it participates in international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, as well as crisis management; Ireland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy and has committed a battalion of troops to the EU’s Rapid Reaction Force; Ireland is not a member of NATO, but has a relationship going back to 1997 when it deployed personnel in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ireland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1999; Ireland has been an active participate in UN peacekeeping operations since the 1950s Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Continuity Irish Republican Army; New Irish Republican Army; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) 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: Ireland-Denmark: Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands signed an agreement in 2019 extending the Faroe Islands’ northern continental shelf areaIreland-Denmark: Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands signed an agreement in 2019 extending the Faroe Islands’ northern continental shelf area Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 45,074 (Ukraine) (as of 15 August 2022) stateless persons: 107 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current 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) Illicit drugs: transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern